What does our church need? James Smith 1856

What does our church need?
(James Smith,
"Good seed for the Lord's field!" 1856)
"Our gospel came to you not simply with words--but also with power, with the
Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5
"We have," said one pastor, "the gospel regularly preached, the prayer
meetings are continued, the church is in peace--but very few souls are
converted
to God! What does our church need?"
It needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! For unless the Holy
Spirit works--your minister may preach, your church may meet--but no real
good will
be done! God's work is carried on, not by might nor by power--but by the
Spirit of the Lord Almighty. It is the Spirit who must . . .
open the heart,
quicken the soul, and
sanctify the person!
And if the Spirit works--then the feeblest ministry is efficient, and the
smallest church prospers!
All the success that followed the preaching of Peter, and the labors of
Paul--was from the Holy Spirit. Therefore Paul says, "God gave the
increase." Then
the church felt her need of the Spirit; she realized her dependence on that
divine Agent; she prayed with faith, fervor, and importunity for the
blessing;
and God answered her prayers, and filled His servants with the Holy Spirit
and with power!
But now-a-days, we merely talk of the Spirit--rather than feel our need! We
boast of our instruments- -rather than realize our dependence on the Almighty
Agent!
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You may want to read these related insightful articles by James Smith:
In Word and in Power
The Holy Spirit
The Power of the Spirit
A Momentous Question
Power! Power!
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Please forward this on to your church leaders!
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Dean Masters, owner of the Masters List
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in
the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our
Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and
authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25
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