Are we making heaven more crowded?
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“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20
Erika Kirk is in the news because TPUSA has announced its new tour of worship events. The name of this tour is “Make Heaven Crowded.” I loved the name and the stated purpose behind these gatherings. The webpage says: “The Make Heaven Crowded Tour is a gospel centered gathering calling people to repentance, faith, and bold obedience to Jesus.”
The event is described as “a powerful night of worship, preaching, and ministry as we believe God will move in hearts and lives.” Attendees are told to “come expectant and bring someone who needs hope.”
I love the title, the goals, and the outcomes the TPUSA organization hopes to achieve. They would like to see revival in this country, especially with young people. There were a few protesters outside the first event in Riverside, CA, but Erika Kirk, in an interview afterwards, said, “As long as I remain obedient to God and abide in his word, and I’m in the jet stream of his will, the opinions of this world mean nothing to me. Nothing.”
Erika Kirk has been through a great deal of trauma over the past several months. That trauma, in God’s hands, is a testimony to the truth of Romans 8:28, for a woman who has been “called according to God’s purpose.” Her husband, the late Charlie Kirk, would be very proud of her today.
I’ve attached a link so you can attend one of these events if you are able. A Fox News report said that Erika Kirk wanted to give people an experience similar to the one at her husband’s memorial service. She said many people had commented on the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit during that service. She wanted to help people experience what those in that service had experienced. I’m prayerful these events will make heaven more crowded.
When people physically experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, they are likely to want to know the One they have experienced. The Holy Spirit is the continued, tangible ministry of Jesus in this world, working through those who will be disciples.
Today’s article is about that. How often do people experience the presence of the Holy Spirit simply because they are in our presence here on earth? Christians, who intentionally allow the Spirit of Christ to make them disciples, bring the Holy Presence of Christ into each place they go. When is Jesus able to continue his earthly ministry through you?
Is heaven more crowded because of your ministry?
What draws a crowd today?
Erika Kirk was well pleased by the numbers that showed up to their first “Make Heaven Crowded” event. TPUSA is hoping to hold at least 29 more of these services and praying each city will experience similar crowds and results. They are skilled at using social media to get the word out, and people are responding. Some will attend out of curiosity, while others will attend seeking Christ. I think the ministry will do its best to ensure that the presence of Jesus is honored and invited into each service. It will be important that Jesus is a tangible reality in the crowds through his disciples.
It will be interesting to see how the media describes the crowds following the subsequent events. The protests will likely grow due to the crowd culture that has developed in our world today. Much has been said lately about this phenomenon. Every crowd can help create a video that goes viral, and many people are motivated by that sense of personal “success.” There have also been many questions and concerns about whether some of these protesters are actually paid to shout, inflame, and disrupt crowds. Scripture cites many examples of Jesus and his disciples experiencing the same thing.
The Pentecost experience sent Spirit-filled disciples into the crowded streets of Jerusalem in the first century, and the world was changed forever.
Will the TPUSA events inspire attendees to make heaven more crowded because they are filled with people who choose to be, or become, his disciples?
Will we enter crowds as his disciples?
- Every Sunday we enter a crowd at church. Speaking as a pastor’s wife, I can promise you that many of those you see each Sunday are not yet saved, sanctified, and serving God with their lives. Are you actively working to bring the Spirit of Jesus into the church each time you attend?
- Every sporting event draws a crowd. How will you intend to be a disciple there?
- Every mall, grocery store, or line you stand in is a crowd. How can you be the presence of Christ there?
- What crowds do you invite into your lives? How do you create opportunities for Jesus to enter a room and be known by those who attend?
Let’s make heaven crowded
Most of us will create small “crowds” for others to be part of. Will we share TPUSA’s goal and invite people to “come expectant and bring someone who needs hope”? How can God use our homes and lives for his kingdom purpose?
Jesus told his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20).
If we want to spend time with Jesus, we need only choose to be his disciples. Jesus said when we fulfill that calling, he is with us, “always.”
Jesus is present with those who will work to make “heaven crowded.” How will that thought impact you the next time you head out the door? It won’t be hard to show people Jesus when all you have to do is point to the One who is already and always “with you.”
Let’s make heaven crowded, too. We have all eternity to celebrate and enjoy our forever family, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
