Spirit-Filled Life Conference

This past weekend at Calvary Chapel Sydney we hosted a conference on the Holy Spirit-filled life.  We were blessed to have two pastors share with us currently ministering in New Zealand, Mark Walsh and Scott Clifford.  All who attended were no doubt encouraged, challenged, and strengthened in our walks with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  It was a great opportunity for the fellowship to gather together, open the Word of God, and enter into the presence of the LORD.  I have no doubt that it was fruitful and will continue to be so as we appropriate all God has for us by His grace.

I would say Christians are quite at ease with the idea of God revealed in the person of the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ.  But the same people can be uneasy with the operations of the Holy Spirit.  The reservations people have about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives can be infinite.  If we were to do a word association with "baptism with the Holy Spirit," I wouldn't be surprised if words like "weird" or "wrong" were suggested.  But there is nothing weird about the Holy Spirit taking up residence in you through faith in Christ for salvation, and it is no more strange that this same Spirit of God who empowered Christ to do signs and wonders empowers Christians for service and ministry today.  It would be wrong for a Christian to try to do God's work without the power of God working within and through them.  Our God is supernaturally natural.  One of the primary hindrances of stepping out in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit is it requires faith.  When people are willing to take the initial step of surrender and obedience to God's leading in faith, that alone clears a huge amount of mental hurdles out of the way.

One point made at the conference which really stuck with me was the hindrance of unbelief in relation to walking in the Spirit.  During a Q & A session, the pastors discussed how many people think it is the volume of faith we have which makes the difference.  They attempt to muster up faith to a degree that it will tip the balance of the scales away from unbelief and then healing or answer to a prayer will come.  This is not the case.  It is the presence of unbelief which stays God's hand.  Jesus said that if a man has faith the size of a mustard seed, he can command a mountain to be moved into the ocean and it would obey.  A mustard seed was one of the smallest reference points of Christ's day.  In our day we might say "a molecule of faith" or "an atom of faith."  The smallest amount of genuine faith without doubt and unbelief frees God to do His wonders.

Another point of emphasis was how the Holy Spirit is the Conductor of the symphony in the Body of Christ (the church), which is not comprised of gifted soloists who work independently of each other.  As musicians tune their instruments with one another, so Christians are instruments in God's hands tuned through the Holy Spirit with one another in concert.  God has given each Christian gifts for the glory of God and the edification of the church and Christ as He wills.  Quoting pastor Scott, "When you overplay your strength it becomes your weakness."  It is good for a believer to receive gifts from God and walk in them.  If your gift is evangelism, the temptation might be to be dissatisfied with the lack of evangelistic activities in your church,stir up dissension or leave.  God has made you an evangelist, but it doesn't mean everyone has that gift!  Your role then is to further cultivate that gift and appreciate the other gifts God has given.  Instead of magnifying your gift or office, do all for the glory of God and serve one another in love.

One pastor emphasized that in all things we are the weak link.  Is God's hand shortened that He cannot save?  Are His ears and eyes closed to the requests and needs of His people?  Certainly not!  A dangerous tendency is to filter scripture through our experience and adapt it accordingly.  Let us say a man has never seen a person miraculously healed.  He then assumes that the gift of healing and miracles must no longer be in operation today because he has never observed it.  Is this scriptural?  No!  Mark 16:17-20 says, "And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." ¹⁹ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."  The Bible says this healing is a sign which will follow those who believe.  We must always take God at His Word, even as we believe we have assurance of salvation through the Gospel.  Unless I believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today, I will never desire them, ask for them specifically, or exercise them.  Of course I will not see divine healing!  Jesus says in John 14:12-14, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."  Jesus is right and true, I can be wrong and deceived.  I am the weak link, not Jesus!

When I reflect upon the weekend, I see it all as a huge answered prayer.  The fact that many people came was a testimony of God's faithfulness and goodness.  It was awesome how God drew people to unite and worship in His name.  We did very little in the way of advertising except occasional announcements and reminder emails, but people came!  I asked the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment and He did so.  As we worshiped together, prophetic words of encouragement were shared with the group.  There were prayers for healing and restoration.  A tongue and an interpretation was given.  All was done decently and in biblical order, and I came away from each meeting knowing I had been in the presence of God.

Thanks to all those who prayed for the event, attended, served, and shared.  May our faith continue to grow as we seek to walk in the Spirit continually.  Heavenly Father, grant us the strength and ability to take the next step of faith as you entreat us.  Not to us, but to you be the glory both now and forever!