When the Church Lost Her Power

There can only be one answer to the question, why has the church lost her power? The answer lies in the reality that the church has forsaken the third person of the Trinity, replacing him with programs, money, and man-centered methodologies. Our reliance is one of self rather than reliance upon the Holy Spirit to empower us to pray, preach, and witness with an endowment from on high. In Luke's Gospel, in chapter 24 and in verse 49, we read the words of Christ Jesus, And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

I'll never forget Dr. Stephen Oford sharing with me that he had to visit a famous minister in his hotel room one time to rebuke him. Dr. Oford informed the Christian leader that he was wrong to tell his young gospel workers to go out and share the gospel immediately with whoever they could find. Dr. Oford told this man that nothing lasting for God can be accomplished in the flesh, that he should have explained to his gospel workers to get alone with God until they were endued with power from on high, and then go out and witness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I agree with Stephen Oford. It seems very few Baptists today teach the anointing of the Holy Spirit because we're afraid of being labeled Pentecostals. But listen to the wise words of Alan Redpath who wrote, Today the Christian church is helpless, behind the scenes and away from the public arena.

We are facing powers of darkness too strong for us because somewhere in our personal lives we have forfeited all right to the Spirit's anointing, His authority and His power. In His absence, all we can do is to substitute planning and organization, schemes and techniques. And it's true, friends.

When was the last time you experienced the power of God in a meeting? It's all flashing lights and loud music and fleshly emotions worked up by man, I believe, until we shut ourselves up with God at our own River K-Bar, until we are endued from on high. We will merely stir the emotions and only scratch the surface of our congregations rather than hew them in two with the broadsword of the Holy Spirit. Vance Havner summed it up best when he said, Churches, like Samson, have gone to sleep in the lap of Delilah, and though they go forth Sunday after Sunday to shake themselves, the Spirit of the Lord has departed.

Samson may have looked better after he had his hair cut, but he lost his power. Let us pray.