Obey God’s Voice 3

C. THE REAL THING – NOT SUBSTITUTES

I wish co-workers’ meetings and training materials would place great emphasis in their curriculum on teaching students how to move in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how to hear God’s voice.

1. God’s Word And Spirit, Not Academic Knowledge

Thank God for men like Dr. John Wimber, Dr. Peter Wagner and Dr. Donald McGovern, courageous servants of God who stand out in the history of our nation as men who acknowledged the importance of the Holy Spirit in the work of evangelism and church life.

They were not like their contemporaries who emphasized philosophy, literature, history, psychology and a host of other subjects instead of the Bible. these men taught others to prepare for a spiritual battle with Satan and his demons.

They taught the students how to heal the sick, cast out devils, and preach the gospel with miracles confirming the ministry of the Word. Instead of merely turning out students with theological degrees, they raised up men who were aflame with the Spirit. These could dispel the demonic influence spread over our land.

We need men like Philip, who went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ.

The Bible says, “The people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them, and may that were lame were healed” (Acts 8:6,7).

Our training should be turning out men of faith like Stephen and Philip – men who will challenge the powers of darkness and triumph in the process. Then we will see “this gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world, for a witness to all nations” (Matt 24:14).

2. Faith No Pride.

If we continue substituting academic knowledge for the rhema of God, we are destined to failure. One of the great dangers of higher education is turning out men of pride instead of mean of faith. To paraphrase Paul, “Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up” (1 Cor 8:1).

Let us not worship at the altar of worldly knowledge. Let us not put our faith in academic wisdom and technology which can only provide a convenient, but ultimately fruitless, substitute for God’s power in our lives and ministry. Rather, let us seek to be hearers and doers of God’s word. Let us learn to hear from God.

Next Week

The Message – Not the Mortar