re-Imagining Church (Pt.4)

The church that Jesus is building is a community of Christ-followers …

3. Empowered by the Spirit.

One of the most important keys to Jesus’ life and ministry was the fact that his entire ministry by being empowered by the Spirit (Mark 1:10; Luke 4:1, 14, 18-21). This infilling of the Spirit is to extend to his followers too. Jesus clearly declared that the power of the Spirit was an indispensable requirement for their lives (Luke 24:49. Acts 1:4-5). The fullness of the Spirit is to affect our character (the fruit of the Spirit) and it provides us with an anointing or enablement for life and ministry. Prayer is a key link to receiving and releasing the Spirit’s power in our lives (Acts 1:14; 4:31).

The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force, power or influence. We are to be “born again” by the Spirit (John 3:1-21). We are then to live daily “in the Spirit”, being regularly filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit, as well as demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Finally, we are to be empowered by the Spirit both to overcome the enemy and be witnesses to the life that is in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives INSIDE every follower of Christ (Romans 8:9. 2 Timothy 1:14. 1 Corinthians 6:9). He is our Counsellor – the Comforter, Helper or Friend (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). You can’t live the Christian life by yourself. You and I need the help of the Holy Spirit.

Paul further defines the ministry of the Holy Spirit, our friend and helper (see 2 Timothy 1:7). He comes to break the power of fear in our life, to give us power and ability to do the will of God, to fill our hearts with love for God and others, and to give us wisdom for life.

The Holy Spirit is a person who lives within us. We are to have fellowship with Him on a daily basis (2 Corinthians 13:14). Fellowship involves sharing, association, mutual participation and friendship. We are to live in the presence, company, help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to call on him in our time of need and seek to live by his power each day. When we think we can do it by ourselves, He lets us. When we come to a point when we recognise that we need His help, He then comes to our assistance. We need help to live the Christian life and thankfully we have a Helper – the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “I can do all things (that’s confidence) through Christ who strengthens me (that’s dependence) – who makes me equal to every task (Philippians 4:13)!”

[Part 5]