Musing – Does America Need Another Revival like the First One?

 

Hebraic Musing – Does America Need Another Revival like the First One?

From 1738 until his death in 1770 George Whitefield (pronounced Whit-fild) made seven trips from England to the Colonies in America tirelessly preaching the Gospel to thousands upon thousands each trip.  Time period?  This was leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  As a biographer said “Had Whitefield never gone to America, the great revival there might never have happened.  And, had there been no great revival, there may well have been no American Revolution.”  And Whitefield’s death so impacted the colonists that would be suffering from raw conditions during the war – “Thus the fires of revival spread into a blaze of freedom – and forged a nation in the process.”

His biography quoted one of the segments of Whitefield’s poignant messages that makes me wonder if America’s fragmented church is part of our current National problem.  Let me quote –

(Speaking of Whitefield) He used his gifts not only to reach individual sinners, but to pull down the strongholds of religious pride and division. In an oft-repeated sermon that was vintage Whitefield causing whole towns to be changed by its strength – Whitefield pretends he is talking to Abraham in heaven –
“Father Abraham,” he cries. “Whom have you in Heaven?  Any Episcopalians?”    Abe - “No!”
“Any Presbyterians?”      Abe - “No!”
“Any Independents or seceders, New Sides or Old Sides, Any Methodists?”     Abe - “No! No! No!”
Whom have you there, then, Father Abraham?”
Abe - “We don’t know those names here!  All who are here are Christians – Believers in Christ, men who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of his Testimony.”
“Oh is that the case?  Then God help me, God help us all, to forget having names and to become Christians in deed and in truth.”

Could pride and division and “names” be hampering God’s Kingdom’s progress here in America?

He used a “Preach and Return” model; first message elicited repentance, the return message was for salvation.

Whitefield believed “to lose one’s life for Jesus meant surrendering every moment of the time in which that life is measured.”     “It is better to wear out rather than rust out.”   “I preach as a dying man to dying men.” “Sudden death is sudden glory!”    “Lord, let Thy presence always follow me, or otherwise I shall be but as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal”   “The Methodist view of holiness taught that belonging to God meant serving him with time well spent.”

“We know that he started preaching in the open air because the clergymen refused him and the church building wouldn’t hold the crowds.”  Sounds like Jesus’ “sermon on the mount” with thousands on a hillside!

A sailmaker, Benjamin Randall, heard the town crier shouting “Whitefield is dead. Whitefield is dead.” At that, he fell to his knees, cried aloud “Whitefield is dead, Whitefield is in heaven, but I am on the road to hell.”  He gave his heart to God on the spot; later he preached the gospel himself and launched the Free-Will Baptist movement in answer to Whitefield’s lifelong prayer – “Let the name of Whitefield die, that the cause of Jesus Christ many live.”

His biographer said “As Whitefield began preaching from Georgia to Massachusetts, the colonies became one.  He was the ‘first inter-colonial event.’”  Has America become divided again? Are we in need of unification?

Point(s) to Ponder

How do our denominations, pride and divisions impact the preaching of the Gospel?

A listener said he “gave me a heart wound”; meanwhile do we avoid hurting people’s feelings!?!?

Whose name is more important?   Ours?  Our Church’s?   or  Jesus Christ’s?

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7

 Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                         November 24, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by and excerpted from “Forgotten Founding Father – The Heroic Legacy of George Whitefield”
                        by Stephen Mansfield   2001

Musing – Do we Pray to God the way Persecuted Christians Pray?

 Hebraic Musing – Do we Pray to God the way Persecuted Christians Pray?

I’ve heard it said that people who are accustomed to persecution know that it causes a deeper faith.  Instead of fearing persecution, they fear the times when it slacks off causing people to relax and take their faith for granted.  People being persecuted are experts in fervent prayer as they expect imprisonment, torture and possibly death.
Do we suffer persecution in America?  What’s the worst we might suffer if we stand up for our Christian faith? 

What do our typical prayers look like?  A - the “Lord’s Prayer”, or prayers before meals and bedtime, or the “formal” prayers of the leader of a meeting, or spontaneous prayer for family or friend in need.   Are we lacking spontaneous beseeching prayers from deep down in our hearts?  Revivalist George Whitefield said “When the spirit of prayer began to be lost, then forms of prayer were invented.” Here’s some possible reasons - self-sufficiency, not needing God, lack of role models of prayer, lack of teaching on prayer or simply lack of faith! 

In these uncertain times when people sense we may be in “end times” there seems to be more seekers and people open to calling on God in more genuine prayer.  Reminds me of the desperation I sense in Paul’s final instructions to the Thessalonians –  “Be joyful always;  pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything. Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil.  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 NIV   That’s a thorough teaching on Prayer right there!  Read it again.

Here’s just a few of the many examples of the power available to each of us if we pray in faith and believe:

·      Mark 6:13  “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”

·      Luke 10:17  “The seventy-two returned with joy …, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’”

·      James 1:5-8  “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

·      James 5:14-16  “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

·      1 Chronicles 5:20  “He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.”

