Pentecost matters, because it demonstrates the multi-cultural character and mission of the Church of God.
On Pentecost the Holy Spirit empowered the first disciples to speak of the wonders of the Gospel, and particularly of the resurrected Messiah, in many languages. These languages they did not learn in the way we do. It was a miracle that they could (Act 2: 5 – 13) and this wonder was given to the Church that there never will be any doubt in anyone’s mind that the Church that is an instrument in God’s hand, in its purest form is multicultural. This implies that it is linguistically, culturally and racially inclusive.
We are to make a difference in God’s work by amongst other things being a community that draws all people together that share the grace experience of the salvation of God in Jesus Christ. This shared experience of redemption constitutes a community where no other qualification than being saved by grace, can ever be so important that it divides God’s people.
Love that comes about as a gift of the Spirit amongst those who share the grace experience, is described in 1 Cor 13: 4 – 8: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
All people from all cultures are drawn together by God’s love in Christ. Paul writes in Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
There are, by the mercy of God, exceptions, but the Church has in general not done particularly well in living out its multicultural mission in the world.
When we as a congregation worded our first “mission statement” we did say that we wish to set an example in our city and our country of how Christians of a variety of cultural backgrounds can be one church or congregation that demonstrates God’s reconciliation in no uncertain terms in our world and society.
On any Sunday you may find people from 3 or 4 races, speaking up to 8 different languages at home feeling at home at Centurion West Presbyterian Church. Friendships abound, love flourishes and working together seems to rather get easier than harder as time goes by. We need to hold onto this as a precious gift and in prayer maintain our calling to be living examples of the definition of love found in 1 Cor 13. This love is after all, according to Paul, the greatest of all the gifts of the Spirit given to the Church.
Looking at the general church experience around us we do see that to be divided according to language, race, and ethnicity seem to have become the norm to many. But we need to prayerfully protect our multicultural testimony of the unity of the Church of Christ, as demonstrated at Pentecost. It remains God’s standard, even in a racialist society that often breeds the most unkind of nationalisms.
Pentecost matters as it challenges all of us to continuously examine our own attitudes, to reject and repent of any prejudice that prowls within us, and to continue to open our hearts to all people, even when they do not share our language and culture.
Pentecost demonstrates that multiculturalism in the Church is something that the Spirit of God will help us to make work, if we are available to him.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Preach to the spiritually dead...
Yesterday was such a special Sunday for both preacher and congregation. God showed us the way from living in emotional and spiritual graves to living in the joy of his presence!
We heard about a vision in Ezekiel 37, where the prophet is put in the middle of a valley full of human bones baked white and dry on the desert floor. The people in despondency because they are in exile in Babylon, identify themselves with dry, white bones. They say to one another: "Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off" (Ezek 37:11).
As Ezekiel investigates this scene, God asks him: "Son of man, can these bones live?" (vs 3) And Ezekiel says, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know" (vs 3). Ezekiel knows that God can do what seems impossible to us. And in the vision God dramatically shows Ezekiel his power over life and death.
Firstly, God tells Ezekiel to preach to the bones. Ezekiel listens to God and the results are amazing. The scattered bones started to clank and rattle. They move toward each other and are joined together, and muscles and flesh and skin are fitted to each skeleton, but they are still dead.
Secondly, God commands Ezekiel to speak to the wind. And the prophet calls for the "breath of God" to blow over the bodies and give them life. As he speaks, it happens. The bodies stand up alive, an army ready for battle, where moments before had been dry, bleached bones of the dead.
Notice how God brings life: by the Holy Spirit and through the preaching of the Word. The prophet preaches and the Spirit blows and enters - and the dry, white bones come to life.
Ezekiel is describing how we are renewed, how we come to faith and to repentance and true life.
No person has come to faith by any other way than this strategy of God: it was and always is the Spirit creating faith by means of the preaching and proclamation of the Word. Something divine happens when we come under the Word: the Spirit produces and strengthens faith and makes us new people who are alive for God.
