What a shock it must have been to religious people the day John the Baptist, direct to the point as usual, threw out a challenging question in respect of how they were living life and especially regarding living for God: ‘What counts in your life? Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire’ (Matthew 3:10 Message).
We too, in our day, need to be challenged strongly at times as to just how alive our personal relationship with God really is! Is it dead or alive? Has the fire gone out or is it still blazing away? Are we religious or relational? After all, only that which is alive in our heart by God’s Spirit will count and last both in eternity and (extremely important) be worth something now!
Slithering vipers
John had just realised that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees, the supposedly religious of his day, were showing up for a baptismal experience because it had become the popular – the in-thing – to do (v7). In his typical uncompromising and straight-out manner, he challenged them in respect of their outward appearance and obvious heart attitude of indifference.
‘You brood of snakes!’ he exploded harshly, ‘What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskin is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin!’ (v7-9). In other words, being religious, doing the right things, in themselves, are just not good enough.
John went on to fortify his point: ‘And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as Father... descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen.’ Then he really hit them with the big one mentioned above that is worth repeating: ‘What counts in your life? Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire.’ Wow!
That question, that challenge, remains today. Some people may appear to be so spiritual on the outside - but God sees what’s on the inside, what we’re really like and where our trust and true relationship with him is at.
Kingdom life – a change within
Listen! What is not of God in our lives will perish in everlasting fire. We miss out on many blessings when we’re not living for Jesus! But if the fruit of the Spirit is allowed to mature within it will produce great blessings now, remain strong and not be burnt up!
John’s great concern was that those who gathered around him would understand that there was something more important than the mere ritual of water baptism ... a change within, what he termed an ignition of kingdom life – a vital changing from the inside out (v11).
Let’s have a brief look at four baptisms mentioned in scripture...Body, Water, Holy Spirit, Fire.
1) Body. The Holy Spirit automatically baptises new Christians into the universal church when they receive Christ as Saviour (1 Cor.12: 12-13). But this is an invisible heart matter. The only real measurement we have of how much a person has allowed the Holy Spirit to saturate them into the body (the church) of Jesus is by what we observe in their attitude toward church life.
Many times pastors wonder why some people don’t fully embrace local church life and enter into connecting, really worshipping from the heart, engage in body ministry, witnessing, prayer, operating spiritual gifts, believing for miracles, healings and blessings, and developing a relationship with God.
Simple! Such people haven’t allowed themselves to be fully saturated by the Spirit into the life of the church of Jesus! Oh, they may part of their local church all right but they’re not active members. And that’s sad...they miss out on so much. Sadly too, such people are like John’s dead wood.
2) Water. Jesus commands this in Matthew 28:19. When we accept Christ as Saviour, it’s a public declaration that we now belong to him, not Satan, sin, the world or our previous selfish ways; that Jesus is now our master and Lord.
Of course water baptism in itself doesn’t save anyone…only the blood of Christ can do that. But again, ministers who know the meaning of water baptism can wonder: Why do people who call themselves Christians not follow through and with joy be water baptised?
Maybe pride, lack of biblical understanding, perhaps a genuine physical disability or a fear of water. Or maybe it’s just plain outright refusal and disobedience to the Lord’s command.
3) Holy Spirit. This one is a special baptism of power for Christian service and discipleship and Jesus alone is the baptiser (Mk.16: 17; Acts 1:5, 8). The pure Pentecostal stand is that the initial personal experience evidence of having been baptised in the Spirit is speaking in tongues – other languages that one hasn’t been taught to praise God (Acts 2:4ff).
But let me emphasise it strongly! The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just about speaking, singing, praying and thinking in tongues! No, it is much more! It’s about receiving internal spiritual help from on high to live and act as Jesus would…positively, with a sense of destiny, an ability to overcome sin and self, and to bless others through operating the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11. It’s a gateway to serving God in a very powerful way.
