Is Your Heart Burning Within?

Daniel Marsh
Apr 27
5 min read

Sunday Night of Arizona Campmeeting 2025

by Bro. Nathan Bryne

On the concluding evening of the 2025 Arizona Campmeeting, Sis. Ellen Pangilinan delivered an earnest and heartfelt message, urging attendees to evaluate their spiritual fervor. Her message opened by referencing the disciples on the road to Emmaus from Luke 24:31-32, emphasizing their experience of spiritual recognition when their hearts burned within them as Jesus spoke. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan asked pointedly, "Did your heart burn within you during this campmeeting?" challenging congregants to reflect on whether they had genuinely connected with and been deeply moved by the spiritual truths presented.

She further underscored that a true spiritual awakening requires more than passive listening—it demands active engagement and heartfelt response. The speaker encouraged listeners to examine their reactions honestly and determine if their spiritual lives had genuinely advanced during the meetings. Her message called for authenticity and transparency before God, prompting each individual to assess whether the messages had translated into a genuine, ongoing transformation of their heart and life.

In her opening remarks, Sis. Ellen Pangilinan reminded the congregation of the purpose of spiritual gatherings—not merely to fulfill religious duties but to encounter God personally and powerfully. She emphasized that genuine revival is marked by personal conviction, repentance, and a clear commitment to follow Christ with renewed fervor and dedication.

Moving Beyond Lukewarm Christianity

Sis. Ellen Pangilinan emphasized the necessity of moving beyond superficial religious experiences, cautioning against lukewarm commitment. She warned that many church attendees settle into a pattern of routine worship without truly connecting with God’s Spirit, describing this state as spiritually dangerous. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan stressed that regular church attendance alone—whether on Wednesdays, Sundays, or even at special meetings like campmeetings—is insufficient for spiritual growth if it does not lead to genuine life change.

Using poignant personal examples, she candidly admitted her struggles with occasionally forgetting sermons shortly after they were preached. This transparent confession served to highlight the broader issue of spiritual forgetfulness prevalent among believers. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan called for intentionality, encouraging believers to thoughtfully engage with and retain spiritual teachings through consistent meditation, personal Bible study, and meaningful dialogue within the church community.

She argued forcefully against a passive approach to faith, where sermons are heard but not heeded. Drawing on Revelation 3:16, she emphasized the biblical warning against being spiritually lukewarm—a state that God explicitly rejects. Her message urged listeners to actively resist spiritual complacency by cultivating daily spiritual disciplines that ensure messages heard are deeply internalized and lived out in practical ways.

Persistent Pursuit of God

The persistent pursuit of spiritual nourishment and personal revival formed another central theme of Sis. Ellen Pangilinan’s sermon. She challenged attendees not to become passive receivers of spiritual teaching but active participants in their spiritual journeys. The sermon underscored the necessity of continuously seeking after God through disciplined practices such as prayer, consistent scripture reading, note-taking during sermons, and engaging in spiritually enriching conversations with fellow believers.

Sis. Ellen Pangilinan passionately advocated for a relentless approach to seeking God, describing spiritual complacency as a subtle yet deadly enemy of true revival. She warned against assuming one’s spiritual condition was secure simply because of outward religious observances or past spiritual experiences. Instead, she called for an ongoing and vibrant engagement with God’s word and Spirit, urging congregants to remain spiritually alert and responsive.

She illustrated the dangers of spiritual forgetfulness and passivity by referencing biblical examples of those who had lost their initial zeal and fervor. Her message emphasized that true spiritual life is characterized by sustained growth and continual progress in holiness and intimacy with God. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan concluded this point by urging believers to embrace a lifestyle of persistent pursuit, continuously pressing into deeper fellowship with God through disciplined spiritual habits.

Forgiveness and Healing

Addressing deeply personal spiritual needs, Sis. Ellen Pangilinan delivered a powerful call to forgiveness, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional healing that comes from releasing bitterness and offense. She acknowledged the pain and difficulty involved in forgiving others, particularly when forgiveness had not been sought or acknowledged by the offending party. Nonetheless, she stressed the scriptural imperative to forgive, referencing Ephesians 4:32 as a guiding principle.

Sis. Ellen Pangilinan urged congregants to confront unresolved hurts and bitterness directly, reminding them that holding onto offenses compromises their spiritual vitality and can even jeopardize their eternal destiny. Forgiveness, she explained, is not merely an emotional release but a profound act of obedience and faith, reflecting God’s grace and mercy towards us. She encouraged listeners to view forgiveness as both a spiritual discipline and a powerful testimony of Christ’s transformative power in their lives.

The sermon’s practical emphasis on forgiveness included specific steps individuals could take to begin the journey toward healing. These steps included honest confession before God, prayer for strength and grace, and a deliberate decision to release offenders from personal judgment or retribution. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan’s heartfelt appeal was aimed at fostering an atmosphere of reconciliation, spiritual healing, and renewed relational harmony within the congregation.

Answering the Call

Sis. Ellen Pangilinan further challenged attendees who felt a specific call from God to deeper service or ministry. Highlighting the urgency and seriousness of answering God’s call, she emphasized the importance of immediate obedience and wholehearted consecration. The speaker cautioned against procrastination or hesitation, noting that delays often result in missed opportunities and spiritual stagnation rather than improvement.

She provided biblical examples of individuals who promptly answered God’s call, contrasting their stories with those who hesitated or refused to obey. Her message reinforced the principle that God’s call is not optional but mandatory for every believer who genuinely desires to fulfill God’s purpose for their life. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan exhorted congregants to assess their spiritual callings soberly and to respond decisively and faithfully.

The sermon also addressed the practical realities of answering God's call, encouraging listeners to seek guidance through prayer, pastoral counsel, and scriptural reflection. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan urged those feeling called to trust God's provision and guidance fully, emphasizing that God equips and empowers those He calls.

Maintaining Campmeeting Zeal

The message concluded with a heartfelt admonition to sustain the spiritual fervor and zeal experienced during the campmeeting throughout the year. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan emphasized the necessity of intentionality and vigilance in maintaining spiritual commitments made during times of revival. She implored the congregation to actively guard against spiritual complacency and the subtle drift back into routine religious practices.

She suggested practical ways to maintain spiritual fervor, including consistent fellowship with other believers, regular personal devotion, and accountability relationships. Sis. Ellen Pangilinan stressed the importance of integrating spiritual experiences into daily life, transforming short-term zeal into long-lasting spiritual growth and maturity.

Ultimately, her closing appeal reminded listeners that the journey of faith requires perseverance and steadfast commitment. She encouraged congregants to continually nurture their relationship with God, ensuring their spiritual fervor endures beyond campmeeting into every aspect of their daily walk.