“Demonstration
Of Spirit And Power”
I Corinthians
2:1-5
1)
And I,
brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you
the testimony of God.
2)
For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.
3)
And I was
with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4)
And my speech
and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5)
That your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
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are living in a time in which it seems as if every other person has a testimony
of being “born again.” What we do not see, however, is proof of that new birth
by the “demonstration of the Spirit and Power” of God. Sadly, we often find
that these people have tried to live by the Word, but could not carry it out.
When questioned, they usually seem not to know what their problem is. They, as
well as too many of us, must be brought to the point where they are able to see
that merely professing salvation is not enough. It is essential that we be able
to demonstrate what we profess.
The
power we are given upon salvation enables us to stand in all situations. It
would seem that this would motivate us to stand like “rocks;” yet, we find
great numbers of God’s people seeking a weak “stand.” When we received
salvation, we were touched by a Power great enough to snatch us from original
sin and eternal damnation, change us without and within, and set us on the
spotless path Jesus walked. How could one delivered so miraculously fail to
inherit some of that same strength?
The
“demonstration of Spirit and Power” is not so that others might see how
powerful we are, and praise us, but so that others might be given the same
opportunity we have to come out of sin. We must remember that all are neither
willing nor able to attend an
We
can never afford to discount even the simplest move of God, for that can be
enough to convince one of his need of salvation. This
is why preachers must preach “what God says” over what they think, feel, read
or have read in a book. God’s concepts and precepts are simple and are enough
to save, keep and lead one to salvation.
In
all demonstrations of the Spirit and Power of God, it should be understood that
the power is operated through His Spirit. Therefore, it is not about what we
say, but rather, what God will “back up” and perform. And remember, we do
always have a “back-up,” for God will not tell us to do something and then
leave us on our own.
Anyone
having the power of God in his life should be able to exhibit it. Not only will
God’s power affect our life but the lives of others as well. Too many are
declaring themselves to be sent by God, but they
affect no one.
In
that we serve a God who declares Himself, we must be able to walk in
demonstration of Spirit and Power in order to be fitting representatives of
Him. That is, if God is a deliver others should see one delivered. If God is a
healer, others should be able to see one healed.
In
order for there to be a demonstration there must first be a situation. Since
the demonstration requires our cooperation, generally we will have to be part
of the situation as well. Here is where things “fall apart,” for not only are
we often reluctant to wait on God for the demonstration, we also tend to run
away at the first sign of trouble.
Nothing
will change until we realize our responsibility in bringing souls to salvation
and preparing them for eternity. Any “demonstration of Spirit and Power” will
have its hallmark in the fact that no matter the trial or test, we will go
through with joy and emerge with victory.