4 )Fire. Back to John the Baptist. He went on, in Matthew 3: 11-12, to make the most dramatic statement in respect to what is meant to happen after salvation is experienced: ‘The real action comes next: The main character in this drama – compared to him I’m a mere stagehand – will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house – make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.’
Baptism is always about being immersed - covered - saturated by. John was prophesying an overwhelming baptism of, and in, fire! This Spirit baptism of fire means that the dross, rubbish and waste of the flesh are supernaturally burned out of our lives as we yield completely to Jesus. That we be so filled full with the Spirit and are living the Jesus lifestyle that we then have no time or desire for the corruption of the world, selfish agendas or being religious without a meaningful relationship with our heavenly Father. That we’re into relationship with God and we’re on fire for Jesus!
Jesus is concerned about a clean sweep, relationship not meaningless religion
Jesus is the baptiser in the Spirit and Peter said the Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38)! Don’t refuse the gift from Jesus for which he died on Calvary in order to give you along with a glorious salvation. Be encouraged …don’t be afraid of the Holy Spirit. Likewise don’t be afraid of the Spirit’s fire…his cleansing. It clears the heart and mind and makes way for a hunger for the fulness of the Holy Spirit!
Why do some Christians who are Spirit-baptised no longer flow in charismatic praise and worship, love the things of God - and his people – as they should? Don’t operate in the gifts, go back into bondages, remain unmoved when the Spirit moves, don’t flow with the body, don’t hunger and thirst to know God’s Word and such?
Simple! They have allowed Satan to get in and rule them and they have disregarded the work of the Spirit within. They go on neglecting the moving and the voice of the Spirit and that is so dangerous for it is like the proverbial looking ‘the gift horse in the mouth.’
The Holy Spirit is not any old gift horse...he’s God and the very thought of dishonouring God ought to scare us into wanting him more and more in our lives!
Been neglecting the Holy Spirit? You can put things right by asking for a fresh infilling and be renewed within! You can have an exciting and meaningful life serving Jesus Christ by shrugging off old ways and every inhibiting force and mindset.
Don’t be dead wood! Let the fire fall afresh and be alive to Jesus and - with the Spirit’s help - serve him meaningfully and strongly! Let our lives be green and blossoming! Let them count!
About Us
- Robert and Maureen McQuillan - Life Focus Ministries
- Inspirational speakers Drs Robert and Maureen McQuillan are regular warmly welcomed guest speakers at churches as well as at business gatherings and leadership sessions. Many ministers, especially those younger, inexperienced or struggling,appreciate their ‘pastor’s heart’ to mentor. Willing to travel extensively, blessing, challenging and inspiring churches, pastors and potential leaders, they have a reputation of (if available of course) 'being willing to come along at the drop of a hat.' Their special retreats are 'Moving in the Spirit' and 'Marriage - The Real CSI!'
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, May 21, 2009
HOLY FIRE! Pentecost Sunday May 31
Sadly there is one really great event mentioned in scripture that gets overlooked virtually every year by many Christians, especially - of all people - Pentecostals and their pastors! And I for one can’t understand why!
Funny thing is…how do I find out each year when Pentecost Sunday is going to fall? Easy! I don’t only count 50 days after Easter, but I phone a local Anglican church! They always know. Yet, such mainline churches don’t relate to the fiery Pentecostal message as we Penties do!
The incredible first Pentecost
Jesus had given his disciples an assurance that they would not be left on their own to fulfil the great commission after he’d returned to heaven. That the great Holy Spirit - the Comforter - would come to assist them in supernatural ways to establish the kingdom.
This stupendous event happened on the first Pentecost Sunday when 120 disciples were gathered in the upper room (Acts 2). Jesus had directed them to wait until they were endued – clothed – with the power of the Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1: 8) and they waited in great expectation.
And he had promised them a Spirit baptism akin to fire (Acts 1:5)! Indeed at times the infilling of the Holy Spirit and his refreshing touches are likened unto fire which cleanses and energises.
