Could it happen here?

On this Sunday 2000 years ago, God bestowed His Spirit on His Church. The church has never been the same.

God’s bestowal of the Spirit gave the church direction, leadership, power, and fruitfulness. The church moved from the work of a group of disciples to the work of God’s Spirit leading in ways which are impossible with mere men. “With God all things are possible.”

During this season of Pentecost, we need to celebrate and give thanks for God’s work, but we need more. What we really need is obedience to the Spirit. We desperately need God’s direction, leadership, power, and fruitfulness.

What could this look like?

In 1904/1905, God empowered a young man in Wales named Evan Roberts. Roberts was a devoted follower of Christ who communed deeply with God. Roberts’ preaching and the Spirit’s power exploded through the valleys of Wales. Within a few years an estimated 150,000 people were saved. Crime almost ceased. Pubs closed because men who had spent time in the pubs started spending time with their wives and children. The Holy Spirit transformed Wales.

Roberts preached a simple message. He called on the church to do four things.

First, confess all known sin.

Second, deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life.

Third, be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly.

Fourth, confess Christ publicly.

Within the first year upwards of 100,000 people came to Christ.

What was the secret? Evan Roberts submitted his life fully and completely to God. This involved the struggle between his way and God’s way. Like Gethsemene, it meant a conscious surrender to the divine will.

It can happen here. We must ask God to do it, and we must be willing to deal with our “little” sins. All sin is big to God. We must be willing to let God fully work within us.

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One Response

  1. Could it happen here? God is Sovereign. So the answer is: Yes! Will it happen? God is Sovereign. So the answer is: not if we are disobedient in the small things. Why? Because God is Sovereign and consistent.

    Right now, around the world there are individuals who are spending their lives on the Gospel. They are simply telling the “Good News.” Just like Jesus did. They are telling people what Jesus told people; and about what God accomplished in Christ Jesus, The Anointed One who Saves us.

    I recently learned of a single man who is a modern day Paul. In the last 11 years since receiving his Call, he has “fathered” more than 30,000 disciples.

    I spoke to a missionary last month who was on leave from his mission field in Wales. He reported how the church buildings have been and are being converted into community centers. The people there are pretty resistant to the Gospel. I question what happened. Why did the next generation find it “boring.” I guess it is like being in love and getting married with all the prospects of having your needs met. Then, finding out that you have to actually work together. Relaxing becomes just finding ways to be by oneself. The struggle is overwhelming and the discontent of your “partner” only makes it worse. Bills don’t get paid by themselves, people get sick, jobs change, money stops, children come along and there never seems to be enough time, you see life slipping away, others seem to be enjoying life and your partner seems to be “sucking the life” out of you. Where is God? The question should be, Why have I forgotten God and my responsibility to Him? What happened to that “Abundant Life?” Children see actions speaking, do as I say and not as I do doesn’t get much traction. They don’t see a relationship with the Father, just with things and social status. Hard to grow fruit in unworked soil with no water. There is no time to read together, study together and reason together to be like minded? Gee, do you wonder who is lord in that relationship? It is important to realize that God has not intended for any of us to try to go it alone for eternal success where it matters. We need to find our place in the Body and the Body needs to find us. Both needs to appreciate the other. Ouch! We are all special, all have individual issues and in that we are all different, yet alike. We are all challenged to FINISH!

    I’m praying for VBS; that the vision is not lost in each life touched. That the Love remains fresh and powerful as it is attacked from every side. Thank you God for the Bride. She shows up where You need Her.

    Well, Dr. Bailey, preaching was part of my Call too! Thanks for your support and encouragement to this old run down critter who says: Good Work, never quit till the roll is called up yonder and we’re there!

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