“Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7
“Do not quench the Spirit.”1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV)
There are no figures that reveal the billions of dollars that have been spent on failed programs and equally ineffective “new” methods of ministry when all that was required was to listen to the Holy Spirit. Instead, many “Christians” and their Churches, both large and small, have quenched the Spirit by refusing to be led by Him. At a time when the Church should be embracing Scripture as never before; we find that too many of our Churches are teaching a false gospel and attempting to “do” ministry without the leadership of God the Holy Spirit.
We have men and women who live in open sin being declared Pastors, Priests, and Bishops by their Church leaders. This is not because they have not heard the truth; rather it is because they have denied the validity and veracity of the Holy Word of God and rendered it of no effect in their lives. The Holy Spirit has been effectively “quenched” by their refusal to surrender to His leadership; it is now impossible for them to minister in the name of Jesus Christ. Their feeble attempts, now fueled by their own false doctrine serve only to create a following of the like minded lost.
Because this “quenching” is so rampant, the mainline denominations are crumbling just when this world desperately needs to hear the truth; this is the inevitable result of substituting man’s opinion for God’s word. This is the reason that Paul warned the Thessalonians not to quench the Spirit; the Church can not exist as a viable and empowered institution whose very existence was birthed by the Holy Spirit, when He is made of no effect by ignoring His presence and purpose.
Jesus said that it was for our advantage that the Holy Spirit came; and that He would be a Helper to us, as He equips us for service. Why then do so many “Christians” shy away from, and even deny the necessity of His guidance in life and ministry?
No Church, we can not properly exist without His leadership and counsel, and ministry is never accomplished without
Him.
