LETTER FOR JUNE 1990
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Dear Friends,

The first Sunday in June is Whitsunday when we remember and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's Church according to the promise of our Lord Jesus.

There has been quite a lot of renewed interest in the ministry of the Holy Spirit within the Church in recent years and this is excellent, for we desperately need the Holy Spirit to be poured out afresh today. But what is the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church, and what may we expect when the Spirit does bless?

It is characteristic of all humanness that we liked the spectacular and what is exciting, and thus there has been emphasis and renewed interest in the gifts of the Holy Spirit; but if we are to see what the evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence is, we need to hear what Christ said. The place we hear this most clearly is in the words of Jesus before his crucifixion, recorded for us in John's Gospel and chapters 14 to 16. I would like to point you to what Jesus is saying in chapter 14 verses 15 -- 31.

Jesus makes his promise concerning the Holy Spirit in verse 16. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever." Jesus also says he will be with us, live with us and be in us. But what is the evidence of his presence? Is it a feeling of ecstasy or peculiar joy? Is it a feeling of power? Well, it may be, but Jesus does not say so here. He says very simply that when the Spirit dwells within us we will feel that He, Jesus, has come to dwell within us. (v.18)

The evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is when Jesus becomes real; when people love him more and seek him and want to know more about him.

But how will this renewed love for Jesus show itself. Jesus tells us quite clearly. Not in spectacular experiences. Not in miracles of power. But in obedience to Jesus. "If you love me, you will obey what I command", says Jesus in verse 15.

In verse 20 Jesus says, "On that day" that is the day when the Counsellor comes, "you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I in you". Here is the experience of intimacy with Jesus. But then Jesus goes on to say "whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him". So when the Holy Spirit is poured out, the result of this sense of Jesus' love and presence, will be desire to obey him in everything.

Jesus provides for this in the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth. (v.17). The one who reveals the truth about Jesus and his will perfectly. The Spirit poured out brings this about. When this knowledge of Jesus is present and growing we know the Spirit has come.

The Holy Spirit will teach all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you, says Jesus in verse 26. The evidence of revival is when people are taught by the Spirit about Jesus and the commands of Jesus, and not only taught but constantly reminded of these things, so that the will and way of Jesus is constantly in our minds.

In a word, revival or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God is a time when Jesus is precious. People will want to meet with him and hear his word. More than this, they will want to live for him and live as he wants us to live.

This may not seem very exciting but it is real and it is what Jesus promised. It is reality and blessing in the deep experience it produces. Peace is the sum of it. (v.17). This peace comes because "My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him". This peace, this presence, is promised to those who are obedient to Jesus.

The evidence of the Spirit's reviving grace is not simply in some general desire to be obedient but in specifics. When Jesus gives the command "love your neighbour", the Holy Spirit will apply it to a specific person. Someone who has been difficult or hurtful. He will say -- love that person as Christ loves you. Go on loving and never stop. This is revival and the evidence of it.

When we see our church full of people hungering for Jesus so that they can't stay away from any means of grace where the word of Jesus is declared; and when we see our fellowship living in obedience to Jesus in all things, and wanting to please Jesus all the time, repenting sincerely for every failure in obedience; then we will be seeing revival. Then we will know Pentecost.

Your servant for Christ's sake,