Get Close To The Lord

Holy Spirit Called #3

Acts 13:1-3
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

The book of Acts seems to be divided into two parts. Chapters 1-12 has Peter as the main character. Whereas here in chapter 13 we find Paul coming on the scene.

A church that is alive.

A church is alive when it is in communion with God. No church is alive except it operates within agreement and with the living God.

II Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Oh how we need to operate on “Thus saith the Lord.” A church is alive when it is providing fellowship for man. Communion is the direction of the Spirit toward God. Fellowship is the direction of the Spirit toward man. Both communion and fellowship depend on “Spirit and Truth.”

I John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

A church is alive when it has functioning members. The life of these churches flowed out through their members. Preachers, deacons, evangelists and now missionaries. Through the members themselves in witnessing and soul-winning. Praise God for a church that has functioning members.

A church is alive when it is led by faithful leaders. Oh how we need faithful leaders. I mean leaders who lead. I mean leaders who are filled with power. I mean leaders who can be depended on.

A church is alive when it has a missionary vision. Man, you talk about starting churches. Everywhere these fellows went they started a church.

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.