Opportunity
Check the record. Pentecostal movements have a history of growing during times of difficulty.
Why? Because the Gospel preached by Pentecostals is at the point of need. Real. Where people hurt. It is the message of HOPE that is about God. Eternal. It is the way out that is the real way out.
Folks are hurting. Folks are anxious. Folks are confused. Folks have lost money and jobs. Some have lost homes. Some have lost marriages. Some have pitched their camp with the devil.
It is time for preaching about God's mercy. We need a renewal of preaching about the power of meeting God at an altar. Early in the Book of Genesis we are told "then began men to call upon the Name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). Wise men still seek Him.
Laila gets housebound. After three weeks of not being able to drive and being on her back up to 20 hours per day she wanted out. I took her to church to rest while I visited the hospital and other things. On the way home we saw a yard sale. Pulling to the curb and lowering a car window I asked: "How much for the American flag?" (I like flying the American flag). When the answer was ten cents–including the pole–I knew it was my day. I cut the car motor off. Laila laughs that I left it sitting nearer the middle of the street than the curb. No time to lose!
The lady was moving to Florida. Ten cents kept being repeated as we bought a few things we liked. Then I noticed pillows, sheets, curtains, and other items.
"We work with folks in need, especially people who come to us from other countries. How much for all of those items?"
"Ten cents each," she said. Her family and friends opened our trunk and rear car doors and filled the car until it was difficult to close trunk and doors. "Is there anything else you want?" they asked.
Laila replied: "Yes, a paper bag to put over my head as we go home so people won't know who's riding with him." They laughed. Later they sent another bag to the church.
This is a time of opportunity. Last night I heard of a man outside of Charlottesville who paid $40,000,000 cash for a place to live. He had professionals pick up a huge mansion and move it to another location on his property. Then he built a multi-million-dollar mansion on the old site.
I am not God to judge what he did. However, I have studied man as God made man. The God part of man only gets real satisfaction out of touching God and reaching out to the lives of others. The intrinsic is the only way to reach soul. Our connection with eternity is investment in the lives of others. It is nice to have things. We just have to be sure things do not have us.
Solomon said a living dog is better than a dead lion. Translated this means that when we die our glory fades very quickly. Another man moves into our house. Another man takes possession of our earthly possessions. Another man fills our grave and cuts the grass over it. As time passes fewer people return to a grave to pay respects.
Morbid? No. I speak of HOPE and OPPORTUNITY. Jacob being deceived and believing Joseph his son was dead mourned until he wanted to die. He lived 40 years. We must wake up. We must come out of our stupor. We must shake off the lethargy and seeds of indifference satan (my choice not to capitalize his name) has sowed into the Church (I speak universally). If we do not stand up for righteousness we will miss our opportunity.
God is pouring out His Spirit. Big needs need a big God. Let us seize the moment. Let us seize God.
Join with me. Let us put everything on the table. All that we have. All that we are. All that we hope to be. Let us seek God for the wisdom to maximize our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission. Let the driving motive of our life be: "Lord Jesus, what else can I do that will bring honor and glory to You and your Church?"
We were born for this time! It is our time. Let us refuse to allow the evil one to steal opportunity from us. Let us run casting off every weight. Let us run patiently, yet fervently and with the spirit of a warrior!
Our reward will be eternal.
Pastor Bare
Acts 2:4