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A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 846 Published: 08 Jan 2018
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 26
AZUSA STREET REVIVAL 1906-9
THE PREPARATION
In 1905, Parnham conducted a successful revival campaign in Bryan Hall, in Houston, Texas. In order to spread the Word, Parnham opened a short-term Bible school there on 1 January 1906.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR (1870 – 1922) William Seymour, a black Holiness church pastor, desired to attend. Southern racial segregation policies posed a problem which Parnham overcame by placing Seymour in an adjoining room where he was able to listen to the lectures. Although Seymour did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit there, he accepted it as being biblically correct.
Seymour was passionate for God.....
Before I met Parham, such a hunger to have more of God was in my heart that I prayed for five hours a day for two and a half years. I got to Los Angeles, and there the hunger was not less but more. I prayed, "God, what can I do?" The Spirit said, "Pray more." "But Lord, I am praying five hours a day now." I increased my hours of prayer to seven, and prayed on for a year and a half more. I prayed to God to give what Parham preached, the real Holy Ghost and fire with tongues with love and power of God like the apostles had.
Before the course was complete Seymour received a letter from a Los Angeles Holiness congregation to pastor them. He accepted and Parnham provided his fare.
He preached his first sermon form Acts 2:4, broaching the subject of tongues being the evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. Returning for the evening service he found the door padlock, his teaching being unacceptable to the elders.
The Asberry's took him into their home on Bonnie Brae Street where Seymour prayed constantly. One evening, while eating supper, Richard Asberry suddenly fell from his chair and began speaking in tongues. Soon others, including Seymour, followed.
As the word spread, crowds turned up and they were forced to find larger premises. An empty building was found at 312 Azusa Street, in downtown Los Angeles. Originally a Methodist Episcopal Church, it had more recently been used as a stable and warehouse. They removed the rubbish and built rough plank benches and a makeshift pulpit made from wooden shoe boxes. The first service held there was on 14 April 1906. Revival fires blazed even brighter.
PRAYER
Prayer was the foremost activity there. Seymour spent much time with his head inside the pulpit's top shoebox praying for the continual guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.
A contemporary, John G Lake, commented.....
God had put such a hunger into that man's heart that when the fire of God came it glorified him. I do not believe any other man in modern times had a more wonderful deluge of God in his life than God gave to that dear fellow, and the glory and power of a real Pentecost swept the world. That black man preached to my congregation of ten thousand people when the glory and power of God was upon his spirit, and men shook and trembled and cried to God. God was in him.
HOLY SPIRIT LEADERSHIP
Azusa Street services were spontaneous, not pre-programed, with no organised choirs, singers or speakers. The services started mid-morning and continued until 3 or 4 the next morning! An attendee wrote.....
Someone might be speaking. Suddenly the Spirit would fall upon the congregation. God Himself would give the altar call. Men would fall all over the house, like the slain in battle, or rush for the altar enmasse to seek God. Presumptuous men would sometimes come among us. Especially preachers who would try to spread themselves in self-opinionation. But their effort was short-lived. Their minds would wander, their brains reel. Things would turn black before their eyes. They could not go on. We simply prayed. The Holy Ghost did the rest.
Word soon spread that God was doing something new there. The 'Los Angeles Times' covered the 'local happenings', although not always positively! Frank Bartleman, a participant and Holiness journalist, wrote many articles which he distributed widely to Holiness publications. William Seymour himself started a paper called 'The Apostolic Faith' which rapidly reached a 50,000 circulation.
As the word spread, people came from far and wide. Many claimed they could they could feel the spiritual atmosphere several blocks away. Thousands were baptized in the Holy Spirit and went away re-energized in their faith and with a heart to share with others.
Ernest S. Williams, later the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God from 1929 to 1949, first visited the revival in 1907 and was astounded by what he encountered.
I wish I could describe what I saw. Prayer and worship were everywhere. The altar area was filled with seekers; some were kneeling; others were prone on the floor; some were speaking in tongues. Everyone was doing something; all were seemingly lost in God. I simply stood and looked, for I had never seen anything like it.
A short time later, Williams experienced his personal Pentecost and spoke in tongues. Nearly sixty years later, he revealed that his initial encounter with the Holy Spirit was not a one-time experience.....
Soon it will be 59 years since I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I still have my seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, speaking in other tongues and at times shaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
AN INTERRACIAL CHARACTER
Far removed from southern states, Los Angeles was, even then, a melting pot of races. This was reflected in the mission, where differing ethnicities met as one under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The original Azusa Board of Directors reflected both racial and gender diversity, consisting of 7 women and 5 men, of which 3 were black and 9 white.
MINISTRY DECLINE BUT ONGOING WORLDWIDE INFUENCE
The revival continued at its peak for round 3 years from 1906 to 1909, before internal strife dampened the flames. As the revival smouldered, many whites left to begin their own churches and missions. By 1914 the Azusa Street Mission had become a small, local, black congregation.
