“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” – Acts 1:8 (ESV)
A few weeks ago, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday—a pivotal moment in the life of the Church. On that day, as recorded in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended like a rushing wind upon 120 waiting believers, igniting tongues of fire and filling them with boldness and heavenly language. It was not just a supernatural encounter—it was the launch of God’s mission through His people.
But Pentecost is not just a date on the calendar; it’s an invitation to a Spirit-filled life.
Imagine a tree in full bloom. Its roots go deep into the soil, its trunk is strong, its branches stretch wide, and its leaves rustle with life. This tree doesn’t just exist; it flourishes. It bears both fruit and seeds—the fruit nourishes, and the seeds multiply.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit works in us through the fruit (Galatians 5:22–23) and the gifts (1 Corinthians 12). The fruit reflects who we are becoming in Christ; the gifts enable what we are doing for Christ. A tree without fruit is barren. A tree without seeds cannot multiply. We need both. We need the Spirit to transform our character and empower our calling.
During our Pentecost service, our pastor, Pastor Yang shared the remarkable story of Jackie Pullinger, a young British missionary who stepped into the darkness of Hong Kong’s infamous Walled City. Her early ministry bore little visible fruit—until she was encouraged to pray in tongues for 15 minutes a day. Though hesitant at first, Jackie decided to faithfully practise this discipline. Pastor Yang emphasised how this simple yet consistent act of obedience became a catalyst for transformation in her ministry. As Jackie persisted in praying in tongues, she experienced a new level of spiritual power and effectiveness.
What followed was nothing short of miraculous. Drug addicts were delivered, gang members encountered Jesus, and broken lives were restored. Jackie herself testified that as she prayed in the Spirit daily, her ministry was infused with power and clarity. Pastor Yang reminded us: sometimes it’s not grand gestures but simple obedience that unlocks heaven’s power.
Pastor Yang used Jackie’s testimony to challenge the congregation—just as we value reading the Word and spending time in prayer, we should also embrace the discipline of exercising spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues. He reminded us that these practices are not just for a select few but are available to every believer who desires a deeper walk with God. I was personally challenged by this sharing.
Paul affirms this reality: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18), yet also stresses love and understanding in public worship. Spiritual gifts are not status symbols—they are tools of service.
A Spirit-filled life is not measured solely by the manifestation of gifts but by the character and love displayed in everyday living. If we pursue the gifts without the fruit, our witness is incomplete. Conversely, if we display the fruit but neglect the gifts, we may miss out on the fullness of God’s power and purpose for our lives.
As a church and as individuals, we are called to embrace both the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Let us seek the gifts with humility and gratitude, and let us display the fruit with consistency and love. In doing so, we become powerful witnesses to both believers and unbelievers, showing that we are truly followers of Christ—empowered, transformed, and marked by His Spirit.
| Consider this: Here are three takeaways to cultivate a Spirit-filled life: Pursue the Gifts, Not the Spotlight “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7 The gifts—whether tongues, healing, wisdom, or prophecy—are not proof of spiritual superiority. They’re given so that we might build others up, not ourselves. Don’t wait for a platform. Begin in your prayer closet. Ask the Lord to awaken your spiritual gifts—and be ready to serve. Grow the Fruit, Even When No One Sees “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” – Galatians 5:22-23 A fruitful life is a slow, steady transformation. No applause, no headlines—just daily faithfulness. The world is watching not just for power, but for kindness. Are we patient with our coworkers? Do we forgive those who hurt us? The fruit is what makes the gospel believable. Live Rooted in the Spirit, Not in Striving “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25 We can’t manufacture the Spirit’s power by willpower. Like a tree draws life from the soil, we draw life from God. Spend time in prayer, worship, the Word. Don’t force fruit or fake gifts. Stay rooted—and trust that the Spirit will produce what He desires in and through you. |
