“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
HEBREWS 12:1-3
Are we ashamed of the Gospel? Paul wasn’t. He shaved his head to show that he had made a vow (Acts 21:24). People would notice that–a skinhead apostle. But HE WAS NOT ASHAMED! He had sworn an oath to do something for God! Why not we fire-baptized believers?
WHEN THE 120 EMERGED FROM THE UPPER ROOM, THEY were different! They were sealed, changed and that change was noticeable. What do people look like who emerge from our churches on a Sunday morning? Suppose God’s fire fell in a stadium during a Gospel crusade and everybody came out drunk with the Holy Spirit? The baptism in the Holy Spirit is NOT A PRIVATE MATTER! It is a PUBLIC EVENT! Glory to God!
The world admires every passionate enthusiasm except one: love for God. What do we want? Do we want our cozy culture and sophistication–or the burning and throbbing drive of the Divine nature? If you want all of Him, then you have to go full throttle.
THE GLORIOUS EXPERIENCE OF BEING SWEPT INTO THE ocean of God’s purposes, carried along in that Pentecostal mighty rushing wind—is that what we are afraid of? Has the starch of what we call civilization stiffened our clothing and turned it into steel armor so that it has become difficult to ‘put on Christ?’ Where are His tears? His passion—our cross—bearing? Where is our total unselfconsciousness and yieldedness to God? If you want all of Him, then you must go full throttle. Don’t hold back.
A young man told me that he had a call to preach the Gospel, but his pastor was not willing to give him his pulpit. I looked at him and said, “I will give you a pulpit!” He looked at me wide-eyed and said, “What? You want to give me your pulpit?” I said, “No, but I can give you a pulpit. Every street corner is a pulpit.” I continued, “That is where I started, and you have to begin there as well.” The Scripture says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT).
MINISTRY GROWTH COMES IN PHASES. GROWTH HAPPENS slowly. You will mature in the Word, in faith, in the Holy Spirit and in bearing fruit. Don’t give up when opposition comes. Jesus made us more than conquerors. We have an open heaven, angels ascending and descending, our prayers reaching heaven unhindered, and the Holy Spirit constantly pouring upon us like sunshine from a cloudless sky.