God's people must always and under all circumstances place themselves under the Word. They must come to worship. They must be Bible students. They must set aside a regular time for private devotions.
This is God’s strategy to renew us and to give us true life again.
This is how God calls us from living in graves to living in the light and joy of his Kingdom and Church.
May God fill every empty pew, claiming every heart as his temple and instil his life and will in all of us.
We heard about a vision in Ezekiel 37, where the prophet is put in the middle of a valley full of human bones baked white and dry on the desert floor. The people in despondency because they are in exile in Babylon, identify themselves with dry, white bones. They say to one another: "Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off" (Ezek 37:11).
As Ezekiel investigates this scene, God asks him: "Son of man, can these bones live?" (vs 3) And Ezekiel says, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know" (vs 3). Ezekiel knows that God can do what seems impossible to us. And in the vision God dramatically shows Ezekiel his power over life and death.
Firstly, God tells Ezekiel to preach to the bones. Ezekiel listens to God and the results are amazing. The scattered bones started to clank and rattle. They move toward each other and are joined together, and muscles and flesh and skin are fitted to each skeleton, but they are still dead.
Secondly, God commands Ezekiel to speak to the wind. And the prophet calls for the "breath of God" to blow over the bodies and give them life. As he speaks, it happens. The bodies stand up alive, an army ready for battle, where moments before had been dry, bleached bones of the dead.
Notice how God brings life: by the Holy Spirit and through the preaching of the Word. The prophet preaches and the Spirit blows and enters - and the dry, white bones come to life.
Ezekiel is describing how we are renewed, how we come to faith and to repentance and true life.
No person has come to faith by any other way than this strategy of God: it was and always is the Spirit creating faith by means of the preaching and proclamation of the Word. Something divine happens when we come under the Word: the Spirit produces and strengthens faith and makes us new people who are alive for God.
God's people must always and under all circumstances place themselves under the Word. They must come to worship. They must be Bible students. They must set aside a regular time for private devotions.
This is God’s strategy to renew us and to give us true life again.
This is how God calls us from living in graves to living in the light and joy of his Kingdom and Church.
May God fill every empty pew, claiming every heart as his temple and instil his life and will in all of us.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Come and claim your temple, gracious Holy Spirit!
Come and claim your temple,
gracious Holy Spirit!
In our hearts Your home inherit:
make in us Your dwelling,
Your high work fulfilling,
into ours Your will instilling,
till we raise
hymns of praise
beyond mortal telling,
in God’s holy temple!
gracious Holy Spirit!
In our hearts Your home inherit:
make in us Your dwelling,
Your high work fulfilling,
into ours Your will instilling,
till we raise
hymns of praise
beyond mortal telling,
in God’s holy temple!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Why does Pentecost matter? (2)
The Church is central in God’s work in this world – through the power of the indwelling Spirit.
We are busy thinking about what difference it makes to us today that the first Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago on the Jewish festival of Pentecost. The first difference was that we all received “the indwelling and power of the Spirit”.
The second reason why Pentecost matters, is that we now know that the Church is central in God’s work in our world.
We know that the Holy Spirit was poured out on individual disciples of Jesus, including his biological brothers and his mother, as they were patiently waiting upon the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made to them about the coming of the Spirit. They were praying continuously as they together waited upon the Lord to fill them and share the power of the resurrected Christ with them by baptizing them with the Spirit of God.
And then we see clearly how this gathering on the Pentecost day is turned into the first congregation of the Christian Church as they all received the power of the Holy Spirit. On the very first Sunday, new believers were baptized as they were initiated into the Church. Along with the first disciples they also shared in becoming a Christian community or family.
They taught, broke bread, prayed and enjoyed such a special fellowship that more and more came to join in their faith and in celebrating the resurrected Jesus. They cheerfully gave of their belongings to feed the hungry and maintain the ministry of Word and Sacrament. And “the Lord daily added to their number those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Pentecost matters, because it tells us about the birthday and role of the church.
The Spirit could have been given to individuals praying on their own, in their homes during their quiet times. But this was not God’s plan and strategy for his work.
