Jeff Johnson Teaches at CCA Hawaii Conference

Story by Jim Culhane
Photos by Tom Price

Follow Calvary Chapel Magazine as we publish summaries of pastors’ teachings at the CCA Pastors, Leaders, & Church Workers Conference held in August 2021 at Calvary Chapel Honolulu, HI. Click here to learn more about the conference.

In this installment, Jeff Johnson, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Downey, CA, teaches from Zechariah 4:6, emphasizing the importance of the work of the Holy Spirit as churches minister in these Last Days.

Kerry Taylor (right), assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel Honolulu, greets a man attending the CCA Pastors, Leaders, & Church Workers Conference in August 2021.

Pastor Jeff was appreciative of the conference, saying, “It’s such a blessing to hear what God is doing. These messages need to get out—this is a very crucial gathering. We are in desperate times; the Lord is preparing us.”

In his 50 years of pastoring, Jeff sees that God has blessed so much that it is mind boggling. One message that God keeps giving him since Day One of his pastoring is:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

Jeff Johnson, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Downey, CA, teaches from Zechariah 4:6, emphasizing the importance of the work of the Holy Spirit as churches minister in these Last Days.

Zerubbabel tried to rebuild the wasteland of Jerusalem. It was out of control, and it looked like an impossible task, but by the Holy Spirit the Temple was built. In Genesis Chapter 1, it says that the earth was without form or void, and the Spirit of God moved upon the waters. In the end of the Book of Revelation, there is mention of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus calls “the water of life”:

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. … And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:15, 17

                  

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“I don’t know what you need to hear more, that these are the End Times,” offered Jeff. “What is happening in our world? It’s changed, it will never be the same. It’s going to be a new day every day. We will have to be refreshed if we’re going to be witnesses in that next day.” Jeff mentioned the events happening around the world and believes that the United States of America is now in a free-fall.

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:6, 7

Pastor Bruce Baumgartner of Calvary Chapel Lihue, Kauai, HI, helps lead worship at the Hawaii conference.

Persecution is coming to waken us, to bring us to a place where we are open to whatever God wants to do in each of our lives. To be a watchman today is to give out God’s Word. People need what God is saying. We must be warned, then pass it on to others.

[Jesus said,] “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:

Note in the following verse that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4).

Jeff stated that revival is coming. Pastor Chuck once said, “This experience is the greatest need in the church today,” talking about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. God wants to restore us, to refresh us that we would get what He is saying to us in these Last Days.

Bruce Baumgartner and his wife Janet pray together.

Many people have had the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but they aren’t experiencing what they should. Noting that Jesus often spoke of the water that He would give to believers, meaning the Holy Spirit, Jeff referenced many Scripture verses which mentioned the Holy Spirit and the pouring of the Holy Spirit into our lives in the Last Days, including: Matthew 3:11, Luke 11:13, John 4:14, John 7:38-39, Acts 1:4, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 3:19, Acts 4:14, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 11:13, and Ephesians 5:17-18.

People confuse baptism at conversion with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist baptizes with water but says that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Baptism of the Holy Spirit results in a greater insight into the Word of God, a greater love for God and one another, a peace that passes all understanding, a joy unspeakable and full of glory, and receiving a new prayer language. When you don’t know how to pray, you can pray in the Spirit. First Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14 put it all together for you. The Holy Spirit gives the power that started and built the Early Church and what we need to end well.

Conference attendees lift each other’s needs and praises during a set-aside time of prayer.

There are two ways to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. One, by asking for it and God will grant it. Secondly, by the laying on of hands by those who have the Holy Spirit.

We need an ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit; we need it daily. It’s not just a one-time experience—we need to be walking in the Spirit. We need to receive this baptism. This is our greatest need. That most explosive [spiritual] power takes us out of the equation and puts God in us so we can make the proper decisions. We’re going to need this for the future because times are going to get heavy, Jeff warned.

Derald Skinner (left), senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor, HI, prays with attendee Bryan Wells. Prayer was just one of the ways pastors and leaders were encouraged at the conference.

                  

Visit the website of Pastor Jeff Johnson's church at Calvary Chapel Downey

Watch Jeff Johnson's teaching in its entirety at: Jeff Johnson / CCA Hawaii Conference
                  

Follow summaries of pastors' teachings at CCA Hawaii Conference:
Ron Hindt, senior pastor of Calvary Houston, TX
Bud Stonebraker, senior pastor of South Shore Christian Fellowship, Waimanalo, HI

Stay tuned for more teaching summaries in upcoming days.
                  

Mark your calendar for the 2022 CCA Hawaii Conference: August 19-21 at Calvary Chapel Honolulu

                  

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All verses above are quoted from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

© 2022 Calvary Chapel Magazine (CCM). All rights reserved. Articles or photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of CCM. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.® Used by permission.