THREE JOHN SUNG SERMONS:

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, let us go further and see what happens after that. Let me now speak on the work of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit fill us and work a great work in our hearts. If there is anyone here unclean, with a troubled heart, let him earnestly pray that the Holy Spirit will work mightily in his heart.

In regard to the work of the Holy Spirit:

1. Without the Holy Spirit in the heart one has no knowledge of sin. John 16:8, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment." When the Spirit comes He will cause us to reprove ourselves of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Therefore before the Holy Spirit comes we have no knowledge of sin. Beloved, let us realise that unless the Spirit comes upon us we will not know we are sinners. Wherever I go preaching I find many in bitter tears repenting of sin. This is the first step in the work of the Holy Spirit: That we might know our sin.

2. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand our Bible-reading. John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: 'for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come." When the Spirit of truth is come He will lead us to understand truth, to understand the Scripture we read. Now it is clear, it is meaningful. When I was in America, I read much of the Bible, but I did not understand, because the Bible is spiritual and I had not the Spirit. So I could not understand.

3. Without the Holy Spirit we can hardly pray. Rom. 8:26,27, "Likewise the Holy Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he Maketh intercession  for  the saints according to the will of God.”  It is not easy to pray.  Without  the filling of  the  Holy Spirit  we  can  hardly  pray.  Before one is born  again, one could  say just a  few  words,  in a  fizzle.  I Could  never believe those  who claimed they prayed for two or three hours.  After I was born  again,  I knew.  In my weakness  the Holy Spirit  comes to my help. When I cannot pray  the Holy Spirit helps me to pray. God help us by His own will. So, one filled  with  the Spirit is able to pray and  the more one prays the more one delights to pray, like the flowing of a fountain. "The Spirit  itself maketh  intercession  for us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be uttered."  Filled with the Spirit, our  prayers become powerful.  Without the Spirit our prayers come to zero.

4. Without the Holy Spirit we have no faith. I Cor. 12:9, "To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gift of healing by the same Spirit." Many say, "I have no faith." Why? Because we are not filled with the Spirit. What can the Spirit give? Faith! Without the Spirit, faith is gone! Without the Spirit though one should pray in one's sickness, there is no effect. No Spirit, no faith. Prayer without faith equals zero.

5. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no love. Rom. 5:5, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Why is a Church devoid of love? No Spirit, no love. If we are filled with the Spirit, then He will also fill our hearts with love. Many lack love because they are not filled with the Spirit.

6. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no courage. Mark 13: 11, "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Many fear to give testimony. Without the Holy Spirit, they have no courage. But Jesus says, "Do not fear even when you are arrested before governors and councils but speak up boldly, for the Holy Spirit will speak for you. Now there are not a few Church members who fear to testify. Why? They are not filled with the Spirit.

7. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no power. Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." This is what Jesus says. So, without the Holy Spirit we have no power at all. How many preachers, lay people, have little power in what they testify. They preach powerless sermons because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit.

8. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no fruit. Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith...." The Holy Spirit bears fruit of love, peace, etc. Filled with the Spirit you will bear fruit. No Spirit, no fruit. Many are sermon tasters fur years, but they bear no fruit. The reason is obvious.

9. Without the Holy Spirit there is no Life. Gal. 5:25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Without the Spirit the Church is dead. Nor can we live without the Holy Spirit.

10. Without the Holy Spirit there is no unity. Eph. 4:3, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Often the Church cannot be in unity because of diversity of opinion. Because she is not filled with the Spirit. Who gives unity of heart? We all know it is the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit give us this unity, removing all diversity of opinion and strife that we may be one in the Holy Spirit.

11. Without the Holy Spirit there is no holiness. I Pet. 1:2, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." Holiness is dependent on the Holy Spirit. Many who are in filth assume a self-righteousness. They are not filled by the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit there is no holiness.

12. Without the Holy Spirit there is no submission. Without the filling of the Holy Spirit, one is not holy and one cannot submit to Jesus.

