Why the Modern Church Needs More Smoke and Lights

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Many Christians today are no longer impressed with the concert-like atmosphere in their churches. They are looking for more than the polished and professional services.

But here is one reason why we still need smoke and lights in the modern church.

There is an interesting pattern found in the Old and the New Testaments.

When a society entered into spiritual decline and a moral free fall, God sent a man or a woman mighty in the Holy Spirit.

They might be a prophet, a judge or an apostolic team. They were sent by God to lead those people out of the darkness back to God and back to holy living.

The Old Testament is a continuum of prophets, priests and judges mighty in the Holy Spirit.

Moses, Gideon, Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and many more lead Israel and Judah out of spiritual decline and moral free fall back to God.

Jesus was about to enter His public ministry.

John the Baptist began preaching,

“There is one who comes after me. I am not worthy to even tie or untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Jesus promised there would come a day when He would build His church and the church would crush the gates of hell. She would have the authority and power to bind the forces of darkness and lose the people from the bondage of sin and the torment of demonic forces.

Once His chosen men had been trained and prepared to establish the Church, Jesus instructed them to not leave Jerusalem or go and do anything until they were clothed with power from on high.

“John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now… You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

That took place on the Day of Pentecost following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

The church was at a prayer meeting when the Holy Spirit suddenly came upon them like a wind storm out of Heaven. Tongues of fire appeared on each person and they began to speak in tongues and praise God.

Immediately, the church began fulfilling the Great Commission reaching the city of Jerusalem and the regions of Judea and Samaria. They must also reach the “uttermost parts of the world.”

When the ministry of the church went outside the Jewish community for the first time, reaching into the Gentile community, it came with a mighty outpouring of Holy Spirit power.

It was at the home of a Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius. He lived in Caesarea by the Sea. The Apostle Peter was preaching when suddenly the Holy Spirit fell on all who were gathered and they began to speak in tongues.

When the Apostle Paul took the Gospel to the edge of the European continent for the first time, it was at the City of Ephesus.

He asked the believers who were gathered, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” There answer was a bit startling. “We have not heard if there is a Holy Spirit.”

The Apostle instructed them, prayed for them, laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.

What is it that makes this pattern important to you?

Every time a nation or a group of people go into a spiritual and moral free fall, God’s answer is a man, a woman, or a Church walking mighty in the Spirit who can bring a great out pouring of Holy Spirit upon those people and transform the culture.

That is the answer for America right now. It is the only answer for the United States.

She doesn’t need more mega churches with professional worship bands giving the latest sound. She doesn’t need more motivational speaking that will make her feel good.

The youth of this generation do not need more events with smoke machines and laser light shows. It is not more political correctness and tolerance that will heal America.

The United States of America is in desperate need of the fire and smoke that can only come from the presence of Holy God.

America must have churches filled with the light of God’s glory; led by men and women who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire; living holy lives; and preaching by the mighty power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

In this desperate time America needs men and women who will fast and pray until there is a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon their church; upon their city; and upon their nation.

That is what will deliver America from this moral free fall.

Nothing else will bring the answer and the deliver