June 26 | Demonstration of the Spirit

Series | The Spirit Filled Life

Scripture | 1 Corinthians 2:4, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”

Lesson 26 | Demonstration of the Spirit

Paul in the above passage summarizes his mode of operation when preaching the Gospel.  He 100% relied upon the “demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”  This can be clearly seen all throughout his missionary journeys in the book of Acts.

Take for example the following three passages: (1) Acts 14:3 records that while Paul and Barnabas were preaching the Lord, “confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders,” (2) Acts 14:10 mentions Paul saying to a lame man, “Stand up on your feet! At that, the man jumped up and began to walk,” and lastly, (3) Acts 19:11-12 states, “11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” 

As a result, its obvious that Paul operated in total dependence on the Holy Spirit’s power.  Thus, if Paul was eager to lean on the demonstration of the Holy Spirit to assist him in preaching the Gospel, shouldn’t today’s disciples do the same thing?

Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14 taught the clearest doctrines on the operation of the spiritual gifts and believed they were for everyone.  He plainly wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:1, “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit,” and in 1 Cor. 11:49, “be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.”

Therefore, all disciples today should be like Paul the apostle and not just preach the Word of God with mere words, but with the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit! 

Reflection | How do you preach the Gospel- just with words or with demonstration of the Spirit’s power?   

Action | (1) Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit for the sake of the Gospel. (2) Be an open and willing vessel for God to use. (3) Lastly, next time you’re preaching the Gospel to someone ask yourself, “Am I just using words or am I depending upon the demonstration of the Spirit’s power?” 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17:1-34, Psalm 144:1-15, & Proverbs 17:27-28. Click here to read online.