Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Power is the peculiar prerogative of God. "Twice have I heard this," etc. If He delegates a portion of it to His creatures, yet still it is His power. This prerogative is to be found in each of the three persons of the Trinity. We shall look at the power of the Holy Ghost in — I. THE OUTWARD AND VISIBLE DISPLAYS OF IT. 1. In creation works (Job 26:13; Psalm 104:29; Genesis 1:2). But there was one instance of creation in which the Spirit was more especially concerned, viz., the formation of the body of Christ. "The power of the Highest shall overshadow Thee," etc. 2. In the resurrection of Christ. Sometimes this is ascribed to Himself, sometimes to God the Father. He was raised by the Father, who said, "Loose the Prisoner — let Him go. Justice is satisfied." He was raised by His own majesty and power because He had a right to come out. But He was raised by the Spirit as to the energy which His mortal frame received (Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18). 3. In works of witnessing. When Jesus went into Jordan the Spirit proclaimed Him God's beloved Son. And when afterwards Jesus raised the dead, healed the leper, etc., it was done by the power of the Spirit, who dwelt in Him without measure. And when Jesus was gone the master attestation of the Spirit was when He came like a rushing mighty wind, and cloven tongues. And all through the apostle's ministry "mighty signs and wonders were clone by the Holy Ghost, and many believed thereby." 4. The works of grace. Under the power of the Holy Ghost the uncivilised become civilised, the savage polite, the drunkard sober, etc. II. THE INWARD AND SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION. The former may be seen, this must be felt. The Holy Ghost has a power over — 1. Men's hearts. Now these are very hard to affect. If you want to get at them for any worldly object you can do it. But there is not a minister breathing who can win man's heart himself. He can win his ears, his eyes, his attention; but he cannot reach the heart. The Holy Spirit can. He can "Speak with that voice which wakes the dead." 2. The will. This, especially in some men, is a very stubborn thing. I can bring you all to the water, and a great many more; but I cannot make you drink; and I don't think a hundred ministers could. But the Spirit of God can make us willing in the day of His power. 3. The imagination. Those who have a fair share of imagination know what a difficult thing it is to control. It will sometimes fly up to God with such a power that eagles' wings cannot match it; but it is also potent the other way, for my imagination has taken me down to the vilest kennels and sewers of earth. Can you chain your imagination? No; but the power of the Holy Ghost can. III. ITS FUTURE AND DESIRED EFFECTS. He has — 1. To perfect us in holiness. The Christian needs two kinds of perfection-of justification in the person of Jesus, of sanctification by the Holy Spirit. At present corruption still rests even in the breasts of the regenerate, but the day is coming when God shall finish the work which He has begun. 2. To bring on the latter-day glory. 3. To raise the dead. That same power which raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies.Practical inferences: 1. The Spirit is very powerful, Christian! (1) Then you never need distrust the power of God to carry you to heaven. (2) Why should you doubt anything? 2. Sinners, there is some hope for you. I cannot save you, but I know my Master can. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. |
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