PS on Reformed Continuationist

One more set of thoughts:

1. In practice this means we are not "in charge" of our gatherings -- we plan but we believe that the Holy Spirit withholds enough so that we look to him to direct in that moment.  I am learning this and find it takes cultivation.  So, while we have the songs and structure set -- the liturgy -- we find that there are surprises.  We do not quench the Spirit by laziness in failing to plan and we do not quench the Spirit by dismissing his active presence as we gather.  The same applies to home groups.

2. We do not allow abuse to stifle all expression of the Spirit's work.  We do not react to the bizarre use of gifts to put an end to all expressions of gifts.  That is clearly what Paul is admonishing in 1 Corinthians 14 (forbid not!) and 1 Thessalonians 5 (test, do not put out the Spirit's fire).

3. We evaluate all public utternace before it is given and allow only that which builds faith.

The bottom line is simple -- I want to be hungry for God's work in my life.  I want to live in the fullness of Christ for his glory.  I do not want to move into a quiet and mechanical life or church experience.  We live in the Age of the Spirit and I want to enter into that as much as possible.  lack of hunger is one of the most insidious evidences of iundwelling sin.  I want to kill my apathy and self-sufficiency. I want to thirst for Christ.