13. Without the Holy Spirit there are no gifts. I Cor. 12: 7- 11, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." No power to heal nor to prophesy - because there's no filling of the Holy Spirit.

14. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no proof. Eph. 1: 13,14, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." Often I ask my hearers, "What have you got after the sermon ? " They say they don't know. This is because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we have the Spirit as our earnest (proof).

Then, we see, without the Holy Spirit, we have nothing. With the Holy Spirit we have everything. The more the Holy Spirit in us, the more we feel the sinfulness of sin. Filled with the Holy Spirit we have gifts, everything. What the Church needs, what every member needs, is the Holy Spirit. Let me give you some secrets of filling by the Holy Spirit: They are: 1) Thirst 2) Come 3) Drink 4,) Flow.  Write these four words. Hang them up in your room. Jn 7:37,38 is a precious text, sung according to No. 11 of our Revival Choruses.

1. Thirst. Unless a person is athirst, why should he drink? Nowadays there are many not thirsty at all. For, they have talents, eloquence, wealth. With materialistic riches they do not want spiritual life, nor rely on the Spirit. Many Church members becoming tycoons lean not on the Holy Spirit. How then the filling? Unless one dies to self, there can be no filling.

Many years ago the Church relied on power. She thrived on power, but lacked the Spirit power. Once the power the Church trusted was gone she failed. Today there are Churches still relying on power, money-power. But they become degenerate, corrupt. Without the Holy Spirit the Church cannot prosper, nor persevere. Let our Church not be one of these.

Many churches today rely on organisation, methodology, on their material resources. 0, be careful! What counts is relying on the Holy Spirit. When the disciples were toiling over the sea, Jesus slept. The winds came, the disciples struggled their hardest, but to no avail. The boat was sinking. Then they cried, "Quick, quick, get up, we are dying, save us!" The moment Jesus awoke the winds subsided. This is a picture of the Church today. Depending on prowess she tells Jesus to sleep. "We have money power, talents, knowledge, organisa­tion, methodology. We can afford to leave Jesus out." We are like the disciples. It is only when we're about to drown that we cry for Jesus. When you have a way out, you don't need Jesus. When your plan fails, then you call for Jesus. Unless self dies, there is no thirst. Wretched ones we, are we not only a vessel for Christ? We need Him every moment!

When a man has eaten, will he eat again? When I was in America a friend invited me to a meal. Seeing I was Chinese, I would surely like rice in the menu. He gave me sweet potatoes, rice gruel, beans. After this he said, "Wait a minute, plenty more is coming." Could I eat the many more items he brought when I had already had my fill? I could but glance at the added dishes with my eyes. When a man relies on his own talents, power, prowess, he needs not the Holy Spirit.

2. Come! A filthy heart cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let the filth be cleansed, let the sin-burden be rolled away before he can be filled. Let therefore our whole being be born again, be cleansed for filling of the Spirit. Can a man without self-cleansing be filled? A man indulging in prom­iscuous sex and covetousness cannot be used by God. So you must be sanctified.  II Tim. 2:21 says  it perfectly, "If a man purge himself ... (he will be) prepared for the Master's use."

3. Drink! Are we cleansed? Maybe, but we dare not pray aloud. Can the Spirit fill us? As we pray aloud the Spirit will fill us. But if you don't pray to God in heaven, it is because you are still prejudiced. Mumbling within, without earnest prayer, will you be filled ? You must pray earnestly, aloud, brothers and sisters!

 4. Flow! The filling of the Spirit must further overflow to others, like a living river. If you arc filled, you must flow, with others, like a living river. If you are filled, you must flow, with rivers of living water. In 1926 1 visited the famous Niagara Falls. I saw torrents of water thundering down, what a majestic sight! It reminded me of God's power in creation. This Waterfall provided electric power to benefit mankind. I prayed, "Lord, make me a Niagara." I've prayed for 7 years. I have brought living waters everywhere to cause souls to be born again and sanctified. But I do not stop at this. I must continue to flow. Rivers of living water! May we all become river of living water to others.

