Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Powerful Church Services
Once upon a time, in a famous city, well-known for it’s places of worship, something happened that changed the world.
It all started with a prayer meeting. For more than a week, people gathered to do nothing but pray and “wait on God.” Someone had promised them that the end result would be powerful, and it was.
This was a meeting that the world would talk about for centuries to come. People in far away places would hear about how God showed up in a special way; how those in attendance felt and saw physical evidences of a spiritual “wind” that was blowing. The participants were so caught up with what was happening and so responsive to a sense of God’s presence that those passing by began to notice. They witnessed people speaking languages they hadn’t learned; people so overwhelmed by God that they appeared to be drunk.
Visitors began to gather outside the meeting place and ask questions. A sermon was preached and thousands of people believed and were baptized. There was nothing staged, or boring about this meeting - it was a church service with an unprecedented demonstration of God’s power.
The above account is true. It is recorded in the second chapter of Acts, which is the fourth book of the New Testament. The city was Jerusalem. Jesus’ mother and His disciples were part of the crowd. They were there because Jesus, himself, had promised that they would be given power from on high. This was the first Christian church service ever recorded. One hundred twenty people were baptized with the Holy Spirit and spoke in “other tongues.” St. Peter preached the first sermon. In that sermon he told people how they could be saved (see Acts 2:38-39). They responded by the thousands.
So, history records that on “The Day of Pentecost” the Christian church was born. The first Christian church service was powerful. People were caught up in the presence of God. Should Christians expect anything less than powerful church services today? Doesn’t it make sense that if God is interacting with His people, that His presence would be felt? If the first century Christians were overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and spoke in “other tongues,” isn’t it feasible that God would do the same for Christians in our day?
Some might caution believers to avoid emotionalism or too much emphasis on spiritual things. Some might fear that services might get out of hand if people were too spontaneous. But, could it be that the greater danger we face today is having church services without power. A service without divine intervention is simply a gathering of people. Even the twelve disciples needed more than just a meeting; they prayed for and waited for power. The whole book of Acts describes many such experiences inside and outside church services. The first century Christians routinely saw the sick healed, the dead raised and demons cast out.
I wonder how many people are ready for powerful church services like Peter, James and John experienced. I wonder how many Christians are willing to pray and wait on God for services that are spontaneous, life-changing, and liberating. If the church that was started in the book of Acts is still alive and well there should still some power evident. We need powerful church services in order to live Christian lives in a challenging world. We need God to show up. Perhaps He needs a more fervent invitation.
It all started with a prayer meeting. For more than a week, people gathered to do nothing but pray and “wait on God.” Someone had promised them that the end result would be powerful, and it was.
This was a meeting that the world would talk about for centuries to come. People in far away places would hear about how God showed up in a special way; how those in attendance felt and saw physical evidences of a spiritual “wind” that was blowing. The participants were so caught up with what was happening and so responsive to a sense of God’s presence that those passing by began to notice. They witnessed people speaking languages they hadn’t learned; people so overwhelmed by God that they appeared to be drunk.
Visitors began to gather outside the meeting place and ask questions. A sermon was preached and thousands of people believed and were baptized. There was nothing staged, or boring about this meeting - it was a church service with an unprecedented demonstration of God’s power.
The above account is true. It is recorded in the second chapter of Acts, which is the fourth book of the New Testament. The city was Jerusalem. Jesus’ mother and His disciples were part of the crowd. They were there because Jesus, himself, had promised that they would be given power from on high. This was the first Christian church service ever recorded. One hundred twenty people were baptized with the Holy Spirit and spoke in “other tongues.” St. Peter preached the first sermon. In that sermon he told people how they could be saved (see Acts 2:38-39). They responded by the thousands.
So, history records that on “The Day of Pentecost” the Christian church was born. The first Christian church service was powerful. People were caught up in the presence of God. Should Christians expect anything less than powerful church services today? Doesn’t it make sense that if God is interacting with His people, that His presence would be felt? If the first century Christians were overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and spoke in “other tongues,” isn’t it feasible that God would do the same for Christians in our day?
Some might caution believers to avoid emotionalism or too much emphasis on spiritual things. Some might fear that services might get out of hand if people were too spontaneous. But, could it be that the greater danger we face today is having church services without power. A service without divine intervention is simply a gathering of people. Even the twelve disciples needed more than just a meeting; they prayed for and waited for power. The whole book of Acts describes many such experiences inside and outside church services. The first century Christians routinely saw the sick healed, the dead raised and demons cast out.
I wonder how many people are ready for powerful church services like Peter, James and John experienced. I wonder how many Christians are willing to pray and wait on God for services that are spontaneous, life-changing, and liberating. If the church that was started in the book of Acts is still alive and well there should still some power evident. We need powerful church services in order to live Christian lives in a challenging world. We need God to show up. Perhaps He needs a more fervent invitation.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
