Dear Friends,

We must directly entreat and pursue the power of our risen Lord, which is made manifest through the Spirit. We must never forget that “it’s the power of God that speaks… the power of the risen Christ.*” As the true body of Christ, our lives should be a continuous series of miracles. Why? Because, the Holy Spirit’s operational power is continually energising it. We are plugged in to the power continuously. We don’t get unplugged. A Christian is not just a person who has had faith; rather who’s faith has been “empowered.”

Power to Expose Sin: 

Moral power is able to expose sin to the sinner’s heart. Only then can he be saved and only the Holy Spirit can do the conviction. No amount of threatenings will convince him, or study and intellectual knowledge. But, “when he [the Holy Spirit] is come… he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). 

Peter’s preaching at Pentecost, “pricked” their hearts, to the point they asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). This “pricking” was more like a “piercing” (as Jesus experienced the spear John 19: 34,37) but it was the power in the words that did it. Penetrating their very hearts. The Holy Spirit is not something we can afford to be cavalier about or indifferent toward (having a take-it-or-leave-it kind of attitude). No! He is an absolute necessity for the Church. It takes His power to expose sin, cause repentance and perform a thorough inward transformation and sanctification, (a holy work that only He can do). Words will not do it. Instructions will not do it. “Line upon line, precept upon precept…” will not do it. No! It takes the power of God to do all of it. 

Power to Persuade: 

This working of power also breaks down resistance (opposition) True evangelism is not expressed with clever arguments or making appeals to the flesh (people’s fallen nature), nor to their intellect (or lack of it). This power of persuasion is divine and beyond any human ability. The Holy Spirit alone is able to convince people (of truth), deep within their hearts. Arguments, reason, logic and theory are all incapable of tapping the depth of the human heart, like only the Holy Spirit can. 

Power to Inspire: 

The working of power produces ecstasy and worship. A true heartfelt reverence deep within and the ability to express it genuinely to a living and loving God. Religious imagery, (objects, statues and even mystical ideas), which are designed to stir up human emotions, passions and feelings—are powerless to create true spiritual worship. Only seeing the living God (as revealed to us by the Spirit through the Word), excites a deep inner craving and longing that draws us continually closer and closer to God (Ja 4:8). No one else can achieve that. 

In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, it says that sinners will fall on their faces. So worship is inspired by the Word when it is given in power—the magnetic power of the Holy Spirit—which draws us to Christ and exalts Him above all else. 

“We must demand more than correct doctrine, though we dare not have less. We must have more than right living, though we dare not have less. We must demand more than a friendly atmosphere, though we dare not have less. We must demand that the Word of God be preached in power and that we hear it in power.”*​​

Paul had the power, and the gospel could go forward in power because they heard it in power. Therefore, when the Spirit of God moves—through the Word preached in power and heard in power (1 Thess 1:4-5). ​​​

Our redeemer lives and we can demand that we hear the word preached in power; that those who preach, deliver the Word in power. Nothing less! But listeners must equally hear and believe in power. For the kingdom of God is not in words but in power. Everything must be done in power. Inherent within it, through Christ. His name has power, His Word has power, His Kingdom has power and so on. 

The Kingdom of God lies not in Words but in Power

We want our churches to be nice places to go, but we want so much more than just another social gathering. We want power and must demand it. Fellowship is good, but it too must be in power. Anything we do in the NAME of JESUS must be done in power. Giving or receiving, in the power of His name. A polite and friendly atmosphere is nice, but power is better! We can have it all in Christ, but we must have the power first, so that the Kingdom of God can go forth and be received in power; to the glory of God the Father. ​

“For our gospel came to you not merely in the form of words but in mighty power infused with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Surely you remember how we lived our lives transparently before you to encourage you” (1 Thess 1:5 TPT).

TPT Footnote: “True gospel ministry will be expressed by the word of God and characterised by mighty power, releasing the unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit, and through sincere conviction of truth will be found in those who present it.”​

Jesus is Lord! ​​
Dr. Alan​​

*The Dangers of a Shallow Faith: Awakening from Spiritual Lethargy, by A.W. Tozer

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