What's Missing? Series

What’s Missing?

Acts 18:24-19:7

Many of you may be familiar with John Wesley, the English protestant and unintentional founder of the Methodist Church. He was born a little over 300 years ago in 1703. His early life suggested he would certainly become a minister. He was the son of a minister, Samuel Wesley. His mother Susanna was the daughter of a minister. John studied at Oxford, receiving both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. He went on to be ordained, was appointed as a professor of Greek, and also became his father’s assistant.

While in school he became a member of the Oxford group simply known as “The Holy Club.” It was nicknamed as such by other students because they so seriously attempted to cultivate their spiritual lives. This spiritual pursuit in his life eventually led him to be appointed as a missionary to of all places, Savannah, Georgia. He came to America in an attempt to evangelize the American Indians. His mission was an utter failure and he returned to England. In his journal he recorded these words, “I went to America to convert the Indians; but oh, who shall convert me?”

But the journey to America was not a total loss. On his journey he encountered some Moravians whose confident, living faith deeply impressed him. So much so that when he returned to London he sought out one of the leaders of the Moravians. What was his motivation? Wesley said he had become, in his own life, “clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith whereby alone we are saved.” On the evening of May 24, 1738, Wesley wrote these words in his journal:

“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

For Church historians this event is referred to as John Wesley's Aldersgate conversion, because the meeting took place on Aldersgate Street in London. And so began one of the most powerful times in the history of the Christian Church. Well, just what was it that Wesley was referring to when he said he felt, "his heart strangely warmed." That warming was actually what the Bible calls the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. It's what Jesus refers to as being "born again" or "born from above."

And the amazing thing about Wesley is this: before his conversion Wesley knew more theology, knew more Bible than most of us will ever know; Wesley was more intelligent than most of us are; Wesley was more dedicated to Christian causes and Christian ministry than most of us will be. And yet, for all intents and purposes, Wesley before Aldersgate was not converted; he did not know Christ, and was damned for a devil's hell. Lost!

I draw your attention to John Wesley's heart being strangely warmed by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit because it reflects what we will see in our text today. We will see two examples of people who have religious activity, but they are missing Holy Spirit reality. One is at the end of chapter 18, the other is at the beginning of chapter 19.

We can't see into each other's hearts, only the Lord can do that. And he does that through His Spirit. And I wonder if today, as the Spirit moves in this room as we contemplate and consider his Word; I wonder if he will not light upon someone, revealing to their heart that though there is religious activity, there is not spiritual reality. I would challenge you this morning, do not resist the Holy Spirit. I would ask you to consider the question as Paul poses it in our text today, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed."

Because the reality is this: right now, sitting in churches across our land there are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of people who have expressed some sort of belief in Jesus, who are involved in Christian activity, who are upright morally, who contribute generously, who eat at the Lord's Table, who appreciate Bible preaching and yet they are as lost as John Wesley before Aldersgate. There's no fire, no passion, no fervency - why? Because there's no Holy Spirit because they've not been genuinely converted.

But guess what, I'm not responsible for the hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions sitting in churches this morning under a false sense of security because of their religious activity. However, I am responsible for those in this room. I am responsible before God for each and every one of you. And the reality is, one day I may preach your funeral, put you in heaven to the gathered mourners when you are somewhere else. And the difference between the two is the difference between religious activity and Holy Spirit reality. That's what's missing.