|
| Are There Holy Spirit Directed Meetings? |
|
| |
14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Can the Holy Spirit direct a meeting, without the help and control of a human leader? Yes indeed! It is an awesome thing to behold if we let it happen. It is a deeply moving experience.
The early Quakers sought to have Spirit led meetings. They had no pastors to direct their church services. They gathered and sat in silence, waiting for the Holy Spirit to prompt different individuals into action.
At the Spirit’s leading someone would begin a song. Someone else might share an idea that the Spirit put in his or her mind. Another person would offer a Spirit led prayer. Someone else might present a short teaching. Someone else might begin to weep or to rejoice.
The Quakers didn’t invent this form of worship. They found it in the New Testament. This is the way Christians are commanded to worship in I Corinthians 14:26
Christians are also commanded: “Quench not the Holy Spirit.” That means we are not to hold back the Holy Spirit or refuse to obey Him. Unfortunately, however, our modern church structure frequently compels us to quench the Spirit. (For example, if a person is led by the Spirit to go to the altar and pray during the sermon, they almost always disobey and quench the Spirit so as not to be out of the traditional order of the meeting.)
Openly Spirit led meetings are difficult to find. I have been searching for them for years. An informal group that I was involved with in college had frequent Spirit led meetings and they changed my life. God often showed up in supernatural power. He touched me deeply by allowing me to see many of my brothers and sisters obeying the Holy Spirit in meetings.
It only takes two or there to have a Spirit led meeting. Sometimes my wife and I will gather with two or three other people and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. It is awesome how God shows up. (Sometimes when just my wife and I pray together our prayer can become routine, but when we allow the Spirit to freely lead us, even our prayers together are moving.)
Our traditional methods of having church are not reaching our society. Sermons and ritual are not working to influence people to follow and obey God and His principles. Something else is needed. Our churches and our world desperately need actual demonstrations of the power and presence of God. We need Holy Spirit led meetings and Holy Spirit led lives!
Thirty minutes after writing this post, I picked up a Bible in another room and opened it at random. It fell open to I Corinthians 14:26. How’d that happen? |
|
| To add a comment to "Are There Holy Spirit Directed Meetings?" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
 |
|
|
That is why home/bible study groups are so great. The Holy Spirit can really flow!!!! Praise God.
Father God, in the name of Jesus, we come together to ask that as Your Word says, the Holy Spirit be poured out upon all the nations. Amen.
Good post - thank you. |
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Amen ... there's nothing better than allowing to Holy Spirit to do all that He was sent here to do ! |
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Amen pandabear & Jim. I love to be in meetings where the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead. |
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
| I believe allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us would radically change the outcome in our church services and we would experience a greaer manifestation of God moving our midst. I believe more people are not open to this concept because they have never been taught about it or experienced being led by the Holy Spirit. |
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Very good points, Joyce. |
|
|
| December 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
To be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit is awesome, humbling, and sometimes frightening because He is in control.
One correction/suggestion though - worship in Spirit and in Truth is orderly. If the Spirit is leading the worshippers to praise the same Spirit would not lead one in that same moment to prophecy, etc. Being orderly is not contrary to the Spirit but is rather proof of the Spirit's presence. The assembly puts in check its own will for that of the Spirit - that's not quenching the Spirit, its obedience. And if we need to wait for the Spirit's movement then we also need discipline. Afterall, chaos is from the enemy. |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
I hear ya... good topic... I am being led to change the wording above, from Holy Spirit directed meeting, to Holy Spirit ordained meeting, and put fresh light on this valuable topic Steve, thus, I hope you don't mind if I step out and add:
Bless God... Holy Spirit ordained meetings are spontaneous, they can be anywhere/anytime with one or more people, believers or no! ... When we have our eyes and ears opened to God clearly directing our paths and conversations daily, moment to moment... we recognize, worship can also be praising Him in a casual conversation or choosing to trust HIM, sermons can be sharing of our faith with regard to experiencing the Spirit of the Lord and His use of scripture in our lives, anointed prayer/healings can be praying as led spontaneously, fellowship can be helping carry another's burden by serving or listening, being fully present and not distracted. Tithing can be giving to another in need as led.
Sadly a variety of intimate things which take place in Holy Spirit ordained meetings often go unnoticed IF it is not in a traditonal setting/time frame .... a man directed meeting which some present day church services have evolved into.
