THE GLORY OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Acts 2:42-47
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 60:1-2, Ephesians 5:18-21, John 17:21-23, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, Romans 14:17
INTRODUCTION:
A Spirit-filled church is not just a gathering of people; it is a living, breathing expression of the presence and power of God. After the Day of Pentecost, the early Church demonstrated the beauty, power, and glory that accompanies a community saturated with the Holy Spirit. Their fellowship, unity, worship, and miraculous signs revealed the supernatural glory of God.
Many churches today lack glory not because God has changed but because the presence of the Holy Spirit has been neglected. A Spirit-filled church is characterised by vibrant worship, deep love, generosity, soul-winning, and supernatural manifestations. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, unity, and undeniable glory.
When a church allows the Holy Spirit to take full control, that church becomes a beacon of light, a house of miracles, a family of love, and a hub of transformation. The glory of a Spirit-filled church is not found in its structure or numbers, but in its surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
1. A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH IS BUILT ON SOUND DOCTRINE
The early Church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.
a) Foundation of truth (John 8:32):
Sound doctrine delivers people from error and spiritual bondage.
b) Growth through the Word (1 Peter 2:2):
A Spirit-filled church places high value on teaching and biblical literacy.
c) Protection from deception (Ephesians 4:14):
The Spirit of truth helps the church discern falsehood and heresy.
d) Transformation of lives (Romans 12:2):
Sound teaching leads to spiritual maturity and renewed thinking.
Biblical Example: The Berean church searched the Scriptures daily to confirm the truth (Acts 17:11), reflecting a Spirit-led hunger for God’s Word.
2. A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH OPERATES IN UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP
They continued in fellowship, breaking bread together.
a) Unity releases power (Psalm 133:1–3):
The Spirit thrives in an atmosphere of unity and love.
b) Fellowship encourages growth (Hebrews 10:24–25):
Believers grow stronger when they gather and strengthen one another.
c) Breaking of bread fosters intimacy (1 Corinthians 10:16–17):
Communion unites the church under the covenant of Christ.
d) Disunity hinders the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30–32):
The Holy Spirit cannot operate freely in a divided church.
Biblical Example: In Acts 4:32, the believers were of one heart and soul, and great grace was upon them all.
3. A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER
They continued in prayers.
a) Prayer invites divine presence (2 Chronicles 7:14):
Prayer creates an atmosphere for glory to fall.
b) Power is released through prayer (James 5:16):
A praying church is a powerful church.
c) Prayer aligns the church with God’s will (Luke 11:2):
The Spirit teaches and guides through prayer.
d) Revival is birthed in prayer (Acts 1:14):
Every great move of God begins in the prayer room.
Biblical Example: The early Church prayed and the place was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit again (Acts 4:31).
4. A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH IS MARKED BY SIGNS, WONDERS, AND GENEROSITY
Fear came upon all, and many wonders were done.
a) Miracles follow the Spirit (Mark 16:17):
The Spirit confirms the Word with signs and wonders.
b) God’s glory is revealed through acts of power (John 11:40):
Miracles are evidence of divine presence.
c) Spirit-filled people are generous (2 Corinthians 9:7):
A church under the Spirit’s influence gives cheerfully and sacrificially.
d) No lack among them (Acts 4:34):
The Spirit fosters community, compassion, and abundance.
Biblical Example: In Acts 3:6–8, Peter and John, filled with the Spirit, healed a lame man at the temple gate.
5. A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH EXPERIENCES GROWTH AND FAVOUR
The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
a) Evangelism becomes a lifestyle (Matthew 28:19–20):
Spirit-filled churches carry a burden for souls.
b) The Church enjoys divine favour (Acts 2:47):
When the Spirit moves, favour rests on the people.
c) Souls are saved and discipled (John 15:16):
True glory in the church is measured by transformed lives.
d) Church becomes unstoppable (Matthew 16:18):
The gates of hell cannot prevail against a Spirit-empowered church.
Biblical Example: In Acts 5:14, multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord due to the evident power of the Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
The glory of a Spirit-filled church cannot be faked. It is seen in the lifestyle of its members, the power in its gatherings, and the love in its fellowship. God is seeking churches that will yield fully to His Spirit so that His glory can be revealed again in these last days. The early Church left us a model, and it is time for the modern Church to return to that standard.
The Spirit is still willing to fill, empower, and transform. Will you yield yourself—and your church—to Him again? When the Church is filled with the Spirit, the world cannot ignore the glory it carries.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to Your Church.
2. Lord, fill our church afresh with Your Spirit and power.
3. Let the hunger for sound doctrine increase among us.
4. Restore true unity and love among believers.
5. Set our altars on fire with prayer and worship.
6. Let signs and wonders break forth in our assemblies.
7. Raise generous and selfless believers in our midst.
8. Cause Your glory to be visibly revealed in our church.
9. Add daily to Your Church those who are being saved.
10. Let our church be a model of Spirit-filled living in this generation.
