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Building the Church Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
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When Zechariah began prophesying, the land of Judah was in great trouble. The people had just returned from a 70-year exile in Babylon, only to find their homeland devastated. As we read in 2 Kings 25:8-10, Nebuchadnezzar had attacked the land, broken down the temple, and destroyed all the houses. There was nothing left but stones scattered on the ground.
Zerubbabel returned with the responsibility to rebuild the temple. Two prophets came with him—Haggai and Zechariah—to guide God's people through this restoration. When Zerubbabel arrived, the people showed some initial interest in rebuilding. They set up the altar, the bronze altar in the outer court. But then opposition came.
Why did so much opposition arise? The people became discouraged through comparison. They looked at the altar Zerubbabel had built and compared it to Solomon's magnificent temple. They said, "This cannot be compared with what Solomon built. Let us stop this initiative."
This discouragement led to selfish interests. Instead of building God's house, the people said, "Let us build our own houses." For 16 years, the work halted.
This same pattern repeats in our churches today. We become so focused on our own needs and comfort that we lose sight of what the church needs. We are busy with our own things. We don't take initiative to build the church or bring new people to Christ. My dear children of God, God is interested in the people who worship in the building, more than the building itself. Our responsibility is to build the church by bringing new people to Christ.
How many of us give importance to this? How many of us take the initiative to bring others to Christ? Consider your ways. Are we giving importance to the right things?
When Zerubbabel was discouraged and unable to continue, God raised up two prophets—Haggai and Zechariah. Through Zechariah, God showed eight visions in one day. If you prepare your hearts, God can show you great visions and lead you to do something to build the church of God.
I want to share my own testimony. When I was completing my university education, I prayed, "Lord Jesus, if you are real, then at least once speak to me. I want to hear your voice." I was uncertain about my future and considering post-graduate studies. One night at around 3 o'clock, I heard someone putting a key into my ears. I heard a voice say, "I will speak to you through a man before you go." The Lord spoke this to me in Malayalam as well. I understood that what I was aspiring for was not God's will.
Everything God said came to pass. A prophet came and told me many things, and everything came true. Today, many of us don't believe in prophets because there are false prophets. But just because there are false prophets does not mean there are no true prophets. God still anoints prophets. I want to encourage you—pray to be a prophet. We need prophets in this time to lead us, teach us the word of God, and guide us in the decisions we must make.
In Zechariah's vision, he saw a great lampstand—a menorah with seven lamps on seven branches. Each lamp had seven lips. Two olive trees were connected to the lampstand through pipes, and from a bowl came many more pipes to the lamps.
What is the oil? The oil represents anointing of the Lord. When Samuel anointed David with oil in 1 Samuel 16:13, "the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David." Pouring oil signifies the anointing of the Lord coming upon a person.
What does the lampstand signify? In Revelation 1:20, we learn that "the seven lampstands are seven churches." The lampstand represents the church, and the lamps represent the people who make up the church. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." If we are the light of the world, our lamps must be lit.
The lampstand was kept in the temple. The priest had the responsibility to keep all the lamps lighted. Lamps need oil to remain lit. If we are the light of the world and we are not lit, how will the world see Christ? If we do not have the light, if we live like other people, how can we bring others to Christ?
As Philippians 2:15 tells us, "In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." We must bring righteousness to this world through our light. We must bring other people to the light. But if we don't have the power of God and the oil, if we don't have this anointing within ourselves, how can we bring others to Christ? We cannot.
Jesus taught about ten virgins—five had enough oil, and five did not. When the bridegroom came, those without oil had to stand in shame. The five virgins with extra oil in the bowl were prepared. But the other five were busy with shopping and sightseeing. When the church meets, where are we? Are we realizing we are away from God?
We need the gifts of the Spirit. We must exercise the gifts of the Spirit. We need the fruits of the Spirit. If you don't exercise the gifts of the Spirit, if you have nothing to stand before the Lord with, then you will be ashamed.
In Zechariah's vision, there were two olive trees. The vision itself tells us that the trees represent the ministers—the two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah. The oil flows from the trees to the bowl and then to the lamps. The ministers of God are very important.
The Lord gave the church five-fold ministries: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. These are not only for men. When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled men and women—120 people waiting in the presence of God. You should rise up as evangelists. You should rise up as prophets. You should rise up with the light.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave the Great Commission: "Go into all the world. Preach the gospel. Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach them what I have taught you." I was so happy because God's responsibility is not about getting a good job. God's responsibility is to share the word of God. Jesus shed His blood to bring you to the kingdom of God.
If you don't lead a holy life, if you don't produce the fruits of the Spirit, then people will not listen to us. Our lives must reflect the power of God.
I want to share examples of women who answered this call. Corrie ten Boom was a woman who saved many Jews during the Nazi attack. Amy Carmichael came to India and delivered many devadasis—young girls who were being exploited by priests in temples. She could not bear what she saw, so she took the risk and opened a home to save these girls. Women can do many things through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.
The angel asked Zechariah, "Do you know what these are?" Zechariah replied, "No, my lord. I don't understand what these things are."
Then the angel said, "It's not by might. It's not by power, but by my spirit."
The Hebrew word for "might" is chayil, meaning military strength. The group of people may not be with you. You may not have the numbers. The second word "power" is kuwa, meaning personal strength. You may not have oratorical powers or feel equipped to answer every question.
But I know someone who gave a tract while walking in the park, and a family came to church. You may feel you don't have much to offer, but start sharing. If somebody asks you anything, start speaking. We have a great mountain before us. The biggest mountain we have is that we don't have time. This land keeps us very busy. If you want your church to grow, if you want to be a light in your church, then take action. Fast and pray. Take your vacation for evangelism.
Our first preference must be God's things. Building the church is our responsibility. Don't be discouraged. You are doing it for Jesus. If you believe that Jesus Christ died for you, then lift the name of Jesus.
As Galatians 3:28 says, "There is no male or female. You are all heirs in the kingdom of God." The Samaritan woman at the well brought her whole city to Jesus.
As Philippians 4:13 tells us, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. He is the one who will keep the capstone."
I know we are zeros. I know that. But with God we can be heroes. With the mighty power of God, we can do many things for the Lord.
Learning to serve God is like learning to ride a bicycle. When you start, you feel you don't have the power. But as you learn, as you practice, the power will come to your legs. Trust in the grace of God. Trust in the power of God. Learn to exercise your faith, and God is the one who will empower you.
Don't think that you're just a woman. The hand of God is so mighty, so powerful. Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon you so that God can use you mightily. God wants the church to grow. God wants to use us—mighty women of God. Be useful in the hands of God.
How will you know if you're working in the power of the Holy Spirit? You will be able to lead others to Christ. Don't be ordinary women, but work in the power of the Holy Spirit. We need your grace, Lord. We are going to do something different for you, Lord.
Grace. Grace. Grace shall lead us.
