We can agree that we have access to knowledge like never before. What took a search through our home encyclopedia or a trip to the library to get an answer in a couple of hours or even days has turned into a quick second Google search on our iPhones. As ministers, we are blessed to have Logos software and other tools to assist us as we prepare our lessons. I am not against education and preparation; however, where is the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit?
We serve the Creator of heaven and earth. However, it seems His power to create no longer exists in our weekly gatherings… everything is predictable: 1) A couple of songs from the Worship Team, 2) announcements, 3) pick up an offering, 4) the main event: the sermon and, maybe, just maybe, 5) we pray for people. Sadly, for the most part, we skip this part; people have become satisfied with being spectators.
In First Peter 4:11, the Bible tells us, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God…” (NIV) If this is so, don’t you think that it is appropriate that people get a chance to respond to the message God has for them?
I don’t know when we decided to gather and ignore the power of God. I don’t see why we have become so comfortable talking with no power. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue when he stated,
I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. I Corinthians 2:3-5 (NIV)
The great Apostle Paul gave himself three characteristics as a speaker; he describes himself as 1) weak, 2) fearful, and 3) trembling. Not necessarily the picture of a great speaker! These words mean the following in their original language:
- Weakness: asthéneia; “…weak, sick.”[1]
- Fear: phóbos; “To flee from. Fear, terror, reverence, respect, honor.”[2]
- Trembling: trómos; “To tremble. A trembling from fear, terror.”[3]
By today’s standards, we can conclude that the Apostle Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, was not a good speaker. He was biblical, taught perfect doctrine, and so on, but his delivery was not the best… by his admission. However, what made the Apostle Paul special? NOTHING! He said himself, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words.” Persuasive is the Greek word peíthō, meaning “To persuade, mainly to move or affect by kind words or motives.”[4]
The so-called influential preachers today know how to persuade people; they adopt certain styles and keywords; they even know how to use music in the background to manipulate people’s emotions. Not Paul: he was terrible at such manipulation. But what made Paul effective? He knew how to get out of the way and let God. He gave us the key in verses four and five: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” I Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)
There was an unmatched demonstration of the Power of the Holy Ghost in Paul’s ministry. The word Power is the Greek word “dunámeōs, fem. noun from dúnamai (1410) meaning “To be able. Power, especially achieving power. All the words derived from the stem dúna- have the meaning of being able, capable.”[5]
Our Capability does not come from our eloquent sermons and teachings but from demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, heal people emotionally and physically, and save the lost.
Jesus told us in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (NIV)
It should be expected that in our gatherings, we 1) cast out demons, 2) speak in new tongues, and 3) if we get bitten by a snake or drink poison, it will not hurt us. I am not advocating that we start bringing rattlesnakes to our services. I don’t think this is what Jesus is communicating. But we see an example of Paul getting bitten by a snake, and nothing happens to him; he was not asking for it, but when it did happen, he was ok. (Acts 28:1-6) Lastly, 4) we shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. These should be standard when we come together because these signs should follow the believer. I did not say this; Jesus did!
I don’t have anything against doctors and medicine; God can manifest his power through them also, but God can also heal supernaturally; it is perfectly ok to lay hands on the sick and expect them to recover, but we don’t even try anymore. We are all talk… but no power! Many even subscribe to the ridiculous idea that the gifts of the Spirit do not exist anymore., so they are very comfortable with fancy sermons and teachings. There is no need for faith; why have faith? If you don’t believe that the power of God is available today why pray for anything?
That is why I would rather teach in a drug and alcohol treatment center or prison to people who are at the end of the road than in some of these local churches where there is no expectation for the move of God, where the power of the Spirit offends them, where they have created a lifestyle of quenching the Holy Ghost, where folks have made a religion out of talking with no desire, no expectation and even rejection of the dúnamai of God. In a drug and alcohol treatment program, I get to witness, front seat… the power of God! He gets the glory… not me!
[1] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
[2] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
[3] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
[4] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
[5] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
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