"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth..." John 14:16&17aComing up is Pentecost Sunday. Jesus fulfilled his promise of sending the Holy Spirit.
Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches emphasize the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Likely due to current and past excesses Evangelical Churches lag behind in welcoming the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, this has caused boredom for some--it's all too predicable! We forget that without Pentecost, we are left with 'the law'. Without the Holy Spirit, God would be more transcendent than imminent--like in the Old Testament. Without his indwelling, we would have to fend for ourselves in representing God on earth.
But the Spirit is here. He blows in wherever He wishes and is coming to our friends from the Muslim world. Abdul, from North Africa has been on a spiritual journey for many years. For a while he contemplated atheism but he couldn't reconcile that with what he inherently knew. Yearning to be close to God, he joined a Sufi movement and was deeply involved with ecstatic worship and left all 'worldly' attachments. Abdul left that group but remains spiritually hungry. It was timely that we ran across The Way of the Seven Fold Secret and gave that to him to learn about Jesus. Lilias Trotter wrote the booklet specifically for searching Sufis.
Those uninvolved may think that Muslim ministry is not very fruitful. On the contrary we are amazed at all the signs of the Holy Spirit moving and speaking. We get excited at the smallest sign! For example: we had just about given up on Mohamed and Fatima, a Muslim couple from Africa. There were no apparent signs that anything spiritually was happening and then wow, she disclosed that they had been sending their children to a Bible day camp the last few years for two weeks and this year want to do it for a month! Or: after having a Bible study with a Muslim couple on Jonah the man divulged his dad had a big story book on the prophets with drawings and the story of Jonah came back to him. It was his favorite book growing up. It really sounded like a Bible story book. We are also amazed at the hidden secrets that are exposed and come to the Light without prying or questioning. Muslim ministry really has produced a strong belief in the work of the Holy Spirit. He is moving, exposing, speaking, healing, refreshing, transforming, and blessing.
The Holy Spirit is active in hearts today. Not just in the past!! Notice our examples are about reaching out. Many Christians trust better arguments to win over Muslims. A few Muslims are persuaded in debates but not so many. Spiritual vitality will return for those who 'let go' and depend on the Holy Spirit to empower them to reach out with the love and truth of Jesus. Not a lot of power is needed for a 'holy huddle'.
The tongues of fire falling on the 120 in the small room in Palestine was the beginning of a very dynamic outward movement--a church growth explosion! Let's join in God's Spirit at work today!
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here! Amen.
*50 days after Passover/Crucifixion
