PRE-407-407. Receiving the Holy Spirit

407. Receiving the Holy Spirit

Receiving the Holy Spirit

by David Wilkerson

September 13, 2004

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

'93According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue'94 (2Pe_1:3).

For years I'92ve claimed to be filled with the Spirit. I have testified that I'92ve been baptized in the Spirit. I'92ve preached that the Holy Spirit empowers me to witness, and that he sanctifies me. I'92ve prayed in the Spirit, talked to the Spirit, walked in the Spirit and heard his voice. I truly believe the Holy Spirit is the power of God.

I can take you to the place where I was filled with the Spirit, at eight years of age. I still remember my tears and my heart'92s cry to the Lord. I recall the incredible vision of Christ I received. And I remember the passion for Jesus that resulted from that experience. The Holy Spirit has been my friend and close comfort ever since.

I'92ve read everything that Scripture says about the Holy Spirit, from Genesis to Revelation. I'92ve preached on Pentecost, on the need to be filled with the Spirit, on our bodies being temples of the Spirit. And I trust that the Spirit has spoken through me to his church.

Yet, lately, I'92ve found myself praying, '93Lord, have I truly received your Holy Spirit? Do I really know this incredible power that lives in me? Or is the Spirit just a doctrine to me? Am I somehow ignoring him? Am I not asking him to do for me what he came to do? Am I still carrying things, still doing things on my own, that he came to do for me?'94

The fact is, you can have something very valuable and not know it. And you can'92t enjoy what it is you have, because you don'92t understand how valuable it is.

There'92s a story about a farmer who worked his small farm his whole life. For decades he tilled the rocky soil, living poor and finally dying in discontent. At his death, the farm was passed down to his son. One day, while plowing, the son found a gold-streaked nugget. He had it appraised and was told it was pure gold. The young man soon discovered that the farm was full of gold. Instantly, he became a wealthy man. Yet that wealth was lost on his father, even though it was on the land his whole life.

So it is with the Holy Spirit. Many of us live in ignorance of what we have, of the power that resides in us. Some Christians live their entire lives thinking they have the Holy Spirit, yet they haven'92t truly received him in fullness and power. He isn'92t accomplishing in them the eternal work he was sent to do.

Now, I'92m not talking about manifestations. Often, some believers seek the Spirit only when they'92re in trouble and want him to manifest himself. They hope he'92ll come down and sweep away their problems. But Peter says that'92s not the truth about the Spirit. According to him, we have the treasure within us: '93His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness'94 (2Pe_1:3, italics mine).

At the Jordan River, John the Baptist told the Pharisees, '93I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not'94 (Joh_1:26). Those religious leaders saw Jesus in the flesh, and they heard him speak. But they had no understanding of who he was. They didn'92t know about his power and glory.

Likewise, Jesus asked his own disciple, Philip, '93Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?'94 (14:9). I want to ask you a similar question: how long have you testified that you'92ve been filled with the Holy Spirit? Could the Spirit possibly say to you, as the Lord did to Philip, '93Have I been with you all these years, yet you really don'92t know me'94?

I sometimes wonder if Christians today aren'92t measuring up to the believers of Paul'92s day

Something seems to be missing in the church today. We all know that Christians in the first century faced great afflictions. They endured severe testings, hard times, persecutions that were life-and-death. But they didn'92t break down under the stress.

Paul says the church in Thessalonica endured the loss of their homes and possessions, everything they owned. Yet these believers weren'92t rocked by the experience. He attributes their strength to the power of the Holy Spirit: '93Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance '85 and ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost'94 (1Th_1:5-6).

Paul then describes the testimony that came from their joyful endurance: '93Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word [the testimony] of the Lord '85 [and] in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad [spoken of all around]'94 (1:7'968).

These believers had been '93much afflicted,'94 yet they possessed true joy. They faced hardships and sufferings like no other body of that time. They lived with pressures you and I can'92t possibly fathom. Surely their marriages were tested during those hard times. The devil must have come against those families at their weakest, stirring up problems of all kinds.

But the pastors and saints in that church wouldn'92t quit. They didn'92t complain about their circumstances. And they didn'92t question God'92s testings. Instead, there was rejoicing among that body of believers. And Paul told them, '93You'92re the talk of the nations! Your joy during your hard times has amazed and touched others, near and far.'94

These Christians had truly received the Holy Ghost. I wonder: what did they know about the power of the Spirit that so few Christians today seem to know? What is missing? Where is the joy of the Holy Ghost in our times of trial and affliction?

