And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Insights: In February at the
Alabama Evangelistic Conference we were told that of all Southern Baptist, a
group of over 16 million, that only 5% of them ever share the gospel with a
lost person. It is for this reason that
over 10,000 Southern Baptist Churches last year baptized zero converts. These deplorable statistics are not because
we are not trained or do not have enough Bible knowledge under our belts to
share Jesus. The reason is because we
are not in an abiding relationship with the Lord God; and therefore, we are not
fully under the control of the Holy Spirit.
According to today’s verse, when the disciples were filled with the Holy
Spirit they gave utterance as He directed them.
Think about Peter for just a moment.
Before the crucifixion we find him denying Jesus three times because he
was living the “Christian” life out in his own power and strength. After Pentecost, however, Peter is the one
standing before 3,000 plus people and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to
them boldly. Adrian Rogers once said,
“Most Baptist have been to Calvary for pardon, but they have not been to
Pentecost for power.” Dr. John Owens
stated, “The sin of the Old Testament was the rejection of God the Father. The sin of the New Testament was the
rejection of God the Son. The sin of
this present age is the rejection of God the Holy Spirit.” I believe because we have rejected the Holy
Spirit, we lack power in our proclamation of the gospel. Beloved, we need to repent of this most
grievous of sins and pray for God to fill us with His Spirit as we abide in
Him. This truth is literally the only
hope we have as believers for the advancement of the gospel. Phil Hoskins said, “One evidence that one is
filled with the Holy Spirit is the compulsion
from within to lead others to Christ (italics
mine).” Do you have that kind of
compulsion to share Jesus with lost people?
If you do not, you may need to go to the Father and ask Him why your
life is not characterized as a Spirit filled life. Pray for the lost, Beloved, and share your
faith with them!
Questions:
- Are you living fully under the control of the Holy
Spirit?
- Are you sharing the gospel with lost souls?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray you give me a passion and a heart beat for
the lost. Open my spiritual eyes to
recognize opportunities You place in my life to share Your love. Lord, make me bold for You. Amen.
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