Author Archives: Pastor Steve

Why Do I Need the Holy Spirit?

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Forgotten God, Chapter 1, by Francis Chan

Join us for an hour on Wednesdays at 7 pm in Room 101 as we discuss the Holy Spirit.

We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone…. [We] have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. — A. W. Tozer in Of God and Men

1. What is Tozer saying about his own generation? Does this apply to ours? What’s the problem?

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

2. Chan begins this chapter saying that Christians often approach the Bible with some “passively ingested” beliefs that slant the way they look at Scriptures. These preconceptions can prevent us from actually hearing what the Bible is saying. Can you think of any examples of such beliefs?

Jesus says 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7). It’s easy to see this in the Bible. God’s Spirit in Acts 2 brought an unparalleled spiritual awakening. And the Bible shows that this same Spirit gives us power to overcome sin, victory in Christian life, and gifting to do ministry.

3. Do you feel like you are better off with the Holy Spirit living in you than you would be with Jesus here in the flesh? What does that say about you? Why would we feel that way? Can Christians get along without the Holy Spirit? Can a church?

Those of us who believe in Jesus would never deny the truth that we have the Spirit of the living God… living inside of us. I’m just not convinced we’ve internalized this truth…. It seems like…we have not owned it. …[If] we woke up tomorrow and discovered that it is not true the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, most likely our lives wouldn’t look much different. — Francis Chan, pp. 34-35

4. What can Christians who don’t recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives do to see Him?

I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit’s leading on a daily basis. Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is truth. I don’t want to keep crawling when I have the ability to fly. — Francis Chan, p. 37.

New Small Group Study — Forgotten God…

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Beginning in mid-April, on Wednesday at 7 pm, we are talking about the Holy Spirit, using the book Forgotten God from Francis Chan.

Acts 4:13 (NIV) 13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

If you are wondering if this study is for you, consider these questions, framed from the introduction of Forgotten God.

  1. How do you react to this statement: “While no evangelical would deny His (the Holy Spirit’s) existence, I am willing to bet there are millions of church-goers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year” (p. 15)?
  2. Chan says, “There is a big gap between what we read in Scripture about the Holy Spirit and how most believers and churches operate today. In many modern churches, you would be stunned by the apparent absence of the Spirit in a manifest way. And this, I believe is the crux of the problem” (p. 16). What kinds of manifestations do you think Chan is referring to? Are they missing? Why?
  3. Chan asserts that the light of the American church is flickering and nearly extinguished, having largely sold out to the kingdoms and values of this world. Do you see that around you? If so, why is little being done about this?
  4. Do you think that the “forgotten-ness” of the Holy Spirit is due to lack of theological teaching or are there other reasons the power of the Spirit is not evident?
  5. Chan suggests that the holding back Christians have concerning the Holy Spirit is not based in a fear of getting too much of Him, but in a fear of giving ourselves to God. Why don’t Christians want to give themselves to God? How can we overcome such obstacles?
  6. Paul said that his words to the Corinthians were not “wise and persuasive” but were “in demonstration of the Spirit’s power” so that their faith would not rest on the “wisdom of men” but on the “power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Does your faith rest on the power of God or on the wisdom of men?

“There’s more of the Spirit and more of God than any of us is experiencing. I want to go there—not just intellectually, but in life, with everything I am.” — Francis Chan, p. 22.

Join us in room 101 for a discussion on this book and a time of prayer Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Finishing Well…

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One of the most sobering thoughts that ever crossed my mind is one that keeps crossing it over and over again. It’s the question of finishing well or finishing poorly. I don’t have the statistics in front of me. You can google them if you like. But I have heard that the majority of biblical figures lived lives where they finished poorly. That’s sobering. What’s more sobering to me is how often I have seen the same thing play out in the lives of Christians I know. Decades of faithful Christian service erased by bitterness, selfishness, or apathy. God — kill me before you allow that to happen to me.

One of my chaplains was Pastor Jim Vandervort. I remember him coming to Curwensville and taking me out to eat. As we talked, he told me his story and listened to mine. In his conversation, I sensed the spirit of a man who was in love with Jesus and cared deeply for people. Although he was retired, several weeks ago, Pastor Vandervort asked the pastor of Somerset Alliance Church for the opportunity to preach. As he preached, it became evident to anyone listening that he was delivering his last sermon. His daughter Karen said she sensed this as he was preaching, as did others in the congregation.

Three weeks later, Pastor Vandervort went to be with the Lord.

You can hear Pastor Vandervort’s sermon on the Somerset Alliance Church Web site. What a wonderful way to conclude a great preaching ministry. Just go to www.somersetalliance.org and click on Media & Resources then Launch Sermon Player at the bottom. Scroll down to 2/6/11 and you can play the sermon from there.

Take a listen and let me know what you think.

May we all finish well the race that has been set before us.

~Pastor Steve

Transitions…

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Last evening, the Walk on Water small group transitioned. It concluded its study of Peter walking on the water. The idea was that the students would learn to step out in faith to do what God was commanding them to do. It was a great time in the group to evaluate our lives and to consider what God might be leading us to do and our willingness to do it. In these last couple of meetings we have been talking about what we want to do next. Several topics have arisen, but as is generally the case, many people don’t want to express their opinion openly for fear of imposing their will on the group, so I handed out papers for people to vote and some who were absent voted by email.

  • Five people said they wanted to do another book study like we did when we did Genesis.
  • Four people said they were interested in The End Times.
  • A couple wanted to read a Max Lucado book. Please be in prayer concerning all the small groups in our church and the direction they each take.

What would be of benefit to you? Is it time for a transition in your life? Speak to me or to Peggy Bloom concerning small groups and topics you may be interested in.

Things to pray for include Clyde and his family as he has been hospitalized, Joe as he has his shoulder surgery, and transitions in our church family. It’s neat to see what God is doing in small groups and in our body as a whole. Pray that he will continue his work and we will be cooperative.

What a Difference…

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Yesterday, I stopped in to see Jack in the Rehab Center. Wow — what a difference. He walks the hall (with assistance) and can laugh and joke around. He and Glen and Myrtle and I had a good long visit together, reading Scripture and sharing stories. When I told Jack that we pray for him regularly his face showed great gratitude. He has a long road ahead of him, but may be able to be back home in a couple of weeks. Please remember him in prayer.

Speaking of prayer — please pray concerning the needy in our community. The Fuel Fund for the churches is exhausted and we’re using general monies in the Ministerial Association to meet the needs of people in our area. However, this fund only has enough money in it to last for a few families. Pray for warmer weather and for our community in general — that a means for needy people to have their basic necessities will be provided.

Naturally, remember to pray for those whose lives were changed by the recent earthquake in the South Pacific. Remember our missionaries there. You can find information concerning such things here:
http://www.cmalliance.org/news/

Thanks.

~Pastor Steve