“Purpose and Power” is the theme of our Sunday morning preaching series for the past two months. We have focused on the significance of the SPIRIT-filled life.
JESUS, being the Son of GOD, provided a perfect example of the SPIRIT-filled life. In Luke 4, the author makes 3 statements in regard to this truth. In verse 1, Luke wrote, “Then, JESUS, being filled with the HOLY SPIRT…” Also, in verse 1, he stated that JESUS “was led by the SPIRIT in the wilderness.” Then he quoted JESUS in verse 18, “The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon Me.”
Why was the SPIRIT of the LORD upon JESUS? “Luke gives the answer in the remainder of verse 18: Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the LORD.”
We learn through JESUS’ teaching and through His example the pivotal role the HOLY SPIRIT plays in the life of a believer. We can accomplish nothing of eternal significance without the power of the HOLY SPIRIT upon our lives.
Zechariah 4:6 declares, “This is the Word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, not by might, nor by power, but by MY SPIRIT, says the LORD of Hosts.”
In this verse, GOD gives a remarkable message to Zerubbabel, a descendent of King David, who is returning from the Babylonian captivity to govern Israel. He was the one chosen by GOD to start rebuilding the Jewish Temple. Zechariah 4:6 details how GOD will carry out and complete the work – “by My SPIRIT.”
Our prayer every day (and throughout the day) should be, “LORD, fill me with your SPIRIT. Let me walk in the SPIRIT so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Empower me to serve You so that my life will make an eternal difference, realizing the “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of GOD abides forever” (I John 2:17).
Pastor Mike