“…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Eph 5:18-20 NIV
Much like keeping our car powered, we must continually fill our cars with petrol. We are meant to be continually filled with the Spirit and to always give thanks. Just as it was in the early church, it is the aim of our church to be powered by the Holy Spirit. Zechariah tells us it is not by human might or power but by the Spirit of God. We cannot do it by ourselves – we need the Holy Spirit! Zechariah 4:6 NIV
“Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Gal 3:3 NIV
We should all be careful to seek after the correct source of power, so as not to foolishly operate by means of the flesh. Rather, we are encouraged to be guided and counselled by wisdom and the Holy Spirit, to follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4 NIV
The Spirit enables us to be what we are called to be, and to do what we are called to do. We all have our own individual gifts, yet we are also all given the same gift of the Holy Spirit. We are called to bring the Spirit of God into a lost, hurting world that needs Him so desperately.
“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
Sometimes we need to be reminded of spiritual truths. In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds us that we need to fan into flame the gift that we have all been given.
“When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Luke 3:21-22 NIV
If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, then how much more do we?
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
- Can you share a story of how the Holy Spirit has guided you to do something?
- Have you been baptised by the Holy Spirit?
- What is the next step for you to foster a keen yearning for the gifts of the Spirit?
- Reflect on how important it is to be a church or an individual who is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
