Power Delegated: The Holy Spirit Still Matters

A Theology of the Holy Spirit, Part 5

One of my favorite places to serve at the church is—believe it or not—the parking lot. Not only do you get to be outside for hours at a time, but you get to be the first smiling face that people see as they arrive at the church building. Heavy responsibility, if you ask me!

One of the scariest parts of the serving role, however, is directing traffic in the middle of the street. Cars are flying by. Engines are roaring. And yet—this one person, wearing a bright green vest and raising a hand, can stop traffic completely.

Why? It’s not because of physical strength. A driver could easily ignore me and keep going. But they recognize that I have delegated authority.

That role tells everyone, “I don’t just represent myself. I carry the authority of the church.” The traffic doesn’t stop because of me—it stops because I have power delegated from a higher source.

In short, we don’t just represent God like brand ambassadors. We’ve been filled with the Spirit, sealed with his presence, and authorized to act in the name of Jesus. When we speak truth, love boldly, resist sin, or pray with faith—we’re not doing it in our own strength.

We’re walking in the authority and power of the one who sent us. The role isn’t power—it’s proof. The Spirit is both.

“Power from On High”

There’s a scene near the end of Luke’s Gospel that should stop you in your tracks. Jesus, fully resurrected, standing in glory, giving his final instructions to his disciples. He’s just conquered sin and death. You’d think his following words would be, “Alright, now go change the world.”

Instead, he says this in Luke 24L49 (ESV): “But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Wait… what?

After everything they’d seen, heard, and experienced—Jesus tells them to wait. Not because they weren’t ready theologically. Not because they lacked boldness. But because they didn’t have the Spirit.

[[ For what it’s worth, that’s not just a first-century instruction—it’s a first-priority principle. Don’t move until you have the Spirit’s power. Don’t speak, don’t lead, don’t preach, don’t parent, don’t even attempt Christian living without it. ]]

The Spirit’s Power Is for Today, too

In the church today, there are a thousand distractions from actual spiritual power. We get so caught up in systems and strategies, routines and rhythms, that we forget we were never meant to do this on our own.

The Christian life isn’t a self-help project. It’s a Spirit-filled mission. Paul knew this. That’s why he prayed in Ephesians 3:16 (ESV), “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

The word “power” is dunamis in the Greek—divine strength that results in change. This is resurrection power. Transformational power. Power that can’t be mimicked or manufactured.

And it’s not reserved for apostles or missionaries. It’s for all believers.

The Spirit Fuels the Mission

The Holy Spirit’s power isn’t for spiritual vibes. It’s for kingdom advancement. That’s why Jesus told them in Acts 1:8 (ESV), “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”

Notice the connection—power and purpose. The Spirit comes so the mission can move. This same Spirit who came at Pentecost is the same Spirit who empowers us today to…

• Preach the gospel with boldness (see Acts 4:31)

• Endure suffering with joy (see Romans 5:3–5)

• Live holy lives (see Galatians 5:16)

• Pray in weakness (see Romans 8:26)

• Love our enemies (see Romans 5:5)

[[ For what it’s worth, if your spiritual life feels flat or fragile, it may not be because you’re doing something wrong, per se—it may be because you’re doing it without the Spirit. ]]

The Spirit Carries the Presence of God

There was a time when God's presence was located in the Holy of Holies—accessible only to the high priest once a year. But through Jesus, that veil was torn. And now, through the Holy Spirit, God's presence dwells in us.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV), “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” This isn’t abstract. This is as real as it gets.

If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, you carry God’s presence into your home, your workplace, your church, your neighborhood, and your mess. Not because you’re strong but because he is present.

[[ For what it’s worth, some of the most Spirit-filled moments I’ve had didn’t happen at a church service—they happened at a kitchen table. Or in my car. Or during a hard conversation. The Spirit doesn’t need a stage. He just needs surrender. ]]

The Spirit Is Still Transforming Lives

Paul says it like this in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV), “And we all… are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

This is the heart of it. The Spirit is the one who shapes us into the image of Jesus. Not just with a flash of emotion but with a steady fire of transformation. Not just in private, but in public witness and love for others. Not just for dramatic moments but for everyday faithfulness.

If you want to become like Jesus, you need the Spirit’s power. If you want to endure suffering, resist sin, love deeply, forgive freely, speak boldly, and live wisely—you need the Spirit’s power.

[[ For what it’s worth, the more you lean on the Spirit, the less you’ll find yourself trying to “feel” spiritual. He’s not interested in theatrics. He’s interested in transformation. ]]

Hopefully, That Made Sense

This whole series has been about remembering what we so often forget—the Holy Spirit is not optional. He’s essential.

He is the presence of God within you.
He is the power of God working through you.
He is the person of God guiding and transforming you.

You can read your Bible. You can show up to church. You can try to be a good person. But without the Spirit, you will always run on empty.

So ask him to fill you. Today. Tomorrow. Every day. Because the Church doesn’t need more ideas, the Church needs power.

Until next time,
Petey