Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads a pastor to bring a message that is not all bubbles and flowers. And that is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be the mercy of God.
Paul wrote about this in his second letter to the Corinthians. His first letter had made them sorrowful, but he later rejoiced because that sorrow led them to repentance. It was not shame or condemnation. It was the kind of godly sorrow that wakes the heart up and brings people back to life.
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
That is the heart behind Sunday’s message from Ps Larry. It was strong and direct… But it was pastoral. The aim was not to make people feel bad, but to help us hear what the Spirit is saying, repent where needed, and reconnect with the Source of true power.
Pentecost Was the Beginning of a Powered Church
Ps Larry opened by pointing us back to the Day of Pentecost. Ten days after Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem, and the Church was born in power. It was not born out of human strength, clever planning, or religious energy. It was born by the Spirit of God.
That matters for us today.
Jesus said:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
John 14:12
That promise is not for a few special people. It is for believers. Jesus went to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit so that ordinary men and women could live as His witnesses in the world.
And this is where Ps Larry’s fan illustration landed so well. A fan can have all the right parts. It can look ready. It can even have great potential. But if it is not plugged in, nothing happens.
Many believers feel tired, frustrated, and powerless not because God has left them, but because they are trying to do God’s work in their own strength. We cannot go and make disciples on yesterday’s fire. We need the fresh power of the Holy Spirit today.
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
True Power Starts With Surrender
Our pastor took us to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians. If anyone could have leaned on knowledge, training, and religious background, it was Paul. Yet he made a different choice.
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
1 Corinthians 2:2
Paul did not want people’s faith to rest on his wisdom. He wanted it to rest on God’s power.
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
1 Corinthians 2:4
That is still the pattern. Talent has value. So does planning. Skill has value. But none of it can replace the Spirit of God.
As Ps Larry said in the message, the Gospel is not only a philosophy to be debated. It is a power to be experienced. And when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God can use even our weakness, our testimony, prayers, and daily obedience to touch someone else.
Sometimes that looks like healing. Other times it looks like a word of encouragement. Mostly though, it is a quiet moment where God lifts someone out of discouragement and gives them strength to stand again.
The Holy Spirit Gives Us a Check-Up
One of the strongest parts of the message was the “diagnostic check-up” from Revelation 2 and 3. Jesus spoke to seven churches, and each letter included the same call:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:7
That is not just ancient history. It is a living question for us: are we hearing what the Spirit is saying now?
Ps Larry highlighted three traps that can drain spiritual power.
- The first is losing passion. The church at Ephesus had good doctrine, and Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus saw deeper. Reputation is not the same as fire. We can attend church, serve, sing, and still drift from our first love.
- The second trap is compromise. Pergamum and Thyatira allowed false teaching and worldly patterns to creep in. Ps Larry made it plain: we cannot walk in the power of the Spirit while flirting with the patterns of the world.
“As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.”
Galatians 5:16 TPT
- The third trap is lukewarmness. Laodicea was wealthy and comfortable, yet Jesus called them blind, naked, and wretched. Comfort can be dangerous when it makes us self-reliant.
Still, the message was not hopeless. Smyrna and Philadelphia were under pressure and had little strength, yet God commended them. The Holy Spirit strengthens faithful people.
“And I pray that He would unveil within you the unlimited riches of His glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with His divine might and explosive power.”
Ephesians 3:16 TPT
So, How Do We Stay Plugged In?
Ps Larry gave three clear steps.
- First, empty your vessel daily. You cannot be filled with the Spirit if you are already full of yourself. A simple prayer can change the way you begin the day: “Holy Spirit, I cannot face today in my own strength. I lay down my wisdom, anxiety, and pride. Fill me fresh today.”
- Second, lock your eyes on the cross. The Holy Spirit always points us back to Jesus. Keep the Gospel at the centre of your family, work, church life, and your conversations.
- Third, act on His promptings. When the Holy Spirit nudges you to pray, pray. When He tells you to encourage someone, speak. When He points out a habit that needs to go, obey.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Romans 8:14
Power often begins with one simple act of obedience.
If Sunday’s message stirred something in you, take it seriously. Don’t brush it off. Let the Holy Spirit lead you back to passion, purity, and purpose. Read more from our Go series in Living a Life of Obedience: Go and Make Disciples.
To understand more about the heart and leadership of the house, meet the 3C South Coast pastors, or watch services online when you cannot be in the room.
Why not learn more about our church’s direction?
For Cell Leaders
This week, help your group talk honestly, not religiously. Ask where people feel tired, distracted, or spiritually unplugged. Keep the conversation safe, but don’t let it become vague.
A few helpful questions:
- Where have I been relying on my own strength instead of the Holy Spirit?
- Have I lost passion, compromised, or become comfortable?
- What is one prompting from the Holy Spirit I need to obey this week?
- Who can I encourage, pray for, or reach as part of the call to go and make disciples?
End by praying for fresh infilling, courage, repentance, and a return to first love.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, we need You.
Forgive us for trying to live, serve, and lead in our own strength. Wake our hearts again.
Fill us with fresh fire, lead us back to Jesus, and give us courage to obey Your voice. Use our lives to bring light, healing, and hope wherever we go.
In Jesus name – Amen.
