Intimacy

In my youth I grew up in a traditional conservative Christian denomination in Southern California where they were cessationists, they believed that Spiritual Gifts like tongues, prophecy and healing died out with the apostles in the book of acts, and that somehow there was no need to continue these gifts because the Church had been established and it was unnecessary for these gifts for the formation of future believers. But it did leave me wondering about Christ for many years.  I see Spiritual Gifting as an aid to help with drawing one closer to Jesus and developing intimacy, not making the gifts as an end in themselves.

As I grew older, I found that I had developed a hunger for a deeper spiritual connection with Jesus, so I began talking to my Christian friends at my High School and asked where they went to Church so I could find some type of fulfillment for this deep need I felt inside.  I was invited to a "Charismatic" Church in Anaheim where I was introduced to people who believed in the operation of the aforementioned gifts of the spirit.  It was there I was drawn into deeper intimacy with Jesus.  I have found the gifts of the spirit interesting and helpful, but not an essential focus.  What I did find essential was this burgeoning love relationship that was growing between Jesus and I, this truly helped me to define what being a Christian was all about.  It was here that God got a hold of my heart and mind and drew me closer to Himself.  My focus has never been on the gifts, my focus has always been on seeking intimacy with Jesus.  I will further develop this topic of Spiritual Gifts in subsequent posts.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV)

⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

As I continued to grow in my relationship with the Lord, many amazing things began to unfold.  One thing that truly amazed me was that I was able to hear the Lord's voice very clearly, and He began to give me specific words from the bible and visions of what He wanted to do in my life.  I also had a desire and a passion to reach the lost for Christ, but didn’t have a clue how to go about it.  So I asked the Lord for opportunities for sharing the message of the Gospel.  I have been given many opportunities to mentor and lead people to Jesus since, these are the most memorable situations I have ever known.

In the course of time I grew stronger in the Lord, He led me to a "Third Wave" Church in Anaheim.  This was a Church where their ultimate expression of our love for Jesus was in worship by pouring ourselves out before the Lord.  We would literally spend 30-45 minutes of each service in deep intimate worship.  We would experience the sweet presence of the Lord in a corporate setting where it was manifested like a cloud (mist) or heaviness over the room where we were all gathered.  I saw hundreds of people come to Christ from these meetings, there was always a compelling sermon and ministry time which followed.  The Lord came and demonstrated His intimate presence among us, this was where the Lord was adding to the church daily―as was spoken of in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)

⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

My point here concerning the Spiritual Gifts and intimacy is that the gifts are not the focus, intimacy with Jesus was and always is the focus.  We can put too much emphasis on the ride rather than the destination and it become a distraction rather than a benefit.  However, having said that, I am a strong advocate of Spiritual Gifts as defined in  1 Corinthians 12:7-11, as long as the gifts are practiced in order as Paul defines it.  Jesus is our sufficiency, not Spiritual Gifts.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Version (NKJV)

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Like everyone, we all grow up.  We should all become aware that as Christians that intimacy with Jesus does not go away, as we grow it only deepens over time, this is the one thing that remains. We have been bought with a price.  The One called the “Desire of All Nations” has one desire above all others—it is you and I!  We have an inheritance in Jesus, but Jesus also has an inheritance in us. For Jesus, seeing the hidden treasure of our lives, went and sold all that He had for the joy of your life.

Matthew 13:44 (NKJV)

⁴⁴ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Like the treasure in the field you are His inheritance! But how does this become a truth that transforms us, rather than simply an interesting theology? It takes the Father revealing Jesus to our spirit for us to begin this amazing adventure. It is by beholding His presence that we become closer and more intimate with Him.

It is like the song ‘In The Garden’ by C. Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

     Chorus

And he walks with me, and he talks with me,

And he tells me I am his own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of his voice

Is so sweet, the birds hush their singing,

And the melody That he gave to me,

Within my heart is ringing.    Chorus

I’d stay in the garden with him

Tho’ the night around me be falling,

But he bids me go, Thro’ the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling.    Chorus

As John Piper so eloquently wrote: “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.”  He is the only one that can truly satisfy our soul.  Jesus is enough for us.  He fills all of our needs, our wants, and our desires if we are truly satisfied in Him.

My prayer for you is that you find that Jesus is always enough for you in every situation you face.

Stephen Barnett

God is good all the time―all the time God is good!

Intimacy

(One Thing My Heart Is Set Upon)

Words and Music by Matt Redman

     Verse: 1

One thing my heart is set upon,

one thing that I would ask:

To know You, Lord, as close as one

could hope to on this earth.

     Chorus:

Intimacy,

O Jesus, intimacy.

My treasure will be,

O Jesus, Your intimacy.

     Verse: 2

To look upon Your beauty, Lord,

Your glory and Your heart;

To know You close and closer still

each day upon this earth.

     Verse 3:

Lord, since the day I saw You first,

my soul was satisfied;

And yet because I see in part,

I'm searching more to find.

©1998 Kingsway's Thankyou Music 

The lyrics above are copyrighted by the respective artist and are demonstrated here for educational purposes only and not for profit