I do truly believe that if you and I walk in the Spirit, in true correspondence to the anointing, the Holy Spirit will touch us when we touch that which is anointed. This is a tremendous thing for God! It may be that the absence of the power, operation and manifestation of the Holy Spirit is because He is injured in this way. The Holy Spirit has to look upon Christianity today, and see in it all the rivalries, jealousies and factions - one section against another, and one man against another. Christianity is like that, and the Holy Spirit has to stand back. Christianity is suffering today because the Holy Spirit is not committing Himself. It is all very well to pray and appeal for "revival" while the Holy Spirit says: "Put your relationships right, and I will come in". What is true in general may be true in particular, that the Spirit is limited and arrested; indeed, is offended and has to stand back because there is not this recognition of the sacredness of one another to the Lord if we have the Spirit, and sacredness of everything that is of the Lord. The anointing may be grieved because the things and the people of God are too cheap. And if the anointing says one thing, it means "preciousness" wherever it is - the "preciousness of this ointment"; it is precious ointment.
(This e-book can be downloaded for free at Austin-Sparks.Net)
T. Austin Sparks (1888 – 1971)
He was ordained as a Baptist pastor at the age of 24, and from 1912 to 1926 led three congregations in Greater London. During these years, he was also closely related to Jessie Penn-Lewis and her publication and speaking ministry, the "Overcomer Testimony."Among the many books that he wrote, at least three are regarded as Christian classics: The School of Christ, The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ and We Beheld His Glory. The primary theme of Sparks' books is the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He mentored Watchman Nee for many years and was very influential in his understanding of the Church Life.
Recommends these books by T. Austin Sparks:
Daily Open Windows: Excerpts from the Messages of T. Austin-Sparks
Discipleship in the School of Christ by T. Austin Sparks
More of Christ: From "The Stewardship of the Mystery" by T. Austin Sparks
"Mr Sparks", as he was affectionately known, was born in London, England in 1888. He came to know Christ as a teenager and later became a Baptist pastor. However, his "ecclesiastical" career took a decidedly different direction when a physical crisis brought him to a place of brokenness.
At the same time God also delivered him from his previous prejudice against anything that was related to the "deeper life". As a result, he joined Jessie Penn-Lewis in the ministry of the spiritual growth of believers; a ministry to which he devoted his life and which also cost him his reputation and his career in the denominational circles of England.
He was based in southeast London at Honor Oak Christian Fellowship which is where Watchman Nee met and fellowshipped with him during a visit to England in 1933. Nee's refusal to disavow Austin-Sparks later became the grounds for him being disfellowshipped by the Taylor Brethren. It has been said that Watchman Nee considered Austin-Sparks as his spiritual mentor, and their fellowship appears to have been rich and fruitful.
... Show more