The church began in a powerful and overcoming way. At the end of the days of Pentecost, after much persevering and steadfast prayer, a sound out of heaven, as of a rushing, violent wind, filled the whole house (Acts 2:2). Out of this high-energy, high-pressure, powerful outpouring, the church life began. And from this filling, there was a spontaneous and immediate multiplication in the church (v. 41, 47). That vitality and life has not faltered or diminished since that day; until today, believers have the privilege to carry that gushing, violent, high-pressure, powerful Spirit in our spirit.
And yet compared to this vital start, why does the condition among the saints often seem slowed, dragging, tired? When we sing hymns, do songs of victory sound like dirges? When we come together, is the atmospheric pressure low? Why is there a sense of resistance to what should be a powerful and flowing forward motion? The answer is simply that there is a battle taking place. Where there is a forward motion, there is another force dragging it back. The Lord wants to move, yet His enemy is crouching at the door, causing the Lord’s people to be sluggish, sleepy, and sick (Gen. 4:7; 1 Cor. 11:30). And this stagnant condition is not fruitful; on the contrary, it is barren. Where the Lord wants to multiply, the enemy wants to kill.
If we know there is a battle ongoing each day, each moment, we will be on guard against this lulling, dulling, doubting force. Because we follow the Lord, our life is a life of boldness; it is a life that is clear, bright, direct, active, and sure — as sure and as powerful as the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We carry this vitality today because the Lord Himself as the Spirit dwells in our spirit, always available and always alive. He is the vital One — leaping, skipping (S.S. 2:8), even soaring (Isa. 40:31).
But brothers and sisters, while the Lord is leaping, skipping, and soaring — are we left behind? Or are we such vital ones, even crazy in our pursuit of Him? If He is alive in you today, you will certainly be creative, energetic, inspired, and influential! Paul tells us that we should come forward with boldness to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). In this bold life in His presence, how can we not overflow with His mercy and grace? How can we not grow, multiply, and bear much fruit (Matt. 13:23; John 15:5)? The nature of the church is violently alive, flowing, and fruitful; that has never changed. From the day the Spirit entered into us, this divine, powerful Life — the very One Who burst into time and space from eternity, the Word that became flesh — has everything to do with you. When our Lord returns, it will be to reign with His beloved, who matches Him in life and nature. He is awaiting His wedding day, when this powerful life given to the church can be fully manifested and expressed, glorious and without blemish (Eph. 5:27)!
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who is thirsty come; let him who wills take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).
(Above are notes of fellowship taken from a gathering on 12/8/2024, not reviewed by the speaker.)