“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 NASB
As the Apostle John finishes his telling of the good news about Jesus, he tells us that it only contains a small portion of what Jesus did.
However, in chapter 14:12, John does include these words of Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”
Then in Acts we read Luke’s accounting of all that the Holy Spirit did in the early days of the church.
For a long time in my walk with God I struggled with the Book of Acts, because it just ends. It ends as if the story isn’t finished. This bothered me until I realized … it isn’t. The Holy Spirit is still at work and doing great works in God’s people today.
In fact, the Holy Spirit is the way we interact with God today. When Christians talk to God in prayer those prayers go through the Holy Spirit.
When someone says, they heard from God, that voice belongs to the Holy Spirit. When we “feel” God’s presence, we are feeling the Holy Spirit.
God is, according to scripture, three in one. Christians use the word “trinity” to describe this truth about God. In history, God has intervened as a powerful heavenly being, who cast down fire, sent plagues, and called people to repent of their evil again and again.
He then came in the flesh as Jesus, the very essence of God in the body of man. As Jesus of Nazareth, He healed wounds, bound up the broken, cast out demons, forgave sins and conquered death. Now God moves by His Holy Spirit.
This Spirit is just as powerful, just as loving, just as forgiving, but is also often quieter, gentler, and less obtrusive. Have you ever wondered, “Why?”
The truth is the Holy Spirit is also extremely inclusive. The part of God that is the Holy Spirit, wants to include His people in all His work. He desires desperately to use you and I to do powerful things, say powerful things, and act in powerful ways.
Instead of rushing ahead to do all the work without us, he invites us to participate, like a father or mother might do with their children.
God is still writing His story, and you are invited to be a part of it. The Holy Spirit is available to all who would turn away from their own way of living and move towards God. Then start a new life by being buried with Christ in water immersion and raised with Him again.
If you want to “walk with God,” you simply need to reach out and surrender to Him. If you want to know more stop by a church this Sunday.
We would be happy to answer your questions.
Dow Tippett is Connections Pastor at Faith Family Church.
