Remember the movie Superman 2? There’s a scene where Superman gives up his Kryptonian powers to be with Lois Lane. Shortly after, he gets into a scrap at a diner and gets beaten pretty badly because he forgot he was no longer “Super.” It’s only after he regains his power and returns to that diner—ready to be who he truly is—that he can handle the opposition.
I believe this is a picture of many churches today. Sometimes, because the move of the Spirit can feel “messy” or unpredictable, we choose to forgo the PROMISE and try to live this life in our own strength. The result? We’re getting “whooped” out there.
While I am so grateful for the revivals we see on college campuses today, I believe the Spirit of God is asking the body of Christ: “Is there nothing for me?”
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6
The Spirit is Necessary
From the very first page of Scripture to the last, the Holy Spirit is the heartbeat of God’s work:
- Genesis: The Spirit brooded over the deep, waiting for God’s Word to bring life to creation.
- Exodus: The Spirit empowered leaders like Moses and the elders to prophesy and lead.
- The Gospels: The Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism and remained.
- Acts: The Spirit fell in the upper room, turning a group of frightened disciples into a world-changing force.
- Revelation: The Spirit and the Bride cry out together for Jesus to return.
A MEGA church isn’t just a place with a good speaker or a nice band; it must be Spirit-empowered. Without the Spirit, our results are merely human—and humanity has a track record of failure.
Power for Life and Ministry
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”
This “witness” isn’t just a speech we give; it’s a life transformed. Paul tells the Corinthians that they are “letters from Christ,” written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God upon human hearts.
The power of the Spirit shows up in two ways: Gifts and Fruit. * The Gifts give us the ability to do what God calls us to do.
- The Fruit gives us the character to look like Jesus while we do it.
Both require a total dependence on the Holy Spirit. We cannot do this on our own!
The Spirit Carries a Purpose: To Reveal Jesus
The ultimate goal of the Holy Spirit is never to draw attention to Himself or to us. His purpose is to glorify Jesus. If a “move” doesn’t have Jesus at the center, we need to check if it’s really the Spirit.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit (the Helper) would convict the world in three areas:
- Sin: Because the world needs to believe in Jesus.
- Righteousness: Because Jesus is our perfect role model.
- Judgment: Because Jesus is the ultimate victor over the enemy!
Conclusion: Don’t Take the “Pentecost” Out of the Church
We are facing an identity crisis. We cannot afford to take the “Pentecost” out of who we are.
Jesus promised that out of the hearts of those who believe would flow “rivers of living water” (John 7:38). This isn’t just a one-time event at salvation; it’s a lifestyle of being tapped into the Spirit. We need to stir ourselves up, pray in the Spirit, and listen to what He is “expressly saying” to us today.
Let’s stop trying to fight the battles of 2026 with Clark Kent’s strength. It’s time to walk in the power we were promised!