It has been revealed to me we are going to see/experience more and more Holy Spirit Ordained Meetings in the days to come globally, as Gods presence is manifested in and through His people... with power, according to HIS unfolding plan and not our own.
Having said the above may I offer a word of caution to those who may need it: IF we are unwilling to have our eyes opened beyond 'traditional thinking and the religious mindsets attempt to control current ways of relating spiritually', we could very well miss the fullness of what took place in an Spirit ordained meeting quenching the Holy Spirit... be it willfully or in ignorance ...
Thanks for letting me step out and follow HIS leading bro... |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| "This is [similar to] the way Christians are commanded to worship in I Corinthians 14:26" |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
I will go you one step further. The Holy Spirit always points towards Jesus. I think even though I agree with most of the concept that is being spoken, we arent saved because of the Holy Spirit. We are saved because of what Jesus did and the sacrifice he layed down for mankind. Its about Jesus. Do we gather in the name of the Holy Spirit, who always points towards Jesus? Or are we meeting in Jesus name to glorify Jesus?!
God is alrerady there whether people are sitting quietly or talking. He resides in each born again believer in the form of the Holy Spirit. I do not think we need to sit quietly. I think that is man formed. It can be that way. Its good to open with prayer with anyone wishing to pray can. We are an imperfect people. Just as eating with friends is a personal doorway to intimacy in fellowship, so is prayer.
Mary, was just a woman who was blessed to be able to give birth to Jesus. A group of people have run with that one and put her on a pedestal. One I am sure upsets her to this day because she would tell you that its all about Jesus. Not her in anyway. They have her being the queen of the univere and able to forgive sins when the scriptures in no way define her this way.
It is the same way what people do with the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They point to him and Jesus becomes less of the focus, when the Holy Spirit in a Holy Spirit led meeting would point not to a gift and certainly not to himself. Yes the gifts are in effect for personal and corporate edification until Christ returns. But it is to teach us of the complete and finished work of Christ. What the real new covenant is. How do you even know your place and heritage as a believer unless you realize what Jesus did is complete and enough for you as a believer?
A Jesus meeting is simple. A Jesus meeting we come together and pray. It says everyone can share what God is doing, teaching and encouraging in their lives. The opportunity to share is just as important in fellowship as the opportunity to listen. Orderly just means that we wait our turn if we wish to speak. Its simple.
It should not be about seeking out power. It is supposed to be about us having a relationship with God. He knows our situations better than we do. When Jesus taught us to pray, he also showed us in that prayer to trust in God's will and invite it to be done in our lives. Not tell him what we think needs done.
Fellowship is simple. You are right, what we have today is not what God intended. Gifting is supposed to be used for the edification in the boy of Christ. Men have made it positional over time. |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| very good comments and a good topic |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| This is a great discussion. Thank you all for making some very important points. Unless we allow the Holy Spirit to freely direct us as indiiduals and also in our meetings, we will never experience the power and intimacy that God has for us. |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Once again, Steve you have inspired us to speak. The Lord, Jesus,
should be our reason for gathering. To worship Him. To honor Him.
If we do this in our assemblies, The Lord manifests himself in the spirit.
If the Spirit of God dwells within you, Then Jesus is already there. wherever
you happen to be, and then to get together with another believer, I've experienced
the move of God, in parking lots, on street corners, at the grocery stores.... Praise God!
I know what you mean by allowing the spirit to move and not quenching
the spirit. Many a times during our worship and praise time, Gods glory is filling the house and
while we are singing and people are praying, weeping, and dancing, and we are on our face in worship, all of
a sudden we are asked to take our seats!!? It is time to take the offering or it is time to hear the word of God. I know we must have order but who's? Let us pray for Gods will to happen before we gather together in
His name. So with that, I say God bless you all.
