The Spirit at Work
The Spirit of God is at work in the church when there is mighty prayer and the preaching of truth.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the consistent and powerful work of the Holy Spirit in the church, likening it to predictable seasonal winds. He asserts that the Spirit is particularly active during times of fervent prayer and when the truth of the Gospel is faithfully preached. Spurgeon highlights that the Holy Spirit responds to genuine prayer and the proclamation of Christ's crucifixion, making the Word effective in the hearts of believers. He warns that any deviation from the truth can hinder the Spirit's work, while a spirit of prayerfulness indicates the Spirit's presence among God's people. Ultimately, Spurgeon encourages believers to engage in prayer and uphold the truth to witness the Spirit's transformative power.
Text
We know that at certain times of the year we may expect winds, and if they come not to a day or two, yet, as a rule, the month is stormy; and there are also trade winds, monsoons which blow with remarkable regularity and are counted upon by mariners. And so with the Spirit of God. We know that at certain times he visits the churches, and under certain conditions puts forth his power. If, for instance, there is mighty prayer, you may be sure the Spirit of God is at work; if the people of God meet together and besiege the throne of grace with cries and tears, the spiritual barometer indicates that the blessed wind is rising. Besides, the Holy Spirit has graciously connected himself with two things, truth and prayer. Preach the truth, publish the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the habit of the Holy Spirit to make the word quick and powerful to the hearts of men. If we falsify his word, if we keep back part of the truth, if we become unfaithful, we cannot expect the Holy Spirit to bless us; but if our teaching be Christ crucified, lovingly set forth, and if the grace of God in its fullness be really declared, the Holy Spirit will attend the truth and make it the great power of God. I will not say that it is always, and without exception so, but I think exceptions must be rare; almost invariably the Spirit beareth witness with the truth in the conversion of men.
So too with prayer, the Holy Spirit is pleased to connect himself with that also, if it be believing prayer. Here the connection is exceedingly intimate, because it is the Spirit of God who himself gives the believing prayer, and it is not only true that the Spirit will be given in answer to prayer, but the Spirit is already given or the believing prayer would never have been offered. The spirit of prayerfulness, the spirit of anxiety for the conversion of men is one of the surest indications that the Holy Spirit is already at work in the minds of his people.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "The Heavenly Wind," delivered May 27, 1877.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Spirit's Work in the Church
- A. Indicated by prayer and the preaching of truth
- B. Connected with the truth and prayer
- II. The Spirit's Work in Conversion
- A. The Spirit bears witness with the truth
- B. Believing prayer is essential
- III. The Spirit's Work in the Hearts of Believers
- A. The Spirit gives the believing prayer
- B. The spirit of prayerfulness is a sure indication of the Spirit's work
Key Quotes
“If, for instance, there is mighty prayer, you may be sure the Spirit of God is at work;” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Holy Spirit has graciously connected himself with two things, truth and prayer.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Spirit beareth witness with the truth in the conversion of men.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Prayer is a crucial condition for the Spirit's work in the church.
- The Spirit connects himself with truth and prayer, making the word quick and powerful to the hearts of men.
- Believing prayer is essential for the Spirit's work in conversion.