The early disciples’ obedience led to incredible events. Read with excitement Acts 2…the infilling of the Spirit (v1-4), worshipping God in languages new for the disciples (v7-11), the birth of the church through the first great outreach and 3000 saved (v41), the expectation for more (v38).
More than worship in tongues!
Some people still wrongly think Pentecost is only about speaking in tongues and they have a couldn’t-care-less attitude toward it. How sad!
Jesus himself received the touch of the Holy Spirit before he began his ministry (Mark. 2:10). So does every Christian who wants to faithfully serve him! This was why he advised his first followers not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled with the power of the Spirit.
Filled with the Spirit, baptised with or in the Spirit, clothed, endued, swamped, overwhelmed… whatever term one chooses to use, we’re talking about the supernatural of God coming on us to assist us mere human beings represent Jesus in our neighbourhood, church, workplace, marketplace, overseas trips, our ministry.
Whatever you may call it, I call this the visa to go through the gateway of the supernatural into the operation of the 1 Corinthian 12 manifestation gifts of the Spirit to help grow the church.
Expect a special Pentecost Sunday every year!
Personally, I delight to share somewhere every Pentecost Sunday. It’s May 31 this year and I’ll have the privilege of sharing to around 20,000 people in India. I’m expecting the Spirit to move, richly bless and bring glory to Jesus! And I have prayer supporters believing accordingly.
What are you expecting in your church? And through you, not just the preacher or pastor?
Here’s what Pentecost should mean to every Christian. It is about the…
1. People
Traditionally it was a time when people gave thanks in anticipation of the coming harvest. Now a new harvest was coming about when souls would be saved and God’s laws would be so written on their hearts so that they would love, obey and serve him with a new inner strength.
It was the first real ‘soaker service’ …120 people waiting on God. And their lives would never be the same again. They would go out, make history, and change the world!
Your own personal baptism in the Holy Spirit is to enable you to be a more effective witness for Jesus and to be a carrier of his good news to a lost generation.
2. Promise
People often let people down through promise-breaking. God never breaks his promises! Read some of them in Eze. 18:31; 36:27; Isa. 32:15; 44:3 and Joel 2:28.
In John 14 -16, Jesus reiterated the promise of something outstanding for his disciples… the Holy Spirit. And, as promised, the Spirit came to enable them to fulfil Jesus’ work on planet earth.
We too need the Holy Spirit. His infilling enables us too to extend the kingdom of God in our day, in this troubled and very insecure world. And we can do so with confidence as we move in faith.
3. Person
The Holy Spirit is the most wonderful person you can know. He is the gift of God! Not a thing or force but an incredibly wise and powerful person. In John 14 Jesus kept referring to ‘him’ as a ’he’… a person. He’s the third person in the godhead!
The Message Bible describes the Spirit this way: ‘I (Jesus) will talk to the Father and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.’ Hey! I like that. No wonder I call the Holy Spirit my Forever Friend!
We all need the Holy Spirit. I sincerely encourage you to develop a deep relationship with him! Talk to him every day and expect to be used by him powerfully (or simply) to bless others.
4. Presence
He’s also a precious presence…the presence of love. Some sense his touch - the breath of love or a flowing river or a refreshing breeze. Or that dynamic fire mentioned earlier. Whatever, you just know he’s there and he’s going to communicate God’s love and power in some special way.
However you sense him, you’re aware he’s there caring for you. At times you can feel the strength of his arms around you and you get encouraged, renewed and replenished. And you’re enabled to overcome satanic opposition and achieve much for Jesus.
I encourage every Christian to develop a deep relationship with the blessed Holy Spirit through prayer, trust and active service. And to seek a fresh touch of his presence daily. Just ask him!
5. Power
Mark 16:10 tells us that as the first disciples accepted the privilege of the great commission, the Holy Spirit moved with them in power.
