As Pentecost Sunday has only recently passed it seems appropriate to reflect on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In addition, as we ponder the history of the church in our area, how the has the Pentecost outpouring been lived out through its ministry and life. We should be asking ourselves this question, in keeping Christ central to who we are, as we carrying the heart of the Father, are we also keeping the Holy Spirit central to what we do?
In the Bible we read this often quoted verse.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Strengthen is from the Greek word (Strong’s Concordance): G1743: ἐνδυναμόω (en-doo-nam-o’-o) from 1722 and 1412; to empower:–enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.
Which relates to the underlying Greek word (the Strong’s Concordance):G1411: δύναμις (doo’-nam-is) from 1410; which by definition means: force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually Father,by implication, a miracle itself):–ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
This word ‘dunamis’ is one that was often referred to in Pentecostal church, and even traditional churches, but over recent times it seems it is not as referenced as much. Perhaps because our faith is challenged by the increasing unbelief in society, or we have become more dependent on our human powers and abilities and procedures, rather than God’s. When Jesus healed, true freedom came, not something that lasted while you were in the program.
However, the knowledge that they were ‘endued with power from on high’ was an essential tenet to how early Christians understood they lived their lives, and is still the case today. Dunamis (power) is the same word often referred to in the gospel when talking about the power Jesus had to heal.
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. [Luke 6:17-19 (cf. Matt. 4:24, 25; Mark 3:7–12)]
Reflection: Think on how you have seen God’s power move your lives, and those around them, e.g.
- Healing from the early signs of MS
- Deliverance from addiction – alcohol, and others demonic possession.
- Laying on hands and seeing someone healed from Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Healing for a broken arm after the laying on hands
- Broken leg healed in three days verified by X-rays
- Miraculous recovery from disease, including strokes
- Translation
- Resurrection
- Enabling to speak in front of many people
- Business insights needed for challenging times
- Salvations
- Other things…
This same power that Jesus had, which comes by the Holy Spirit, He has given to us who believe in Him, and have received the baptism in and of the Holy Spirit.
Sure, He did give such power to His twelve apostles, and then the seventy disciples He sent out in twos (and also other new of the power of Jesus name who were not even hanging with them), but He also told us when we receive the Holy Spirit as He is poured out from Pentecost, all who believe could receive this baptism in power.
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
And of course, we read in Acts that this event looked like something.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)
And later on, the Apostles understood that the baptism of Christ, had its fuller measure when the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17, 19:6; Heb. 6:2)
In Matthew 28, Jesus also commanded His disciples to go and teach all disciples to live and do as He taught them.
The wonderful thing about this ‘power’ we have in Christ, is that it is not only for healing and deliverance, but for being strengthen and enabled in all things we need to do for Him. One of my favourite verses reveals this so well.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
As you probably know the word used hear for ‘power’ is again dunamis. But in this context, we now see this same power enables us to overcome fear. Here Paul is basically decreeing over Timothy’s life that:
- He has the power of the Spirit of God over all fear
- He has the love of the Spirit of God over all fear
- He has the sound mind of the Spirit of God over all fear
And going back to our first verse in Philippians, we know Paul was referring to a strengthen that was needed to live the life of Christ he is called to.
I guess the thing Paul understood well, is that this power or enabling, come from Christ, through faith in Him, that is abiding in Him.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (1 Timothy 1:12)
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
The key ingredient to access what God has for us, and even given us, is believing in Christ, and trusting what He has given us. And, if you like, the conductor of this power is often the word of God.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The other conductor of power perhaps also the laying on of hand, particularly as this power is used to heal.
While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. (Matthew 9:18-22)
While touch, laying on of hands, can be needed, of course it not is always the case, remembering the famous scene in Matthew 8 when the Centurion new that Jesus only needed to speak and his servant would be healed. In fact it seems that Jesus often used the word to deliver, and the laying on of hands to heal.
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
One of the exciting things for me about sharing stories about how God has worked in peoples lives, is the that these will help build up and encourage each other. To contrast the spirit of the world, the best thing to do is to share testimonies of God’s goodness and power in action. This builds an atmosphere of faith. We are encouraged to build each other up in this most holy faith (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16, 1 Thess. 5:11, Jude 1:20).
For while believing opens up the possibility, and the word of God and laying of hands seems to transmit this power, it seems an atmosphere of faith, makes it so the small spark of faith can create the fire of God.
To finish –
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)
Prayer for those wanting a fresh anointing or healing or both or strengthen or overcoming fear….
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