Hope For The Church Pt. 2
A There is a call to the Church
1 Paul encouraged the church at Galatia not to forsake the power of the Spirit for the works of the flesh.
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Gal 3:1-5 (NASB)
a We have elevated man-made doctrine, systems, theories (like cessantionism) above Scripture.
b Romans 11.29 (NASB, TLB), “gifts” is the Greek charismata.
29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 (NASB)
29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises. Romans 11:29 (TLB)
2 Paul warns us in 2 Tim. 3.5 (NASB, TLB) against dismissing the gifts/power of the Holy Spirit.
5 holding to a form of godliness , although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Tim 3:5 (NASB)
5 They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that. 2 Tim 3:5 (TLB)
a I’m convinced the church needs all the gifts/power of God.
b Cessationism is an excuse for the church’s lake of power and the awful absence of Jesus’s presence.
B Each gift (1 Cor. 12.7-11) has its place in the body.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,10 and to another the effecting of miracles , and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (NASB)
1 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 1 Cor 12:21 (NASB)
a Cessationism would mutilate the body of Christ by cutting off the supernatural gifts.
b Each gift has its place but what/which gifts are willing to make a place for.
2 The issue of the gifts has caused appalling ugliness/intolerance on both side of the controversy of Truth vs. Experience, Cessationists vs. Charismatics.
a The International Mission Board dismissed two of their most effective missionaries in the Pacific region from their posts following a “manifestation” of supernatural works of the Spirit in their churches. (The previous year led fifteen hundred souls to Christ.)
aa Vetting of missionaries to serve in the mission field, if a missionary has a prayer language he/she is automatically rejected from serving.
bb Trustees for the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) International Mission Board (IMB) have voted to bar new missionary candidates who practice a "private prayer language" from serving on the mission field. The trustees voted 50-15 for the new guidelines on November 15, during their meeting in Huntsville, Alabama. [...]
cc The Charismatic teacher of healing, F.F. Bosworth, Christ The Healer, (former AG) resigned from his own denomination because he didn’t embrace “evidential tongues.” (He believed you could be baptized in the Spirit without experiencing tongues.)
dd There are those who give testimony to a dynamic and life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit who have never spoken in tongues. Nevertheless it cannot be said that they are filled with the Spirit in the New Testament sense of the term. There is an essential link between that experience and speaking in other tongues, as pointed out above. (http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/baptmhs_faq_tongues.cfm#withoutspeaking)
b Even if there is disagreement, can there not be tolerance at least among those who hold to the inerrancy of Scripture?
aa Jesus rebuked the intolerance of His own followers (Mark 9.38-40.)
38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us."39 But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.40 "For he who is not against us is for us. Mark 9:38-40 (NASB)
bb The war between truth & Spirit must end.
cc A marriage of these two won’t bring “uniformity” but will bring unity.
c Jesus is alive today and must be released to do His complete ministry in the church.
C The Church of the Future
1 Spirit-filled churches, Christians have a bright future.
a The BHS releases miracle power, heals broken relationships, & restores the wonder of faith.
b The churches that are growing, thriving are operating in the Spirit.
c What are the characteristics of this church?
2 First, A place where Jesus is welcome.
a The church will not just talk about Jesus, but it will welcome Him to do His ministry in power.
aa Nothing can take the place of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the church (no sermon, song, program, choir, ministry)
bb Like Samson, today’s churches “shake” themselves as before, yet they do not know that the Lord has departed (Judges 16.20.)
20 She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Judges 16:20 (NASB)
b You know the story of Jesus walking on the water in the storm, Peter getting out of the boat.
aa Suppose those disciples got out their Bibles (39 books of O.T.) and found no record that the Messiah would walk on water; then thumping their bible, rejecting Jesus.
bb I believe they would have died along with their faith in the storm.
cc Jesus will not contradict Scripture, but neither is He confined to Scripture.
dd Where there is no clear verse to tell you how to act, there will always be a principle.
c 38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 (NASB)
Jesus ministry is poignantly described. (That is what ministry look likes when Jesus is in the house.)
3 Second, A place where the Great Commission is taken seriously.
a The walls of classes, races, genders, denominations must come down & make Kingdom work a priority.
b The church will not confine its witness to its own kind; Make disciples not baptists.
4 Third, a place where worship is real and powerful.
a Worship will not spectators, but participators who celebrate the presence of Jesus.
b Sing, clap, move in rhythm, shout, laugh, or weep before the Lord.
aa They may quietly meditate, but they are engaged in service.
bb Has nothing to do with format, style, . . . lifted hearts in true worship and God is exalted.
5 Fourth, A place where spiritual gifts abound.
a The gifts are released (all of them.)
b This generation wants spiritual ministry (sick prayed for, demonized delivered)
6 Fifth, A place where spiritual battles are won.
a This church is not a museum, but an armory for spiritual soldiers.
b We equip all of God’s people with the Sword of the Spirit & with prayer.
7 Sixth, A place where the hurting are sheltered.
a Beat up out there, lifted up in here.
b men, women, children, etc.
8 Seventh, A place where healing occurs.
a Many today challenge the idea that God still heals the sick, but is still calling to the diseased/hurting soul, “I am the God that healeth thee!”
b Churches that want to minister in the fullness of the Holy Spirit will follow the biblical mandate to pray for the sick, anoint them with oil, lay hands upon them, and trust God in faith for healing.
aa 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 (NASB)
bb Sin problem first, then believe God for healing.
9 Eighth, A place where families are safe.
a We must be family friendly.
b Children must be welcomes again into the life of the church.
aa Schedules must be simplified to give people time to be at home.
bb Church events should promote family participation.
10 Ninth, A place where the Bible is released in the lives of people.
a Many evangelical churches have raised a generation whose notebooks are full but their hearts are cold.
aa They have all the answers, posses no passion for ministry.
bb Sound theology, no doxology.
cc Quote entire sermon outlines but cannot get a word from God.
b They Jesus they know is trapped in their bibles, notes, theology, & tradition.
aa The living Christ is often missing in the zeal for religion.
bb The living Jesus wants to take His Word and use it to help others.
cc Let’s preach the Gospel, drive out devils, heal the sick, and see His kingdom on the earth grow.
D The hope of this Generation
1 Young people, families are experience oriented.
a They plunge headfirst into everything (may not stay long.)
b They don’t look at the facts, dynamics, data, statistics . . . experience.
aa This generation believes in the supernatural (also ungrounded in biblical truth, ripe for cults)
bb The church must become a heart place as well as a head place.
2 These young families, people expect to be touched, prayed for.
a Participate in worship (not just be in the audience.)
b They are more into relationships than rules.
3 Jesus ministry was all about connecting with people’s hearts.
a Jesus loved to celebrate, loved having children around.
b Jesus like to touch and be touched.
E Reclaiming what is Yours
1 It was out of my desperation that I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
a Brought me, church to a new level of Spiritual life.
b I continue to cherish the great doctrinal heritage that is mine as a Baptist, but I also enjoy/fully embrace the baptism of God’s Spirit.
2 Not every Christian has to have the same experiences as I did; however, I believe these experiences are biblical & historical.
3 God’s gifts are not a new thing.
a They’ve always been there for the claiming.
b Reach out and experience the abundant life of the Holy Spirit fullness.
c You’ll never be the same again.
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Mike Fogerson
