Arresting the Gospel 11AM

In 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that prohibited the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the United States. The people who supported the Amendment—including the great evangelist Billy Sunday—meant well. They truly believed that by outlawing liquor, they could improve society. Many people called it “the Grand Experiment.” It didn’t work, largely because Americans by the millions chose to flout the law by patronizing bootleggers and speakeasies. In 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment and the Grand Experiment was over. If people want to drink, all the laws in the world aren’t going to stop them.

Our greatest need today is not for more government or more laws or political power but for the power of the Holy Spirit. Political power can change leaders but it can’t change hearts. It can win an election but it can’t save a life unto eternity. It can pass righteous laws—or repeal unrighteous ones—but it can’t make us righteous. Politics cannot change the way people think because it touches the outside of life.  

That’s why we need the Holy Spirit. He can take the gospel we preach and use it to bring men and women to repentance of sin and to faith in Jesus Christ. He can replace their old hearts with new ones and give them a hunger to live for righteousness. Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts, restore families and save nations from destruction.

This Sunday we will see the power of the Holy Spirit working in Peter and John as they face the religious leaders of their time.