PNEUMA: LIVING IN: PRAYER

The Bible shows a difference between the Spirit that is in us because we are Christians and when we are "Filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Peter, an apostle, a Christ follower. Has the Holy Spirit in him because he’s a Christian. But the Bible say in Acts 2:4 that while they were praying all the apostles were “Filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Later in Acts 4:31 it says that Peter was praying and was “filled with the Holy.”

If being “Filled with the Spirit” doesn’t happen when you become a Christian then how do you know when you’ve been filled with the Spirit?

JESUS

Acts 1:5 “...in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;” 

ACTS 2
The Apostles are praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

How did they know they were “Filled with the Holy Spirit”? There was some evidence. Some signs.

• They had fire on their heads
  
• They spoke in tongues

ACTS 8
Peter is on a missionary journey to Samaria.

Acts 8:14   When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18   When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

There was some sort of obvious outward, visual result of being “Filled with the Spirit.” He saw something that told him they were “FIlled”.

How did Simon know they were “Filled with the Holy Spirit”?

• It’s was obvious

ACTS 10
Peter is in Caesarea.

Acts 10:44   While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

How did the circumcised beleivers know the Gentiles were “filled with the Holy Spirit”?

• They heard them speaking in tongues.

ACTS 19
Paul is in Ephesus.

Acts 19:4   Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

How did the people know they were “filled with the Holy Spirit”?

• They spoke in tongues.

We’ve just looked at 4 cases where people were “filled the the Holy Spirit” and what was the common denominator? The common sign?  Speaking in tongues. When you looked at the Bible and at these stories objectively I feel like you have to come to this conclusion.

Q. "If I don’t speak in tongues I am not “Filled with the Holy Spirit?”

A. Every time a person is “Filled with the Spirit” in the new Testament there is something obvious that happens. And the Bible says that this obvious experience is speaking in tongues.

CONFUSION

Speaking in tongues is awkward and uncomfortable because its not explained. So let me highlight two areas of confusion.

1) SHELF LIFE
Many people say that speaking in tongues was an experience for the first century church and was not to be experienced beyond that.

1Cor. 13:8   Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 

It says that “tongues” will stop when perfection comes.

Some say he’s referring to the perfection and completion of the Cannon.  And once the books of the Bible have been collected then tongues, prophecy, and knowledge will pass away.

I would argue Paul is referring to the 2nd Coming of Christ. If you keep reading he talks about this imperfection with words like “childish” and “poor reflection.” And when does this imperfection disappear?  Verse 12 says when “we see face to face” The second coming!

2) ITS PURPOSES
Speaking in Tongues has two purposes.

a) In the public setting.
1 Cor 12 and 14 talked about the different gifts of the Sprit. Everything from healing to faith to to prophecy, to tongues to interpreting tongues and more.

And in this public setting we are encouraged to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit as long as they are done in order. We are encourage to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to encougage the body of Christ in order. 

b) In the private setting.

Jude 20   But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Rom. 8:26   In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Previous Post: Intro, The Person, The Role: Comfort, Guide, Teach, The Role: Convict. Living With: A Listening Ear, Living With: Boldness and Power

Pictures say it all

Screen on the Green post coverage

Yesterday's Screen on the Green was a huge success. The rain missed us by just a couple of miles or so. Our volunteers rose to the challenge. Many of them going beyond the call of duty.

To put this year in context, last year we averaged around 120 each month. Yesterday we had more than 210 people. It was packed even after we expanded our borders. We ran out of popcorn and drinks because we weren't anticipating the crowds. When I asked for a show of hands how many had been to a previous Screen on the Green only 25% raised there hands. It was great to see and talk to many new faces and many new people in the community.   Had a handful of great conversations about Crossings last night as well.

It was an amazing movie night and a great start to a summer of fun.

Next movie: Horton Hears a who, July 17

Screen on the Green...T-54hrs

This Friday...first Screen on the Green for the year. Mailers went out. Door hangers hung. Volunteers ready. Excitement in the air.

6 years

Six years ago today I committed to a life long relationship. I married Beth Maracacci. The best decision of my life. She is a wonderful wife, mom, and friend. I am extremely blessed. The past six years have been full of victories and defeats and I can guartantee I would not be here if it wasn't for her.

Thanks Beth for a great 6 years. I love you and look forward to the years to come.

pneuma: Living With: Boldness and Power

We miss out on what the Holy Spirit is doing because: 1) we aren’t listening 2) we aren’t bold.

The book of Acts highlights the drastic difference between the American church and the first century church.

Acts 4:1   The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Timid
The life of Peter and John is lived in drastic contrast to my life.  I am not praying for the sick, defending my faith with boldness in adversity.  People know I’m a Christian, but there’s a difference in people knowing that I’m a Christian and Peter and John walking with power and boldness.

I would purpose that the majority of us are more educated than Peter and John and yet less bold. When shouldn’t it be the opposite. The more you know about Christ and the life with him, shouldn’t you live expecting greater things than Peter and John.  But it’s not the case. Were timid. Were afraid. We don’t share our faith let alone pray for the sick and believe and expect the supernatural to happen.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PETER AND JOHN

1) Ordinary Men

Acts 4:13 "they were unschooled, ordinary men."

