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HOLY SPIRIT
In his book, Emerging Worship, Dan Kimball writes,
“What part of your church can be explained only as a result of the working
of the Holy Spirit? Remember, large numbers are not necessarily a sign
of the Holy Spirit. Marilyn Manson has sold millions of CDs. Every weekend,
tens of thousands of people go to movies the Holy Spirit would surely not
approve of (and it must grieve him!). I could sponsor and promote a keg
party on the beach and probably have several hundred people show up. Numbers
alone do not mean the Holy Spirit is involved.”
He continues, “Now I hope there are hundreds of people
in your church, perhaps even thousands! I am all for large churches and
megachurches! I have been part of a very large church for the past fifteen
years. So I am not against them by any means. I just have an unsettling
feeling about how ‘smart’ we get and how little the Spirit and prayer are
mentioned in our endeavors.”
Kimball concludes the thought with this observation,
“In the emerging church, we must depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must be dependent upon God for all we do in our worship gatherings.”
—Emerging Worship, p. 66 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson
Psalm 127:1 (NASB) “Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman
keeps awake in vain.”
For more information on Emerging Worship, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310256445/fm082-20
HOLY SPIRIT
In his book, Just Walk Across the Room Bill Hybels writes, “. . . life’s
great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God’s mysterious
promptings — nudges that always lean toward finding what’s been lost and
freeing what’s been enslaved.”
- Kindle book, Highlight Loc. 269-70 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson
Acts 1:8 (NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in
Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
HOLY SPIRIT
In his book, Interpreting Gospel Narratives, Timothy Wiarda writes,
“But whether our prized methods relate to exegesis and exposition (as I
obviously hope they do) or other areas of ministry practice. Jesus’ words
in John 15:26-27 remind us that kingdom impact always depends on a work
of the Holy Spirit. Our humanly given testimony is certainly necessary,
but we must never slide into the habit of thinking it sufficient.”
--Interpreting Gospel Narratives, P. 206 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson
John 15:26-27 (ESV)(26) "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send
to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father,
he will bear witness about me. (27) And you also will bear
witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”
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