WHAT DOES OUR CHURCH NEED?

Way back in 1856, a pastor asked James Smith, “We have the gospel regularly preached, the prayer meetings are continued, the church is in peace–but very few souls are converted to God. What does our church need?”Bro. Smith replied: “It needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! For unless the Holy Spirit works — your minister may preach, your church may meet — but no real good will be done! God’s work is carried on, not by might nor by power — but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty. It is the Spirit who must . . . open the heart, quicken the soul, and sanctify the person! And if the Spirit works — then the feeblest ministry is efficient, and the smallest church prospers! All the success that followed the preaching of Peter, and the labors of Paul — was from the Holy Spirit. Therefore Paul says, “God gave the increase.” Then the church felt her need of the Spirit; she realized her dependence on that divine Agent; she prayed with faith, fervor, and importunity for the blessing; and God answered her prayers, and filled His servants with the Holy Spirit and with power! But now-a-days, we merely talk of the Spirit — rather than feel our need! We boast of our instruments — rather than realize our dependence on the Almighty Agent!” Dear friends, times have changed, but our need is the same today as it was then! We need a wholehearted effort to do God’s will, but we must do it with a deep sense of dependance upon the power of the Holy Spirit. We must strive, but ever mindful that without Him we can do nothing. It is only then that we cannot fail!