More: How You Can Have More of the Spirit When You Already Have Everything in Christ

by Simon Ponsonby

Christ promised his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them, and that they would be his witnesses across the world. When the Spirit did come to them in tongues of fire, thousands believed in Christ and were saved. That same miracle, that same Spirit, is alive in us today.so why are all of us-from the evangelical to the charismatic-so desperate for an intimate encounter with God? Why don't we feel like the new creations we know we are?

Pastor and theologian Simon Ponsonby believes that the hunger we feel is a desire for more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Many Christins have emphasized the experience of the Spirit and neglected the Word, while others have emphasized the Word and neglected the Spirit. Either way, we've become so accustomed to living in the shallow waters of Christianity that we've forgotten the depth of that promised power, and the depth of the love that gave this power to us.

In More, Simon invites you to journey with him into the deep waters of God's love. While both biblical and practical, what he says also has the power to inspire in you a new love and a new understanding of everything we've been given in Christ. Are you ready? This journey may not be comfortable or easy, but it will bring you more joy and more of God than you can even imagine.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Inspirational

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2007

Reviews

[Andrew Cottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good to read and discuss this book with my friend John. As we explored and shared experiences, the book kept us in the safety of God’s word, the Bible. For me, kept coming back to the incredible words of Jesus himself - “….how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask”

[Rachel Thacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been increasingly hungry for words and theology to describe the move and empowerment of the Holy Spirit that I’ve experienced and seen in the last 10 years that I didn’t know anything about my first 18 years of life. This book was helpful and full and also not perfect and quite wordy at times. I agreed with a lot of the beginning and appreciated his research and connections of scripture and experience aka Spirit and truth; however, a few chapters felt a little more like parsing words than helpful imo 🤷🏼‍♀️ overall, a good and helpful read for those curious! Also worthy of testing and discernment from the Lord and community :)

[Ian Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Explaining how to have a more (Holy) Spirit filled life as we are conformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, Simon Ponsonby has written the most well rounded book on the marriage of Word and Spirit. He doesn’t frame his book using the terms “Word and Spirit” but I use the terms because this has become a common way to describe the need for the church in the West to return to a more biblical form of Christianity. Ponsonby’s book is the best reasoned and anecdotally supported of these types of books. I truly believe he has the most balanced position of anyone while maintaining an emphasis to have all that’s available on both sides without throwing out the baby with the bath water.

A quote at the end of the book sums up the goal of the book:

“Throughout this book I have sought to convey through scriptural exposition, personal experience, and study of church history that God always has more to offer than we can ask for or imagine.”

I believe he achieves this superbly and highly recommend this book to anyone who is already open to more and unsure how to receive as well as to those who are closed to more and who believes we already have all that’s available. Both will come away with a lot they can appreciate.

[Ken Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn't just help me to see how God wants to give me more, but reading it truly increased my hunger for more. And by "more," I mean more of God, more of his Spirit, more of the harvest, and more of the life of the Spirit. It helped that this book seemed to have two authors: Ponsonby the pastor, and Ponsonby the teacher. That two-pronged approach helped me to better understand what sometimes feels undefinable: the wind or breath that blows wherever it will. Ponsonby was thorough in his many references to scripture as he carefully outlined solid Biblical truths about the Holy Spirit. But he was also careful to address our hearts, and not just our heads. I also loved how Ponsonby repeatedly addressed how much the Spirit wants to lead us and help us in the harvest, as well as how he concluded with an emphasis on how the way of the Spirit is the way of the cross -- the two can't be separated. This is no book of froth with no fibre. Ponsonby not only wants us to have more of the Spirit, but he also clearly wants us to go deeper in our walk with Christ, and to be fruitful in God's harvest fields.

[Thea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

“More” (How can you have more of the Spirit when you already have everything in Christ? ) This book helps answer the question by unpacking theological and biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit. Referring to historical moves of God , and church history from a variety of denominations, as well as including people’s personal experiences. It’s well written with both deeply personal moments and meaty teaching.
For those of us who want more, or want to want more of God, grab yourself a copy.

“The deep things of God are learnt in the fiery furnace of the desert. It is here that he digs deep wells of his Spirit into our life”

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summary of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit from a conservative/charismatic perspective. Possibly of more interest to those from a conservative background than from those of other traditions. At times I think Simon Ponsonby doesn't quite get his pitch right. The prose varies from chatty testimony to using words such as "aseity", which I suspect will lead most readers to reach for their dictionaries. There are a lot of books out there saying much the same thing, and I would still recommend Jack Deere's Surprised by the Holy Spirit as the best of them.

[Ricky Balas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent reading on the Holy Spirit. I listen to Simon often via the St. Aldates site, and have found him to be one of the most balanced and knowledgable speakers I have ever heard. He brings some interesting thoughts on the subject and is very well-researched. The discussion questions in the back are thought-provoking and excellent for a group. I highly recommend this work and look forward to reading his others books.

[Nomsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. I would venture to say a must-read for all believers, but I will add the caveat that it is written by a theologian so you do have to wade through some long paragraphs that you cannot skim read if you want to understand but it is well worth the wading. Even when you are like "huh, what is this smart man saying yhuuuu" I would say press on and press in, it is well worth the read and the wrestle.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"As we come to the cross, as we submit to His will, as we repent and renounce sin, as we die another day, as we receive the Holy Spirit, as we choose to walk in the Spirit, so we become who we are, and the life and glory of God are manifested in us."

This is my second reading of More, and on both occasions it has been a challenging and hope-filled call to go deeper into life in the Spirit.

[Will Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praise God for Simon & this great work. Highly Recommended.

I had never heard of it before until recently, & it seems to fly under the radar for many- but that is criminal. It should be widely read & deeply digested.
My first recommendation for a book on the Spirit-filled life.

[Sean Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read For Any Jesus Follower

This is an amazing book. Wherever you are at with your walk with the Lord this book has encouraged and challenged me to seek More of Him.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this for a second time and it was just as helpful. Whilst not agreeing on everything, I found it refreshing and challenging.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This too seems wholly sane: "...those who go the most after God gain the most from God. But it is evident that those who go for God and gain from God are those through whom God gives Himself to the world" (111).

Or holy insane: "If we are sincere in seeking Him, if we desire a greater empowering of His Spirit for life and ministry, it will not be long before the Spirit leads us into the wilderness" (200).

God help me--us.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff. If you're interested in Holy Spirit at all, read this. It gets a little heavy in the middle, but the rest is a great read and is worth thinking about for yourself.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible study of the work of the Holy Spirit. Longer revie where:

http://eyesandearsblog.blogspot.com/2...

[Lisa]

Noelle Shearer Recommendation