In Honan Province a university student said he would become a river of living water. Now he has gone to Mongolia and Sinkiang to preach.

When I was in Tsingtao there was a 15 year-old girl student who wished to

be a river of living water. I prayed for her. Now she's gone everywhere witnessing, a river of living water, saving souls.

I was touched by the preaching of a 19 year-old American girl. I went also to hear a 13 year-old in New York City. She preached for a whole month in great power. Several thousands were turned to the Lord. Her voice was thunderous, her demeanour earnest. I was humbled by her preaching. I prayed to God to make me a river of living water that I might flow ever onwards for others.

ON BEING FILLED WITH
THE HOLY SPIRIT, I
Text: Acts 2

This afternoon I want to speak on the doctrine of "Being Filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 2, this chapter, clearly reveals the doctrine of "Being Filled with the Holy Spirit." May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit. Why does not God use a Church? Because the Church is not filled with the Holy Spirit. So God wants Sung Shang Chieh to preach the doctrine of Pentecost wherever he goes.

v. 1. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." Pentecost is an appointed day. Thank the Lord! It was like a Day of Great Grace. A band of people were athirst for the Word of the Kingdom of Heaven. Naturally they banded themselves for prayer.

v. 2. "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Suddenly, at an unexpected moment (God never tells you the time beforehand) a sound like a great wind from heaven signalled the coming of the Holy Spirit in a great outpouring as you would experience in a mighty draught of wind. There are many Churches today experiencing a mere drizzle, and not being filled. At that time the house was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the temple too. Heavenly hosts and horses, thousands and ten thousands of the heavenly army and cavalry were sent down. 0 may many heavenly hosts and horses fill this Pure  Heart Church. Many sin-laden ones shiver and shudder until they get out of the Church auditorium. Why? Because they are unholy.

Once several village folk told me they saw fire above the Church while inside the Church were heavenly hosts and horses. 0 may we be filled with the Holy Spirit today!

v. 3. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." The Holy Spirit is like fire, tongues, (tongues appear like human hearts) which "sat upon each of them," on their heads. Why didn't the fire of the Holy Spirit fall on the mouth or ear? Because the head is the culprit, it is full of bad impressions. Even in sleep it imagines bad thoughts and shows out bad habits. The Spirit's fire comes to burn these up.

Before Pentecost Peter  wanted to be No. 1, so  did  the rest of the disciples as they quarrelled.  After Pentecost  these thoughts  were  burnt up.  Before Pentecost the disciples  wanted to  "don high hats." Their ideas were oldish. After  Pentecost,  all these  were changed. Under  the working of  the Holy Spirit all things were cleansed. I remember when the Holy Spirit came down on me many oldish ideas and many things I loved were taken away. Now, if you invite me to cinema I'd doze off there. If you ask me to read the Bible I won't fall asleep.  Because my old ways of thinking and  old habits are taken away. I hope the Spirit will come down and remove all our old thoughts and anything else.  The manifestation of  Pentecost  is  our change  of  heart and spirit.  Now the  Spirit's  coming  need not be  like  fire, like  tongues.  Most important is the removal of our old, worn out, decayed elements.

v. 4. "And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." When they were filled with the Spirit, they not only could pray but speak in tongues to be counted as being filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not fill like water. The Holy Spirit is fire, to cleanse your heart from sin that it may be emptied to become a vessel for the Lord, and be joined as a member of the body of Christ. All for Jesus! At any time you are all out for the Lord, loving Him with whole-heart, regarding money and all as nothing, then you'll be filled with the Spirit. Not necessary to speak in tongues, to see visions. These people spoke foreign languages so that every national could hear it in his own language. Three years ago I could not speak  Mandarin,  but only English.  I prayed to  the Lord, and the Lord helped me, He enabled me to speak the "common language." Praise the Lord. The first thing is, to be able to speak in foreign languages so that all can understand.

