Baptism of Glory
On this powerful Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Austin Rumpel delivers a fiery message challenging the church to reject comfortable, powerless religion and contend for the true power of the Holy Spirit. Acknowledging the desperate state of the world, Pastor Austin declares that the church cannot fulfill the Great Commission without the endowment of power Jesus promised in Acts 1.
Through an exploration of the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 8, Luke 12) and the radical fruit of the early church (Acts 2 and 4), the message highlights that the Holy Spirit doesn't just bring spiritual gifts—He brings absolute transformation, unity, and boldness. Looking at Old Testament examples, Pastor Austin shows how the Spirit of God empowers every area of our lives, from leadership and wisdom to creativity and wealth. The service culminates in a reading of Charles Finney’s dramatic encounter with the "liquid love" of God, leading into a profound time of corporate ministry and pressing in for a fresh baptism of fire and glory.
Key Sections in this Message:
The Fear of the Lord vs. Powerless Religion: Using Proverbs 8:13 and Luke 12, Pastor Austin teaches that true Christianity requires a hatred of evil and a holy reverence for God. He explains that the fear of the Lord doesn't bring condemnation to the believer, but rather a purifying fire that removes everything unlike Jesus.
Wait for the Promise: Reading from Acts 1, Pastor Austin emphasizes that Jesus commanded His disciples not to step into their ministry assignment until they were endued with power. He challenges believers who are waiting on circumstantial promises (like a promotion or a spouse) to instead focus on receiving power to preach the Gospel today.
The Radical Fruit of the Spirit: Looking at the early church in Acts 2 and 4, the message reveals what happens when the Spirit truly possesses a people: radical generosity, unwavering unity, and signs and wonders that shake the city.
Empowered for Every Assignment: Pastor Austin walks through the Old Testament (Numbers 11, Deuteronomy 34, Exodus 31) to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit equips us for all of life—providing wisdom for business, strength for leadership, and creativity for our daily work.
A Testimony of Fire: To stir hunger, Pastor Austin reads from the journals of revivalist Charles Finney, who experienced a spontaneous, overwhelming baptism of the Holy Spirit that he described as wave after wave of "liquid love."