The Promise of the Holy Spirit

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12

What a joy it has been talking about the attributes of the Holy Spirit over the last six weeks. We’ve looked at the Holy Spirit as our Guide, Comforter, Power, Healer and Sanctifier. Last Sunday, we looked at the Spirit coming upon Gideon, a mighty warrior who did not feel (or look) mighty at all when God first appeared to him.

What I have come to love about how the Spirit works and moves is that it’s never quite what you expect, but it’s always better than you could have asked or imagined. Isn’t this what Jesus promised to His disciples before ascending to the Father?

In John’s Gospel, Jesus literally promised His friends that they would see even greater things – greater miracles, greater power, greater healings, greater conversions – than in the time they had spent with Him in the three public years we have noted in the Gospels.

So, let me ask, where are you seeing that promise fulfilled in your life?

Two weeks ago, we asked you to tell your stories about where you’ve seen the Holy Spirit at work in your lives. Here are a few of them:
Jeff shared, “On my first short-term mission trip to Tokyo, Japan, after my first night there I was having a difficult time and wondered, ‘Why am I even here?’ So, at the urging of my roommate, I took my prayers to the Lord. What followed the next morning was an unexplained peace. It made all the difference. The Holy Spirit was at work in that moment and every day that followed on that trip. I have since returned four more times, including leading two of those trips personally.”
Becky shared, “In church the other morning, the Holy Spirit filled me with unexplained joy and praise as I celebrated in my normal seat. After the service, I had a family approach me and thank me for bringing the Holy Spirit to them through my praise.” What a reminder that our praise from a pew or seat can be someone else’s blessing. That’s the Holy Spirit!
Katy shared that, when she was younger, her parents got divorced, and what followed, her sisters and mom didn’t go to church for years. But then, something happened. “My mom found The Woodlands Methodist Church and told us we were going back to church. Me and my sisters were not excited about this… at all… but God knew what I needed. I am happy now that my mom made us go to church every week. Over time, I have begun to put the pieces of my life back together and I am happy to now be in confirmation.”
Friends, there are so many more stories. Stories of the Spirit moving in the midst of infertility, drug addiction and even on the battlefield and war overseas.

The Psalmist says, “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.” – Psalm 107:2 (NLT)

Let’s keep sharing those stories of God at work in and among us. There’s good news to be told in the world and the Spirit is still very much at work.

To God be the glory!
– Mark