(June 06, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares… and challenges!

‘Without warning’ sounds like some disaster has happened suddenly! No… I’m not going to tell you about something terrible about to occur, but remind you of something wonderful that came out-of-the-blue and is still changing the lives of so many. Something that happened suddenly— and in the most unusual way!

It’s Penetostal Sunday tomorrow, a day that is traditionally recognised and celebrated with joy by many churches worldwide, particularly Pentecostal and charismatic ones. Indeed pastors of these churches and their congregations use to expect ‘fresh moves of the Holy Spirit.’ Sermons would highlight the gift and blessings of the Holy Spirit… prophetic words would flow, people would be prayed for, healings would occur, reassurances would come to trouble hearts… and more! Sadly such prominence and expectation for Pentecostal Sunday has dwindled.

Let’s go back to that first Pentecost Sunday highlighted in Acts 2… Jesus was no longer around, having ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9) after He promised His followers the gift of the blessed Holy Spirit who had assisted Him in His ministry. Verse 8 reads, ‘…  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.’

Suddenly
Some 120 Christians had gathered together seeking the leading of God (v15) and Act 2 particularly tells of the outstanding event of Jesus’ promise being fulfilled on that day of the Jewish celebration of Pentecost— Shavuot celebrating the giving of the Torah to Moses and the current first harvest that year.

Acts 2:2 in most Bible versions reads ‘Suddenly…’ But I’ll quote verse 2-4 Message version— ‘Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force— no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.’ 

Now Suddenly is aphno indicating unexpectedly. And what happened that morning 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection was indeed sudden and unexpected! And it wasn’t just about these disciples speaking in various languages… no there’s much more to be recognised here.

Outside this meeting house were crowds of bewildered people who wanted  to know what was happening. God-fearing Jews and converts to Judaism from some 15 nations had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot and were suddenly hearing these Galileans speaking in their own language!

And what were those freshly baptised in the Spirit Galileans doing that without warning had caught the visitors’ attention? Verse 11Mge declares: ‘They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!’ Verse 12 tells that ‘Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”’ 

Salvations
A quick thinking Peter promptly (another suddenly!) grabbed the opportunity to begin fulfilling Jesus’ Matthew 28:18-20 great commission to His flock. Backed by ‘the Eleven’ he raised his voice and began sharing the gospel, wrapping up with a clear challenge: ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (v38) and some 3000 accepted Christ that day.

Verse 41 almost casually says that this huge group of Christian converts ‘were added to their number that day.’ As if it had been expected! The reality is that beyond the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of power that special day, this was a major incident of church growth! Indeed that day is remembered as the real beginning of the church!

And the church did grow— as Jesus was further witnessed and soon many, many others genuinely repented from sin— and Christianity spread and spread! Acts 16:5NLT says that ‘churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.’ 

Now it was not only through the twelve apostles’ witness… they kept encouraging those who had found Christ as Saviour and Lord to share the gospel! And they would have reminded them that they were not alone, that Jesus had promised a helper, a counselling comforter, the best friend ever— the all-powerful friend— the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). Check out different Bible versions if you’re on Google.  Personally I like what the Message Bible says— ‘I will talk to the Father, and He’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.’

Note: Pentecostal churches are not all about speaking in tongues (and interpretation!) as some wrongly believe! Like all denominations should be, Pentecostals have always been involved in witness and winning souls!

Supernaturalisms
Back then to the early church: Encouraged and empowered by this new friend who lives within, born-again believers found  opportunities to share Jesus… and at times some moved supernaturally  in the Spirit. The original Pentecost Holy Spirit event in Jerusalem led to a major breakthrough in individuals— not just leaders!— moving in the 1Corinthians 12:8-11 operational gifts of the Spirit.

Paul called them ‘manifestation gifts’— this is the word phanerosis, to be exhibited, not hidden away. They are operated in faith… I like the way the Message Bible’s verse 7 describes their operation— ‘Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!’.  

It’s acknowledged by so many great preachers today that we’re living in dark times, the last days… that Jesus is coming to gather His saints out of this troubled world. But of course wise preachers make it clear that we don’t know exactly when (Over decades many a foolish speaker has named dates… and nothing happened. Some still do!).

But in recalling above that sudden, without warning first Pentecost Holy Spirit outpouring that led to church growth, and that we all can move in the Spirit if so prompted and are willing, I want to encourage us all to take whatever opportunity the Spirit arranges. And to know that God also gives us opportunities to help people  in trouble… that is in counselling, praying with individuals. After all, our pastors can’t be everywhere… but we can be used but the Lord to reach out to others!

Sensitivity
And that’s where that word ‘Suddenly’ comes in! It’s an adverb indicating quickly and unexpectedly, describing something happening without preparation or warning.

