Fresh Supplies
We need a fresh supply of the Holy Spirit to stay empowered and serve God effectively.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the necessity of seeking a fresh supply of the Holy Spirit for effective Christian service, arguing that many believers rely on past grace instead of pursuing new anointing and power. He illustrates this by referencing the early church's experience of receiving the Holy Spirit and the importance of being filled continually to fulfill God's work. Moody warns that many Christians today are unaware of the Holy Spirit's role in their lives, akin to the twelve men in Ephesus who had not heard of the Holy Spirit. He calls for a revival of understanding and empowerment through the Spirit to enhance the Church's effectiveness and glory. Ultimately, Moody encourages believers to seek this fresh supply with all their hearts to truly serve God.
Text
Turn to Acts 4:31, and you will find He came a second time, and at a place where they were, so that the earth was shaken, and they were filled with this power. That is, we are leaky vessels, and we have to keep right under the fountain all the time to keep full of Christ, and so have a fresh supply.
I believe this is a mistake a great many of us are making; we are trying to do God's work with the grace God gave us ten years ago. We say, if it is necessary, we will go on with the same grace. Now, what we want is a fresh supply, a fresh anointing and fresh power, and if we seek it, and seek it with all our hearts, we will obtain it. The early converts were taught to look for that power.
Philip went to Samaria, and news reached Jerusalem that there was a great work being done in Samaria, and many converts; and John and Peter went down, and they laid their hand on them and they received the Holy Ghost for service. I think that is what we Christians ought to be looking for- the Spirit of God for service - that God may use mightily in the building of His Church and hastening His glory.
In Acts 19 we read of twelve men at Ephesus, who, when the inquiry was made if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believe, answered: "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." I venture to say there are very many, who, if you were to ask them, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" would reply, "I don't know what you mean by that." They would be like the twelve men down at Ephesus, who had never understood the peculiar relation of the Spirit to the sons of God in this dispensation. I firmly believe that the Church has just laid this knowledge aside, mislaid it somewhere, and so Christians are without power. Sometimes you can take one hundred members into the Church, and they don't add to its power. Now that is all wrong.
If they were only anointed by the Spirit of God, there would be great power if one hundred saved ones were added to the Church.
Sermon Outline
- The Need for a Fresh Supply
- The Importance of the Holy Spirit for Service
- The Result of Being Anointed by the Spirit of God
- There would be great power in the Church if members are anointed by the Spirit
- Individuals would be empowered to serve God
Key Quotes
“We are leaky vessels, and we have to keep right under the fountain all the time to keep full of Christ, and so have a fresh supply.” — D.L. Moody
“The early converts were taught to look for that power.” — D.L. Moody
“I firmly believe that the Church has just laid this knowledge aside, mislaid it somewhere, and so Christians are without power.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We must seek a fresh supply of the Holy Spirit to stay empowered and serve God.
- The Holy Spirit is necessary for God to use us mightily in the building of His Church.
- Individuals must be anointed by the Spirit of God to have great power in serving God.