My friend Johanna’s* summary:  “In some situations a standoff develops as Yehovah waits for us to make a move and we are waiting for Him to work a miracle. The crippled bigger in the temple could have continued to lay on the ground, but instead he reached up and grabbed Peter’s hand, was healed and not only walked, but danced in praise.  We can be like Gideon and ask for a sign like a sheepskin and established the ground rules, and Yehovah showed him that He indeed would be with Gideon in the battle and come out the victor.”

Point(s) to Ponder

Do we really expect a miracle when we pray?
If a person does not believe God will answer, is that person a non-believer?

Is our failure to pray evidence of a lack of faith?

Do we Pray to God in the same way Persecuted Christians Pray?

♫ “Peter and John went to pray. They met a lame man on the way.  He asked for alms and held out his palms, And this is what Peter did say  Silver and gold have I none, But such as I have give I thee, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. He went walking and leaping and praising God, …”♫ 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          November 17, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*   Inspired by and excerpted from “Prayer” by Johanna Shager Hocker, Oct.19, 2020

Musing – Is the Power of the Holy Spirit Evident in Our Churches?

 

Hebraic Musing – Is the Power of the Holy Spirit Evident in Our Churches?

I was just told “If every Bible believer were empowered with the Holy Spirit, congregations would be on fire.”*  T/F?   Are we settling for much less than what Almighty God has provided for us?  And Biblically savvy Church-goers I’ve met acknowledge that the church they attend is NOT accomplishing anything like the accomplishments and growth of the first century church!  So what has changed?!?!

What do we know about the early church?  In Acts 2 they were all together and in “one accord” when they were “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  What does it mean to be in “One Accord”?  Are we there yet?  Are church fellowships and denominations working together for the Kingdom of God?  How important is the felt presence of the Holy Spirit? 

Repentance!  David wrote “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. ♫” Psalm 51:10-11 ESV    I love that song!  And David spoke this in the midst of repenting for his behavior regarding Bathsheba and the killing of her husband.  Repentance and the Holy Spirit seem to be related!  Example – In Acts 2 Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately we have record of him preaching Jesus.  What happened? “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’  And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’”  Acts 2:37-39 NKJV

Gifts!  The “Spirit of the Lord” is described as wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord.   There are the nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 – Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Distinguishing between spirits and three “utterance” gifts - Prophecy, Speaking in different kinds of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.  Might we consider these as gifts provided by the Holy Spirit living in us?  Some of these “gifts” are troublesome in some churches; but what does the Bible say?  See the Addendum following for more details.

Power!   Jesus Himself promised power in Acts 1:8.  “But 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.” NIV   What power(s) will the H.S. provide you with?   Here’s just one of many examples – “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11 NIV

Years ago I heard that leaders of both the Catholic and the Lutheran church conducted a conference to settle their different views on the significance of Jesus’ mother Mary.  After much discussion back and forth they still did not agree.  However the Catholics did admit they had given too much attention to Mary; and the Lutherans acknowledged that they had not given enough recognition to Mary.  In the same way, do we have denominations and churches that have given either too much or too little attention to the role of the Holy Spirit’s operation in our churches, and in our lives?

Point(s) to Ponder**

Is the church of Jesus Christ in “one accord”?

Which comes first, Repentance or the infilling of the Holy Spirit?

Does the church preach repentance often enough for people
to call on and recognize the need for the Holy Spirit’s gifting?

What is the role of each of the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit in evangelizing the world?

♫ “Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me. Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me.
            Melt Me, Mold Me, Fill Me, Use Me, Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me.”♫ 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          November 10, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*    Inspired by and excerpted from “The Presence of the Holy Spirit” by Johanna Shager Hocker, Oct.8, 2020
** My Testimony - I accepted Jesus Christ at a Charismatic Catholic event - Cursillo Aug.25, 1977    

 

 

ADDENDUM re Spiritual Gifts

Listings of Spiritual Gifts  -  The New Testament contains several lists of spiritual gifts, most in the Pauline epistles. While each list is unique, there is overlap.

Romans 12:6–8         

1.      Prophecy

2.      Serving

3.      Teaching

4.      Exhortation

5.      Giving

6.      Leadership

7.      Mercy

 

1 Corinthians 12:8–10

1.      Word of wisdom

2.      Word of knowledge

3.      Faith

4.      Gifts of healings

5.      Miracles

6.      Prophecy

7.      Distinguishing between spirits

8.      Tongues

9.      Interpretation of tongues

 

1 Corinthians 12:8–10

1.      Apostle

2.      Prophet

3.      Teacher

4.      Miracles

5.      Kinds of healings

6.      Helps

7.      Administration

8.      Tongues

 

Ephesians 4:11

1.      Apostle

2.      Prophet

3.      Evangelist

4.      Pastor

5.      Teacher

 

