The tongues of fire of Pentecost were a significant symbol of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. None who experienced this heaven-sent visitation were ever the same again, for God, as a Living Presence, had become a reality in their lives.
When people leave their churches next Sunday morning, how many will do so with burning hearts? How many will be filled with a joy that will compel them to tell others of the living Saviour? These are questions every minister should ask himself, for the pulpit should be a spiritual transformer through which divine power is transmitted to the pew.
Some ministers allow their enthusiasm for the social implications of the Gospel to becloud the Gospel itself; they are concerned only with the things that are seen, forgetting or never knowing the preciousness of things not seen.
It is possible for the pulpit to become so overwhelmed by the urgency of world problems that preacher and hearer alike lose their perspective and undertake to right the ills of mankind in the arm of flesh alone. How easy to forget that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).
On the road to Emmaus two despondent disciples plodded along in the gloom of a lost hope and a shattered ideal. As they walked they were quietly joined by a stranger who asked them the meaning of their conversation that he had overheard. Amazed at his apparent ignorance of the events that were the “talk of the town,” they recounted the story of Jesus—his mighty works, their hope that it was he who would deliver Israel, his arrest, crucifixion, and death, and now the incredible rumor that he was alive.
The stranger was frankly critical of their ignorance and unbelief. “ ‘O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!’ ” he admonished them. “ ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25–27).
He accepted their invitation to go with them to the evening meal, and when he blessed and broke the bread (they saw his hands) they recognized him—and he vanished out of their sight.
As they looked at each other in wonder they exclaimed, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). With the reality of the risen Lord burning in their hearts, they hurriedly went out into the night to return to Jerusalem and tell the glad news.
The burning joy of a confirmed faith has lighted the torch of evangelism in every generation. Men’s hearts long for the release that Christ came to bestow. Where the Christ of the Scriptures is exalted, his Spirit moves as a flame of fire to bring spiritual warmth and light. That any seeking heart should be forced to turn away unwarmed is a tragedy that should never happen—but does!
Some years ago a young minister told the following story, and because his own ministry had been wonderfully vitalized some of us thought he was recounting his own experience. He said that a young preacher had graduated with honors from seminary and felt fully prepared to engage the issues of the day. One Sunday he preached a fiery sermon on a burning social problem. His research was adequate, his points well taken, and at the conclusipn he felt in his heart that he had done well.
The following Sunday, he was startled to find a note placed where he had to see it: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” With considerable spirit he preached his prepared sermon on another important social problem.
For several weeks he continued his sermons on current social matters. They were well prepared, well reasoned, well expressed—a credit to his seminary training.
But one day he again found a note awaiting him at the pulpit: “Sir, we would see Jesus!” Irritated and slightly ill at ease, he delivered his sermon with even more emphasis than usual. But during the closing prayer and on his way home the request kept pushing other thoughts out of his mind: “Sir, we would see Jesus!”
When he arrived at his home he went to his room and, falling on his knees, cried out to God. He told him of his concern for the problems to be found on every hand and of his desire to see them solved. Then he remained silent before the Lord. After a while he was overwhelmed with the conviction that these unidentified parishioners were right. He had been depriving them of the spiritual food they desperately wanted. Then there came this prayer from his heart, “Oh God, help me to preach Jesus.”
The following week was one of earnest prayer and diligent searching of the Scriptures. His sermon preparation centered on the Christ he found so clearly portrayed in Scripture—truly God and truly man, crucified, dead, risen, and living in the hearts of believers.
When the next Sunday came, with humble faith and a convinced heart he preached, conscious of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, but aware of the greatness of his Subject and his own inadequacy to portray him fully.
Another week passed, and as he again took his place in the pulpit his heart sank, for he saw another note awaiting him. During the first hymn, with trembling hands he unfolded the piece of paper. On it was written, “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” His Vision blurred for a moment, but there was a song in his heart.
The minister who told this story is today the pastor of a large city church. Those who hear him preach go away with burning hearts, for they have heard the Scriptures explained and have come face to face with the living Saviour.
Let the preachers of America return to their primary responsibility. Let them realize that the pressing social problems of today can be solved only by men and women whose hearts burn with love for the living Christ. To do this is not easy. It demands a return to a childlike faith, a humbling of mind, a willingness to discard ideas that give primary emphasis to education and personality rather than to the Spirit of the living God.
Difficult? Perhaps. Humiliating? It just might be. But what a difference promised to those who preach and for those who hear!
In the midst of a changing and decaying world order, the Rock, the unchanging Foundation, will become a reality. His Word will become a burning fire, and the Spirit of the living God will take over and accomplish things no man can do. God’s blessing will rest on pulpit and pew.
Oh God, let the fire descend! Give us once more hearts that burn!
