In our new mandate for Kingdom work in FGBA we are faced with increasing opposition to activate our spiritual inheritance.
In fact, there is mounting pressure on Christians today to talk less and less of the special gift we have been given by Jesus. It is looked on as offensive to others, to somehow think we are special and chosen to lead others to the truth and the reason Jesus suffered and died for us all.
In the book of Acts, the first chapter, we find Jesus assembled together with them all. He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which He said they had heard from Him. In Verse 8, Jesus gives them a final instruction: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Receiving Kingdom Power for Kingdom work is what this last instruction is all about. As Jesus presented post-Resurrection teaching of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, his disciples asked if now, meaning with the Cross behind, would the Kingdom restoration come to Israel? (Acts 1:6). Jesus said, “it is not yours to know the future, but it is your business to receive the Spirit’s power”. With these words, Jesus left them, and us, with three points.
1. The Holy Spirit is the Person and the Power by which assistance and ability is given for serving and for sharing the life and power of God’s Kingdom with others.
2. The Holy Spirit’s power must be “received”, it is not an automatic experience. So many today think this happens when they become a follower of Jesus. As surely as the Holy Spirit indwells each believer (Rom. 8:9), so surely will He fill and overflow each who receives the Holy Spirit in childlike faith (John 7:37-39).
3. When the Holy Spirit fills you, you will know it. Jesus said it and the disciples found it to be true (Acts 1:5, 2:1-4). Question:”Have you received the Holy Spirit? ” (Paul at Ephesus, Acts 19:1-6). You may, for the promise is as fully yours today as at any time in the past. To you and your children and their children. (Acts 2:38,39).
This study for me, made it clear there is little we can do to effect the Kingdom of God on this earth, if we do not have the Holy Spirit within us, to empower us through the fear the world is imposing on us today, as we move forward to transform our nation and our world through the seven Mountains of culture.
Blessings. Bill Sgro.