William Seymour continued as the senior pastor until his death in 1922. His wife continued the Mission until she died in 1936. Finally, the building was sold, and then used as a parking lot.
However, God used William Seymour and Azusa Street as catalyst to spread the Pentecostal message worldwide. The extent of its influence can be seen in the proliferation of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches found today.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Preparations for the Passover (Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13)
Instructions to Peter and John.
“Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
“When you enter the city you’ll meet a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him and go into the house he enters. Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the dining room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He’ll show you a large upstairs room that already has the necessary furniture. Prepare the meal there.”
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples (John 13:1-20)
Peter protests.
“You won’t realize what I’m doing for you now. But one day you’ll understand.”
“If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me,”
“Anyone who has had a bath only needs to wash their feet and then they’re clean all over. You are clean—but not all of you.”
“Do you understand what I’ve done to you?” “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that’s who I am. So if I, your Teacher and Lord, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example, so you should do just as I did. I tell you the truth, servants are not more important than their master, and the one sent is not greater than the sender. Now that you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
I’m not talking about all of you—I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill Scripture: “The one who shares my food has turned against me. I’m telling you this now, before it happens, so when it does happen you will be convinced that I am who I am. I tell you the truth, whoever welcomes anyone I send welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.”
The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-9, Mark 14:22-5, Luke 22:14-20 , 1 Corinthians 11:23-9)
Instructions to Peter and John.
“I’ve been really looking forward to eating this Passover meal with you before my sufferings begin. I tell you I shall not eat it again until the time it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Taking the cup.
“Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that I won’t drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Taking the bread.
“This is my body which is given for you; do this in order to remember me,”
Taking the cup again after supper.
“This cup is the new agreement in my blood which is poured out for you.”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
THE NON-AFRICAN WAY
We have had a big battle to highlight the beautiful stones by not bringing the mortar flush with the front of the stones in the normal African way. The result is superb - as now, even the Africans can see. As the mortar dries and lightens the effect will be even more special.
WELCOME IN!
The front is looking really nice as the mortar dries. A final cleanup with a wire brush will be the icing on the cake.
GUTTERING (SPOUTING) MADE ON THE JOB!
Just so many things are different in construction here. Everything is made by hand, including the guttering.
First step. Turn up the edges to right angles. Plastic guttering is available but 3-4 years in the sun sees it degenerate. So galvanised iron it is.
SEPTIC TANK TUTORIAL
Septic tank is nearly 4 metres high, awaiting plastering and a ring beam, for which the steel is already in place.
Content fills the RHS tank (eventually!) then tips over the slightly lower wall in the middle into the LHS. Once that is full, mainly with liquid, the overflow will go through the pipe in the LH wall to the soak pit - perhaps, maybe - but in my lifetime? For we will put enzymes in the pit to eat the solids. Ah well, better to be prepared!
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
- A RELIGIOUS PERSON follows rules to earn God's favour.
- The CHRISTIAN delights in giving to God, in gratitude for what He has given us.
- MAN delights in turning 'gifts to God', into 'rules of attainment'.
- GOD seeks an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE from a giver.
172. How we spend our money and time clearly reveals where we are at in God.
173. The world says, 'Blessed is one who receives', but the Lord says, 'Blessed is the one who gives.'
174. It is so easy to remember the gift, but to forget the giver.
176. Giving in the expectation of receiving a multiplied return, is an investment, not a gift.
318. Any gift given by us, pales into insignificance when compared to the gift given for us.
319. To give out of bounty is great, to give out of poverty, divine.
320. We cannot 'out give' God, but we could always try!
384. Giving should be the heart guiding the wallet, not the other way round.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: REVELATION OF....... 3 KINGDOM AGES: KINGDOM PRIESTHOODS
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
95. Whose Law?
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. So he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION."
96. B.I.B.L.E.
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied," What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay," said his father. "So, Son, what does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy. It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth."
QWIK QWIP: “There are two things I've learned: There is a God. And, I'm not Him.”
97. Church Football
Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.
Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime - The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave.
Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work.
Two-minute Warning - The point at which you realise the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations.
Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime".
Trap - You're called on to pray and are asleep.
End Run - Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
Flex Defense - The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.
Halfback Option - The decision of 50 percent of the congregation not to return for the evening service. (Only 50%?!)
Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
A DAVID MUSING
We have just been through an approximately 24 hour power cut! So I am in a rush to finish this week's PGIM to get it out on time. Computer deadlines wait for no man or woman, for that matter.
Actually, the computer is a harsh task master, and poor servant - most of the time.
Clever though they are, they can't truly respond with love, as we who are disciples of Jesus, are meant to.
How is your 'love quotient' this week? Like your computer, or like Jesus?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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