A story of Paderewski and the child at the piano
Ignace jan Paderewski (1860-1941), was a prodigy pianist and composer. He took piano lessons at age six. He entered the Warsaw Conservatory at age twelve, and by eighteen, he was appointed as a professor. He was a master piano composer and concert performer; mesmerizing audiences across Europe and America.
The legend is told that the great Paderewski was preparing to play a concert in a certain city. The stage was set with the single beautiful, ebony grand piano, positioned strategically at center stage. A mother brought her son to the concert in hopes of renewing his interest in playing the piano. As the audience settled into their seats, the young mother noticed that her son was missing.
Then in horror, she watched as the young boy walked onto the stage and climbed up on the piano’s seat and began playing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. Suddenly, the audience gasped as Paderewski appeared quickly, placed his arms around the child, and began to play the song along with him in a beautiful arrangement of counter melodies and harmonies. All the while, the great composer whispered in the boy’s ears, “Don’t quit. You are doing great. Keep going!”
What the story teaches us about partnering with God
That night, the small child and master composer made beautiful music together. When the song was over, the audience burst into applause. We aren’t sure if this story is true, but it certainly illustrates what happens when we partner with the Spirit of God in disciple making. In many ways, we are like that young boy. We know little, we can do little, but with the Spirit’s power; God does amazing things in the lives of those we touch. It’s important as you invest in people, that you are clear what is your job and what is the Spirit’s job in making disciples. Let’s first look at the Spirit’s job.
The Holy Spirit’s role in spiritual growth
The Holy Spirit is the one who causes spiritual growth. You can’t make someone grow spiritually anymore than a farmer can make a crop grow. Spiritual maturity is solely a work of God and a miracle to watch. What does the Spirit do in the lives of people that causes growth?
How the Spirit brings new life in Jesus
First, it is the Spirit who gives us new life in Jesus. He is the one who opens our minds and hearts to hear and respond to the Gospel (I Corinthians 2.12-13 ESV). As He brings God’s Word to the heart of the wayward person, He also brings conviction of sin, our lack of righteous living and the sudden expectation of judgment to come (John 16.8-11 ESV). He is the one who draws us to Christ (John 6.44 ESV), causes us to be born again (John 3.5-8 ESV), makes us new on the inside (2 Thessalonians 2.13 ESV), and places us into God’s family (Romans 6.4; Colossians 2.12; I Corinthians 12.13 ESV).
The Spirit continues His work in believers
From beginning to end, the Spirit draws us and brings us into a relationship with Christ. once a person is a believer, the Spirit’s job is not over; in fact, He’s just getting started. The Spirit lives in every follower of Jesus (Romans 8.9-11 ESV). He actually takes up residence in our lives (1 Corinthians 6.19-20 ESV). He leads us (Romans 8.4 ESV), teaches us (John 14.26 ESV), comforts us (John 14.16 ESV), and grows us to look more and more like Christ (Titus 3.5-7 ESV). He helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8.26 ESV). He guides us into truth (John 16.13 ESV), and He empowers us to serve God (Micah 3.8 ESV). He gives us courage to tell others about Christ (Acts 1.8 ESV), and He produces lasting change in our lives (Galatians 5.22-23 ESV).
As you abide in Christ (John 15.4-5 ESV) and keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5.25 ESV), He works through us to produce spiritual fruit in others that will remain forever (John 15.8 ESV). In reality, it is the Spirit who does the work of growing every believer toward maturity and fruitful living. You may ask, “If that’s the case, then why don’t we see more people fully mature and following Jesus?” The answer to that question lies in our part of the spiritual growth process.
Our part in the growth process
While the Spirit does the work of growth on the inside of us, we must participate with Him. Paul told the believers in Philippi, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him,” (Philippians 2.12-13 NLT). The Spirit is the one who gives us the power and desire to please God, but our job is to work diligently to obey God and revere Him in everything we do. The Spirit does His work, but we have work to do too. So what’s our job?
Living under the Spirit’s control each day
First, we must live under the control of the Holy Spirit day by day and moment by moment. Paul called this “walking in the Spirit,” (Galatians 5.16 ESV). We need to keep in step and walk at His pace and along the path He has for us. Imagine walking with a good friend along a well-worn path. As you walk together, there is fellowship; you talk about what’s on each other’s hearts. You share openly and freely. You are both headed in the same direction. That is what God wants from you. He wants to walk with you step by step, through each day in constant fellowship, leading you and directing your life through His Spirit within you.
Living under the Spirit’s control each day
Unfortunately, many people don’t walk in fellowship with the Spirit like this. Why? Some resist the Spirit’s direction. When the Spirit prompts them to speak, they stay silent. When the Spirit prompts them to forgive, they hold on to the offense. When the Spirit prompts them to act, they stay still. disobeying the Spirit’s leading is called “quenching” the Spirit (I Thessalonians 5.19 ESV). just as you quench a fire by pouring water on it, many people quench the Spirit’s influence in their lives simply by disobeying him.
Another reason some fail to walk in the Spirit is by doing the things the Spirit warns them not to do. If you begin to veer off road from God’s will, the Spirit will warn you, convict you and challenge you. But if you ignore the Spirit’s warnings and persist, you “grieve” the Spirit (Ephesians 4.29-30 ESV). Now, imagine you have a friend who loves you and only wants God’s best for your life. What would happen to that friendship if you constantly offended them and ignored their loving direction in your life? That friendship would become distant. You wouldn’t know the personal fellowship you had at first. That is what you are doing when you willfully refuse to obey God. Repeatedly quenching and grieving the Spirit virtually brings all spiritual growth to a screeching halt. This is why so many never grow and never produce spiritual fruit in their lives.
How to walk in step with the Spirit
So, our job is to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5.25 ESV), to follow His lead and obey His promptings. We should be available to be used by God (Matthew 11.28-29 ESV), to abide in Christ through prayer and God’s Word (John 15.4 ESV), to seek to obey all that Jesus has taught us in every part of our lives (John 8.31 ESV) and to be busy making disciples who make disciples (Matthew 28.18-20 ESV).
This blog features an excerpt from one of our books, Invest In A Few.