Never in church history have so many believers been so discouraged.

In all my years of ministry, I'92ve never seen so many believers under such affliction. There has never been a time like this, with families facing financial crises, enduring marital struggles, despairing over children in rebellion.

Right now, pastors all over the world are becoming disillusioned. They'92re exhausted by their labors and heavyhearted because they see so little fruit. And their wives and families are being overwhelmed. These men are quitting by the hundreds in every nation. The leader of a large Pentecostal denomination recently told me, '93Pastors are leaving left and right, and churches are closing by the dozens.'94

Here is a typical letter we receive from ministers: '93I pastor a good-size church. But my labors are so unfulfilling, so discouraging. I'92m growing desperate to see something happen, some kind of breakthrough. I don'92t know why I'92m so anxious, or even what I want to see. But there has to be more than this. What am I missing?'94

My son Gary and I travel the world conducting gatherings of pastors and their wives. Yet everywhere we go, we see pandemic despair. Most pastors in poor countries have to work secular jobs to support themselves. There is little or no money for their families or even their ministries. And their poverty is worsening.

Over the past few months, our advance team has met with pastors in very poor nations. At one meeting, ministers came from various denominations. Within minutes after our videotaped presentation began, those men started to weep. The sight brought tears to our team'92s eyes. The broken pastors explained, '93We'92re so discouraged. We work so hard, yet we see so little results. And we have no finances. Even if Brother Dave were to come to our country and speak, we couldn'92t afford to travel to the meetings. We can'92t even pay for our families'92 necessities. And our work is so hard, so trying. We'92re seeing many suicides, especially among young people. We feel so abandoned.'94

Our ministry rents buses so these ministers can travel to our gatherings. But many are so poor, they can'92t afford lodging, so they camp outside in tents. Last year, in South America, one man traveled ten hours to get to our meeting. He didn'92t have money for the return trip, so our team prayed and was led to give him $1,000. When the pastor heard this, he wept. '93That'92s a year'92s salary,'94 he told us.

In America, the great problem is stress. There is widespread anxiety about the future, about job security. Some families are on the verge of losing everything. It'92s causing stress at work and at home, and people are succumbing to despair.

As a pastor, it'92s absolutely heartbreaking to see the many troubles facing Christians. Fathers and husbands are demoralized because they don'92t have jobs or are underpaid. They can'92t possibly support their family, and they'92re falling deep into debt. Multitudes of elderly people are in excruciating pain because they can'92t pay for their medications. The government can'92t solve these problems. Politicians hold only empty promises.

As we survey all these needs, all these pressing trials, we'92re driven to our knees. Day after day, we cry out to God, '93Lord, what message can we offer? What can we preach to bring healing and encouragement to afflicted believers?'94 We feel the awful pain, yet we know we can'92t simply offer platitudes. We refuse to bring a shallow message of human sympathy, saying, '93Don'92t be down. The sun will rise soon.'94

No, more is needed than mere pity or a pep talk. The Word of God must come forth, giving power to withstand every onslaught of trials.

This is not the message I started out to deliver.

As I pondered the afflictions, despair and suffering, I thought, '93This is all because of satanic attack.'94 Immediately, I began working on a message called, '93War on the Saints.'94

In Revelation, we find Satan giving power to something called '93the beast.'94 '93It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations'94 (Rev_13:7).

As I put the words together '97 '93Power to make war '85 against the saints '85 to overcome them'94 '97 I began to reason: '93That'92s it. This is why God'92s people are being so afflicted right now. It'92s the power of the beast. That'92s who is behind all the poverty, all the problems in families and marriages. A mad dragon is empowering a wicked government. Our leaders are being manipulated by wicked coalitions and special interest groups. The devil is forcing his agenda on our society.

'93This is outright war against God'92s elect. It'92s about a mad enemy overcoming the faith of the saints, causing them to lose all trust in God. Multitudes of believers have become stagnant in their faith. And others have already been overcome. Their faith is shipwrecked. They became so discouraged, they finally gave up.

