Friday, March 4, 2016
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
Ye shall receive power, Amigos!
On a recent trip to Panama I was chatting with some pastors. One made a comment that stuck out to me. He said that most of the so-called Pentecostal churches there no longer speak in tongues or even talk about the subject. Interestingly, on my way to Panama I ran into an old acquaintance in the airport. He made a similar statement regarding churches here in Tucson: “It’s hard to find a spirit-filled church here.” Those thoughts led me down a familiar path: We need to teach folks about the baptism with the Spirit. I want to share some simple principles to help you in praying for others to be baptized with the Spirit and speak with tongues.
1) There are many ways to receive, but simple faith in God’s Word always works. Faith comes from the Word. Show them scripture. Rom 10:17
2) They will receive by faith: Mk 11:24 When we pray, you will receive!
3) Read Acts 2:1-4 and note with them 3 things
a) They all spoke. No one is left out.
b) They did the speaking. God will not speak for you. He will only give you words. You must speak them.
c) They spoke with a language they did not understand. You can’t speak in English and tongues at the same time. Don’t pray in your natural language.
4) Read Luke 11:9-13
a) Jesus says that everyone receives. He does not lie.
b) It is a gift from your Father. There is nothing you can do to deserve it. He wants you to have it more than you want to take care of your kids.
c) Only two requirements
i) God must be your Father (Ye must be born again)
ii) You must ask.
5) Verify their understanding and readiness. Be sure they are Born-Again and that they want the Holy Spirit baptism. Let them ask questions.
6) Read Acts 8:17 “They laid hands on them to receive.”
7) Explain what will happen, then do it. (We will pray, I will lay my hands on you, you will receive, you will be able speak. Stay positive – God will honor His Word)
a) Lead them in a simple prayer confessing Jesus as Lord and asking God to fill them with the Holy Spirit.
b) Lay hands on their forehead and say, “Be filled with the Spirit.”
c) Begin to pray in tongues out loud. (Do not allow them to speak in English.)
d) Encourage them to speak out what is in their heart. We believe you received when we prayed!
Scripture Reading: And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4-5 NKJV)
Somebody Said: “Lord, send the old-time power, the Pentecostal power!
Thy floodgates of blessing, on us throw open wide!
Lord, send the old-time power, the Pentecostal power!
That sinners be converted and Thy Name glorified!” by Charles H. Gabriel, 1912
For me, the baptism of the Spirit is an integral part of my Christian experience. I shudder to think that a new generation will not know this powerful gift. The question is, who will tell them if we don’t? The answer: no one. Be bold. Believe that God wants people to receive more than you do. He will not hold back, and you shouldn’t either. If ever the world needed a powerful witness of Jesus Christ, it is now. Let’s do this!!!
Pastor Virgil Stokes
FCF of Tucson
3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-792-FCFT
http://www.fcftucson.org
pastorvirgil.com 