The mark of a Spirit-filled church

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.Acts 4:13 (NIV)This week we are looking at Pastor Louis’ sermon on the ‘Marks of a Spirit-filled church’. Knowing these signs is so valuable because it allows us to determine if we are on the right path or not.Firstly, we know the church is Spirit-filled when it is united. The Spirit allows us to overcome our differences and stand as one. The church will also be magnified and begin to multiply. When the Spirit fills a church there is life and that life spreads and draws in more people. Another sign that the church is Spirit filled is that it is generous. When the Spirit fills us, we give. Not just out of compulsion, but with a joyful heart.These positive signs follow the Spirit-filled church, but there are also challenges that will follow it. The enemy doesn’t like it when we live Spirit-filled lives, so he will come and try to derail us. He will question us on what God really said and who we really are in order to make us doubt. After that, he’ll resist us and tell us we aren’t allowed to do what God says we must. If that also doesn’t work he’ll bring threats to intimidate us into submission. It is vital that we learn the power of Jesus’ name and how to use it effectively so that we don’t fall prey to the enemy's predictable schemes.God won’t just take these challenges away because he is more interested in our character and maturity than our comfort. He wants us to be available and obedient so that he can use us to advance his kingdom.Reflect: • Have you settled in your heart that Jesus didn’t just die so that you could be saved but also so that you could share the Gospel? • Have you dealt with your fears? • What have you been asking God to do that he has actually been asking you to do? • What false motives do you have in your heart?