Power to be Great

Do you want to be a great Christian?  ‘Ever thought about it?  The question takes some unpacking.  What is great anyway? Since God’s Word talks quite a bit about humility, would the desire to be a great Christian fly in the face of humility?  Hmmm.  One thing I know is that God does not call us to be mediocre Christians; in fact, in Revelation chapter 3, such folks are called lukewarm,¹ and God’s thoughts about that are quite strong!

As I think about what a great Christian might look like, several people come to my mind—and those people inspire me.  One such person is Dwight Moody, a simple man who led thousands to know God.  Moody was driven by this charge: "The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him."²

In that statement we see the recipe for greatness—consecrating ourselves to God, [fully giving ourselves over to God] and letting his Holy Spirit work through and in us, to change and transform us, to use us.

Jesus told his disciples he would be leaving them, but he would not leave them alone.  The Father would send another who would not just be with them, but IN them.  After the Lord’s resurrection, he remained just 40 days before he ascended into Heaven.  Jesus told his close disciples to ‘Go to Jerusalem … wait, watch, pray.  And Friends, stay together.’  Isn’t that just like Jesus?  He gives his loved ones clear instruction, (because God isn’t into guessing games); they were to be a tight-knit community that stayed together and prayed together, awaiting the promised Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit came 10 days later, (after Jesus ascended to Heaven), his arrival could be heard, seen and felt³, and life for Christ followers was forever changed.  As Jesus had earlier promised, believers would know and experience spiritual power in him—the sweet Holy Spirit. 

Folks have asked me, ‘WHO is the Holy Spirit—or is it WHAT is the Holy Spirit?’ The Holy Spirit is a person, the third person of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is not some vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is a person, equal in every way with the Father and the Son. Jesus had a lot to say about the coming of the Holy Spirit: 

John 14:16 – He [God] will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

17 - the world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him or knows Him But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you

26 – The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name will teach you of all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:7 – Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you.

John 16:13 – 16 But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own. He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come

He will bring glory to me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is a WHO, a person. WHAT does the Holy Spirit do?

~takes up residence in believers at the time of conversion                         ~breathes new life in us                                                                                 ~initiates power for change in character->behavior - the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22-23)                                                                                          ~brings conviction and also comfort                                                                 ~unites the Christian community -> creates the bond between 'brothers'                                                                         ~equips believers with gifts (check out the lists in 1 Corinthians 12,  Romans 12.6-  8, 1 Peter 4.10-11, Ephesians 4.11-13)                                                                              ~gives guidance and direction through promptings                                             ~helps us to be effective witnesses of what we have learned and experienced of God                                                                                                                  ~intercedes for us - that is to say, the Holy Spirit goes to the Father on our account.  Romans 8.26

Prior to this point recorded in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit only empowered specific individuals for specific purposes.

"The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him.”                                      Give yourself fully to God, devote yourself to him, and let him lead you into greatness.  Watch how the Holy Spirit changes you—              

love well, think well, live life with passion and purpose for God. 

1 – D. L. Moody, http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biomoody4.html

2 – Revelation 3.16

3 - Acts 2.2-4