THE EMPOWERING SPIRIT – Part 1

In the history of human endeavors, there is a natural progression from “man” to “movement” to “monument.” A charismatic individual typically comes on the scene, mobilizes others to join him, and achieves great things. When the leader dies or leaves, his followers continue for a while in his spirit. But the movement generally lacks the founder’s dynamism and eventually loses momentum. Subsequently, it either fails outright or becomes only a monument to its former, departed glory. Man, movement, monument.

Christianity did not follow the “man-movement-monument” scenario. Jesus’ charisma cannot be denied. But when He died, He died alone. And after He rose from the dead, He had to appear to His disciples repeatedly to convince them that He was truly risen from the dead (Acts 1:3). He had to explain to them again that His kingdom was far different from the one they imagined. Even when He made His dramatic exit to heaven they stood staring into the sky (Acts 1:11)…

Prior to His departure Jesus told His disciples, “In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… you will receive power and will tell people about Me everywhere” (Acts 1:5,8). This power of the “Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead” (Romans 8:11) imparted to them supernatural power that made them compelling witnesses for Christ. 

-- Stuart Briscoe in the “Daily Study Bible for Men”

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