Thank you for the many kind comments regarding this weekend’s message. It was an honor and pleasure to preach again, although I will admit that I wasn’t able to fully enjoy it until the end. I had an underlying fear that my voice wouldn’t hold out for all five services. We had a video of the 1st service as a back-up, but I didn’t want to have to resort to that.
However, when I stepped away from the pulpit after the 5th service, having made it through them all with limited difficulty, a deep sense of satisfaction came over me. As I stood and worshiped with the final song, numerous flashbacks came to my mind: seven years of memories of healthier days when I led services from this platform and mental snapshots of some very difficult weekends this past year. I was grateful to God that I am where I am today. I am a better man and we are a better church for what we’ve gone through this past year.
For the many reading this blog who aren’t from Salem, you can watch the message for yourself if you like as it is now posted on the Salem Alliance website. One statement I made that many people have commented on is that it seemed like in the churches of my growing up years, people were very nervous about the Holy Spirit. Many of you have said you could relate.
AW Tozer addressed this subject of being afraid of the Spirit in a sermon he gave late in life while he was pastor in Toronto. He preached, And here is a beautiful thing about the Holy Spirit: being the Spirit of Jesus you will find Him exactly like Jesus. Many people have been frightened by people claiming to be filled with the Spirit and acting anyway else but like the Spirit. Some people say when they are filled with the Spirit they are very stern, harsh and abusive. Others do weird things and say that is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is exactly like Jesus, just as Jesus is exactly like the Father. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father,” said Jesus. “I will send you another Comforter, and he will take the things of mine and show them unto you.” In other words Jesus is saying, “He will demonstrate me to you.”
For some of us, in our Christian experience, we have been drawn to Jesus but have drawn away from the Spirit. This is a major mistake and we are the poorer for it.
In a different message, Tozer continued to address this subject, It is quite difficult to get a Christian over the fear of the Holy Spirit. By that, I do not mean reverence for Him. You cannot reverence the Holy Spirit too much, but you can be afraid of Him. I am sure many people are afraid of the Holy Spirit. But if you remember, His is the Father’s promise, given to us as the promised gift. Just as a man promises his son a bicycle for Christmas, and the boy remembers and comes back and reminds the father. Nobody is ever afraid of a promise of a father who loves Him.
The members of the redeemed Church should be bound in a bundle of love for the Holy Spirit. The truth is, God never thought of His church apart from the Holy Spirit. We are born of the Spirit. We are baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit. We are anointed with the Spirit. We are led of the Spirit. We are taught by the Spirit…”
James encouraged us to draw near to God (Father, Son AND Spirit). Lean in. Pull up close. Don’t hide in the shadows. Then comes the promise, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Seeking Him together with you,
John
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Dec 31, 2009 The Last Hour of the Decade
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Nov 11, 2009 Sermon Follow-Up Part One
Nov 7, 2009 A Year Later -- Conclusion
Nov 4, 2009 A Year Later -- Part 6
Nov 1, 2009 A Year Later -- Part 5
Oct 28, 2009 A Year Later--Part 4
Oct 24, 2009 A Year Later Part 3
Oct 21, 2009 A Year Later--Part 2
Oct 18, 2009 A Year Later--Part One
Oct 14, 2009 The Making of Fabian--Concl [...]
Oct 13, 2009 The Making of Fabian--Ch. 3
Oct 12, 2009 The Making of Fabian--Ch. 2
Oct 11, 2009 The Making of Fabian--Chapt [...]
Oct 8, 2009 October Update
Oct 4, 2009 Ranting: Conclusion
Oct 1, 2009 Ranting: Part 2
Sep 28, 2009 Ranting: Part One
Sep 24, 2009 A Good Time Was Had By All [...]
Sep 21, 2009 Patient Patients and Caring [...]
Sep 18, 2009 The Fine Art of Asking for [...]
Sep 16, 2009 Stalling
Sep 12, 2009 September Update
Sep 9, 2009 Who Is Calling the Shots?
Sep 6, 2009 Parking Lot Tours
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You were fabulous in your preaching as usual.....you still got it!!!!!!
Amen! And Amen! Thanks for the good word.
I was out of town and missed your sermon. But I understand from the word on the street that "John was better than ever!"
Susan G.
Can't wait to hear the sermon!
