The past three days have been glorious, as God worked tremendously in our closed revival meeting. The only announcement for this meeting that was made was on our website, along with a post or two; but this particular meeting I decided was something for our people at New Grace.
God is working in such unusual ways. Evangelist and revivalist John Van Gelderen was the preacher for this meeting. I've never really done a meeting quite like this before...but honestly, a lot of things have been done that many would not call very popular. Dr. John preached on The Heart Cry for Revival to start off the meeting, and followed this message with one called, Aglow with the Indwelling Christ. The response of the people to the spiritual truths in these messages was one of the sweetest experiences I've known here at New Grace Baptist Church. You have to be actively attending New Grace to truly get the feel for the meeting. The people, I believe, heard a description of something they each have been longing for, but have just about given up on. In the evening, Dr. John preached on The Key of Faith detailing the Holy Spirit's role in our faith. Sunday evening concluded with a sweet sweet prayer meeting as people wept and made confession to the Lord. It was as if a group of thirsty saints had their thirst quenched in a glorious way. On Monday evening, Dr. John preached on The Christ Life which detailed Christ's position and power in us. He clarified to us the difference between the omnipresence of God, and the manifested presence of God. The latter is the description of revival. Finally, last night, Dr. Van Gelderen finished the meeting with the message, A Throne Seat. This message focused on our position in Christ. I am so thankful that I have been quickened with Christ, and according to the Word of God, I am seated far above the enemy! I can live the victorious Christian life instead of the defeated Christian life. Though this meeting was small, and unknown; the turn out had Keswick potential. Keswick was a convention out of which spread many great revivals. Why don't we see Keswick potential today? There are many factors. But to name a few, we are too bound to a schedule instead of to the Spirit; sin is not dealt with because pride prevents people from confessing properly—a vital key to accessing the revived Christian life. Also, the evangelist can be to caught up with how many people there are, and how it will benefit him before he decides to preach a meeting. I am so thankful for Evangelist John R. Van Gelderen. He is truly a man used of God, and he is a man who sees where the truestrength lies, and that is in weakness. He is obedient to the Spirit, and not an itinerary; and he is not concerned about man's opinion or applause, which is why he is by far one of my favorite preachers. Finally, we are not seeing meetings with Keswick potential because Satan is seldom resisted. Do you know why so many people get saved during a revival? It's because the glorious gospel of Christ SHINES. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Did you catch that? Satan is blinding the minds of unbelievers because he knows that if they get a mere glimpse of the glorious gospel, they'll get saved. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7)! I will also add that churches are more concerned with the opinions of "great men," over the TRUTH and AUTHORITY of the Word of God. O, beloved, Fan the Flame, PRAY FOR REVIVAL!
The past three days have been glorious, as God worked tremendously in our closed revival meeting. The only announcement for this meeting that was made was on our website, along with a post or two; but this particular meeting I decided was something for our people at New Grace.
God is working in such unusual ways. Evangelist and revivalist John Van Gelderen was the preacher for this meeting. I've never really done a meeting quite like this before...but honestly, a lot of things have been done that many would not call very popular. Dr. John preached on The Heart Cry for Revival to start off the meeting, and followed this message with one called, Aglow with the Indwelling Christ. The response of the people to the spiritual truths in these messages was one of the sweetest experiences I've known here at New Grace Baptist Church. You have to be actively attending New Grace to truly get the feel for the meeting. The people, I believe, heard a description of something they each have been longing for, but have just about given up on. In the evening, Dr. John preached on The Key of Faith detailing the Holy Spirit's role in our faith. Sunday evening concluded with a sweet sweet prayer meeting as people wept and made confession to the Lord. It was as if a group of thirsty saints had their thirst quenched in a glorious way. On Monday evening, Dr. John preached on The Christ Life which detailed Christ's position and power in us. He clarified to us the difference between the omnipresence of God, and the manifested presence of God. The latter is the description of revival. Finally, last night, Dr. Van Gelderen finished the meeting with the message, A Throne Seat. This message focused on our position in Christ. I am so thankful that I have been quickened with Christ, and according to the Word of God, I am seated far above the enemy! I can live the victorious Christian life instead of the defeated Christian life. Though this meeting was small, and unknown; the turn out had Keswick potential. Keswick was a convention out of which spread many great revivals. Why don't we see Keswick potential today? There are many factors. But to name a few, we are too bound to a schedule instead of to the Spirit; sin is not dealt with because pride prevents people from confessing properly—a vital key to accessing the revived Christian life. Also, the evangelist can be to caught up with how many people there are, and how it will benefit him before he decides to preach a meeting. I am so thankful for Evangelist John R. Van Gelderen. He is truly a man used of God, and he is a man who sees where the truestrength lies, and that is in weakness. He is obedient to the Spirit, and not an itinerary; and he is not concerned about man's opinion or applause, which is why he is by far one of my favorite preachers. Finally, we are not seeing meetings with Keswick potential because Satan is seldom resisted. Do you know why so many people get saved during a revival? It's because the glorious gospel of Christ SHINES. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Did you catch that? Satan is blinding the minds of unbelievers because he knows that if they get a mere glimpse of the glorious gospel, they'll get saved. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7)! I will also add that churches are more concerned with the opinions of "great men," over the TRUTH and AUTHORITY of the Word of God. O, beloved, Fan the Flame, PRAY FOR REVIVAL!