Pentecost-Holy Spirit-Power
Incredibly in the last week I have been bombarded by those topics all encompassed in sermons at church, readings on bible.org, (http://bible.org/article/what-changed-because-jesus-died) and in a book by R. A. Torrey. What is God saying to me? I note that all have had one item in common; The Holy Spirit is available and it is for one reason: power. The Pastor asked us on Sunday; what do you think of when you think of power? He then showed a video clip of a great rocket being blast off which reminded me how often we saw that occurrence living in Fl. It is an awesome sight to behold and feel as well since all creation nearby reverberates and vibrates as it experiences that power. It was a good example of “power” from an external source. But, back to the question: “what idea comes to mind when you think of power”? On our way home we discussed this question. To one person it was power of a person, to another power of natural disasters. Really? Is this what Jesus meant when he said: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” Did he mean physical kind of power? Obviously that was an evidence for the apostles healed those in dire need. Did he mean power to do tasks for which you had not been prepared? Again they spoke in tongues as evidence. How about spiritual power? Peter preached and 3000 were saved in one day alone. What did Jesus really mean? He is saying I will give you supernatural powers for one reason alone: to be my witnesses. Later Paul wrote to Timothy: 2 Tim 1:7 “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control”. In the NET the word spirit is capitalized meaning the third person of the Trinity. So Paul in essence is saying that God has given us the Holy Spirit who will, with our permission, use us as His vessel to demonstrate three character qualities. Note the first is power, the second is love, and the third is self-control. To be Jesus’ witnesses then we are given, not earned, not sought, not applied for , nor from any ordinary source but we are given from on high this gift. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as a gift for one reason alone: to be His witnesses. Why is it a gift and not something we have to work for, earning “brownie points” etc.? Could it be so that we would not boast in our own abilities but boast alone in God’s gift? So putting this altogether it seems, correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that we have been given the power [dunamis = strength power, ability] of the Holy Spirit; power that is so mighty and so strong that it was what raised Jesus from the dead. Stop and think about that. Death is so powerful that no one can by his own strength reverse it, but the Holy Spirit did! Perhaps that is why Paul desired it so much. (Phil 3:10) “My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection.” To have that power within us is almost beyond belief. So now what is the practical application to this exercise in “thinking”. Some questions to ponder:
1. Am I using this power to witness about Jesus?
2. R. A. Torrey challenged his readers to ask themselves: Are you allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to do the convicting (John 16:8) rather than yourself?
3. Am I praising God for this resurrection power so I can truly say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
3. Am I in any way quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit’s power so that I am ineffective as a witness for Jesus?
Wise Counsel: Miles Coverdale wrote in his preface: “And above all things fashion thy life and conversation according to the doctrine of the Holy Ghost therein,”

So where am I at this point in my life? The more I read R. A. Torrey’s book I think that he is both right in that we need to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit but we also may not produce evidence such as the gifts of healing, tongues or whatever. God knows what gifts I need and when I need them. Interestingly this a.m. in my quiet time I was especially touched by the Holy Spirit in that he brought to mind one verse after another to remind me of the truth of today’s scripture reading. I am not yet satisfied with what I “know” intellectually but am satisfied in that I “know” that the Holy Spirit lives within me and He is bringing to my mind and is teaching me the “all things” that Christ taught. So I am open and learning and expectant to see what comes of my study which has just started. I desire only one thing: to know and to experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit that He knows I need for the work I have to do. I remember my boss speaking at a conference and she said “Expect God to Act” and I do believe that totally. He will act at His perfect timing and for His glory alone. Jeremiah reminds me that I am to boast in one thing: that I know Him and boast in that He is faithful. That is the lesson for me at this time.