8.4. A RESURGENCE OF MIGHTY SIGNS AND WONDERS BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In a move of God it is Christ, by the Holy Spirit who is the achiever:

Romans 15:17-19 "Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (NKJV)

Paul refused to indulge in self-boasting. He gloried in what Christ had accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. In a move of the Spirit it is good to remember our former barrenness so that the temptation to pride will be tempered by the sobering fact that without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5; 1 Peter 5:6 ). When God moves by His Spirit there is a renewal of mighty manifestations, powerful signs, and amazing miracles, causing people to become obedient to God.

When there is a move of God, the counterfeit of Satan is exposed, as is corruption, and those who promote themselves as spiritual by copying the real. Ananias and his wife Sapphira, it would appear, were moved by the generosity of Barnabas and others, and sought the praise of men by selling a possession. They pretended to give all while they in fact held back a portion. The severity of their sin was in lying, not just to men, but to the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-11 ). A sense of great awe swept over the Early Church on hearing of the deaths of this couple who had agreed to do evil. It should not be a surprise to us that when waves of the Lord's glory and power envelop the Church, that He disciplines self-exaltation and materialistic ministries, especially those who, to win the admiration and adherence of others, lie to the Holy Spirit.

As the Lord breathes in new power on His Church, He brings forth a Spirit fired leadership and people who are genuine and sincere in their ministry. Paul's statement of committed ministry, showing what it is not, and what it is, is beautifully paraphrased by Phillips:

2 Corinthians 4:2 "We use no hocus-pocus, no clever tricks, no dishonest manipulation of the Word of God. We speak the plain truth and so commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Phillips

Genuinely committed ministry:

	Communicates in a plain, understandable manner.
	Commends the truth of God's Word by exemplary life.
	Clearly appeals by integrity, in the sight of God, to everyone's conscience.
	Consumed with the desire that the gospel shine forth without it being veiled.
	Committed to reach out to the perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3 ).

Romans 9:1 "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit" (NKJV)

The conscience of his Spirit-filled people leads them to obey God in speaking the truth of the gospel to others. Even in the face of threats by the authorities they have the "cannot help speaking" compulsion (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29 ). When this happens to the Lord's people the effect is evident in the community at large. God is birthing a people today who will speak for Him with sincerity.

2 Corinthians 2:17 "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." (NKJV)

When experiencing the blessing and power of God on us, we serve, conscious that nothing we do is hidden from the Lord's penetrating observation. This consciousness affects us with a real sense of responsibility to Him in whose authority we serve and speak.

In a move of God, a divine compulsion comes on leaders to preach the gospel; Paul testified to this:

1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (KJV)

There should be the kind of preaching when the Spirit is moving, that is demonstrably that of one thrust into the arena to preach, held there by the mighty hand of the Lord. Those so compelled will be compelling. To be overwhelmed by the love of God should consume us with such passion for God that some may accuse us of crazy behaviour, or because we show such concern for the body of Christ we can be put down as being spiritually rigid and too doctrinal. Such accusations were levelled at Paul who replied:

2 Corinthians 5:13-14 "For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us ..." (NKJV)

When the Lord is moving there comes on the Lord's people an earnestness to preach the gospel like that of one determined to faithfully keep an obligation - or like one making a supreme effort out of an overwhelming sense of indebtedness. It is the love of God flooding our hearts and pouring out in an unstoppable way as it was with Paul:

Romans 1:14,15 "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." (KJV)

This divine compulsion marks every move of God in this day of grace.