Many of us have a romantic notion about visiting a cabin in the mountains. Somehow we think that being in an old cabin with no running water or electricity will make us happy and rested. For people in the US, who actually grew up in this manner, and I know some, it was anything but romantic. It was hard work and consumed your time with chores like going to the creek for water and cutting down trees for fire wood.
Not long ago, Sue and I took our Harley motorcycle to the mountains of Tennessee just outside of Old Forge. We spent a few days with another couple, Jeff and Sue Duffield, who also have a Harley, and who live in Nashville. We rented a big “Log Cabin” that was anything but rustic. It had electricity, washer and dryer, flat screen TV with stereo, and even a hot tub! I’m not sure which I liked better, riding the Harleys through the beautiful mountains or spending time in a beautiful well-appointed log cabin with all the amenities enjoying the friendship of two great people.
Here is my point. The first century church was birthed with great power not some cozy upper room experience. They were launched into an experience by Jesus, after the Resurrection, to have the power to change the world. Their lives weren’t filled with bible study as much as a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:1-8
The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,”He said,“you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Three years of training and preaching in Kingdom thinking, authority to heal the sick and cast out demons and yet Jesus says they didn’t have “Enough Power” to live this new life for God as his witnesses. Wow! Are you kidding me? Most Christians in the US thought coming to Christ was more like a romantic cabin in the woods, roasting marshmallows with Jesus. Now I know I’m being sarcastic, but what I’m trying to do is expose an undercurrent attitude that many believers aren’t aware of. We are looking for an experience, not a person.
Jesus spent so much time talking about the Holy Spirit and our need of his partnership on a daily basis. For Jesus to tell the disciples they need more than they had should have confused them at first glance but, after spending 40 days with the risen Christ, they were hungry to spend time in the upper room in Jerusalem until power was released. That initial encounter changed all their lives. Peter got up on the day of Pentecost and blew the crowd away with his boldness knowing they just crucified his master and Lord. It was the Holy Spirit that empowered Peter to look beyond himself and see the purpose of God for a lost and dying world.
Considering Paul’s work in the New Testament, it is easy to see his passion while writing on the need to constantly rely and be refreshed in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Not the idea of the Holy Spirit, but the person. Paul spoke about not being drunk but being filled with the person of the God head. This was to be a lifestyle, not an event.
Ephesians 5:15-20
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father”
Paul says we should not be unwise but wise. The wisdom he is talking about is our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. He references being filled and relates it to being drunk with wine. Before coming to Christ I knew what this was so as a young believer I knew what I was to expect when being truly filled. How many Christians understand their reliance on the Holy Spirit in this way? Not many if we are honest, but why? Why should we have a different experience than the first century believers? Why should we mostly talk about the goodness of the Holy Spirit, but not be filled like Paul describes? One major reason is we like to be in control and we don’t like to look stupid or emotional. How many times has the Holy Spirit put something on our heart and we discounted it because it “might” make us look bad to others? More than most of us are willing to admit I’ll bet.
Paul closes out Ephesians 5 with the understanding that when the Holy Spirit is actively moving in our life our hearts are full of gratitude because we were made for this intimate walk and filling with the Spirit of God, like Adam and God walking in the cool of the day. This only happens when the Holy Spirit is welcomed 24/7 in our lives. That doesn’t happen unless we constantly nurture our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we end up living our life just talking about how good He is and not actually experiencing Him day by day.
Questions:
- When was the last time you “ASKED” the Holy Spirit to give you a “Fill-up” ? Today would be a good day!
2. When was the last time your heart was so filled with gratitude you started singing regardless of people around you? Today would be a good day to experience the joy of the Lord!
Pastor Dale
Yes life both the good and the hard can be a real distraction from the truth and experiencing the deep meaningful relationship with God through Holy Spirit we were intended to live. I found myself asking God over the last 9 months about how I can shake off mediocrity and live deeper in trust, joy, surrender and obedience to Him. I have been asking Him how to even just find that true desire for that with all the distractions of life. My hearts cry was I want to “want to live for you” but I don’t even know how to find the true desire in this world of distractions, disapointments and superficial satisfactions. He recently moved powerfully and deeply in my heart and rearranged some of my thinking and living yet again. I needed Him to even begin the process of uncovering my nearly smothered embers and blow gently but consistently to fan the flames. I have never been more in love with Jesus and I never want to go back. I pray Lord keep pouring oil on my fire, keep me burning for You. Lord Jesus thank you for fanning the flames of my heart. All things are possible because of You Jesus. May His Bride radiate with fiery passion for Him. He is worthy, He alone Is worthy. Thank you for a timely message and reminder in your blog.