'93As I look around at what'92s happening in our country, it can'92t be denied. The devil has spewed out of his mouth a flood of iniquity. He has brought forth a flood of afflictions against God'92s people. And many are being carried away in that flood.'94

Jesus spoke of an '93hour of power'94 that would take place for the rulers of darkness. When he was led from the garden, he told his captors, '93This is your hour, and the power of darkness'94 (Luk_22:53). The Greek word for '93hour'94 here means '93a short season.'94 In that hour of darkness, the beast would overcome Peter for a short season. Christ had warned him, '93Satan is going to come against you, to sift you and try you.'94

Yet here is the question Jesus really was asking: '93Yes, an hour of darkness will come, not just upon Israel but on the whole world. I will not be here then, but my Spirit will. I am sending him to sustain you through every trial. He will abide in the hearts of all who believe in me. So, when that time of darkness comes, will you believe?'94

We are now seeing the beginning of Satan'92s last hour of power.

Both in Daniel and Revelation, we'92re warned about this last hour of gross darkness, which will cover the whole earth. And for a short season, it will look as if Satan is winning on all fronts.

Even now, there are ominous signs of such darkness. Our nation seems to be spinning into chaos. Television and the Internet spew filth into homes. Institutions that have undergirded our society appear to be crumbling and falling. Think about the recent controversy over the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. It seems hell has gained victory on this battlefront, casting aside all moral restraints.

Most tragic of all, Satan seems to have brought down the church in defeat. He has cast a spirit of death over God'92s house, so that multitudes cry, '93I can'92t find a church where the Spirit is at work. Everywhere I look, there'92s no fire, no conviction. It'92s dead.'94

You may say, '93Brother Dave, you make it sound so bleak. It all seems so discouraging.'94 But the truth is, Satan has been given only a short time. That'92s why he'92s bringing forth everything of hell he possibly can.

Yet God foresaw it all. He wasn'92t taken by surprise by any of the wickedness we'92re seeing. No, he'92s had a plan in place for his people all along. He formed this plan before Creation. And it'92s a plan not just for our survival, but for us to overcome.

Only one thing conquers and dispels darkness, and that is light. Isaiah declared, '93The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light'94 (Isa_9:2). Likewise, John stated, '93The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not'94 (Joh_1:5).

Light represents understanding. When we say, '93I see the light,'94 we'92re saying, '93Now I understand.'94 Do you see what Scripture is saying? The Lord is about to open our eyes, not to see a victorious devil but to receive new revelation. Our God has sent us his Holy Ghost, whose power is greater than all the powers of hell: '93Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world'94 (1Jn_4:4).

Now, in Revelation we read of hell spewing forth locusts and scorpions that have great power. We read of a dragon, beasts, horned creatures, as well as a coming Antichrist. Yet, we don'92t know the meaning of all these creatures. The fact is, we don'92t have to. We don'92t need to worry about the Antichrist or the mark of the beast.

You see, there is living in us the Spirit of Almighty God and his Christ. Paul declares that the power of the Holy Spirit is working in us. In other words, the Holy Ghost is alive in us at this very moment.

So, how does the Spirit work in us in the midst of our hard times? His power is released only as we receive him as our burden bearer. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason, to bear our cares and worries. So, how can we say we'92ve received him if we haven'92t turned over our burdens to him?

Think about it: the Holy Ghost isn'92t shut up in glory, but here, abiding in us. And he'92s waiting anxiously to take control of every situation in our lives, including our afflictions. So, if we continue in fear '97 despairing, questioning, going deeper into anxiety '97 then we haven'92t received him as our comforter, helper, guide, rescuer and strength.

You may object, '93The Holy Spirit was sent to empower us to be Christ'92s witnesses.'94 That'92s true, but what comprises our witness? Is it merely telling people about Jesus? Is it simply quoting the Bible? Is it just praying for people? These things are all a part of our witness, to be sure '97 but they don'92t comprise all of it.

No, the witness to the world is the Christian who has cast his every burden on the Holy Spirit. Like the Thessalonians, this believer sees overwhelming problems all around, and yet he has the joy of the Lord. He trusts God'92s Spirit for his comfort, and for guidance out of his affliction. And he has a powerful testimony to a lost world, because he embodies joy despite being surrounded by darkness. His life tells the world, '93This person has seen the light.'94

Such a Christian has truly '93received'94 the Holy Spirit, because he allows the Spirit to provide everything he needs to overcome. A downcast believer simply isn'92t a testimony.

