The power of the Holy Spirit
Pastor Eli Nelson started a new sermon series today titled, “Winning Where it Matters.” This message focused on the power of the Holy Spirit who is still at work in and through us today.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
Dunamis = Greek word for “power”
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)
There are many Christians (“Cessationists”) who believe that the gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues and prophecy ceased after the Apostolic Age (aka after the creation and development of the early Church in the New Testament through Jesus’ disciples). However, in this House, we believe that the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power is still alive and active today.
His power is at work within us!
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)
You can fan the gift of the Holy Spirit into flame, or you can extinguish it. There is a different kind of power that works in us and through us, and that is only through the Holy Spirit. God has created you to be a force to be reckoned with in this world. And you can through the power of the Holy Spirit!
The gifts are for right here, right now.
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 2 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NIV)
Many Cessationists use this passage of scripture to try and prove that the gifts of the Spirit have “ceased,” but Paul is actually saying that prophecies, speaking in tongues, divine knowledge, etc. will cease when we become complete – which doesn’t happen until we get to Heaven! At that point, we won’t need the gifts of the Spirit anymore because we’ll be with God for eternity, and then we will know all things. None of us are complete here on earth. We see “only in part” because we are only made complete in Christ until we are with Him in Heaven. We still need the gifts of the Spirit to live empowered today.
The power of the Holy Spirit is real. And it’s real in your life.
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:4 NIV)
We are seeking to please only one name. To praise only one name – the name of Jesus. There is a spiritual battle for your soul, so you need to stay on guard. The enemy can plant thoughts into your head, so we must take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Stop entertaining those thoughts. Jesus defeated Satan through the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. Not only that, but Jesus knew in context what the scriptures were saying so the enemy couldn’t deceive Jesus by quoting scriptures back to Him. The enemy will use a partial truth to deceive you into believing a lie. We must stay in the Word of God and we must not care what others say or think about us. His Word is truth, and the Holy Spirit is ready to work in and through you!
“Let’s stop taking the approach of what they think and start taking the approach of what God thinks.” – Pastor Eli Nelson
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