Living In the Latter Rain Outpouring- Crossroads
Jeremiah 5:23-25NLT
But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. 24 They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’ 25 Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things.
Presently, there’s two cross roads every believer faces. First, the crossroad of the Holy Spirit and His fullness.
The majority of Christian believer’s have forgotten that presently God’s people live in the fall season, or the latter rain. (The greatest outpouring of God’s Spirit.)
The former rain, or spring season was documented in Acts chapter 1 and 2. Jesus’ disciples were told to tarry, or wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. (Changed- from the inside- out.)
Up until this time, men and women lived under the law; however, this law quickly became a curse, but still it served its purpose. (The law exposed sin.) It tried to bring change from the outside- in, but of course it couldn’t.
400 years of silence between the Malachi (the law),and Matthew’s gospel. Moreover, this silence brought new meaning to the Spirit’s removal and presently, its fresh arrival.
The former rain, or the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit begin through John the Baptists’ call to repent. (A ripping of a cold-caulsed heart- a heart of stone, bringing fertile ground to a new heart- a heart of flesh.)
As you think about how the former rain came, the latter rain was ushered in the same identical manner.
Those believer’s on the edge of N.C., Tenn. and Ga. begin in 1886, desiring holiness, wanting more than just a formal meeting; therefore, this birthed a holiness movement, but ten years- later in 1896, this holiness way of life brought a fresh out-pouring, or latter day rain!
Joel 2:28-29NLT Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.
You might say, “If we presently live in the latter rain where’s the rain, or the out-pouring?”
Jeremiah 5:25NLT gives us this answer. Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things.
He-the Holy Spirit gives us boldness to speak against this perverse generation!
People say, “It’s not necessary for this day and time.”
Say this, “I need the Holy Spirit.”
Say this, “I’m proud to be called, ‘Pentecostal.”
“Demons tremble as God’s children pursue the Holy Spirit’s out-pouring!
The Second crossroad, My concern today comes with a two-edged sword. A people not honoring the Holy Spirit, but also a people that have become a cross-less generation.
Jeremiah 5: 23-25KJ But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. 24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. 25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Presently, there are cities that are marked by sin, and demonic influence’s.
“What’s the first thing you think of when San Francisco is mentioned? How about Los-Vegas?”
Cities and towns are marked by a Spirit.
“Our revolt and rebellious heart can only be resolved by the cross of Jesus Christ.”
We are quickly becoming a cross-less people. Jesus becoming the Son of God is primarily, because He bore the cross for His Father and mankind.
We hear many say, “Don’t teach or preach on the cross- it will offend.”
Do we really understand the price of the cross? Jesus took our sins; He didn’t buckle under sin.
Matthew 27:45-51NKJ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” “Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
Listen to 2 Corinthians 2:8 ...If the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Think about this young man named-Tim Tebow. (Show picture.)
“Demons tremble as God’s children pursue the cross!
The cross did away with condemnation, the cross brings healing- both Spiritually and physically.
Listen, “The cross-road will continue to be the Pentecostal church.”
Listen to Acts 2:26-39NKJ After the Peter spoke boldly to these Israelites: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
The cross of Jesus Christ resolved sin; moreover, the same cross ushered forth a wind of change- the wind of the Holy Spirit.
Benediction.