• Have you discovered this as you allow the Holy Spirit of power to use you?  
• Have you allowed yourself to be sensitive to your best friend?
• Have you dared… can you trust the Holy Spirit and move in faith?

Without going into deep details, I’ll share some Holy Spirit examples—

(i) In a home
I had been counselling a young man who was deeply mind-troubled by recurring strange dreams about some past event that he couldn’t recall.

After an hour that included clear counsel and prayer, we were getting nowhere. As I had another appointment and knew I had to leave, I looked at my watch to check the time. As I turned back to him, one of those ‘suddens’ occurred! I was led to recheck my watch, not the time but the date! Unexpectedly I felt led by the Holy Spirit to ask him what happened between him and a friend on this date many years ago.

Instantly he broke into tears and, mind now clear, recalled something terrible that had happened many when he was a kid. He’d been playing with a chum in a dark dangerous cave and an incident occurred leading to the death of his mate. For some reason he had blamed himself and although he’d long blanked it out, something dark but unexplainable was now disturbing his mind most nights. With that this knowledge I was able to pray more directly against his problem and Satan’s tricky deception. Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s supernatural leading, in Jesus’ name I helped free him from his recurring nightmares!

(ii) In a store
Thanking a very helpful store assistant the other day, as I turned to leave I was suddenly and unexpectantly led to turn back and encourage her with words of knowledge and wisdom. Now I did so very gently and wisely, not embarrassing her (no, the Holy Spirit did so… I was but a mouthpiece!).

Those words immediately proved such a blessing to her… she started shedding a tear or two and thanked me. Then I pointed out that I, a stranger, couldn’t possibly have known about her situation, past events and her ambitions, and what she wished to achieve in future days. As she nodded, I shared that God had just told me, that He loved her and cared for her. I shared how easy it is to talk to the all-wise and caring Lord Jesus.

Now other people were coming up to the counter but as I said farewell, I encouraged her to chat to God and gave her ‘food for thought.’ She nodded smilingly and gave me an elbow nudge. I look forward to meeting her again and sharing more.

(iii) In a church
Maureen was sharing the other day with an interested person about a strange ‘without warning’ that occurred when we were ministering in a non-charismatic church. Having given an altar call for those needing prayer, quite a number had come to the front. At one point, I noticed that Maureen going over to a lady who was standing back a little.

Here’s what  Maureen testified: I had hesitated about speaking to this lady as I’d suddenly got a word from the Spirit about hier. And I mean a word, one word, a most strange term! But I trusted the Holy Spirit and moved closer and said quietly, ‘Look, I don’t know you but I have this word about you… one phrase that’s going over and over in my mind— washing machine, washing machine, washing machine…’

The lady gasped and exclaimed, ‘Gosh! All week all I’ve been thinking about is sticking my head in the washing machine because of so many troubles I have!’ I smiled and prayed with her, asking that she’d be released from that evil desire, that God would solve her troubles and the Holy Spirit’s peace would fall on her. And He did!

Stalwartness
That original Pentecost Holy Spirit event in Jerusalem led to a major breakthrough in individuals— not just leaders!— moving in the 1Corinthians 12:8-11 gifts of the Spirit. Paul called them ‘manifestation gifts’— this is the word phanerosis, to be exhibited, not hidden away (Emphasis mine).

They are operated in faith… I like the way the Message Bible’s verse 7 describes their operation— ‘Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!’

Paul went on to itemise the nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit and why they are given us by the Holy Spirit. Verse 12NLT makes it very clear— ‘A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.’ And it’s been our (and others) experience that the Lord blesses unsaved people by the operation of spiritual gifts and gets their attention as well as Christians!

In sharing the above ‘suddenly … without warning’  examples I’ve only mentioned some Holy Spirit gifts— gifts that can operate on God-appointed times to help troubled individuals. Overall, here’s some challenges—

• So what about you then? Do you leave everything up to the pastors… or are you willing to dare be used by the Spirit to help others? I mean beyond sharing Jesus— if the Holy Spirit prompts you?
• Now it won’t happen every day but on God-ordained occasions. If you have a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit, a sudden without warning word can occur and you’ll bless someone.
• For that matter, are you believing for your church to be Holy Spirit blessed this Pentecost Sunday? Or any Sunday or weekly meeting?
• Are you expecting prayers to be answered for individuals, even healings?
• For that matter prophetic utterances— messages spoken in tongues— by some folk and interpreted by someone else as happened in ‘good old Pentecostal churches days’?

Remember that old chorus? ‘Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me…’
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Dr Robert and Pastor Maureen McQuillan’s links are OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook 
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