|
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Grace Alone, all: If I may offer as well ... when I am led to speak of the Holy Spirit... I am aware I am speaking of the Spirit of the resurrected Christ who lives within each believer today.... the Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of our Father and Jesus ... for Jesus and our Father are one in Spirit (Jesus said, when you see me you see the Father, the works that I do are Father's works)... and through the Holy Spirit within, we are becoming one in spirit and truth we are being conformed ... into the image of Christ, the anointing of God, (when they see us they see the manifested anointing of the Spirit of our Father and His Son, for we died in Christ and are raised in HIM through the works of Calvary, initiated by our Father, sending Jesus to be not only the initiator but finisher of our faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit of truth, who.......................... to the glory of our Father and HIS Son, establishing HIS Kingdom within... on earth, as it already is in heaven, where we are seated with HIM, victorious). The Holy Spirit within is evidence of the life/power of God, still with, within us today... and HIS unfolding plan. Thought I'd mention that so you'd be aware of what I am aware of when I am led to speak of the Holy Spirit within, for some as yet, are unaware of the power of God within, available to them... through the Holy Spirit within ... Christ resurrected in and through the family of those who walk in the Covenant of God.  and Holy Spirit  |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Jesus Christ first. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, helper, paraclete (depending on your bible's translation). The Holy Spirit is the One who keeps pointing and directing us to Christ. The Holy Spirit is the One who strengthens us to accomplish the work and mission of Christ in the world. The Holy Spirit is the "Energy", using the Eastern Church's concept, of the Father to create and sustain creation. We are truly blest to have such a Gift from Christ!
I agree with GraceAlone about Mary. I think many people (within my own tradition) have misplaced her, everything about her life pointed to Christ, everything she did was in response to Christ. We can thank people like Bernard of Clarivuox, Francis of Assisi and others for elevating her in such a way that today some would say she is a co-Redeemer. The Fathers at Ephesus (431 AD) would have condemned that as heresy. The Councils all began with one question: what does this say of Jesus Christ? |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Steve, Gracealone, and HolySpiritWithin - I hear and count all your words to heart :0) Here is where we must be very careful... comming from a background of ritual abuse- AT ALL TIMES JESUS HAS TO BE IN CONTROL! Not just the worship leader(s) or one pastor etc... When it is God moving through the use of the Holy Spirit, there is an undefiable unity that fills the room and no one is "specifically in control but GOD :0) |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Wow Steve,I didn't know you had it(HIM)in you!!!LOL!!!Good,I mean GOD stuff,Jimmie:D |
|
|
| December 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
| we must be careful how we separate the trinity. Jesus and the father are one. The holy spirit is the spirit of the father. Nothing was created without him. There is no christ without the spirit of the father {the same one that descended on him during his baptism}. You cannot separate them. Jesus bf his ascension told his disciples that he's sending them another comforter - the holy spirit who will abide with them forever. You can't know the holy spirit without knowing Jesus and vice versa. Our God is not a God of confusion. No meeting is worth it without the holy spirit. Whether in a meeting or not, the fellowship of the holy spirit is a most awesome thing. If you have a meeting scheduled, first of all, be excited in your spirit bc its a date with divinity not man, pray concerning it so the holy spirit will take control. Everybody might not talk or prophesy at the meeting. Whatever the case, if you are expectant, God will use the people officiating to reach out to you and you will not leave the sameway you came. 50 people might attend the same meeting but not all of them will receive what the holy spirit has in storefor them. The question is; how prepared are you? |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
"Oh father of heaven, we need your mercy and grace to allow the helper holy spirit to direct us at all times"Thank you dear man of God for this topic. These days the church is doing things in its own will, understanding not according to the holy spirit! Mant times i have seen this in some churches around.But above all, we need the holy spirit to do God's business not our own. Its God's spirit that changes things,not our thinking or traditions.Thank u again and may God bless you.
|
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Stella.... its fellowship. Not perfection. Do you expect perfection from your children when they are in front of you, apending time with you? Neither does God. We get too religious. Too spiritual and forget about being real. We are none righteous as people. But because of Christ we are in God's eyes.
I go and sing and pray and encourage. I dont worry about the chips. I dont worry about missing something. If its important, God will show me. He always has. If I miss something he would like me to do, I am not that important and he will use someone else. I miss the blessing, but he is God and not me. Stella man created what is now. I dont need sermons or a mans teaching. I have the Holy Spirit for that.
Its not about power or the supernatural, its about fellowship with believers lifting Jesus Christ |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thank you all for a great discussion! Now let's take the next step and gather with a few other believers who are willing to let the Holy Spirit lead the meeting. When we do, we wil be in awe at the way God shows up! |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
| WP do you know the sabbath was done away with at the cross ? thats the great News. Jesus is now our sabbath in the new Covenant. |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
The larger an assembly the more difficult it is to allow the Spirit to conduct the meeting. It only takes one or two present, to follow a self-ish thought or desire, and thus derail the meeting. This practice would seem to be best done with a very few, very mature believers. And even then, things could go wrong.
