The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Power of the Holy Spirit15
Our Daily Homily - Luke
By F.B. Meyer0LUK 1:38LUK 2:14LUK 3:16LUK 4:18LUK 5:13LUK 6:40LUK 7:13LUK 8:46LUK 10:18LUK 11:1F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound faith and obedience of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she responds to the angel's message with the words, 'Be it unto me according to thy Word.' He explores the implications of this submission to God's commands, responsibilities, and burdens, urging believers to embrace their divine appointments with humility and trust. Meyer also highlights the connection between glorifying God and experiencing true peace, as well as the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. Ultimately, he calls for a life dedicated to God's glory, which leads to inner peace and fulfillment.
Finding Wealth in Bankruptcy
By Peter Brandon558:042KI 4:1Peter Brandon preaches on the story of a widow who, in her time of desperation, seeks help from the prophet Elisha after losing her husband and facing the threat of losing her sons to creditors. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing what we have, even in our poverty, as the widow discovers a pot of oil that becomes the source of her miracle. Brandon highlights the necessity of prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the significance of being empty vessels ready to be filled by God. He draws parallels between the widow's situation and the need for spiritual revival in the church, urging believers to seek God's presence and power in their lives. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to transform lives and communities.
Awake, Thou That Sleepest
By John Wesley0ISA 44:3EZK 36:27MAT 5:14JHN 8:12JHN 14:17ROM 13:112CO 5:17EPH 5:141TH 5:51PE 2:9John Wesley preaches 'Awake, Thou That Sleepest' to the University of Oxford, urging the unawakened sinners to recognize their spiritual slumber and the dire state of their souls. He describes the 'sleepers' as those who are unaware of their fallen condition and the necessity of spiritual awakening through Christ. Wesley emphasizes the call to arise from spiritual death, promising that those who heed this call will receive the light of Christ. He warns against complacency in faith and the dangers of living without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he encourages all to seek a genuine relationship with God, as true Christianity is marked by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Conquering the Darkness
By David Wilkerson0PSA 55:22ISA 9:2MAT 11:28JHN 1:5ROM 15:132CO 1:3PHP 4:61PE 5:71JN 4:4REV 9:3David Wilkerson emphasizes that light is the only force that can conquer darkness, as illustrated in Isaiah and John. He explains that light symbolizes understanding and that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome the challenges posed by darkness and fear. Wilkerson encourages Christians to cast their burdens onto the Holy Spirit, who is present to guide and comfort them through difficult times. He highlights that true testimony comes from those who embody joy and trust in God, even amidst overwhelming problems. Ultimately, the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives serves as a beacon of hope to a world in darkness.
Acquaintance, Not Hearsay
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 34:8JER 29:13MAT 7:24LUK 24:32JHN 7:38ROM 8:16GAL 5:25PHP 3:10JAS 1:221JN 1:1A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of personal experience with God over mere hearsay, illustrating that true understanding comes from firsthand encounters rather than secondhand knowledge. He warns that many Christians today are educated in the theory of the Spirit-filled life but lack the actual experience of its power, leading to a generation that may abandon even the theory. Tozer calls for believers to seek a genuine relationship with God, urging them to move beyond passive listening to actively engaging with the divine. He concludes with a prayer for a fresh encounter with God, desiring to share a message rooted in personal experience.
Acts 4
By John Nelson Darby0ACT 4:1John Nelson Darby reflects on Acts 4, highlighting the stark contrast between the ecclesiastical authority of Israel, which opposes the truth and the power of God, and the courage and faith of the apostles filled with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes the audacity of the priests who, despite witnessing miracles, resist the Holy Ghost, showcasing the hardness of the human heart when abandoned by God. The apostles, undeterred by threats, remain obedient to God, demonstrating the power of faith and the necessity of divine authority over human opinion. Darby concludes by illustrating the early church's unity and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as a model for Christians today, regardless of circumstances.
Religious Word-Rationing
By A.W. Tozer1PSA 19:14PRO 10:19ECC 5:2MAT 6:7ROM 12:1EPH 4:29COL 4:61TH 5:17JAS 1:191PE 3:15A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of 'religious word-rationing,' emphasizing that many religious individuals often use excessive words as a substitute for meaningful actions. He reflects on the tendency to speak eloquently in prayer meetings, where flowery language can overshadow genuine communication with God. Tozer encourages self-reflection and humility, advocating for a deeper awareness of God's presence to combat empty rhetoric. He highlights that true eloquence comes from the Holy Spirit, which inspires powerful words that lead to heartfelt responses and actions. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a reduction in empty words and an increase in authentic, Spirit-led communication.
The Primitive Prayer-Meeting
By Charles Finney0ACT 1:14ACT 2:1Charles Finney emphasizes the significance of the primitive prayer-meeting held by the disciples after Christ's ascension, where they gathered in unity to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He highlights the characteristics of this meeting, including the full participation of all members, their earnestness, and their unwavering expectation of God's promise. Finney contrasts this with modern prayer-meetings, which often lack attendance, unity, and fervor, suggesting that such deficiencies hinder the effectiveness of prayer. The results of the original meeting were profound, leading to the conversion of thousands and the empowerment of the disciples for their mission. He calls for a return to the earnestness and unity of the early church in contemporary prayer practices.