They did have seminary degrees. They’re normal. And yet something was different about them.  They carried a boldness I don’t have. They carried a since of power and authority that I don’t have.

2) Astonishing Crowds

Acts 4:13“The Sanhedrin realized they were unschooled, ordinary men and they were astonished.”

Are people astonished at your faith and boldness. Do people carry this sense of awe and wonder when they look at you and the mark you leave behind.

3) Desperate for More
Peter and John felt like they were lacking in boldness and power. 

Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

They prayed for more boldness.

Holy Spirit

Now lets look at these same stories through the lens of the Holy Spirit

Jesus says, 

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;”

And so in Acts 2 the Disciples are in the upper room praying and seeking God waiting for what Jesus had talked about. 

Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”

What was the by-product? And incredible about of boldness. Peter, this unschooled man, stand up in front of thousands and preaches and 3000 people put there faith in Christ. 

What’s the by-product? The very next chapter, chapter 3, Peter and John in the power of the Holy Spirit heal a crippled man. 

This then brings us to the beginning text. 

Acts 4:8, which says, “The Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” 

He spoke in boldness not because he had a seminary degree. But because he is filled with the Holy Spirit.  So, Peter, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, prays for boldness in Acts 4:29.

Acts 4:31   After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

There’s some correlation between the Holy Spirit and Boldness. And the Holy Sprit and Power.

TWO OBSERVATIONS
1) Being a Christian does not mean being filled with the Holy Spirit
You can be a great Christian. Love God. Go to heaven. Serve in Church. And Not be filled with the Holy Spirit.  It’s not that you are a second rate Christian. Its just that you are not tapping into the benefit of the Holy Spirit. That which Jesus had talked about.

If being filled with the Holy Spirit was something that came at salvation then there was no need for Peter, a man filled with the Holy Spirit be filled with the Holy Spirit again in Acts 4:31 unless being filled with the Holy Spirit is an experience all by itself independent of salvation.

Putting your faith in Jesus is not the finish line. It’s the starting line of a life with Christ. And there is an experience that comes from the Holy Sprit that must be pursued as a Christian.

2) We should pray for the source, not the by-product.
We need to be praying for the source. Not the by-product.  The source is the “Filling of the Holy Spirit” The by-product of the experience of “Boldness” and “Power”

We don't see the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit in our lives because we have not embraced and pursued, and prayed for the source. We have not pursued a life with the Holy Spirit. We have not embraced what Jesus says as the benefit of the Holy Spirit

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Shoot straight with me

From my experience working with 20/30-somethings for the past 6 years is that they want you to shoot strait with them.  If you don't come out and say what you believe and instead you skirt the real issue and dodge the bullets, you will loose credibility.

There is this temptation in our culture to shy away from things that could bring division, to skirt the tough subjects, and speak with exceptional vagueness.  

This helps no one.  They would rather have you shoot straight with them than be agreeable.   Honesty is more admirable. 

Pneuma: Living With: A Listening Ear

There is a benefit in living with the Holy Spirit.  I would suggest there is a difference between that and “Living In the Spirit.” Maybe my differentiation would be:

• “Living in the Spirit” is learning to live more spiritual in a physical world.
  
• “Living with the Spirit” is learning to live more human in a spiritual world. 

One of the ways in which we can live with the Holy Spirit is when we are able to hear the Holy Spirit.

Rev 2:7, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Holy Spirit is speaking. Are we listening.

And Revelation 2:7 is pretty inclusive.  Basically the prerequisite in hearing the Holy Spirit is to be human.

WHAT HINDERS OUR HEARING

1) We live noisy lives.

We are constantly on the move. We have busy people. We constantly have either the TV on or the iPod playing or on the internet.  And then we wonder why it seems impossible to hear from God.

We are literally not giving the Holy Spirit an opportunity to speak through the noise.  We would hear the Holy Spirit a lot better if we just became still. And listened.

Psa. 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; 

2) Our prayer life is more about asking and less about listening.
Revelation 2:7 does not say, “He who has a mouth, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Why? Because to hear requires your ears, not your mouth.  But for some reason when we pray we think all we need is a mouth. But how are we going to hear if all we are doing is talking.

If your anything like me sometimes I will force myself to be still and quite and listen to what the Spirit is saying. I’ll hear something from God.  And I walk away feeling refreshed and inspired. But then I wonder. How much have I missing.  I have been missing out on hearing what the Spirit is saying this whole time.

John 10:27 My sheep recognize my voice….”

We hear nothing because we have grown accustom to the noise. So when the noise stops the silence becomes awkward. But the more you practice silence the easier it will be to hear the Holy Spirit.

WHAT HELPS OUR HEARING

1) Journaling

• It allows you to reflect on how your growing. 
  
• It reinforces what your reading and hearing.
  
• It will stimulate transformation. 
  
• It helps you be present

2) Obedience
The more your obey the more you will hear.

If you hear something from the Holy Spirit. Be it conviction or a challenge, and your suppress the voice of the Holy Spirit. The harder it is to hear later.  On the flip side, If you hear from the Holy Spirit to do this or do that and you obey. It will be substantially easier to hear from the Holy Spirit the second time.