v. 5. "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." Hearers of God's Word arc prepared in advance by the Lord. When I was in Amoy hearers of the Word came from every quarter. Someone said to me, "I heard you once before and I cannot but come and hear you again." When the Holy Spirit works, your heart becomes ill at ease. 'To come, or not to come? One is torn between the excuse of not understanding and the irresistible urge of coming. This is the Holy Spirit's work. Those that are God's Holy Spirit will grip. I never worry of no people coming but rather that the Church hall is too small. While the message is being preached, there stands behind each hearer an angel. When any word is said the same shoots an arrow into the hearer's heart which makes him restless on hearing the word.

v. 6. "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." This seemed like a crowd gathering to the trumpet call of an angel. Each man heard it in his own dialect. The Word of the Holy Spirit is discernible by all, it enters every heart.

v. 7. "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?" All were amazed. Once while I was preaching many Indians gathered to hear me. Though they couldn't understand the language of speech they well understood the message of the heart. From my tears and gestures they were converted. They repented and their sicknesses were healed.

v. 8. "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" When the Spirit works in unison with you your word is alive and convicts.

vs. 9-11. "Parthians, and ,Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia. Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome. Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." Here were gathered people from 15 countries. When the Holy Spirit works, people will come without invitation. Once while preaching in the South, I had to have two interpreters, for half of my hearers were Cantonese and the other half Hokkiens. Here you needn't have 15 interpreters. The Holy Spirit was the interpreter. There was a fellow surnamed Lee who never heard the Word before. The Holy Spirit woke him up at 3 a.m. one night to read the Bible. He suddenly came to light, the saving work of the Holy Spirit.

vs. 12,13. "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." They spoke only on the mighty acts of God. There are many preachers who speak haphazardly that lull listeners to sleep. Not these, who spoke with power, filled with the Spirit, as it were they were under the influence of wine. Not brain power, nor other power, but Holy Spirit power.

v. 14. "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words." They lifted up their voice. They did not buzz like mosquitoes. When I was a boy, whenever I couldn't go to sleep at home, I would do so in Church. Peter didn't send his hearers to sleep. The more he preached the more he excelled.

v. 15,16. "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." Don't think we're drunk. When the Holy Spirit fills us we cannot help but speak. We become all stirred up inside if we try to contain ourselves, like water boiling up. Many there are today who speak rather unnaturally, who speak under duress. There are many times when I lead others in preaching, I've observed how these speak with abashed cheeks and flushed ears. When filled with the Spirit, however, they are no more self-conscious.

v. 17. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." God says. "The Holy Spirit will be outpoured in the last days." Not in drops. Many ask for the Holy Spirit in drops, not in a downpour. All flesh will prophesy. Little boys and girls can preach. Now we see many children not speaking good but bad of others. "To disbelieve Christ is to perish" is a prophecy that must be fulfilled. In Nanyang (Southeast Asia) there are many young people who preach the Word with all their might. They see visions -- in regard to the heavenly kingdom, the new heaven and new earth and the Rapture. These are visions given by the Spirit. By and large all they know are no more than dances, love-making and money-making. Visions are given to those who are filled with the Spirit, who are moved by the Spirit. Old men will dream dreams, dreams of a new heaven and new earth.

v. 18. "And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy." When the Holy Spirit is outpoured on His servants and handmaidens they will prophesy. Preaching will come quite naturally. In the last days when the Holy Spirit is outpoured, His sons and daughters will flow with rivers of living water. What a contrast with those who agonise to preach from mere brain power!

v. 19,20. "And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable day of the Lord come." When I returned from Nanyang (Southeast Asia) this time I brought home 4,000 letters. Between 200-300 letters say how they have seen a cross in the sky, signifying, "The Lord is coming soon." Yet, you have not seen it. On earth wonders will occur. Many western missionaries don't believe the Lord has healed through my ministry. On earth there will be blood, fire, smoke that have never occurred. There will be a sky without sun when Satan works to resist the Holy Spirit. There will be in the last days a whirlwind of sex. Today we marry, tomorrow we part....