Carnal or Spiritual?
By Andrew Murray0LUK 22:62ROM 8:5Andrew Murray emphasizes the transformative journey of Peter from a carnal to a spiritual life, marked by his bitter weeping after denying Christ. This crisis moment serves as a pivotal turning point, illustrating the struggle between living under the flesh versus the Spirit. Murray highlights that many Christians live in a carnal state, dominated by self-will and confidence, but can transition to a spiritual life through the power of the Holy Spirit. He urges believers to recognize their need for repentance and the filling of the Holy Spirit to live a life that glorifies God. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep, heartfelt confession and a desire for a closer relationship with Jesus.
It's All About Jesus - Part 1
By Brian Guerin71:04:58MAT 11:28ACT 10:38Brian Guerin emphasizes that it's all about Jesus, encouraging the congregation to expect a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in their lives. He speaks about the importance of living a pure life, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of aligning oneself with God's will in these times. Guerin highlights the urgency of being ready for God's special purposes and the need to turn away from distractions and sin. He reassures that the Lord is not surprised by current events and is actively preparing His people for a greater outpouring of His presence. The message calls for a deep infatuation with Jesus and a commitment to His word as the foundation of life.
Exceedingly Above All You Can Ask or Think
By Smith Wigglesworth0JHN 17:21ACT 1:8ROM 8:282CO 5:17EPH 3:6PHP 4:19COL 1:271JN 4:16Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of God as revealed in Ephesians 3, highlighting the inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs in Christ. He speaks of the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, urging believers to embrace a new order of faith that allows for boldness and access to God's manifold wisdom. Wigglesworth stresses the importance of prayer in the Holy Spirit, which leads to a deeper understanding of God's glory and the revelation of Christ in our hearts. He encourages believers to be rooted and grounded in love, asserting that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think through His power at work within us. Ultimately, he calls for a life filled with the Holy Spirit, which enables us to experience the fullness of God and His glory.
Greater Work
By D.L. Moody0MAT 28:19MRK 16:15JHN 14:12JHN 15:26ACT 1:8ACT 2:36ACT 2:40ROM 1:161CO 2:42TI 4:2D.L. Moody emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in witnessing to Christ, asserting that the greater works Jesus spoke of refer to influencing and converting the hearts of sinful men rather than performing physical miracles. He reflects on the miracle of Pentecost, where Peter, empowered by the Spirit, preached to a hostile crowd, resulting in the conversion of thousands. Moody critiques modern preaching that obscures the message of the Cross and calls for a return to presenting Christ plainly and powerfully. He believes that when Christ is exalted in preaching, the Holy Spirit will confirm the message with signs and wonders. Ultimately, Moody urges believers to testify of Christ, as the world desperately needs the light He brings.
Reclaiming Authentic Christianity
By Brian Guerin329:34PSA 16:11JOL 2:28MAT 11:28JHN 14:12ACT 10:38ROM 8:191CO 12:42CO 3:6EPH 5:18HEB 1:14Brian Guerin emphasizes the need for authentic Christianity, urging believers to embrace the fullness of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. He shares personal experiences of divine encounters and miracles, encouraging the congregation to seek intimacy with God and to be open to the Holy Spirit's movement. Guerin highlights the importance of character in the manifestation of spiritual gifts and the necessity of being a light in a world filled with fear. He calls for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, believing that God desires to heal and liberate His people from oppression and despair.
Evangelical Intellectualism and the Spirit's Power
By A.W. Tozer0PRO 3:5ISA 55:8JHN 16:13ROM 12:21CO 1:251CO 2:14EPH 1:17COL 2:82TI 3:7JAS 1:5A.W. Tozer addresses the rise of evangelical intellectualism, critiquing the belief that the essence of Christianity can be fully understood through human intellect and philosophy. He argues that this movement, driven by a desire to gain respectability among scholars, risks reducing the profound truths of the Christian faith to mere rational propositions. Tozer warns that such an approach could undermine the true essence of faith, equating it with human reasoning rather than divine revelation. He emphasizes the danger of prioritizing intellectualism over the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in understanding and living out the Christian faith.
The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free
By A.B. Simpson0JHN 10:10ROM 8:22CO 5:17GAL 5:1EPH 2:1A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the life of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, introduces a new law of divine strength that liberates believers from the old law of sin and death. He illustrates this by comparing the law of gravity, which naturally pulls objects down, to the higher law of vitality that allows us to overcome that pull. Just as we can lift our hand against gravity through our will, the indwelling life of Christ empowers us to rise above our sinful nature. This new law operates within us, providing strength and vitality to live a life free from the bondage of sin. Ultimately, Simpson encourages believers to embrace this transformative power of Christ in their lives.