The Church that Jesus is Building (pt 5)

Jesus said, “I will build My Church—and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!” (Matthew 16:18).

There are several powerful dimensions of His Church. One of those dynamics is: His Church partners with Him!

The starting place of ministry partnership with Jesus is being filled with the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist taught his disciples that the reason Messiah Jesus came to earth was to “baptize” (i.e., drench, saturate, permeate) people “with the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:11). Jesus later echoed these words by reaffirming His desire to saturate us with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).

There are a few foundational truths to this amazing relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit:

Every believer in Jesus has the Holy Spirit living within them! When we are “born again”—becoming new creations in Jesus—we are “born again by the (Holy) Spirit” (John 3:5; Titus 3:5). The disciples received the Holy Spirit from Jesus when they met with Him in an upper room after His resurrection. There, Jesus breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit was in them that day. Yet, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem (after His ascension into Heaven) in order to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit in them would soon come upon them!

Jesus longs for all of us to be filled with the Holy Spirit! In being “baptized with” the Holy Spirit—the Holy Spirit who lives within us is stirred to influence every part of us! Picture a “snow globe” ornament. All the snow is in the globe. Unshaken, the snow settles at the bottom of the globe. Yet when shaken, the snow fills the globe. As we are “filled with” the Holy Spirit there is an increased connection in us so that He can powerfully move through us!

The command, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), literally means “be filled and continue to be filled.” This describes much more than a one-time experience. It is an on-going relationship of interaction and empowerment as we learn to move in partnership with Him!

Paul describes Spirit-filled partnership this way: “Here’s what’s happening among you. You are so passionate about embracing the manifestation of the Holy Spirit! Now become even more passionate about the things that strengthen the entire church!” (1 Corinthians 14:12 TPT)

Ask Jesus to baptize you afresh with the Holy Spirit—as you move in increased partnership with Him!

—Pastor Dave Hess