It was no coincidence that the congregation was praying together when the Spirit was poured out. This first mother church would be the root from which the Church of our Lord would grow. Their experience on the first Pentecost teaches that the Church is central to God’s work and plan through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in the Church. Paul therefore calls the Church the Temple of God in which the Spirit dwells. (1 Cor 3.)
Pentecost matters because it clearly shows us what place the Church of the Lord has in our personal relationship with God and for our worship. The truth found throughout Scripture is, that the Church in which the Spirit dwells, is central to the Father’s work in the world and is central to our worship, growth and service too.
Pentecost insists that we reflect on our own participation in the work, mission and life of the Church of God. We need to continuously renew our covenant with the God of grace, received at baptism and confirmed by our public confession of faith, to live as a contributing member of the body of Christ.
Pentecost calls us to build the Church of our Lord by preaching the Word, sharing in her holy sacraments and spreading the love, power and justice of Jesus Christ across the world.
Monday, June 20, 2011
RECLAIM THE HOLY TRINITY!
The Trinity is not an optional "extra" to God. it is the nature of God as revealed to us in Scripture.
The biblical truth about the Trinity has become a pressing issue for contemporary Christians, simply because we are losing the biblical account of God, apparently without controversy or debate.
We are in danger of shifting the Holy Trinity aside in our practices and worship language, without announcing that we have changed our minds about the nature of the God we profess to follow. Often the Trinity is taught in confirmation class or in Sunday school more as a mathematical problem to be solved, than the living reality of the God we serve, worship and love.
Here are examples:
The Apostle Paul said: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who consoles us in all our affliction, for just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so our consolation is abundant through Christ, sealed in our hearts through the power and constant presence of the Holy Spirit" (2 Corinthians 1:3–5, 21–22).
John Calvin said: "Christ is not only the pledge of our adoption, but God also gives us the Holy Spirit as a witness to this adoption, through whom we may freely cry aloud, 'Abba, Father.' Whenever we are distressed, remember to ask for the presence of the Spirit who will enable us to pray boldly" (Calvin’s Institutes, III.20.37).
But today we often do not say more than: "Be blessed, for God is always with you."
This contemporary version is true, but why are we hesitant to name our triune God in biblical language? Why do we not speak, pray and testify with confidence about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit? It became rare to hear references to all three Persons of the Trinity in an integrated way except at the baptismal font or during the benediction.
We must be careful that we are not becoming practicing Unitarians. Our language about God should be as diverse and varied as is the idiom of the Bible and of our universal Christian tradition. Why do we so often hear folk repetitively referring to “God” in prayers, discussions and devotions? Or someone may address a topic referring only to Jesus. Did Jesus not come to us to show us the Father, and did he not send the Spirit to teach us about his saving grace? Consideration of God as Holy Trinity and replicating the words of Scripture about God, provide us with a more faithful vocabulary that is also richer and more varied than the current practice of many Protestants.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit – essential Evangelical testimony
The language of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, engraved in Scripture and creed, is essential for our efforts to speak faithfully about God. Our reverence and service of the One- in-Three and Three-in-One bind us together with ancient believers and ancient denominations. Can there be a unity outside of worshipping the Holy Trinity as the only God, Saviour and Comforter we know? And can we claim to speak about God as Bible believing Christians in any other way?
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit" is a root out of which grows the wealth of our vocabulary of praise. We must rather magnify and expand upon the ways of naming the Triune God, rather than simply repeating the word "God" in prayer and liturgy repetitively. Why not refer to God in the language of Scripture to enrich the ways we speak of God and to God.
The language of our prayers, hymns, songs and sermons shapes our faith as surely as it reflects our faith. We must pray and sing to the "one Triune God, the Holy One of Israel, the eternal God of the covenant, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom alone we worship and serve through the graceful work of the Holy Spirit." This is bible language and therefore should be church language. Our God is also worthy of such worship and praise in our private prayers.
If the ways I address God and speak of him, could just as well have been the words of a Jew, who does not believe in Jesus as God the Son, or a Muslim, who rejects the Trinity too, I am doing something terribly wrong!
