The Holy Spirit - Kingdom Power


Last Sunday in church a passage came up known as Paul’s doxology.  It reads like this:

Eph 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

While this passage is not one that would be commonly used to explain the Trinity, nevertheless it alludes to the roles of all three persons of the Trinity.

The Father is ever at the ready to do, not only what we ask, but far and beyond that because it gives Him pleasure and also because it brings Him glory. He is not a stingy God giving to His children through a dropper but as it is translated in the King James Version,  “exceeding abundantly”.

The Son is the instrument through whom He made all of this possible for all the generations to come. It is His atoning grace that allows us sinners to be called sons and daughters of the Most High God and to share in His inheritance which is eternal life.

The third person of the Trinity is the one that tends to get left out of the life of the modern, western church; the Holy Spirit. He does get credit for the transforming power that brings us for darkness into light at the moment of salvation, but then He seems to be relegated to a non-entity hovering in the background after that. While it is true that the Holy Spirit never speaks for Himself nor does He attract attention, He nevertheless is the “power that is at work within us”.

Years ago John Wimber was interviewed for a television special called, “In The Name of God”.  In that interview he talked about the role of the Holy Spirit in the modern church.  He said that today, more than ever, the world needs to see His power at work in our everyday lives. The Vineyard movement that he grew into prominence talked about being “naturally supernatural”. It shouldn’t become a show or a spectacle when miracles take place or His power is manifest through the gifts. It should be a natural outgrowth of our daily walk in the Spirit. Wimber also used to talk about “everyone gets to play”. The gifts and His power were poured out upon all who believe and are meant as a way of revealing the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

At Pentecost, Peter quoted God’s words through Joel that say,  “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18)

Spirit led living is allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through us as He supernaturally activates the gifts that He has given us for the expansion of His Kingdom.

1 Cor 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

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