The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘(They) went everywhere preaching, the master working right with them, validating the message with undisputable evidence.’ How? Signs and wonders in amazing action as the Spirit responded to their faith! (Read the book of Acts)
We need to soak in the Spirit and believe for signs and wonders to flow through us at every given opportunity! Remember the old chorus ‘We are a People of Power’? Let it be so today! Jesus is in heaven; we are his representatives on earth today. And we have the authority to move in the Spirit’s supernatural to make both Christians and non-Christians take notice.
6. Potential
Satan and doubters and ‘putter-downers’ would have us think that we can’t achieve anything. But we can in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to use all of us, not just pastors! You are a person of immeasurable potential when you allow the Spirit to flow through you. Believe it!
Great confidence comes as we wait on God and the assurance of an ability to do whatever he wants us to. Don’t let the enemy - or anyone - put us off achieving much for Jesus.
7. Present
The ministry effective holy fire of the Holy Spirit is also about today…the present day!
Some people still foolishly teach that the days of signs and wonders are over, that they were only for New Testament days. That somehow they ‘died off’ after Paul and Peter died. And - worse still - that we don’t need them now because we have the Bible.
How ridiculous! Nowhere on scripture does it teach that the Holy Spirit’s work is over for our day! We need Spirit-filled Christians who will boldly go through the gateway of the supernatural, let the fire of the Spirit fall afresh on us and then and do mighty things for Jesus!
We live in a day of trouble when both unsaved and Christians need to see God in action! And we can…supernaturally through his saints filled with the enabling, the anointed fire of the Holy Spirit.
Let the fire fall afresh this Pentecost!
Funny thing is…how do I find out each year when Pentecost Sunday is going to fall? Easy! I don’t only count 50 days after Easter, but I phone a local Anglican church! They always know. Yet, such mainline churches don’t relate to the fiery Pentecostal message as we Penties do!
The incredible first Pentecost
Jesus had given his disciples an assurance that they would not be left on their own to fulfil the great commission after he’d returned to heaven. That the great Holy Spirit - the Comforter - would come to assist them in supernatural ways to establish the kingdom.
This stupendous event happened on the first Pentecost Sunday when 120 disciples were gathered in the upper room (Acts 2). Jesus had directed them to wait until they were endued – clothed – with the power of the Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1: 8) and they waited in great expectation.
And he had promised them a Spirit baptism akin to fire (Acts 1:5)! Indeed at times the infilling of the Holy Spirit and his refreshing touches are likened unto fire which cleanses and energises.
The early disciples’ obedience led to incredible events. Read with excitement Acts 2…the infilling of the Spirit (v1-4), worshipping God in languages new for the disciples (v7-11), the birth of the church through the first great outreach and 3000 saved (v41), the expectation for more (v38).
More than worship in tongues!
Some people still wrongly think Pentecost is only about speaking in tongues and they have a couldn’t-care-less attitude toward it. How sad!
Jesus himself received the touch of the Holy Spirit before he began his ministry (Mark. 2:10). So does every Christian who wants to faithfully serve him! This was why he advised his first followers not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled with the power of the Spirit.
Filled with the Spirit, baptised with or in the Spirit, clothed, endued, swamped, overwhelmed… whatever term one chooses to use, we’re talking about the supernatural of God coming on us to assist us mere human beings represent Jesus in our neighbourhood, church, workplace, marketplace, overseas trips, our ministry.
Whatever you may call it, I call this the visa to go through the gateway of the supernatural into the operation of the 1 Corinthian 12 manifestation gifts of the Spirit to help grow the church.
Expect a special Pentecost Sunday every year!
Personally, I delight to share somewhere every Pentecost Sunday. It’s May 31 this year and I’ll have the privilege of sharing to around 20,000 people in India. I’m expecting the Spirit to move, richly bless and bring glory to Jesus! And I have prayer supporters believing accordingly.
What are you expecting in your church? And through you, not just the preacher or pastor?