Consider the example of Paul'92s life. This great apostle spoke of having the '93sentence of death'94 upon him: '93We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead'94 (2Co_1:9). He explains, '93We were pressed down, burdened, beyond strength. We even despaired of life. We were utterly at a loss, with no way of escape.'94

As Paul looked at his dire situation '97 afflictions, troubles, hunger, persecution, cold, nakedness, imprisonment, a thorn in his flesh, cares and anxieties over churches, plots and attempts on his life '97 his response was, '93This is the end. There'92s no way out. Humanly speaking, there'92s only one response I can see, and that'92s death. The only way out of this trial is to die and be with Jesus.'94

Beloved, God allowed every one of Paul'92s trials. And it forced the apostle not to rely on himself, but to fully trust the Holy Spirit to deliver him. Scripture says, '93And having done all, to stand'94 (Eph_6:13). We'92re being told, in essence, '93You'92ve exhausted all your human efforts. You'92ve tried to solve your own problems, and you'92ve come to the end of yourself. Now let God do it all. He will accomplish your deliverance, by the Spirit who lives in you.'94

Paul is talking about more than a passive sigh of, '93Oh, I'92ll trust God with this.'94 No, he'92s speaking of being so helpless, so resigned, that you have to rely on a '93God which raiseth the dead'94 (2Co_1:9). His conclusion was, '93God alone is able to deliver me from this hopeless '91death'92 situation. Only his Spirit can resurrect an entirely new way of deliverance.'94

Paul trusted the power of the Spirit, and God delivered.

'93Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us'94 (2Co_1:10). What an incredible statement. Paul is saying, '93The Spirit delivered me out of a hopeless situation. He'92s delivering me even now. And he will continue to deliver me, in all my afflictions.'94

Let me sum it all up: receiving the Holy Spirit isn'92t evidenced by some emotional manifestation. (Yet I do believe there are manifestations of the Spirit.) What I'92m talking about is receiving the Spirit through a quiet, ever-growing knowledge. Receiving him means having an ever-increasing light about his delivering power, his burden bearing, his provision.

I repeat Peter'92s words: '93According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue'94 (2Pe_1:3). According to Peter, the divine power of the Spirit doesn'92t come as a manifestation. He comes first '93through the knowledge of him that hath called us.'94

'93And of his fullness have all we received'94 (Joh_1:16). Moreover, the Holy Spirit is not fully received until he is fully in charge. We simply haven'92t received him if we haven'92t given him complete control. We have to cast ourselves totally into his care.

Let me give a final example, to illustrate this. In Gen_19:1-38, we find Lot and his family in a terrible crisis. Judgment was about to fall on their city, Sodom, and so God had sent his angels to deliver them. Lot opened his door to these messengers of the Lord, and they entered the house. They had the power of heaven to deliver that whole family. But the angels weren'92t received.

You see, Lot'92s wife couldn'92t conceive of changing her life. As she heard the angels urging her husband to leave Sodom, she must have thought, '93I don'92t want to leave my nice house, my furniture, all my friends. Surely that can'92t be God'92s will. I'92ll pray that the Lord delays his judgment. He has to work a miracle for me.'94

In the end, the angels had to force their will on Lot and his family, dragging them out of Sodom. God'92s plan all along was to deliver them in the process of fleeing. He was going to feed and clothe and take care of them. But, as we all know, Lot'92s wife looked back and died, turning into a pillar of salt.

The angels'92 message was clear: '93If you want God to be in control, then you have to give up the reigns. If you look to him for deliverance, you'92ve got to let go of your plans and be willing to go his way.'94 In short, the Holy Spirit doesn'92t use his power to deliver doubters. Unbelief aborts his work. We have to be willing to let him make changes in our lives, if that is God'92s chosen way of delivering us.

In my opinion, many believers today haven'92t experienced deliverance because they'92re holding onto their own plans. I ask you: are you willing to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you? You haven'92t received him unless you'92ve gone to him with every burden you have. I urge you, go to prayer and name every crisis you'92re facing: '93Here it is, Holy Spirit. I turn this situation over to you. And I trust that your power abides in me. I'92m not going to lose sleep over this matter. I give it to you.'94 Then trust!

You simply have to take your eyes off your condition. Yes, there is darkness all around. But you have seen the light. Are you willing to trust the Lord to carry you through? Believe the Word he has given you: '93Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us'94 (2Co_1:10).

By: David Wilkerson