I could hardly believe my eyes. As the minister walked onto the platform, the lights were flashing and the smoke was rolling off of the platform. It was quite the entrance. Thousands of people were standing and applauding as the pastor made his way to the pulpit.
I believe we should give honor to our leaders and especially to our fathers of the faith. There has been way too much disrespect and dishonor in recent years. However, when they fired up the smoke machines backstage, I felt this was a little over the top for a church service.
The Bible tells us that when they were dedicating the Temple, the Shekinah glory of God filled the temple with smoke. The presence of God was so powerful that the priests had trouble standing up. It’s sad when we resort to producing artificial glory because we don’t expect the true manifestation of the glory of God to be present.
At the turn of the century the glory of God was manifested at the Azusa Street Revival. For over three years the visible, tangible manifestation of the glory cloud was present in the building. I have read the testimonies of many of the children who were there during that revival. All of their stories tell of the same events: young men and women seeking God and God revealing Himself. There were no flashing lights or smoke machines at the Azusa Street Revival.
One hundred years ago circuit riders were traveling across the United States stopping at every community and preaching the Word of God. Great revivals took place and people of all social standing were coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In one community a meeting place was set up in a field by one man. After a few days only a handful of people were coming to hear him teach the Word. But he didn’t give up. He continued to teach and within weeks hundreds were attending his meetings.
One evening a farmer showed up with his shotgun. He was drunk and angry because his wife and daughter had been coming to the meetings. Everything got quiet as the farmer approached the area where the minister was speaking. With his shotgun in his hand, he yelled at the minister, but the man of God had no fear. He pointed at the man and said with a voice of authority, “I rebuke you, in the name of Jesus, and I command you to lay down that shotgun.” The man dropped to his knees, sobbed, and immediately received Jesus as his Lord. The town drunk with the violent temper became a strong leader in the church after the circuit rider left town.
Jesus said you shall receive witnessing power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. In order to witness and bring the world to Jesus, we need three things. We need personal salvation, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. When we boldly live holy lives, full of power and joy, the world will want what we have. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit draws all men to the Father.
So here’s my point. The modern church can create programs and events that touch the senses of man, but it’s only the Holy Spirit that can turn the heart of a man toward Jesus. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I am not against Christian rallies, concerts, special events and programs that will introduce people to the house of God and make them feel like they are not excluded or condemned. However, to replace the manifested presence of the glory of God with manmade substitutes is admitting that we do not expect a true manifestation of His glory. Jesus told Martha that if she could believe, she would see the glory of God.
I want to see the ax head float, the 5000 fed from a lunch sack, the apostles walking on the water, the sick healed by a touch of the hand, and life exist in the presence of death. Technology can mesmerize and tantalize and bring the level of excitement to a feverish level, but only the power of God will raise the dead.
We live in a world of artificial substitutes, but I am on a new quest from this day forward. I’m pressing in for the real thing.
Scriptural References:
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
(3 John 1:11)No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.
(John 6:44)Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
(John 11:40)
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.