Lets learn from the New Testament speakers how to honour our God, and teach one another anew the Trinitarian language of Scripture.
Lets remember to adore our Father with all our heart, soul and strength.
Lets ask from our Father which art in heaven, everything we need.
Lets always pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lets beg for the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit to be able to follow and love Jesus who always will show us the Father, bringing us home to his throne of grace.Lets worship and serve the only true, triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The biblical truth about the Trinity has become a pressing issue for contemporary Christians, simply because we are losing the biblical account of God, apparently without controversy or debate.
We are in danger of shifting the Holy Trinity aside in our practices and worship language, without announcing that we have changed our minds about the nature of the God we profess to follow. Often the Trinity is taught in confirmation class or in Sunday school more as a mathematical problem to be solved, than the living reality of the God we serve, worship and love.
Here are examples:
The Apostle Paul said: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who consoles us in all our affliction, for just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so our consolation is abundant through Christ, sealed in our hearts through the power and constant presence of the Holy Spirit" (2 Corinthians 1:3–5, 21–22).
John Calvin said: "Christ is not only the pledge of our adoption, but God also gives us the Holy Spirit as a witness to this adoption, through whom we may freely cry aloud, 'Abba, Father.' Whenever we are distressed, remember to ask for the presence of the Spirit who will enable us to pray boldly" (Calvin’s Institutes, III.20.37).
But today we often do not say more than: "Be blessed, for God is always with you."
This contemporary version is true, but why are we hesitant to name our triune God in biblical language? Why do we not speak, pray and testify with confidence about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit? It became rare to hear references to all three Persons of the Trinity in an integrated way except at the baptismal font or during the benediction.
We must be careful that we are not becoming practicing Unitarians. Our language about God should be as diverse and varied as is the idiom of the Bible and of our universal Christian tradition. Why do we so often hear folk repetitively referring to “God” in prayers, discussions and devotions? Or someone may address a topic referring only to Jesus. Did Jesus not come to us to show us the Father, and did he not send the Spirit to teach us about his saving grace? Consideration of God as Holy Trinity and replicating the words of Scripture about God, provide us with a more faithful vocabulary that is also richer and more varied than the current practice of many Protestants.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit – essential Evangelical testimony
The language of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, engraved in Scripture and creed, is essential for our efforts to speak faithfully about God. Our reverence and service of the One- in-Three and Three-in-One bind us together with ancient believers and ancient denominations. Can there be a unity outside of worshipping the Holy Trinity as the only God, Saviour and Comforter we know? And can we claim to speak about God as Bible believing Christians in any other way?
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit" is a root out of which grows the wealth of our vocabulary of praise. We must rather magnify and expand upon the ways of naming the Triune God, rather than simply repeating the word "God" in prayer and liturgy repetitively. Why not refer to God in the language of Scripture to enrich the ways we speak of God and to God.
The language of our prayers, hymns, songs and sermons shapes our faith as surely as it reflects our faith. We must pray and sing to the "one Triune God, the Holy One of Israel, the eternal God of the covenant, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom alone we worship and serve through the graceful work of the Holy Spirit." This is bible language and therefore should be church language. Our God is also worthy of such worship and praise in our private prayers.
If the ways I address God and speak of him, could just as well have been the words of a Jew, who does not believe in Jesus as God the Son, or a Muslim, who rejects the Trinity too, I am doing something terribly wrong!
Lets learn from the New Testament speakers how to honour our God, and teach one another anew the Trinitarian language of Scripture.
Lets remember to adore our Father with all our heart, soul and strength.
Lets ask from our Father which art in heaven, everything we need.
Lets always pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lets beg for the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit to be able to follow and love Jesus who always will show us the Father, bringing us home to his throne of grace.Lets worship and serve the only true, triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A prayer for Trinity Sunday 2011
Rev 1: 4 - 6: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the Holy Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen
Prayer;
Eternal God. Your self-disclosure in Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit reveal you as God our Father, as God the Son and God the Spirit. Heavenly Lord you at the same time are transcendent over the world, acting in history, and present in the world. Lord, your revelation in history discloses who God truly and inherently is, for what you reveal is true. The only truth we know is the revelation of the one true and living God, who alone is to be worshipped and adored.
