While in Bible College, I was introduced through books to the works of many preachers and teachers, many of whom I’ve long forgotten. But that’s not the case with the sermons and writings of a great English Methodist, Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932). As a young preacher, I easily identified with Chadwick as he shared his passion for revival and a move of God’s Spirit.
This week, I want to share a few of Chadwick’s quotes that I believe will impact you as they did me so many years ago. And, I want to do something a little different. Rather than providing the quotes from his The Way to Pentecost sermon and then adding commentary, I will ask you to meditate and ask the Holy Spirit to add His commentary.
“There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power. To run an organization needs no God. Man can supply the energy, enterprise, and enthusiasm for things human. The real work of a Church depends upon the power of the Spirit. The presence of the Spirit is vital and central to the work of the Church. Nothing else avails. Apart from Him, wisdom becomes folly, and strength weakness.”
“Destitute of the fire of God, nothing else counts; possessing fire, nothing else matters.”
“The Church that is man-managed instead of God-governed is doomed to failure. A ministry that is College-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles. The Church that multiplies committees and neglects prayer may be fussy, noisy, enterprising, but it labors in vain and spends its strength for nought. It is possible to excel in mechanics and fail in dynamic.”
Come on. Let this resonate within you. To use a Texas term, I double-dog dare you to allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light on you and your ministry. You might discover that you need to send a 9-1-1 call up to heaven to breathe life again into a well-polished ministry that is destitute of the life and power of the Holy Spirit.
Wow. Thank you Br. Billy for the quote and reference from Br Chadwick , as well as your own comments.
Could not agree more. I join with you to see our churches move from presenting the Gospel not just in ” the word only, but in the power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance;” I Thessalonians 1:5
I love what our friend Mark Hankins teaches – if we will make room for the Holy Spirit, He will make room for us. This is my prayer for the Church, from the youngest to the oldest. May the Church experience afresh and anew the fire of the Holy Spirit.