D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981), pastor of the great Westminster Chapel in London for almost 30 years, was certainly not known as a Pentecostal preacher. But near the end of his life –at the pinnacle of his ministry – he asked the congregation a pointed question.
“I want to talk to you today about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You may call it what you want, but I want to know, Have you experienced the fullness of the Spirit? I know all of you listening to me come as I do from a Reformed background. But it’s not good enough. I know that all of you would want to say to my question about the Holy Spirit, ‘Well, we got it all at conversion; there’s no need for any more experience.’ Well,” said Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “I have only one other question to ask you. If you got it all at conversion, where in God’s name is it?”
Lloyd-Jones urged people to actively seek an experience of the Holy Spirit. In his book, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13” (1976), he writes, “Do you know anything of this fire? If you do not, confess it to God and acknowledge it. Repent, and ask Him to send the Spirit and His love into you until you are melted and moved, until you are filled with His love divine, and know His love to you, and rejoice in it as His child, and look forward to the hope of the coming glory. ‘Quench not the Spirit’, but rather ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ and ‘Rejoice in Christ Jesus!’”
Part of Lloyd-Jones’ stress of the Christian’s need of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was due to his belief that this provides an overwhelming assurance of God’s love to the Christian, and thereby enables one to boldly witness for Christ to an unbelieving world.
Just before His return to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples (Acts 1:4-5), “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Why did they need the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Jesus explained it in Acts 1:8, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Holy Spirit power is for victorious Christian living, an anointing in praying for the sick, strength to resist temptation. But, most of all, it is power for the Harvest. Jesus promised His disciples, and us, power for witnessing.
Have you ever felt nervous about talking to someone about Jesus? Have you ever felt inadequate to explain the plan of salvation to someone in need? Have you ever felt reluctant to pray for someone who is physically and spiritually sick? Then you need the power of the Holy Spirit in your life! He has come to super-charge your ministry, witness, and life. He can do for you what you cannot do!
The Apostle Paul commands us in Ephesians 5:18 to “be filled with the Spirit”. If you have not yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you are missing out on the power Jesus promised you. If you are not living each day in the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit, you are also missing out on what Jesus promised you. The power of the Holy Spirit in your life is not just for special days; it is needed every day. Be filled with the Spirit!
This Sunday, October 2, we will continue our fall teaching series, “We Believe!” with “The Holy Spirit!” (Note change in schedule.) We desperately need the anointing and power of the third member of the Trinity. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations.
Coming Up: This Saturday, October 1, is our next Drive-Thru Prayer outreach in the parking lot (1-3pm). Plus, ladies and girls, plan to attend the Hawaii Assembly of God District Women’s Ministries “One Conference” held at Kalihi Union Church on October 14-15.
Aloha ke Akua!