You’ve read the response, now here’s the question, “Where is the power in the Church today?” We boast, as the Church, in saying “We have the Holy Spirit of God.” And the world is unimpressed. I do not need to repeat the statistics about church closures and wide-spread compromise in the church. If indeed we have the Holy Spirit, then obviously we are missing something else, because the vast majority of churches have reached a plateau or are in decline. I believe it come back to misunderstanding the nature of power in ministry.
One of the great points of confusion among Christians is to think that if we have the Holy Spirit, then we automatically have power too. They are not one in the same.
The clearest example from the Scripture is when Paul wrote, “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). This verse distinguishes three things from each other: (1) Words preached, (2) Power, and (3) the Holy Spirit. Where many mainline churches stop is with “Word.”
Peter was preaching to Cornelius’ household and said this about Jesus; “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38). Again, he is distinguishing the presence of the Holy Spirit from power.
What is so important about this fact? You can have the Holy Spirit and not have the power. We often assume that just because we have the Holy Spirit “living inside” of us that we are endued with all the spiritual power a person can expect. Possessing the Spirit is only the starting point. We must press in for the power of God to be manifested in our ministry.
Another important verse is: “And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all” (Luke 6:19). Notice how the Scripture says “power” was coming from Him and it doesn’t say “the Holy Spirit” was coming from Him.
People were crowding all around Jesus. Then He suddenly stops and says, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me” (Luke 8:46). Again notice that He did not say “Holy Spirit” has gone out from me.
What these Scriptures teach us is that it is possible to have the Holy Spirit and not the power. Is this not where the majority of churches and leaders are today? They declare “We possess the Spirit of God” and yet they have no power in their ministry. Perhaps if the Church in the USA had more power, it would not be failing so. But the price for walking in power is too much for many to pay. You cannot have the American Dream and walk in the power of God.
There is a problem with priorities: Balanced budgets, bigger buildings, and numerical growth preoccupy many pastors and church leaders. Paul gives us some different priorities, which I think will not only astound many but confound them as well.
I believe the greatest statement of priorities for Christians is Philippians 3 and in particular verse 10, “that I may know [Jesus] and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings” (ESV). Experiencing the “power” of the resurrection comes when we share in Jesus’ sufferings and make knowing Jesus our only goal in life.
Paul counted everything rubbish compared to knowing Christ: Size of church, number of baptisms, income, status, reputation, etc. It was all rubbish. Paul’s goal was to know Christ. Period. That speaks of an intimacy, a delicate and precious friendship. If a person is making church growth more important than just knowing Jesus and walking closely with Him, there will be no power in ministry there.
This is what makes walking in power so difficult. It is why there have been so few over the centuries to actually do it. Most people are not willing to meet the two conditions for walking in power:
- Only goal in life is to know Jesus. If you want power in order to build a church or make a name for yourself, forget walking in power. I met a pastor of a church plant near our home. He was going back to school to get an MBA. Why? He said that he felt he needed it to grow the church. What if this pastor got alone with God and said, “Jesus. I don’t care how big my church is. I just want to love you and follow you where ever it leads me.”
- Fellowship of His sufferings. Jesus and His followers were penniless. They had lost their reputation. Yet they enjoyed such fellowship with God and helped an untold number of people with miraculous demonstrations of God’s power. If we want to really make a difference, then we must be willing to pay the price in our devotional life, in our lifestyle, and our finances. Going out to eat? That is for someone else. Buying CD’s, DVD’s, or even new clothes? A thing of the past. Your children will suffer because of it. Your spouse will hate you for not “taking better care of them”. The only thing I can guarantee you is that all your basic needs will be met. You might be hungry at times, but you will live through it. And you will enjoy such a rich fellowship with Jesus. Then Jesus will know He can trust you with the power. After a season of this suffering, the power will begin breaking through in your ministry. Life will never be the same.
Objections:
People may say, “Only Jesus could do miracles.” Not true. The Apostles did too. “Well, only Jesus and the Apostles.” Not true. Jesus sent out the Seventy and gave them power over demons and sickness. He said, “heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:9). People might further object and say, “Well, that was for then, it is not for now.” Excuse me for wanting to believe what the Bible teaches, but I do not see any place in the Bible where it says that these miraculous powers were only for then and not for now. To think that they are not for now would be un-biblical. (After all, it is not found in the Bible. That is the usual definition for something not found in the Bible.)
Others may say, “Well, why don’t we see those things anymore? It must not be for today.” Well, you are letting your experience drive your theology instead of the Bible. You should rather ask God why you are not seeing these things. He could give you a better answer than I could.
Some say, “When we preach the Gospel, it is the power of God. The power of God is in the preaching of the Word.” That is a very common mis-conception. (See my blog “The New Trinity”) Let’s look at what the Bible says, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Another distinction to make is to separate words from the power. To preach is words. To see people saved, delivered or healed is power. Jesus didn’t just preach; He ministered to people. Most churches just preach. And we wonder why the world isn’t listening. You’ve heard the saying, “Show me the money!” The world says, “Show me the power!”