The modern-day church’s perceived loss of power, particularly in areas like miracles, tongues, healings, and casting out demons, can be examined through both scripture and historical context. By delving into the Bible and using Strong’s Concordance, we can explore why this might be happening and how the church can restore this power.
Reasons for the Loss of Power
- Lack of Faith and Unbelief
- Matthew 17:19-20 (KJV): “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Unbelief (G570 – apistia) refers to a lack of faith or disbelief. This shows that a deficiency in faith can hinder the power to perform miracles.
- Matthew 17:19-20 (KJV): “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
- Quenching the Spirit
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (KJV): “Quench not the Spirit.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Quench (G4570 – sbennymi) means to extinguish or stifle. Suppressing the Holy Spirit’s workings can result in the absence of spiritual gifts and miracles.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (KJV): “Quench not the Spirit.”
- Ignoring Spiritual Gifts
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV): “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Gifts (G5486 – charisma) indicate specific divine graces granted to believers. Neglecting these gifts can lead to a lack of manifestation of God’s power.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV): “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.”
How the Church Can Regain Its Power
- Repentance and Seeking God
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV): “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Seek (H1245 – baqash) means to search out or strive after. A sincere pursuit of God can restore the church’s power.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV): “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
- Fostering Faith
- Hebrews 11:6 (KJV): “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Faith (G4102 – pistis) implies reliance upon Christ for salvation and a consistent belief in God’s power.
- Hebrews 11:6 (KJV): “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
- Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Ephesians 5:18 (KJV): “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
- Strong’s Concordance: Filled (G4137 – pleroo) signifies to make full or complete. Embracing the fullness of the Holy Spirit can lead to a resurgence of spiritual gifts and miracles.
- Ephesians 5:18 (KJV): “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
- Using Spiritual Gifts
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV): “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Desire (G2206 – zeloo) means to be zealous for or to earnestly seek. Actively seeking and using spiritual gifts will enable the church to operate in God’s power.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV): “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Conclusion
To regain the power that seems lost, the modern-day church must return to foundational biblical principles: fostering genuine faith, not quenching the Spirit, and earnestly seeking and using spiritual gifts. By adhering to these scriptural mandates, the church can once again experience the miraculous works of God as intended.
Recommended Actions:
- Commit to personal and community repentance and prayer.
- Cultivate and nurture an environment of faith and trust in God’s power.
- Encourage and practice the active use of spiritual gifts within the church community.
- Remain open and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
In doing so, the church can witness a revival of the power and presence of God in miraculous ways.
To delve deeper into the reasons behind the perceived loss of power in the modern-day church and how it can be regained, we can explore additional scripture references and insights.
Expanded Reasons for the Loss of Power
- Lack of Faith and Unbelief
- Mark 6:5-6 (KJV): “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Unbelief (G570 – apistia) shows that even Jesus was limited by the unbelief of the people. The modern church’s doubt similarly restricts God’s miraculous workings.
- Mark 6:5-6 (KJV): “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”
- Quenching the Spirit
- Ephesians 4:30 (KJV): “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Grieve (G3076 – lypeo) means to cause distress. Disregarding or grieving the Holy Spirit can lead to a lack of spiritual vibrancy and power.
- Ephesians 4:30 (KJV): “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
- Worldliness and Carnality
- James 4:4 (KJV): “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Enmity (G2189 – echthra) implies hostility. Worldliness creates a barrier to experiencing God’s power.
- James 4:4 (KJV): “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
- Neglect of Prayer and Fasting
- Matthew 17:21 (KJV): “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Prayer (G4335 – proseuche) and fasting (G3521 – nesteia) are critical spiritual disciplines for exercising authority over demonic forces and experiencing God’s power.
- Matthew 17:21 (KJV): “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Expanded Steps to Regain Power
- Repentance and Seeking God
- Acts 3:19 (KJV): “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Repent (G3340 – metanoeo) means to change one’s mind or purpose. True repentance leads to spiritual renewal.
- Acts 3:19 (KJV): “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
- Fostering Faith
- Romans 10:17 (KJV): “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Hearing (G189 – akoe) indicates attentive listening to God’s word, which strengthens faith.
- Romans 10:17 (KJV): “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Acts 1:8 (KJV): “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Power (G1411 – dynamis) signifies miraculous ability. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers believers for supernatural ministry.
- Acts 1:8 (KJV): “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
- Using Spiritual Gifts
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV): “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Covet earnestly (G2206 – zeloo) means to be passionate or zealous. Actively seeking spiritual gifts is essential for their manifestation.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV): “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
- Obedience to God’s Word
- John 14:12 (KJV): “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
- Strong’s Concordance: Works (G2041 – ergon) refers to deeds or actions. Believers are called to continue Jesus’ works, including miracles and healings, through obedience and faith.
- John 14:12 (KJV): “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
- Perseverance in Prayer
- Luke 18:1 (KJV): “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
- Strong’s Concordance: Pray (G4336 – proseuchomai) emphasizes continuous prayer. Persistent prayer is key to experiencing God’s power.
- Luke 18:1 (KJV): “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Conclusion
The modern-day church’s loss of power can be attributed to unbelief, quenching the Spirit, worldliness, and neglect of essential spiritual practices. To regain this power, the church must:
- Repent and seek God earnestly.
- Cultivate strong faith through the word of God.
- Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.
- Actively seek and use spiritual gifts.
- Obey God’s word and commands.
- Persevere in prayer and fasting.
By adhering to these biblical principles, the church can experience a revival of spiritual power, witnessing miracles, healings, and the casting out of demons as seen in the early church.
Lazarevic Ministries 