Spirit and Truth Ministries
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THE DEATH PROBLEM
Don Hawley
January 29, 2001
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“Bosses of a publishing firm are trying to work out why no one noticed one of
their employees had been sitting dead at his desk for FIVE DAYS before
anyone asked if he was feeling okay.
“George Turklebaum, 51, who had been employed as a proofreader at a New York
firm for 30 years, had a heart attack in the open-plan office he shared with
23 other workers. He quietly passed away on Monday, but nobody noticed until
Saturday morning when an office cleaner asked why he was still working
during the weekend.” (In the Birmingham Mercury Sunday, January 7, 2001))
None. The resurrection is still future.
“The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor.” Ez. 37:1, 2.
“”Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so that they may live again . . . And the wind entered the bodies, and they began to breathe. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army of them.” Vs. 9, 10.
In the New Testament that same divine wind was still the cure for spiritual apathy or death.
“On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus’ resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” Acts 2:1-4.
Although no one noticed much, after the first century the church became a collection of dry bones once again. The cure hasn’t changed the throughout milleniums, and it’s readily available—especially since Pentecost. We’ve certainly tried everything else, now let’s go back to the original formula.
Once again we need a “great army” for the final conflict. Some Christians are comfortable with the ministry of the Holy Spirit and some are not, but he is the only source of true empowerment. Jesus promised:
“When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere.” Acts 1:8.
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