Father, when you speak, Christ is the Word that is spoken. In your Son dwells the fullness of God. Through Christ, Father you made all things, you reconcile us with yourself and save us from sin and death. Your Spirit is the Spirit of God eternally proceeding from you, Father, through the Son, working in and through the Son, who sends the Spirit into the world to give life, renew, sanctify and guide.
Father, we know you by the Son through the Spirit, and no one comes to you, Father, except through the Son and in the Spirit. We cannot come to Christ and confess him as Lord unless we are drawn by the Father and moved by the Spirit.
Amen.
(Adapted from the Confession of Faith of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa)
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen
Prayer;
Eternal God. Your self-disclosure in Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit reveal you as God our Father, as God the Son and God the Spirit. Heavenly Lord you at the same time are transcendent over the world, acting in history, and present in the world. Lord, your revelation in history discloses who God truly and inherently is, for what you reveal is true. The only truth we know is the revelation of the one true and living God, who alone is to be worshipped and adored.
Father, when you speak, Christ is the Word that is spoken. In your Son dwells the fullness of God. Through Christ, Father you made all things, you reconcile us with yourself and save us from sin and death. Your Spirit is the Spirit of God eternally proceeding from you, Father, through the Son, working in and through the Son, who sends the Spirit into the world to give life, renew, sanctify and guide.
Father, we know you by the Son through the Spirit, and no one comes to you, Father, except through the Son and in the Spirit. We cannot come to Christ and confess him as Lord unless we are drawn by the Father and moved by the Spirit.
Amen.
(Adapted from the Confession of Faith of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa)
Friday, June 17, 2011
POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: BRING IN THE HARVEST!!
People of MANY languages from every part of the world heard the praises of God in their own languages on Pentecost! And the HARVEST began! The original Jewish Pentecost Festival was a celebration of the first fruit of the harvest! But this was a Spiritual harvest: The Apostle Peter told the people what happened – about Jesus and his resurrection from the dead – and people believed! The young Christian Church had started! Three thousand responded in faith to one sermon - through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How about you? Are you part of the Harvest yet? The first and essential thing is that you are a believer! Jesus remains the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and we need to settle that and give our lives to him and surrender to him. We need also to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we can become part of the seed sowing process – we need to share our faith. There is nothing more tragic than a Christian who goes underground like a kind of secret agent. I’m afraid that many of us are like that. We don’t tell anyone! If we would only allow the Holy Spirit to really bless us with his power – we will become bold and see the mighty hand of God at work.
The question remains – are you part of the Harvest? There shouldn’t be an empty seat in your church, in your small group at home, or at any time when Christians get together!
People should be coming along to see what’s going on, because of the power working in us!
There should a power and a love through the Holy Spirit that draws them in! After all, as a Spirit filled child of God you should be telling them, exciting them and inviting them! Pentecost is still part of ordinary Christian life! It is time to start thinking, working and celebrating, like harvesters!
How about you? Are you part of the Harvest yet? The first and essential thing is that you are a believer! Jesus remains the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and we need to settle that and give our lives to him and surrender to him. We need also to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we can become part of the seed sowing process – we need to share our faith. There is nothing more tragic than a Christian who goes underground like a kind of secret agent. I’m afraid that many of us are like that. We don’t tell anyone! If we would only allow the Holy Spirit to really bless us with his power – we will become bold and see the mighty hand of God at work.
The question remains – are you part of the Harvest? There shouldn’t be an empty seat in your church, in your small group at home, or at any time when Christians get together!
People should be coming along to see what’s going on, because of the power working in us!
There should a power and a love through the Holy Spirit that draws them in! After all, as a Spirit filled child of God you should be telling them, exciting them and inviting them! Pentecost is still part of ordinary Christian life! It is time to start thinking, working and celebrating, like harvesters!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Why does Pentecost matter? (1)
The indwelling and power of the Spirit.
