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Are
your spiritual jars filled for Pentecost 2008? Then you should have
been at Camp Meeting 2007. The church was revved and set in motion
for that special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost and More
2008. Pentecost and More 2008 will culminating on March 15 at the
National Arena in Jamaica and broadcast to the Inter American
Division of Adventists territory.
Dr. Gladstone Earl Knight, Executive Secretary of the Greater New
York Conference in America, was the special guest presenter. He
presented a series of power-packed messages geared towards a “mental
readiness” for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost
and More 2008. He stated that, “Without tapping into the Source, we
cannot accomplish the mammoth task ahead.”
“Although we have the machinery, capabilities and excellent
administration we have no power. The world is evangelizing the
church and our efforts are neutralized. Like the disciples we are
having fellowship with Christ but we are not prepared for the
infilling of the Holy Spirit because sin is in our lives,” Dr.
Knight retorted.
He also assured the worshippers that although there is overwhelming
fear externally, God’s people should not become entrenched. Instead,
we should present the Word of Truth in the face of immorality and
fear through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The church of God needs to rise up and take its rightful place in
this world. God has a purpose for us and this message is too
powerful for us to preach by ourselves…we need power,” Dr. Knight
exclaimed.
Apostasy amidst Pentecost
Amidst the relentless pursuit of the Holy Spirit’s power, however,
the church’s link is weakening through apostasy. Statistics done by
the church reveals that of every 100 persons born into the faith a
startling 34 eventually fall into apostasy.
During the Sabbath School session, Dr. Patrick Allen, President of
West Indies Union, guided the church in understanding the importance
of the reclamation and preservation of members. He explained that
baptism is not the culmination of evangelism, but the nurturing of
the members instead.
“True evangelism involves nurturing those we have won. The church
needs faith-filled, praying, worshipping, witnessing people. When
the church fails to nurture the gospel commission fails,” he said.
Unfortunately, the church can contribute to the disappearance of
members through legalism and the spirit of “unforgiveness” as Dr.
Allen points out.
“Legalism pushes and builds a fence around the lost. Let’s bury our
pride …love does not wait for them to return but passionately
pursues them,” Dr. Allen remarked.
He warned that the careless indifference of church members towards
those that have departed is high treason, and it is love that wins
hearts when the speaking of doctrine amounts to nothing.
The church is also encouraged to pray for the spirit of discernment
in order to recognize when members are departing from the faith.
These are the warning signs:
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Poor church attendance
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Critical of leadership
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Change in lifestyle/ habits
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Reinvestment in old association
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Lack of involvement in church activities
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Signs of discomfort/ discouragement
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Cries for help
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Defensiveness
In
reclaiming the lost, Dr. Allen implored the adoption of Jesus’
formula of winning souls, as declared by Ellen G. White, is that
Christ mingled, showed sympathy, ministered to the needs, won their
confidence and then bid them to follow Him. If we are going to be
agents to lead others to Christ we must follow the same formula.
--Article
by Juliet Capper / Kemar Douglas
-Photos by Kemar Douglas / CJC |
