Article for Sunday May 28, 2023
Numbers 11:24–25 24Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.
Not many would see that the Holy Spirit was given to anyone until we see the Apostles with flames dancing on their heads. But the Holy Spirit was at work in the Apostles and disciples before that day. And the Holy Spirit has been at work in many from the beginning. Many received the Spirit even in the Old Testament.
Notice that some received it and were able to prophesy. Also notice that they did not continue to prophesy after a while. Spiritual kinds of gifts are given with a purpose and that purpose belongs to God as He wills it. When it is in the will of God to have the Holy Spirit work in you, then and only then will it work in you and it will be for God’s purpose, not for your edification.
The world and some religions try to command God, put God in a box made for a human, make other gods they think they can control, and miss use the gift of the spirit they don’t have or command. We are in this world, but we do not have to be of this world. When God is ready for you to use the gifts of the Spirit, He will let you know the time and the place. At the same time, when God gives you that time and place, then use that gift and do not waste it.
Numbers 11:26–27 26Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
We are not able to gain anything without the help and will of God. We also do not pick and choose whom God will use. But the one thing we are is blessed by those who use God’s gifts for the purpose they were given. Whether it is us, or someone else who receives gifts of the Holy Spirit, it does not matter. We should not covet another’s gifts, but praise and thank God and the Holy Spirit for the gifts given and what the gift was used for.
For the gift given is a blessing bestowed upon those whom God is helping more so, if not all than for the one wielding the gift. Let us humbly understand that God works for our benefit alway, and never should we feel jealous of God’s choices, because God will always make the perfect and right choice. If we use our gift and we are able or not able to see the results of that gift used, we should truly praise, thank, and worship our Lord for using us to accomplish His kingdom in heaven and on earth.
Numbers 11:28–30 28And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.
I have heard many say we need another Billy Graham. Though I believe Billy Graham to be a great evangelist, I’m not sure the need is for us to obtain his likeness again. Rather, I think God is looking at all Christians to have learned from Billy Graham, study God’s word and then step up to the plate. As the apostles carried on the work of Jesus Christ, Billy Graham did the same, and we should do the same. The work is not finished until Christ returns.
We have been quieted by the world, and many are afraid of the growing woke agenda that has been growing longer than we have heard its name. We have been given gifts of the spirit, and even though we are all growing old, we do have examples among us of those who use their gifts and this one person I am talking about is in her nineties.
There is always something we can do, and if we do it together with God and in His will, much can be accomplished through us. There must be a grandpa and grandma ministry. Not to minister to grandpa and grandma but ministry from grandpa and grandma. The gift is our wisdom, and the sharing of this gift is to our young people in our community. And you do not have to be old to participate, but if you are old, let us share our blessings while we still can. Remember Moses was in his eighties when God called Him into service.
John 7:37–39 37On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
May your heart flow with the living water given to all believers from Jesus Christ. Jesus gives the words of eternal life. Jesus forgave those who killed Him and He forgives us all of our sins us as well. If Jesus can forgive those who painfully crucified Him in humility and suffering, then why would He not forgive us too, for our sin.
Christ is the very reason we come to worship. It was the Christ who died for us. It is the Christ who was resurrected for us and ascended to heaven for our sake. It is the living Christ who continues salvation for all who follow and believe in Him. We will drink of Him who is the living water, Jesus Christ our Lord, and it will be for all eternity. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis A. May