Monday, June 02, 2008

A Contract With Southern Baptists - Part 3

Baptists Must Be . . .

Based in Humility - a necessary foundation - part one
Authorized by Scripture - a necessary standard - part two

Powered by the Holy Spirit - a necessary energy - Exodus 31:1; Isaiah 61:-3; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Luke 24:49; Galatians 3:2-5, 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; James 4:5-6

The Holy Spirit of God empowers Christians to accomplish God's purposes. Without His empowerment we are limited in our effectiveness. But when we move forward saturated by God's Holy Spirit, we can accomplish anything and everything that God chooses to accomplish. The Holy Spirit allows God's people to be effective. If we are not effective it would seem to indicate that we are not fully empowered by the Spirit. If people are not coming to Christ in our churches--we are not empowered by the Spirit. If our churches are not reaching their communities--then we are not empowered by the Spirit. If we're fighting and feuding--then we are not empowered by the Spirit. May we pray constantly for the filling of the Holy Spirit that the things within us that offend God would be removed and that the Spirit's fruit would become our norm. "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13).

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