Here’s what Pentecost should mean to every Christian. It is about the…
1. People
Traditionally it was a time when people gave thanks in anticipation of the coming harvest. Now a new harvest was coming about when souls would be saved and God’s laws would be so written on their hearts so that they would love, obey and serve him with a new inner strength.
It was the first real ‘soaker service’ …120 people waiting on God. And their lives would never be the same again. They would go out, make history, and change the world!
Your own personal baptism in the Holy Spirit is to enable you to be a more effective witness for Jesus and to be a carrier of his good news to a lost generation.
2. Promise
People often let people down through promise-breaking. God never breaks his promises! Read some of them in Eze. 18:31; 36:27; Isa. 32:15; 44:3 and Joel 2:28.
In John 14 -16, Jesus reiterated the promise of something outstanding for his disciples… the Holy Spirit. And, as promised, the Spirit came to enable them to fulfil Jesus’ work on planet earth.
We too need the Holy Spirit. His infilling enables us too to extend the kingdom of God in our day, in this troubled and very insecure world. And we can do so with confidence as we move in faith.
3. Person
The Holy Spirit is the most wonderful person you can know. He is the gift of God! Not a thing or force but an incredibly wise and powerful person. In John 14 Jesus kept referring to ‘him’ as a ’he’… a person. He’s the third person in the godhead!
The Message Bible describes the Spirit this way: ‘I (Jesus) will talk to the Father and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.’ Hey! I like that. No wonder I call the Holy Spirit my Forever Friend!
We all need the Holy Spirit. I sincerely encourage you to develop a deep relationship with him! Talk to him every day and expect to be used by him powerfully (or simply) to bless others.
4. Presence
He’s also a precious presence…the presence of love. Some sense his touch - the breath of love or a flowing river or a refreshing breeze. Or that dynamic fire mentioned earlier. Whatever, you just know he’s there and he’s going to communicate God’s love and power in some special way.
However you sense him, you’re aware he’s there caring for you. At times you can feel the strength of his arms around you and you get encouraged, renewed and replenished. And you’re enabled to overcome satanic opposition and achieve much for Jesus.
I encourage every Christian to develop a deep relationship with the blessed Holy Spirit through prayer, trust and active service. And to seek a fresh touch of his presence daily. Just ask him!
5. Power
Mark 16:10 tells us that as the first disciples accepted the privilege of the great commission, the Holy Spirit moved with them in power.
The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘(They) went everywhere preaching, the master working right with them, validating the message with undisputable evidence.’ How? Signs and wonders in amazing action as the Spirit responded to their faith! (Read the book of Acts)
We need to soak in the Spirit and believe for signs and wonders to flow through us at every given opportunity! Remember the old chorus ‘We are a People of Power’? Let it be so today! Jesus is in heaven; we are his representatives on earth today. And we have the authority to move in the Spirit’s supernatural to make both Christians and non-Christians take notice.
6. Potential
Satan and doubters and ‘putter-downers’ would have us think that we can’t achieve anything. But we can in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to use all of us, not just pastors! You are a person of immeasurable potential when you allow the Spirit to flow through you. Believe it!
Great confidence comes as we wait on God and the assurance of an ability to do whatever he wants us to. Don’t let the enemy - or anyone - put us off achieving much for Jesus.
7. Present
The ministry effective holy fire of the Holy Spirit is also about today…the present day!
Some people still foolishly teach that the days of signs and wonders are over, that they were only for New Testament days. That somehow they ‘died off’ after Paul and Peter died. And - worse still - that we don’t need them now because we have the Bible.
How ridiculous! Nowhere on scripture does it teach that the Holy Spirit’s work is over for our day! We need Spirit-filled Christians who will boldly go through the gateway of the supernatural, let the fire of the Spirit fall afresh on us and then and do mighty things for Jesus!
We live in a day of trouble when both unsaved and Christians need to see God in action! And we can…supernaturally through his saints filled with the enabling, the anointed fire of the Holy Spirit.
Let the fire fall afresh this Pentecost!
