Just out of curiosity, are there any among us who do NOT want to experience ALL these amazing things? They are within your reach, within your grasp. They are within the grasp of us all. The risen Christ made it possible thousands of years ago in a room with his disciples. The Holy Spirit continues to make it possible today.
And while some people have a special gift for discernment…just like some people have a special gift for prayer…EVERY person can in some way discern the will of God. YOU can in some way discern the will of God…for ANYthing…as long as you take the time to ask and listen. If you want some specific tools for how to do this, come back next Sunday.
Friends, my point is this. The Spirit has set each of you apart for ministry, and the Spirit has equipped you with a gift to perform what others will see as miracles to aid you in the fulfillment of that ministry. You might be wondering whether or not YOU are included in this statement, whether you have been called and equipped. The answer is YES!!!! And when you respond to Jesus’ resurrection by doing the work for which the Spirit calls you, the Spirit WILL perform miracles through you. There’s no doubt about it in my mind.
A little less than 2,000 years ago, something amazing, something world changing happened. God made a decision to put the power to change the world in the hands of Jesus’ followers. God made a decision to put the power to change the world and achieve God’s great desires for the world into the hands of US. That’s “what this means.” What are we going to do about it?
Y’all, isn’t that what Church is supposed to be like? Us meeting the needs we encounter by using what God gives us to meet them? God making such a big difference through us that thousands of people every day are brought to praise God and become followers of Jesus? THAT is what Church is supposed to be. But what have we become?