Kelsey
Regarding people's nervousness about the Holy Spirit. I agree that there are a lot of people out there acting in many ways except like Jesus and claiming it's the Holy Spirit. I think sincere Christians who want to live in obedience to Jesus are afraid of that kind of behavior and so they say, "If that's what baptism of the Holy Spirit is, I want nothing to do with it! It's phony. It's the flesh."
I felt that way for many years. But there came a time when I wanted more than anything else to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I wanted (and still want) all of God that there is to be had this side of heaven! I came to a point where I went to the church alone one day and said, "Lord, I don't care what You do with me. I don't care how it looks. I surrender myself, body and soul, to You. Please fill me!" And He did. There was such JOY that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry - so I did both at once! No, I didn't speak in tongues. That wasn't what God had for me. But the Holy Spirit let me into that oneness that is the Trinity - C.S. Lewis describes it as a dance. It's indescribably wonderful. It was total emersion in the Holy Spirit - baptism.
Out of that experience flowed a transforming power that changed me. No, not all at once. But I could see things more clearly, and there was victory over things I'd struggled with in the past. Each year, more ground is claimed in my life for Jesus. Each year He becomes more precious. He is my Beloved!
The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. He makes us LOOK more and more like Jesus. You're right, John.
You know that exercise kids in youth group sometimes do where they exercise faith by falling backward into the arms of another teen? Well, when we let go and fall backwards like that with our spirit into the arms of the Holy Spirit, He catches us up and fills us with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Total surrender, total joy.
Thanks for the good word! And congratulations on the sermons!!
Sheri
Sometimes this process and journey can be hard, really hard. I get lost in it, but I think I get lost when I lose sight of Love. I become selfish instead of selfless. Love is not selfish. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I am thinking through a lot of things right now, and both reading your thoughts and writing some of my own are helpful. Thanks for this space.
"You still got it" is right on! God has blessed you with a communication gift that relates to so many people all at one time. And I love that you feel freer to show your humor!
Worship. A simple word, but an action I have struggled with in defining in my own life. I am wired to worship with and through music. Something, you, John, challenged me to figure out why - not on a surface level, but way down deep. Thank you, but I am not yet done. In fact, I won't ever be done until the day I meet Jesus face to face. As I dig deeper into this, the deeper the path goes. And this is a GREAT thing! The more I seek, the more I want to continue to seek. As full as my heart feels when I am fully surrendering, the more He finds space to put in more of the Holy Spirit! I celebrate that with great excitement.
So you guessed it! There is a song in this for me and I want to share it with all of you. The chorus of Joy, Joy, Joy by Tommy Walker:
Joy, joy, joy overflowing
Whenever I put my trust in Thee
When I give it up and let it go
Like a child I believe
That you know what's best for me
Oh, what joy that comes washing over me!
Thank you, God my Father, Jesus my Savior, and Holy Spirit my Comforter!
Continuing to pray for you!
I have now read your blog 3 times, still working on fully understanding much of what you have said. Yes, I am somewhat slow at times. This morning I am also having one of those brain fog days. Probably too much football and not enough holy spirit.
I marvel at your words..."I am a better man"! I will admit, what God has brought you through has made us better people too, I fully agree with you. From that evening back in November where we gathered as a church, prayed, cried, sang praises, worshiped, and prayed lots more, how He has used you has had a powerful impact on so many people, with me definitely included.
I will always wish that there had been a different path to help bring me closer to Him, but I am so thankful that you continue to let God use you and continues to write an amazing story through you and Joanna. The best part is that your story is not completed yet and this very moment, I am so thankful to God for you!
Randall
What a perfect end to our week in New York. The first bunch of us got back early this morning after a long delay (3:00 am is when my head hit the pillow) I finally made my way to the computer and heard your message. I had been mourning that I couldn't be there in person to hear you preach, but as usual, God's perfect timing allowed me to hear it when I needed it. The time in New York was very good, good things are happening in my heart and will continue, I feel. You will, no doubt, hear many stories, but suffice to say, the Spirit of God is alive and moving. He is so good. Thank you for being a big part of this week with a great and timely message for me as I continue on this journey.
Spit happens! Yes, but if you add a couple of letters in there... the Spirit is happening, oh yeah, Spirit happens!
Love you man,
Dudster
Yes, thank God that His Spirit happens! I like your line of thinking!
Susan G.
I not only heard a sermon that was an answer to my prayers, but it was also music to my ears. I praise God that you are finding a measure of healing. He has tested you and you have come forth as gold. To Him be continual glory in your life and mine.
Together for Christ, Eric