From the Desk of Pastor Hatch…
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in this days will I pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28-29
“SPIRITUAL OVERFLOW”
Greeting Beloved:
Welcome to worship and the second Sunday of the Overflowing promises and presence of God. I am still excited about being alive in a time that will produce one of God’s greatest generations. I have been inspired by the young people around the world leading the “ Occupy Wall Street ” movements. In fact, I marched with them in downtown Chicago this past week.
Like the people of God in Joel’s day, because we live in one of history’s most challenging times; we will have a story to tell (Joel 1:1-4). It is out of the season of economic depression that God promised to pour out His spirit on the masses of people. The out pouring of God’s Spirit will not be a respecter of persons.
First, notice the people’s real PROBLEM. They suffered from a Spiritual dearth, or spiritual dryness. “The new wine is dried up” (v.1:10), and also dried up is everything else from their “vine” to their “joy”(v.1:12). According to Nehemiah 8:10, where there is no joy there is no strength (life). In tough times, folk without inner life strength are self defeated. Second, notice people’s real PRIORITY challenge. They needed to go back to seeking God through supplication, and fasting and prayer (v.1:13-14, v.2:12-17). October 30th – November 19th we will call a 21-day fast for sanctification and prayer.
To water our spirits, we must return to the Fount of Living Waters (John 4:14). When God is first in our lives, He causes our vats of oil and wine to overflow, and restores the joyful years (v.2:23-27). But then, thirdly, after that, the people themselves are EMPOWERED. God pours out His Spirit on all flesh (v.2:28-29). The overflow of God’s spirit enables the old and young, the male and female, to look forward, envision a future, manifest dreams and visions, and exceed with abundance everything that was lost in the past. Spiritual Overflow is the manifestation of the greatness God has placed in all of us. In times like these, don’t seek to exclude people by their looks.
God is going to use the most common people in uncommon ways.
Real PROSPERITY is present when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and everything we need to overcome and move beyond every circumstance flows from the inside out (Acts 217-18).
We will prosper when the young and old, the male and female, are motivated and inspired to pursue every purpose that God has purposed for the witness of this generation. I will prophesy now: this is a new season for action, miracles, and God using people to do extraordinary things!
Peace,
Pastor Hatch
