Throughout history, God has raised up men and women who were willing to devote themselves to prayer, the study of His Word, along with the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. Today, that need has not diminished. In fact, as believers navigate an increasingly complex and deteriorating culture, many are seeking a stronger biblical foundation and a deeper understanding of their God-given purpose. Spiritual growth does not happen by accident. It is cultivated through discipleship, study, prayer, and a willingness to be equipped for whatever assignment God places before us.
The early church understood the importance of being grounded in sound doctrine while remaining sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit. The apostles devoted themselves to teaching, mentoring, and preparing believers to carry the gospel into a changing world. At the same time, we learned through the book of Acts that they could show people the power of God through healings and miracles. That same balance remains essential today.
Christians need more than information; they need transformation which comes from a deeper understanding of Scripture, a stronger prayer life, and the confidence to walk in their calling with wisdom, discernment, and spiritual maturity. The ministry of reconciliation is something all believers are called to and there are many ways to approach this? Some are called to tell people about Jesus, and some are just called to be a good example.
Spirit-filled believers today need to educate themselves about the immeasurable, unlimited, and incredible Power in the Name of Jesus and how to use it to help God’s people, which is its intended purpose. This power in the Name of Jesus, which is available to Spirit-filled believers, is what separates us from all other believers and enables us to be true ambassadors representing the kingdom of God during our time here on the earth.
We have a wonderful opportunity to expand the kingdom of God during an extraordinary time in our history. Sin is abounding at an incredible level, not only in the United States but the entire Western world as well. But as God’s Word says, “Where sin abounded grace abounds even more. The truth of the matter is that people in the world will never outsin the grace of God because the forgiving power of God’s grace is unlimited and will always surpass sin.
God’s Word tells us that He will forgive us of all our sins for His own sake and will not even remember our sins. That we also have become the righteousness of God by Christ Jesus. That puts us in a unique position to tell other people about the wonderful Savior we have.
Our task as well-prepared Spirit-filled ambassadors, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is to represent the kingdom of God with the ministry of reconciliation and to show people the power that is the Name of Jesus. To let people know that God’s saving grace is available to them and that they can experience forgiveness and receive Jesus as their Savior by praying a simple prayer. We can do this by showing people the power of God through the Holy Spirit and telling people of God’s goodness.
The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 10 that people cannot call on Jesus unless they believe in him and how can they believe in him if they have not heard and how can they hear without a preacher. A preacher is someone who tells people about Jesus. Preachers must be trained and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit to tell people about Jesus.
People always tell me we need to pray for so-and-so because they don’t know about Jesus. I say somebody needs to go tell them about Jesus. Go into all the world Jesus said, but the world may just start in your own neighborhood, your own backyard or the nursing home down the street.
Most people, even nonbelievers do believe that the Bible is true. Because of that when they are shown John 3:3 where Jesus said, “A person must be born again to see the Kingdom of God” the Holy Spirit will convict them, and they will want to receive Jesus as their Savior.
People are very quick to repent and to receive Jesus as Savior when they experience the power of God for themselves. Study for yourself the Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that goes with it so that you’ll be able to help people who are sick, broke and depressed.
Every time Jesus sent people out to preach the kingdom, He also told them to heal the sick. Jesus said these signs, which means miracles, shall follow them who have faith in my Name. Signs and miracles point to God and God gets all the glory. People will want to be a part of this movement.
The one thing you can take with you when you go to Heaven is other people. Don’t go empty-handed. Learn how to share the gospel, and when you get there, as a Spirit-filled ambassador for Christ, you will hear the words Well done, my good and faithful Servant.
Pastor Jim Kibler is Pastor of Life Church in Indialantic, Florida and a graduate of Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has a worldwide Prayer Ministry and is Dean of Spirit Life Bible School. https://increasenow.com/spirit-filled-bible-school-ordination
