LIFE GIVER
GOD’S SPIRIT IN MAN
Because of what God has asked me to spend my life doing, I care deeply about the collective body of Christ, and what we call the local church. It does consume a large portion of my life and at times I lose balance and focus. So, a very important question is, how does God build His church? Jesus said that He would build His church upon the truth of His identity (Matthew 16:18, ESV). Paul the Apostle teaches that those involved in building the church do so as master builders building on the foundation that has been laid (1 Corinthians 3:10).
One of the obstacles faced in building the church in today’s culture is the heightened sense of individuality. Many church attendees are in attendance for their own specific needs. Their frequency of attendance and level of involvement is determined by their own motivations. Therefore, as a leader in the church, I am faced with the issue of leading collectively, and individually. Both are needed and important. Both are considered in the decision-making process of the church. My wish is that everyone would become a healthy part of the whole.
I believe that we all have a goal to be spiritually healthy and somewhere in each one of our hearts is the desire for a spiritually healthy church. If you are interested in how to become individually healthy contributing the collective health of the church, this message is for you. With this in mind, the Holy Spirit builds by indwelling.
As He indwells, He empowers to boldly speak the word of God (Acts 4:23-31). His indwelling qualifies all those who serve in the ministry of the church (Acts 6:1-7). This is important because of the fruit of the Holy is necessary and essential for ministry (Galatians 5:22-26). Finally, His indwelling leads those who lead the church into specific places of ministry (Acts 13:1-4 / 20:17-28). These details are not in any way exhaustive. They are sufficient to make the point that the church is built through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Based on these truths, we are then challenged to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, may we not be focused on the spectacular, for the spectacular is very rare and not the only indication that a believer has been filled with the Holy Spirit. We are to seek the indwelling of the Holy Spirit by gathering together with obedient anticipation (Act 2:1-5). As well as through prayerful repentance and Baptism (Acts 2:37-39). Two other means by which the Bible teaches us to be filled with the Holy Spirit is through a simple prayer (Acts 4:31 / 8:14-24) and through the listening to His word (Acts, 10:44). While considering these passages please understand that throughout the Bible the laying on of hands is a rite of identification and transfer. Finally, may all we do as a church be empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Follow the link below to enjoy a quick thought from Francis Chan as he offers a great resource.
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