We cannot fulfill the Great Commission or even develop a missional culture in our local churches without completely relying upon the Holy Spirit.
He alone can change hearts and make us willing and obedient to Christ’s mandate.
Christ’s lordship extends to all aspects of the church’s life and mission. One of his titles announced by John the Baptist is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)
Jesus taught his disciples that the Holy Spirit baptism is a necessity and a huge key to success in our pursuit of obedience to the Great Commission.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”… 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit is our source of power and boldness for carrying out the church’s mission. Receiving this baptism is part of what it means to surrender to Christ’s lordship.
Jesus operated in the power and gifts of the Spirit continually during his earthly ministry, which began officially at the synagogue in Nazareth.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)
Jesus only did what the Spirit showed him to do. He spoke the Words the Spirit gave him to speak. He wants us to do the same.
If we present the Gospel using only words, we will fail to communicate the fullness of God’s message, which comes in word and power.
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit is the power behind the authority and words of the gospel.
The wisdom and knowledge of the Spirit are also needed if we are going to minister as Jesus did. It is impossible to imagine our Lord’s ministry devoid of the prophetic element. How would he have captured the heart of the woman at the well in Samaria, if he had not told her the hidden truth about her five husbands? How would he have so quickly won over Nathanael, if he had not related that he had seen him by the Spirit standing under the fig tree? The Holy Spirit brings a spiritual element into our ministry, without which it is much more difficult, if not impossible, to go and make disciples.
We are not simply to argue and persuade that Jesus is Lord: we are to demonstrate his lordship by relying upon and expecting the Spirit of God to move in power through us.
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
The early disciples were afraid of the Jews before they were baptized in the Spirit, but afterward boldly announced the gospel, even when threatened with persecution. Many of us are intimidated and sitting at home instead of going out into our communities to connect with our neighbors, make friends, and eventually make them into disciples. We need to receive the Spirit’s power and ability and realize that He is already working in the lives of those who live, work, and play around us.
Our job is to put ourselves in a position where the Spirit can use us. We never know what God may do.
This means we should be unafraid to ask God to demonstrate the truth of the gospel by extending his “hand” to heal the sick and set the captives free. The early church was filled with the Spirit and very bold in this regard. The Lord is the same.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
The gospel has not changed. People’s need for a demonstration of God’s power still exists. Why is the church so reluctant to put ourselves forward in this regard? Have we been duped into thinking that Jesus is no longer working in this way, or are we afraid of looking foolish if nothing happens?
If we are to be used by God to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit, we must be willing to look foolish. Only then may we see a miracle. God’s glory must become all to us. Our own reputation cannot be a concern.
If we are going to develop a culture of mission in our churches, we must acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest and the Baptizer in the Spirit.
Disciple making churches should encourage members to receive the baptism and gifts of the Spirit and become proficient in their use.
We should encourage our people to listen to and obey the voice and promptings of the Spirit every day as we mingle with those who need Jesus.