Previous Post: Intro, The Person, The Role: Comfort, Guide, Teach, The Role: Convict.

What I'm learning about church planting: Seasons

The structure of our world is built on the principle of season. In agricultural terms, there's a season to plant and a season the harvest. In relational terms, there's a season to date and then possibly down the road a season for marriage. A season or prosperity, a season of want. Everything falls underneath the system of seasons.

Church Planting is no exception.

Whether you like it or not, you don't get to pick the season you are in. You must embrace the season. Don't fight it. You may not like it but it is just for a season.

I look at Crossings Church and see a season of planting. I have no idea how long the season will last, no one ever does. But I do know it's just a season and that there will be a season of harvest.

I took a while for me to really embrace this idea. I was constantly beating myself up and finding myself on more extreme emotional roller coasters because I was trying to fight against the season. But once I started embracing the season we are in I became more content and satisfied with were God has brought us.

Church Planters.....Embrace the Season.  It will save you much grief.

Previous post in this series: managing emotions, volunteer placement, optimism, front door

28

I turned 28 today. Birthdays are times of reflection for me, and looking back I am convinced I am a blessed man.

-A wonderful wife of 6 years (who threw me a great party today).
-Two wonderful boys.
-A fabulous church family that I love dearly and am proud to pastor.
-Family and friends that have and are supporting me on this wild journey of church planting.

Thanks God for a wonderful 28 years.

Angels & Demons

I don't read much fiction.  It's got have either a lot of buzz or controversy surrounding it to get my attention.  Rather than riding the wave of reactionary Christians my philosophy is to explore the books myself.  That why I've read the HP books, DaVinci Code, and the Shack.  

With that said, I just finished Dan Brown's Angels & Demons.  Great book.  Now it's time to see the movie.

Pneuma: The Role: Convict

John 16: 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Convict vs. Condemn

They are similar in that they both intend on bringing change though they go about it in drastically different ways.

1) Conviction continues until you confess. Condemnation continues however after confession.

John 8:3-11

The religious leaders of that time were condemning a woman caught in the act of adulatory . There was no apology or remorse that could have appeased the religious. Regardless of heart, the act warranted a stoning.  Condemnation continues regardless your remorse or confession. Conviction however, subsides once you get right with God.

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

2) Convictions pushes us toward Jesus in an act of dependency, Condemnation pushes us away from Jesus in shame.

Who was the woman caught in adultery drawn towards?  Jesus.  When you screw up you feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. That convictions highlights our own weakness and frailty and augments our dependancy upon God.

Grace in our habitual sins emphesis two things.

   a) God’s faithfulness to convict us with mercy
   b) Conviction pushes us towards him in dependancy.

The Holy Spirit Convicts in Three Ways

John 16:8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

SIN
“ in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me”

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

I love what Oswald Chambers says in Dec 7 of “My Utmost for his Highest.”

“Conviction of sin is one of the most uncommon things that ever happens to a person. It is the beginning of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came he would convict people of sin. And when the Holy Spirit stirs a person’s conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not that person’s relationships with others that bothers him but his relationships with God--”Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight…” (Psalm 51:4). O. Chambers

RIGHTEOUSNESS
There is nothing we can do, or say, or be, that will make us righteous or holy enough. Jesus is saying, “I am going to the father, where you are “Not Righteous” enough to follow.

JUDGEMENT
We to often play the role of Judge. We judge others and God. We become Judge because we think we are better, smarter, wiser, and can make better decisions. And the Holy Spirit is here to convicts us of these thoughts of arrogance. 

Rev. 12:10 states that Satan is the accuser. He falsely judges us. Condemns us. And the more we judge the more we are like him.

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Conclusion

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus leaves and says, “I am sending the Holy Spirit, and this is for your benefit.” It is a benefit to you and me that the Holy Spirit is here to convict us. Because it if wasn’t for the conviction of the Holy Spirit we would not know our sin, our unrighteousness, and our arrogance.

The Holy Spirit convicts not because he hates you. Not because he want’s to get even. Not because he want’s to embarrass you. He convicts you because he Loves you.

Rev. 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

The Holy Spirit convicts us because he loves us.

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One step closer to freedom

A couple of weeks ago we paid off the car.  What a great feeling.  Our title came in the mail a couple of days ago. I wanted to frame it and hang it on the wall like businesses do with the first dollar they make.  

What a wonderful feeling to be one step closer to freedom.

Don't listen to me...

Kevin and Carly started coming to Crossings last August.  Since then they have become actively involved in the church.  A couple of months back we dedicated there little one.  Great times, Great couple.  

Recently she posted some kind thoughts about Crossings Church on her blog.  

I've never been in a more community/relational driven church. It really feel like a "church family," as churchy as that sounds. It's a great church, so if you're from Richmond and you need friends that will love you and meet you where you are, come this Sunday and see us! :)

Thanks Carly!  

Carly has a booth at the Strawberry festival this Saturday.  She selling beads to stop poverty in Africa.  If your going to the festival stop by and say "hi' to Carly.