I have actually been to a few "open mic" services where participants were allowed to take the mic and share "as they felt led". However, there was always someone who didn't know when to stop sharing. At one of these meetings, a man who barely spoke English took the mic and talked for 20 minutes before the pastor got the mic from him. This definitely not to say that Holy Spirit led meetings shouldn't or can't take place, but that the implementation can be difficult, and the model is far from flawless in practice. |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
True Mike, but don't let the negative keep you away from the positive. With Love, and long-suffering if ness. those points could all be addressed and corrected, bringing up the maturity level of the whole congregation.
Many ministers should have the mind of John the Baptist and wish their ministry would diminish as they endeavor to lift up the name, and person of Jesus. |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Tom, I agree, he must increase, I must decrease. Our services are normally very good, so I don't yearn for another model. And I wouldn't stay away from our church or seek another just b/c I get wind of an upcoming "open mic" again, lol. As a facilitator of meetings, I've run Holy Spirit led meetings before, well, at least partially so, where conversation was put on hold for an extended length of time in order to listen to/for the Spirit and pray as led, no limits on time. It was pretty awesome, like Steve said. These were small group meetings, btw. |
|
|
| December 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Mike: Perhaps we should ask what God years for instead of what we year for. As the Head of the Church, God yearns to lead His people into intimacy with Him, whenever two or more gather in His name. It is often uncomfortable for us and indeed the flesh does get in the way, but all that is beside the point. What matters is that God gets what He wants, not that we get what we want. |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Amen, Move over flesh, let Jesus take over!! |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Mike many Pators should be told to shut up too as they go on and on and on. The average person can only listen at best to another for 20 minutes.
I dont think a fellowship should be bigger than 20 people tops. Thats also why you have overseers in home fellowships to make sure things are orderly.
Many of the home fellowships meet once a month in a big building to get everyone in one place. Anyway you look at it, the organized is a business. Paid people. Mortgages. Is it the worst thing? Nah, but I no longer will ever particiapate. Its boring. Its full of man made programs and it has a cookie cutter to it. And yes, another King besides Jesus. |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Steve said " What matters is that God gets what He wants, not that we get what we want. "
I think its simple Steve. God just desires fellowship. Just simple fellowship. Man is greedy and power hungry and for some reason we want to believe we have something on the rest of the world. To me that isnt real humility. Its making it about us. Its supposed to be simple. Its great to hear from God, but really fellowship is supposed to be a place where all can share the great and loving touch from God AWAY from the gathering. No one can have faith for you, or interact before God for you. To many, that is what the Pastor represents today. A retail go between when God is right there with you.
Our reactions in doing this is just like Isreal asking for a king when God wanted to dwell right there with them. He gave them a King then, and we have taken on a gifting and made it a position now. Its also why men are so weak in leadership. They defer and are spiritually emasculated by christian protocol. |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
I want to add one other thing. As a father my pleasure is found in seeing my son take his talents and be brilliant with them. Its awesome to see him take failures and jump up and go beyond anything I could dream or expect.
Thats what God wants for us. Not to just stand in adulation and sing and shout all the time. If he takes pleasure in us, it is because he has given us these talents and we dont hide them, dont protect them, but pick them up and flourih with them. He has given us a canvas and the paintbrush is him. Paint Paint Paint |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Forgive me Steve, my sentence was carelessly worded. Try this, brother: Our services are normally very good, so I'm sure the Lord doesn't yearn for another model for us. |
|
|
| December 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
What's simple GraceAlone, is fellowship, gathered together in one accord, or believing the same thing.
Whether it is in one on one communion with Jesus or in a group of believers. He is still the focus.
I'm sorry about your own misgiving about the way our modern church services are held.
I'm sure not all Pastors are money hungry or are preaching for attention.
I'm sure the Lord takes great pleasure being adored by so many believers at one time. No
I'm not a Pastor or a Pastors wife, I just happen to enjoy the presance of God when 2 or 3 or a thousand are gathered together in the name of Jesus. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Thank God For my liberty.
|
|
|
Follow this blog
