To start with, this morning I want to read to you an excerpt from General Bramwell Booth’s autobiography (Echoes & Memories)
‘At night Corbridge led the hallelujah meeting till 10 o’clock. Then we commenced an All-Night of Prayer. Two hundred and fifty people were present till 1am; two hundred or so after. A tremendous time. From the very first, Jehovah was passing by, searching, softening and subduing every heart. The power of the Holy Ghost fell on Robinson and prostrated him. He nearly fainted twice. The brother of the Blandys entered into full liberty and then he shouted, wept, clapped his hands, danced, amid a scene of the most glorious and heavenly enthusiasm. Others meanwhile were lying prostrate on the floor, some of them groaning for perfect deliverance ….’
If I didn’t know better I would think this was a description of a service in the modern-day Pentecostal Church!! And this is just one of the many readings that I could bring to you that depict the exuberance, excitement and power of early-Army worship.
So, what happened??? When did the Fire go out? HAS the Fire gone out?
Recently I was challenged for being too ‘traditional’ Army. I must admit that I do like the old songs, though I like new songs too. I do respect the legacy that our forefathers left us, but I am conscious that we are adding our own legacy to that today as well. I affirm the Army’s uniqueness within the Christian Church and I uphold our distinctiveness and culture- because I believe it was raised up by God for a purpose......
The truth is however – the only thing I REALLY want to recapture from the Army’s past is this living, energetic, electrifying, FREE, Holy Spirit-filled kind of worship!!!
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”
Is there freedom in this place this morning? Are we free to worship God as the Spirit directs us? Or are we bound by our finely choreographed script! Are we bound by our man-made rules and expectations as to how worship should be? Are some of us even bound by our very own tradition?
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom......
Just as electricity permeates every cell, just as electricity powers every function in our bodies – so the Holy Spirit permeates every Christian and empowers the Church – the body of Christ to function.
So......What else do we know about this Holy Spirit? What else can we ask of Him or claim from him - for ourselves as individuals and for us as the Church?
The Holy Spirit is a holy fire – He is the fire in the burning bush from which Moses was called. He’s the pillar of fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness. He is the tongues of fire that rested on the heads of the believers on the day of Pentecost. He is the fire that burns in our own souls when we’re convicted of sin and wrong. He is the fire and empowers us to witness to others about the greatness of our God. He is the power that enables us to say, “Jesus is Lord”
The Holy Spirit is a creative, life-giving force. He was the force that moved upon the face of the deep at the dawn of creation. He was the force that made man a living soul. Romans 8:11 tells us that it was the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and it is the Spirit who gave birth to the church.
The Holy Spirit is a mighty rushing wind;- The wind that blew over the Red sea, partings it’s waters so the Israelites could cross over. He is the wind that blew over a valley of dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, bringing them to life. He is the wind of Pentecost that blew a bit of umph into the frightened and weak disciples – Oh that he would blow a bit of umph into us today!!!
He is the Comforter & the promise of Christ. In our scripture reading today Jesus Himself promised us the Holy Spirit as a comforter, as one who would convict of sin, lead us in righteousness and guard us from judgement. One who would reveal truth to us and impart God’s blessing upon us.
He is the third Person of the Trinity and the breath of God; The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Living and Eternal Sovereign God Almighty.
All of this, and more, is what we can claim for ourselves today.
This morning I suggest to you that maybe the fire of the Holy Spirit represents Christ’s mission more than any other symbol.
Most people associate Christianity with the cross, but I suggest to you that it is really the fire that exemplifies Christ’s mission. Christ’s mission was to enable GOD TO LIVE IN US!! The cross represents the death and punishment, but the fire represents the life, power and victory. The Fire represents GOD IN US!!!
In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said about Jesus: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Christ died so that we could be forgiven and cleansed, so that we could be holy – so that we could become the very dwelling place of God’s Holy Spirit – so that we could be the very Temple of the Living God.
It is interesting to note that when the Holy Spirit came upon Christ, the one who is pure and holy, the Spirit descended in the form of a gentle dove.
When the Spirit fell upon sinful human beings, however - he came as a blazing fire – To burn up every trace of sin, to let the light of Glory in, the revolution NOW begin – Send the Fire today!
It is the fire of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sin. It is the fire that brings to light the darkness. And it is the fire that burns out our impurities and leads us to a life of holiness.
I recently read this,
“After Christ “baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire” we must continue to pray for more fire so that the altar continues to blaze for the glory of God. There is only one baptism, but a continual filling. The more He fills us; the more He breaks us; the more He sets His fire upon us; the more we become like Him.
An altar without fire is a temple without God. The fireless altar signifies a ruined temple. We must allow the fire to continue its work in us. We must preach with fire, pray with fire, and worship with fire. For fifty days after Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father there were no conversions. Then during Pentecost, which is the Jewish feast of harvest, the fire came and 3,000 people were transformed into believers. That is the power of the Holy Spirit fire.”
That’s the Power of Holy Spirit Fire this morning.
May we be like the bush that burned with the glory of God but was not consumed.
May we be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who went into the furnace but was not even singed.
May we be like gold and silver whose quality improved by continual refining in the fire.
May we Blaze, but not be burned - May we be fireproof. May we be like the deep things of God - which are brought closer to Him by His refining fire.
May we quench not the Spirit - or suppress his His power within us. May each of us here today yield to the Holy Spirit and do as the Lord commands, May he make us Holy, just as he Himself is Holy.”
The Holy Spirit has an incredible purpose in the life of every believer. He reveals Christ to us - and through us to others. He gives us power. He teaches us to pray - and He prays for us. He searches our heart and convicts us of sin. He brings to our attention the scriptures and their meaning-at just the right time of need. He is the Master of the house, which is our body. He baptizes us. He enables us to be faithful and to serve boldly. To testify to the work that God has done in our lives. He fills us with the fullness of God and He anoints us for service.
Is it any wonder our Founder would write-Tis fire we want, for fire we plead. Send the fire. The fire will meet our every need.....We want another Pentecost, Send the fire today!!!
Is that your prayer this morning- that God would send His fire into your heart and life.
To fill you with passion and compassion for him and those around you?
Is the fire burning brightly on the altar of your heart, or has the fire gone out?
Do you need to ask for a fresh move, a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit today- I know I do, every day.
Move Holy Spirit, Move in My Life.