v. 21. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." One will be saved by prayer, as easy as that. The first time I went to Nanyang, there were not too many believers. In a Church of 30 years' history, perhaps only five were saved. Thank the Lord ! After the revival, three to four hundred were added to the same Church in a year. Preaching was a burden before. Now that the Holy Spirit had mightily worked, preaching was a lightened job. Men were converted to the Lord at every meeting.

v. 22. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." Whenever the Holy Spirit preaches, His subject is "Only Jesus." Secondly behold....

v. 23. "Him, being delivered by the determinate coun­sel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have slain." It's the Cross, and His precious blood.

v. 24-32. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we all are witnesses." And great stress on the Resurrection, the Risen Saviour working with us His co-labourers. But many preach a dead doctrine. The Holy Spirit at work speaks forth every word with power.

v. 33.  "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Filled with the Spirit we testify for the Lord, what we see and hear. Filled with the Spirit we have power in witnessing.

v. 34-36. "For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Yes, every word is charged with power, as we declare, "You deserve to die...." Thank the Lord! Whom the Lord has called are not great doctors but fishermen, who never studied philosophy, psychology or science. So these cannot talk philosophy or psychology, but they can testify. They are purveyors of Bible, not of Babble. They teach of Bible doctrines whereby hearts are touched. In my work for the Lord, I merely witness and expound the Bible, these two things. I do not speak the pleasant things to please the appetite, the hearing and the sight. Peter's sermon pricked their hearts - so I do likewise, as I am told. It's the work of the Holy Spirit.

v. 38. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." First, repent, open your heart. Examine what sins you've committed, when and where? Confess your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This readily brings filling of the Holy Spirit.

v. 39. "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." This promise is for those that are afar off, irrespective of race.

v. 40. "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward genera­tion." After rebirth, holiness! To separate from following what the world does.

v. 41. "Then They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them  about  three thousand souls." 3,000 in one day. I've seen this happen, yes, 3,000 in one day, in Amoy!

v. 42.   " And  they  continued  stedfastly   in   the   Apostles'   doctrine  and fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of  bread, and in prayers." All are warned one towards another, even while on the road, in everything, a heavenly life.

v. 43,44. "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common." The Apostles were invested with spiritual authority. Every mem­ber was gifted to do signs, which I've also experienced. Sinners feared my presence. The poor help one another.

v. 45. "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." The Pentecost Church is one big family.

v. 46. "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did cat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." Praying with one accord and the more they pray the more happy they become. Prayer is better than anything. Those not born again cannot in one minute have more than two words to say.

v. 47. "Praising God, and having favour with all people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." "Praise the Lord" is the overall theme. God's glory fills the place. They are beloved by all people including the non-believers. In everything they do they sing hymns of praise, whether it be sweeping or cooking. A change comes over everyone's behaviour after the Spirit's filling. There is family worship, singing and prayer with the children. A happy family, a heavenly family.

ON BEING FILLED WITH
THE HOLY SPIRIT, II

Text: Acts 19

v. 1. "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples." Apollos knew the Bible. He led men in repentance and confession of sins. Like many Churches today, which know only daily confession and repentance, but nothing beyond.

Paul was God's servant. He was filled with the Spirit Rivers of living water flowed from within him wherever he went. At Ephesus he looked up the Lord's people. 0 that God would make everyone to be like Paul having rivers of living water.

v. 2. "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost, since ye believed? And they said unto Him, We have, not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.' Many have believed the Gospel for long, with several tens of years of Church membership. Paul didn't care about this. H only asked it they had received the Holy Spirit. They very honestly replied, "No. We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit sent down." Pity of pities! Today let me ask every believer, "Have you received the Holy Spirit?''

v. 3. "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism." Today there are some who know they are baptized by pastor so-and-so.  They know of repentance. Before they committed sin. Now they don't. How wonderful ! But, really, this is not enough. Should Paul preach in Shanghai today, he would ask first c all, "Have you received the Holy Spirit?"

