Jesus, Continued...: Why the Spirit Inside You Is Better than Jesus Beside You

by J.D. Greear

intercession involves more than information sharing. Jesus calls us not just to tell him about someone else’s problems, but to believe in his compassion and power on behalf of those problems. Intercessory faith perceives God’s willingness to pour out his power into a situation and then asks him to do it.

The key to a new movement of the Spirit of God is not found in a new technique, but in the “old” paths of gospel proclamation, earnest prayer, and yearning for the Spirit.

if you’re excited about what God is doing elsewhere, don’t mimic the miracle, imitate the faith.

If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference. — A. W. Tozer

Evidently, you see, Jesus’ disciples had noticed that prayer was the source of his power. They didn’t say, “Lord, teach us to do miracles” or “Lord, teach us how to preach.” They said, “Teach us to pray.”

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to serve the purposes of the gospel. The Holy Spirit first enables us to believe the gospel and then continually re-opens our eyes to its beauties. He takes up residence in us when we first believe it, and he fills us again and again as we re-believe it (1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 3:1 – 3). He empowers us to carry that gospel throughout the whole world. The Holy Spirit is given in the gospel, for the purposes of the gospel.

You will never be full of the Spirit so long as you are full of yourself. So where do you feel “full” right now? Do you feel as though you are a “pretty good” spouse, a capable parent, a competent administrator, a talented preacher, or an above average Christian? If so — bad news. You are unlikely to experience the Spirit’s power in any of those areas.

if dependence is the objective, then weakness becomes an advantage.

Live today with your eulogy in mind, asking God to do through you what only he can get credit for.