Ephesians 4:11

1.      Whoever speaks

2.      Whoever renders service[10]

 

Paul explains the purpose and role of Spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1-7  “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 

Then Paul identifies the Nine Spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10: "To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues." (NIV)

 

The seven gifts are also found in the Book of Isaiah  11:1-3.  The passage refers to the characteristics of a Messianic figure understood by Christians to be Jesus Christ empowered by the "Spirit of the Lord".   There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,  The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.  3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,”   Isaiah 11:1-3  NKJV

 

Three Utterance Gifts -
The gift of tongues is the God-given ability to speak in languages that you do not understand, and to speak at your own will.  
The gift of the interpretation of tongues is the God-given ability to bring forth in the language of your understanding the sum and substance of what has been spoken in another or unknown tongue.  
The gift of prophesy, the product of the operation of which constitutes the testimony of Jesus, is the God-given ability to bring forth in your own language a message from God to the people that is always unto edification, exhortation and comfort.  These three are referred to as utterance gifts because that is their mode of operation.  They are also referred to as “worship gifts” as they are principally used in the worship of God.  They are also referred to as inspirational because their use is to inspire both the user and they that hear.

Biblical Support for use of Utterance Gifts:

The gift of tongues is the God-given ability to speak in other tongues at will. See  I Corinthians 12:10 “…to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”

When we say that you speak with “other tongues”, we mean that you speak with tongues (languages) that you do not comprehend. Any language that you do not understand is “another tongue” to you.  This is made very plain in the following reference wherein the tongue spoken is referred to as “unknown”.

I Corinthians 14:2  “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” NIV

14:4   “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”

14:13-14  “For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
                For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”

14:19   “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others
            than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

14:27-28   “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time,
            and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church
            and speak to himself and God.”

 

Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians believe that the charismata were foretold in the Book of Joel (2:28-30) “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.   Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.   I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth,…”  Joel 2:28-30  NIV

And Jesus promised this in the Gospel of Mark.  “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  Mark 16:17–18

This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost and elsewhere as the church spread. In order to correct abuses concerning the spiritual gifts at Corinth, Paul devoted much attention to spiritual gifts in his First Epistle to the Corinthians (chapters 12–14).

Musing - Seven Habits of Effective Soul-Winners

 

Hebraic Musing - Seven Habits of Effective Soul-Winners

Sam Moore* shared these Seven Habits of Effective Soul-Winners in a Facebook post.  I found myself rating myself as I read each one.

1. Soul-Winners are Prepared: they carry tracts with them all the time, have a New Testament and they are ready and are expecting to share the Gospel.

2. Soul-Winners share Christ anytime, anywhere, anyplace:   restaurants, stores, shops, over the phone, hospitals, doctors’ offices, anywhere the opportunity arises.

3. Soul-Winners are adaptable in their presentation of the Gospel: they realize each witnessing encounter will be unique and different, so they the follow the Lord’s leading in the presentation at that particular time for that particular person. They do not depend on canned approaches, but use their own.

4. Soul-Winners view their interactions with others as divine appointments: they begin each day with a sense of expectation!   Expecting to share Christ with someone.

5. Soul-Winners do not worry about the results: they know they can’t save anyone, they trust the Holy Spirit to convict and draw.

6. Soul-Winners are involved in church evangelism programs but are not limited by them: they witness every day, wherever they go, in addition to being involved in church outreach/ visitation programs.

7. Soul-Winners pray daily for opportunities to share Christ and then they act on it: they pray and look for divine appointments.

Did Jesus mean that our lives should be devoted to the salvation of our friends?  Could Jesus have had our role of evangelism in mind when He said this?  “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:12-13 NIV   What is the longest lasting act of love we can give to others?

Did Jesus tell us to SEND money so others can Go?   Or did he mean for us to actually GO into the world?  BTW – doing both is okay!   Where is the “world” that we are to GO into?  See #2 above.

Are you prepared to open a discussion with your personal testimony?  Have you written it out?   I’ve found that
people argue with my preaching; and they also argue with my teachings; BUT they cannot argue with my testimony; it is true!  And it usually does not start with “Bible thumping”.

Somebody told me that there is little difference between the AA 10 Steps and Conviction in the Bible, first there is recognition of a sin or wrong committed, then there is confessing, and then making amends.  In AA there is relief, with the Holy Spirit there is wonderful joyful worship of Yehovah.  Hmm…?!?!

Point(s) to Ponder

Which of these seven points challenged you?  Where do you want to improve?

Do these seven points describe your M.O.?  (modus operandi)   If not, why not?

Why did He give us this direct command in His final words here on earth?
  “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15
And how good is the “Good News”?!?!

What are some “opening” discussion techniques you have used?
(If you share yours with me; I’ll send all responses back to you, including mine)

♫ “Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere.
            Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.” ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          November 3, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  From a Facebook post by Sam Moore, a Southern Baptist vocational evangelist, on 10/10/20