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An Empowered Church
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
Acts 1:1–3
The early church in Jerusalem saw a staggering level of growth. Just days after three thousand were saved on the Day of Pentecost, five thousand more were saved after Peter healed the lame man at the Temple and preached again. Every day new converts were being added to the church. What explains the phenomenal impact they made? That church had none of the things we think are essentials—no facilities, no advanced educational training, no music program, and no structure. Yet they changed the world. The impact of the Jerusalem church has a simple explanation: they had the teaching of Jesus, and they worked in the power of the Holy Spirit.
That explanation raises an obvious question: why aren’t we making the same impact? We have the teachings of Jesus, and even more of the Bible than they did. We have the same Holy Spirit living within, who has the same power. Nothing has changed on God’s end. The problem lies with us.
We have far too many churches that have traded power for programs and divine enabling for human effort. We work in our strength, gather the latest research, follow the latest trends, and try to produce what only God can perform. There is nothing wrong with strategy, research, or programs. We need to be wise in how we spend our time and resources. But the bottom line is that we need a return to the Word of God and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:1–3
The early church in Jerusalem saw a staggering level of growth. Just days after three thousand were saved on the Day of Pentecost, five thousand more were saved after Peter healed the lame man at the Temple and preached again. Every day new converts were being added to the church. What explains the phenomenal impact they made? That church had none of the things we think are essentials—no facilities, no advanced educational training, no music program, and no structure. Yet they changed the world. The impact of the Jerusalem church has a simple explanation: they had the teaching of Jesus, and they worked in the power of the Holy Spirit.
That explanation raises an obvious question: why aren’t we making the same impact? We have the teachings of Jesus, and even more of the Bible than they did. We have the same Holy Spirit living within, who has the same power. Nothing has changed on God’s end. The problem lies with us.
We have far too many churches that have traded power for programs and divine enabling for human effort. We work in our strength, gather the latest research, follow the latest trends, and try to produce what only God can perform. There is nothing wrong with strategy, research, or programs. We need to be wise in how we spend our time and resources. But the bottom line is that we need a return to the Word of God and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we fail to see God’s power working in our lives, the problem does not lie with Him.
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