SOMETHING IS MISSING

 

How are we to know whether our church is in the will of God? If we experience the same spiritual works taking place as we read concerning Jesus’ works, this should be a good indication that we are in His will, right? Wrong! There are many works taking place by Satan’s powers that imitate the work of our Lord, even as it was with Moses and Pharaoh, you recall. We are known by our fruit, the fruit of the indwelling Holy Ghost of God as described by Paul:

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,   Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.   If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25 AV)

 

 Is your church full of the Spirit of God? If not, how can it bear Spiritual fruit? If it is not Spirit filled, it cannot walk in the Spirit nor bear Spiritual fruit.

 

 Only obedient children of God can be Spirit filled. Jesus promised to send the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth to those who are His. Only those who by faith ask for, and are willing, will receive Him and be filled and empowered.

   If ye love me, keep my commandments.   And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;   Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:15-17 AV)

 The empowerment provided is for our walk, and our walk is the preaching of the Gospel of our Lord. and the preaching of the Word will bring forth the fruit and the gifts.

   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 AV)

 

 Now, if there is no fruit, the preaching is not the true Gospel, but some homily or a doctrinal message. These are interesting messages, but there is no anointing or power. They are comfortable to listen to, but are not challenging.

 

   Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,   Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2 AV)

 

 I believe what the Lord wants of His army is to move into enemy territory and bring in those lost in bondage to the enemy, which He has given us power to do.

   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 AV) Why are we not out there on the job? Because we are not filled nor walking in the Spirit.