When We Gather

“When the Glory comes, there’ll be no words to say…”

In March, I wrote to you about the sound for this season of unity. Now, let’s talk about the atmosphere of togetherness that ushers in God’s Glory and Power. There’s no better place to start than with the first gathering of believers. 

After the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, the disciples and other followers—about 120 people—stayed together, praying in unity. For weeks, they fellowshipped. They did not need a church building, signage, or pews. All they needed was the Upper Room and their desire to obey Christ. 

In that Upper Room, they must have experienced different feelings including joy and anxiety about the future. They were human, after all. Jesus knew this, and that was why He had instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Waiting together for Power kept them strengthened until the Holy Spirit, the Helper, came. In that place of togetherness, with their gazes fixed on the Lion and the Lamb, the Spirit rested upon them on Pentecost. 

God’s Glory and Power Come

The truth, which Christ knew, was that they needed the Helper’s Power to function on earth as people who have been set apart for God’s Glory. That Outpouring of the Holy Spirit moved the disciples out in Power, and 3,000 souls were won to Christ on Pentecost. Peter stood with boldness and preached publicly. The same Peter, who once denied Jesus thrice. The Power that came in the place of unity showed that, indeed, the church is at its best when it is one body.

We can liken every gathering of believers to the Upper Room when it is a place of unity, a place of dwelling together in the Word, worship, and prayer. It is this place of convergence that brings the Outpouring of Power and moves us to do what we previously couldn’t. 

His Exploits Follow

The Outpouring is, however, not just about a display of God’s Power (speaking in tongues and boldness). It was and is still about a revival expression of God’s Power flowing through us to bring the world to Jesus. This means that the circle of the Outpouring is only complete when souls are won, as happened on Pentecost. After the Outpouring, the early followers of Jesus returned to gathering together as a body, and they continued to receive Power and then go out to do exploits (Acts 2:46-47).

Dear friend, you can only accomplish what God has called you to do through an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s Power. This means you must be devoted to fellowshipping with Him and other believers in the Upper Room. No matter where you are, what you’re experiencing or feeling, show up with a heart of unity.

This is why Paul admonished us, saying, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).”

Today, I encourage you to see the gathering of the brethren through Christ’s eyes. It is not a mere duty or to-do item to check off. You are a vital part of the body, so your presence in unity is important. As you go to church, meet for Bible studies, or other gatherings with believers, do so with a heart desirous of fresh Outpouring. And, when the Glory comes, go forth in Power, expressing Christ’s love and light to all you encounter. 

Shalom,

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