Recently, I was in an “aftermeeting” where the sweet breeze of the Spirit led to wholesome honesty and confession, heart cry and tears, faith and praying with laying on of hands, exuberant singing with worship and praise to God. Everything was spontaneous under the leading and life of the Spirit. Jesus was lifted up. Afterwards, the thought crossed my mind that we had just experienced a “Jesus fellowship.”
Jesus declared, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).
In the context and atmosphere of honesty, humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation, Jesus speaks of powerful prayer meetings. He also explained, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).
The word agree comes from the Greek word symphonize and the word ask is at the heart of prayer. When people’s hearts are in tune with the Holy Spirit and with each other’s, symphonies of prayer can take place with tremendous impact. Just like a conductor leads a symphony of music as the musicians follow via an orchestral score, so the Holy Spirit is the conductor, believers are the instruments, and the truth of the Word of God is the score.
It is important to turn a meeting over to the Holy Spirit. He is the one who streams the life of Jesus into our midst. He testifies of the Son and glorifies the Son. So, when we honor the Spirit by truly bowing to His leadership, we ultimately honor Jesus for the Spirit reveals the Son. Also, it is critical that the turning over of a meeting be real and not some perfunctory step. When it is real, all involved meet with Jesus. It becomes a true “Jesus Fellowship.”
The Holy Spirit leads someone perhaps to pray and others to symphonize with that burden. Sometimes a “movement” takes place on that theme just like in a musical symphony. Occasionally, the Spirit leads someone to testify of what God is doing for their soul, and this body life edifies those present as Jesus is exalted as the deliverer. Sometimes the Spirit leads someone to break out singing and others can join in as sweet songs to the Lord allow for genuine worship and praise. And when a meeting concludes, the focus is on Jesus. Jesus fellowships cause the revived saints to rejoice in Jesus.
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6).
John Van Gelderen
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I hope to experience such a meeting myself thank you for sharing that with us
Sounds like real Church…. likely most church services most churches have are only a cheap substitute.
Mere church attendance and serving in the church building doesn’t make anyone spiritual.
Brother John, While I fully believe that we cannot merely imitate events where God came in a special way and expect the same, I have a question. Do you think that the way nearly all American church services are structured perhaps lends itself to stifling the free flow of the Spirit? With everything being planned and scripted (songs, order of service, everyone is expected to keep silent except during singing), do the members fear being seen as insubordinate should they feel to speak out or disrupt what leadership has put in place? If we truly want revival, does leadership need… Read more »
I think you’re on to something. While structure is legitimate, it does seem that things can get ritualistic to the point of hindering the spontaneous leading of the Spirit. The key is following the Spirit even if His leading breaks the structure. Fear that someone will be out of order hinders. But if someone gets out of order, they just need to be kindly addressed.
Thank you for your response. I have experienced what you describe in this article. And it’s like, once you’ve “tasted” it (or should I say “Him”), you’re spoiled for anything less. May the Lord have a way in His people.