v. 4. "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus." Repentance, confession of sins, baptism by sprinkling or immersion, is not enough. John preached the Gospel of repentance, preparing the hearts of the people to receive Jesus. Every believer's heart must have the Spirit of Jesus. The Holy Spirit within brings life. No Spirit, no life. Without life, one can repent today, confess sins and commit them all over again. Because there is no one staying in his heart as Lord. The devil cast out yesterday brings in seven others today, making 8. Praying a second time the 8 devils are cast out. But if the heart is devoid of the Holy Spirit 64 devils will come in hereafter. Devil bringing in more devils.

In Amoy there was a woman demon-possessed. I told her to kneel. In the Name of the Lord Jesus I cast out the demon. I said to her, "Be quick, confess your sins, or else the demon will return. But she refused to confess, so the demon returned, this time more severe than before. She came to me again. I told her to kneel, but she refused to kneel. It took a long while before she knelt down. Now, it was harder to pray than the previous time. It took most earnest prayer before the demon left. I urged her to confess her sins. She again refused. Again the demon entered her. She came to me the third time for prayer. Because I was busy preaching, I asked her to come the next day. She raged with madness the same night. She broke everything that came her way. The next day I prayed earnestly for her. She came to herself again after confession of sins: She poisoned to death her husband's mistress. This was never disclosed before. From this time forward the demon did not possess her.

vs. 5-7. "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." Unless sin in the heart is cleansed by Jesus' precious blood through prayer, the Holy Spirit will not fill us. Since Pentecost we need not pray through ten days for the Holy Spirit has been in this world. So, when Paul laid hands upon the twelve they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Today there are those not cleared of their sins who pray the whole night for the Holy Spirit's filling. Instead of the Holy Spirit, it is the evil spirit that takes His place. Paul's hand was like the electrical line. The electricity of God passed through his body. The Church is surrounded by God's Spirit. So, there is inter-communication. But it is not enough to be filled with the Spirit. We need to be firmly founded on the true doctrine. We need to study the truth. Paul stayed three years at Ephesus to thoroughly nurture them that they might be firmly established in the truth.

v. 8. "And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuad­ing the things concerning the kingdom of God." Paul preached three months at a stretch. This kept every Church member from being ensnared by heretical doctrines. It is easy to bring revival. It is hard to nurture. There are many strange doctrines these days - compelling immersion, requiring tongues, etc, etc. These false doctrines easily confuse those whose faith is shallow. So, we must be firmly based in the Holy Scriptures. Without foundation we fall. It takes only one week to hold revival meetings. It takes three months to hold nuture-meetings, and that is scarcely enough.

v. 9. "But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus." A group of hard-hearted fellows, under Satan's influence, blasphemed the Way before the congregation. Paul saw he could not preach here, but for the sake of the flock, he shifted to the school of Tyrannus. Whenever I leave a place after holding meetings, I often wonder, when leaving, how many can remain steadfast, that I might see them in heaven. There were so few who could nurture, so Paul did his best. From the synagogue he shifted to a school. This time I went to Southeast Asia again. There were 800 who believed the Lord in my first visit. After the revival  the churches became flourishing.  Over  80  organised  preaching bands went out to work. Since the Church leaders there opposed, same 50 preaching bands separated. When I returned this time, only 300  remained. The rest were scattered. I prayed earnestly.  They came back. Another 80 preaching hands were formed. So, we need to take root in the truth.  Then we will not be shaken. Paul spent three months to nurture the believers. He    left with reluctance. Ch. 20:20 says "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house."  v. 31.  "Therefore watch, and remember,  that by the space  of  three years  I ceased not to warn  every  one night  and day  with tears."

v. 10. "And  this continued  by  the space  of  two years;  so that all they which dwelt  in Asia heard  the word of  the Lord  Jesus,  both Jews and Greeks." During the three years Paul held not only nurture-meetings but also evangelistic  meetings.  He made  known  the  salvation message to everybody,  to every one in the city. On one hand he rooted  the Church firmly lest  it  be swayed  by  heretical teachings.  On the other  hand he fought  the  battle against  the outside world.  During  the three years at Ephesus Paul coveted not a single dollar. As it is recorded in Ch.20:23, 34  " I  have  coveted  no  man's  silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel.  Yea,  ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." e drew no salary during the three years. While making tents he preached. He was a volunteer preacher. Some say it is impossible to make money and preach. Let's look at Paul. He earned and supplied others. Was it due to craziness that Paul worked so hard in the preaching ministry?

