Do you feel depleted? Is this a tough season? Perhaps you need a “double portion” of strength? Here’s some help from this past Sunday’s sermon on the Holy Spirit . . . Jim Cymbala is Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York.  In his book, Fresh Power, he writes about religious programs, human ideas, talents and strategies that have value, but don’t meet the need of the hour.  He says, “These things might even be doctrinally sound, but what churches [and people] need is something from heaven itself, something from God the Holy Spirit that fills and floods our lives.”

Cymbala is writing of the Holy Spirit power that Jesus promised to and which was received by the believers at Pentecost. – Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 

The word translated “power” is from the Greek dunamis, which means “power, might, ability, strength, miraculous power, or influence.”  This is a supernatural power that enables us to do even more than we can ask or imagine!   

In preparing for Sunday’s message, I discovered a treasure in one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. Paul refers to the “supply” of the Spirit. While imprisoned in Rome, he wrote to the Philippians. He did not complain about his circumstances. Rather, he proclaimed that his chains would be used to advance the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then he said, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation [deliverance] through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” (Phil. 1:19, KJV)  

Paul’s word translated “supply” by the translators is remarkable! It is epichoregeo, which is an old word derived from choregos that literally means, “On behalf of the choir.” In ancient Greece, theater was a central aspect of cultural and civic life. The most prominent events were the dramatic festivals held in Athens, such as the city Dionysia, where tragedies and comedies were performed in honor of the god Dionysus. These festivals were significant public events that drew large audiences and involved substantial resources. 

The chorus provided narrative, commentary, and interacted with the main actors, and its preparation was a considerable expense. The choregos was a wealthy citizen who financed the training and costuming of the chorus, an essential component of Greek drama.  

Often, these productions ran out of money. When that happened, it means that the show was over – finished – the end of the road. Enter the choregos who stepped into the middle of the situation and made a huge financial contribution “on behalf of the choir.” This contribution “supplied” all they needed to get back in business again. In some cases, the choregos gave may more than needed. 

When we consider the word in the way Paul uses it, is describes the enormous, overflowing contribution of the Holy Spirit [supply] that Jesus Christ wants to give to you and to me.   

This means that when we’ve run out of steam; when we’ve given our best effort and we don’t feel like we have another ounce of energy left to give; when it looks like our resources are drained and we are unable to take one more step unless someone else steps in to help – this is exactly the moment when Jesus Christ becomes our epichoregos. Jesus is our “wealthy benefactor.” He has more strength and power to give than we will ever be able to use.    

In his commentary on John, N. T. Wright states, “The Spirit comes to give God’s people the strength and energy to do what they have to do, to live for God and witness to his love in the world.” Jesus gave his disciples and us the power to do even greater things than he. He said, “whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” Church, Jesus will enable us to do greater things if we trust him! 

In Spirit power,