The power for the church can come only from God. When Paul wanted the church strengthened, he asked God for it. Consider Ephesians 3:15-16, where he prays “that [God] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. We recognize this reality because we recognize our dependence on God. But what does this look like on a practical level? How does God strengthen us with power through His Spirit? How do we experience the riches of His glory in this power? According to Scripture, this happens through other believers. As Paul starts his second missionary journey at the end of Acts 15 and into Acts 16, he goes to strengthen the church. But in those verses, we don’t see the Spirit mentioned at all. Instead, we see Paul and Silas given credit for strengthening the churches. So we see the reality of God’s sovereignty working through the means of His created world, specifically His people. Certainly, the strength came from the riches of God’s glory through the Spirit, but it arrived by the means of God’s men. Paul and Silas, obedient to God’s command to minister to the churches, strengthened the churches in their obedience. God can use us in the same way. We all have a responsibility to each other to strengthen the church. When we are together, we should be looking for ways to strengthen each other. It doesn’t take a lot of skill, only faithfulness and intentionality. Then, when we are obedient to God, He strengthens the church through us. – Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: BTH–Jon Stilwell
10AM: Jon Stilwell–Multiplying Ministry–Acts 16:1-5 (sermon notes)
6PM: Evening Gathering–Jon Stilwell
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