7.3 We have to know the Holy Spirit and to depend on Him
If the Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and He is to play the lead role in our lives, why are so many believers going through life on their own strength? Why are we not experiencing the power and the reality of the Holy Spirit?
There are two key reasons. The first is because of ignorance of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In churches that have not experienced the modern-day Pentecost since the Azusa Street Revival in the early 1900s, there is almost no teaching on the Holy Spirit. He is usually mentioned only in a creed or a song. The lack of revelation results in the lack of experience.
The disciples in Ephesus said to Paul in Acts 19:2, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” They were ignorant of the Holy Spirit. In first Cor 12:1, Paul tells the Corinthians not to be ignorant of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Again, ignorance was the problem.
The second is because some are afraid to let the Holy Spirit be on the driving seat of their lives. When we have been in control of our lives for so long, it could be quite frightening to the God take control. There is a tendency to resist change. The Bibles says that Israel resisted the Holy Spirit because they wanted things their own way (Acts 7:51).
As a teenager, I was in a conservative Lutheran church and attended the liturgical service. The Holy Spirit was a passing mention in the creed and songs. No one really experienced His power in their lives. Few knew what the Bible said about Him. Everyone were comfortable with their Sunday routines.
Then one day, the council chairman, Dr. Leong received the baptism in the Holy Spirit while on his sabbatical leave in Australia. He had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Through him and his home group, more and more people started to experience the Holy Spirit. After two years, a revival started in the church. Suddenly this religion became a living relationship for many.
The church organized group Bible studies so that the people could understand more about the Holy Spirit from God’s Word. That deeper understanding helped the people to enter into a deeper experience. People experienced revival and lives were transformed.
I was the youth leader then and the revival impacted me. It was a good thing for everyone. But to my surprise, not everyone embraced what God was doing. Some preferred to be in control instead of letting God take control. They liked it the old way and they were uncomfortable with what the Holy Spirit was doing. I was shocked when one dear sister told me that. As a youth leader, it saddened me that not all the youths embraced Him. But those who embraced Him went on to experience His reality and His power in their lives.
In this series, we will learn many things about the Holy Spirit. We must believe that He has our best interest at heart. As you embrace Him and let Him take control in your life, you will experience an exciting and empowered life.
There are two key reasons. The first is because of ignorance of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In churches that have not experienced the modern-day Pentecost since the Azusa Street Revival in the early 1900s, there is almost no teaching on the Holy Spirit. He is usually mentioned only in a creed or a song. The lack of revelation results in the lack of experience.
The disciples in Ephesus said to Paul in Acts 19:2, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” They were ignorant of the Holy Spirit. In first Cor 12:1, Paul tells the Corinthians not to be ignorant of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Again, ignorance was the problem.
The second is because some are afraid to let the Holy Spirit be on the driving seat of their lives. When we have been in control of our lives for so long, it could be quite frightening to the God take control. There is a tendency to resist change. The Bibles says that Israel resisted the Holy Spirit because they wanted things their own way (Acts 7:51).
As a teenager, I was in a conservative Lutheran church and attended the liturgical service. The Holy Spirit was a passing mention in the creed and songs. No one really experienced His power in their lives. Few knew what the Bible said about Him. Everyone were comfortable with their Sunday routines.
Then one day, the council chairman, Dr. Leong received the baptism in the Holy Spirit while on his sabbatical leave in Australia. He had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Through him and his home group, more and more people started to experience the Holy Spirit. After two years, a revival started in the church. Suddenly this religion became a living relationship for many.
The church organized group Bible studies so that the people could understand more about the Holy Spirit from God’s Word. That deeper understanding helped the people to enter into a deeper experience. People experienced revival and lives were transformed.
I was the youth leader then and the revival impacted me. It was a good thing for everyone. But to my surprise, not everyone embraced what God was doing. Some preferred to be in control instead of letting God take control. They liked it the old way and they were uncomfortable with what the Holy Spirit was doing. I was shocked when one dear sister told me that. As a youth leader, it saddened me that not all the youths embraced Him. But those who embraced Him went on to experience His reality and His power in their lives.
In this series, we will learn many things about the Holy Spirit. We must believe that He has our best interest at heart. As you embrace Him and let Him take control in your life, you will experience an exciting and empowered life.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 1:04 AM
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