In two years he preached to everyone the Word. He preached with tears, tears that watered the seed of the Word. Not in vain ! We give out gospel tracts sometimes in buses, sometimes on board ship, and we preach to them. Then they disperse. Do not fear! All these works are not in vain. God will wipe Paul's tears. I've preached to several hundred thousand in eight years. When I leave, then they cool down. But I do not, because he that soweth with tears will one day see a great reaping. We do not see the seed sprouts at present. After three years we will see the Holy Spirit mightily at work.

v. 11. "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul."'

v. 12. "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them. Paul's handkerchiefs and clothings could heal diseases and cast out evil spirits. Power from the  smallest objects used by Paul. I believe from my strenuous efforts now, such as some small tracts, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, miracles will result. Yes, even little things from the body of one given to God's work will work wonders, not in vain, never in vain.

When I went to Southeast Asia the first time 5,000 repented. I wrote some words, letters, little things, but with a convicting power. There I told a little girl, "I want you to be a preacher." For a whole year this little girl told her mother, "Mr. Sung wants me to be a preacher." I told a preacher in Malacca, "Don't be afraid. When you return you will receive a double portion of power." Since then his Church has become revived. Unconsciously, a word was spoken in power.

v. 13. "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." Some hypocrites, opportunists used Paul's name to get dishonest gain. When Satan loses out to Paul then he masquerades as a preacher under him !

v. 14. "And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew-. and chief of the priests, which did so." But the Holy Spirit works to thwart the priest's sons from their opportunism.

vs. 15,16. "And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know;  but who are ye?  And the man  in whom  the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them,  and  prevailed  against them,  so  that  they fled out of that house naked and wounded." Not only could they not cast out demons, but were themselves stripped naked.

In Chuanchow, Fukien there was a woman preacher who practised exorcism. Instead she became possessed for three whole years. When the Holy Spirit is working the true and false are put in their proper light. No cover-up!

v. 17. "And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." Paul preached the truth. The whole city knew this. All the idol-manufacturers in Ephesus lost their trade.

v. 18,19. "And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. " When the Holy Spirit worked at His appointed time, the people felt Paul's preaching was the truth. So they came before him to repent and confess their sins - the great outworking of the Holy Spirit. The seed Paul had sown now sprouted, without loss.

v. 20. "So mightily grew the word of God and pre­vailed." This is the result of tearful sowing. All in the world is vain. Preaching is not in vain. Ephesus is now gone to ashes. Not Paul's work. Though Paul was crucified in Rome, his work did not perish. One day the trumpet will sound. Paul will be raptured into the sky. There he'll meet with his Ephesian Christians. If his work was worthless he would not have spent three laborious years there. Why should Paul go through great odds to labour for the Lord. Read I Cor. 15:30-­32, "And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for the morrow we die." And v. 58, "therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmove­able, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Formerly I studied science with all my might. Thank the Lord, I became filled with the Spirit on Feb. 11, 1927. The Lord made me see all is vanity. The next day a classmate presented me with a globe. I asked the Lord, "What does this mean ? "The Lord said, "I want to send you to witness for Me to the whole world." I said, "I'm not worthy." During the last nine years of my travels I have seen several hundred thousand born again. I believe sowing with tears is not in vain. One day in heaven I'll see men shake hands with me, "I was saved when you preached to me that day." May the Holy Spirit come on each one of you that you may witness for him.