“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Leviticus 6:13
A church that had been built many years ago burned down one night. The blaze could be seen for miles in every direction and it drew a large crowd. A certain man who never would step inside the door of a church and who made fun of churchgoers came to watch the church burn. A member of the church went over to him and said: “It’s strange seeing you here.” The man replied, “This is the first time I’ve seen this church on fire.”
When a church is truly on fire, people are attracted to it. The Lord’s desire is that the church be on fire. Jesus told the church at Laodicea that He wished it were hot and not lukewarm (Revelation 3:15). Without the Spirit’s breathe of life the church, like the valley full of dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, is cold and dead (Ezekiel 39).
The Holy Spirit is vital to dynamic church life. A purpose for the Spirit’s outpouring is to renew the church so it can fulfill its mission to the world. The Spirit is given to empower the church for witnessing, which begins at home and extends out to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
In the Book of Acts we observe an effective church which turned the world upside down. The Holy Spirit was the key to its dynamic life. The gifts of the Spirit were very much in operation as essential tools for evangelism. The New Testament church experienced explosive growth under the Spirit’s empowerment. God desires to restore today’s church to the principles and patterns of the New Testament church life.
The Holy Spirit is poured out for the purpose of reviving the church so that the renewed church will fulfill the Great Commission. God desires His church to be a united body fitly joined together with every part functioning properly so that the gospel will reach all people.
The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s control in the church is manifested in several ways:
1. The Holy Spirit Produces An Attitude Of Life, Love, Joy, Peace, Faith, Excitement And Enthusiasm:
A contagious, infectious spirit is present in a church experiencing new life in the Spirit. People are attracted to a congregation that is alive. Their vibrant faith is caught even more than it is taught. Psalm 126:2 describes the atmosphere of restoration: “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” Gladness is evident to all. Spirit filled churches are joyful centers.
2. There Is Spirit Filled Preaching Which Produces Response, Either of Repentance Or Resistance:
The preacher becomes a channel for the Word of God (Mark 13:11). Spirit empowered preaching is biblical and speaks to the conscience and the heart. Spirit filled churches are preaching centers.
3. The Holy Spirit Sets People Free From Guilt And Bondage To Sin:
The Spirit makes it possible to live in righteousness and sanctification. Spirit filled churches are evangelistic centers.
4. The Holy Spirit Inspires Vibrant Worship Services In Which Christ’s Life And Victory Are Celebrated, Proclaimed and Demonstrated:
It is God’s Spirit who evokes true worship (Philippians 3:3, John 4:24). Spirit filled churches are worship centers (Acts 2:46-47).
5. The Holy Spirit Creates Compassion For The Poor, Needy and Sick:
Churches led by the Spirit minister love, acceptance, forgiveness, healing and counseling to hurting and lonely people (Acts 5:12, 16). Spirit filled churches are Healing centers.
6. The Believers Congregate Together Both In Corporate Worship And In Home Fellowships:
The principle is given in Acts 2:42. The practice of the early church is seen in Acts 2:44-46; 5:42.
The gathering of believers was a time for evangelizing, teaching, sharing, ministering, praying and equipping. The brethren in turn spilled out spontaneously into the world to witness to their life in Christ. Spirit filled churches are gathering centers.
7. The Spirit Leads To The Restructuring Of Church Life, Ministry Style And Congregational Government According To Biblical Principles, Practices And Patterns.
The headship of Jesus is acknowledged and submitted to. The office gifts of ministry are received and permitted to operate. All members are trained and equipped for their ministry. The believer’s responsibilities in stewardship of the gospel and of his resources are proclaimed and practiced. Consequently the church can function as God intended. Spirit filled churches are functioning bodies.
Many churches today stand in desperate need of revival, renewal, rejuvenation, revitalization and restoration. Call it what you will, the truth of the matter is that the church badly needs a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We invite and challenge the church to catch a vision of the Lord’s will for an outpouring of His Spirit on the church. Pray that the church on fire will fulfill its mission in the world in these last days.
No comments:
Post a Comment