What difference does it make for us today that the first Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago on the Jewish festival of Pentecost?
Pentecost brings together a few themes and experiences. Over the next couple of weeks we will share 4 specific ways in which Pentecost makes a difference in our lives today:
1. The indwelling and Power of the Spirit
2. The Church is central in God’s Work in this world – through the power of the indwelling Spirit
3. The Multi-cultural character and mission of the Church – demonstrated on Pentecost
4. The complete Ministry of the Church - guaranteed on Pentecost
And the first way Pentecost makes a difference is: “The indwelling and the power of the Holy Spirit”.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those followers of Jesus who had gathered together in Jerusalem.
And what happened on the first Pentecost still happens to believers today. Not in such a dramatic fashion with the sound of stormy winds and tongues of fire. Yet, God even now pours out the Spirit upon all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He dwells (lives) in them and shares the power of the living Jesus with them. Romans 8:1-11.
It is God’s purpose for followers of Jesus to live in the power of the Spirit of God that dwells in them. As a result of his power, the Holy Spirit helps us to believe in and confess Jesus as Lord (1 Cor 12:3).
The Spirit helps us to serve God with spiritual power that humans typically don’t have. (1 Cor 12:4-11).
The Spirit helps us to live in the Body of Christ, binding us in loving unity with each other and with Christ.
The holy Spirit helps us to pray (Rom 8:26).
And he also prays for us. (Rom 8:27).
The Spirit guides us (Gal 5:25) in order to help us to more and more live like Jesus did. (Gal 5:22-23).
Pentecost asks us very personal questions about how we live. Do we live, witness, worship and pray, relying on the power of God’s Spirit?
Are we open to the Spirit’s gifts that will give us the strength to make a difference for Christ?
Do we actually listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
We often know that the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us the power of the living Lord, but only to a point we allow it to happen. Limited by our fear to do something extraordinary for God we ignore the power of the Spirit. Our sin and our limited expectations for our service to God, and the fact that we are so easily sidetracked - forgetting about God’s plan for our lives – result in the reality that we do not receive the full benefit of the Spirit’s work in us.
Pentecost offers a chance to confess our disappointing shortcomings when it comes to living by the power of the indwelling Spirit. We should be praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give us the power of the living Lord once again.
What difference does it make for us today that the first Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago on the Jewish festival of Pentecost?
Pentecost brings together a few themes and experiences. Over the next couple of weeks we will share 4 specific ways in which Pentecost makes a difference in our lives today:
1. The indwelling and Power of the Spirit
2. The Church is central in God’s Work in this world – through the power of the indwelling Spirit
3. The Multi-cultural character and mission of the Church – demonstrated on Pentecost
4. The complete Ministry of the Church - guaranteed on Pentecost
And the first way Pentecost makes a difference is: “The indwelling and the power of the Holy Spirit”.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those followers of Jesus who had gathered together in Jerusalem.
And what happened on the first Pentecost still happens to believers today. Not in such a dramatic fashion with the sound of stormy winds and tongues of fire. Yet, God even now pours out the Spirit upon all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He dwells (lives) in them and shares the power of the living Jesus with them. Romans 8:1-11.
It is God’s purpose for followers of Jesus to live in the power of the Spirit of God that dwells in them. As a result of his power, the Holy Spirit helps us to believe in and confess Jesus as Lord (1 Cor 12:3).
The Spirit helps us to serve God with spiritual power that humans typically don’t have. (1 Cor 12:4-11).
The Spirit helps us to live in the Body of Christ, binding us in loving unity with each other and with Christ.
The holy Spirit helps us to pray (Rom 8:26).
And he also prays for us. (Rom 8:27).
The Spirit guides us (Gal 5:25) in order to help us to more and more live like Jesus did. (Gal 5:22-23).
Pentecost asks us very personal questions about how we live. Do we live, witness, worship and pray, relying on the power of God’s Spirit?
Are we open to the Spirit’s gifts that will give us the strength to make a difference for Christ?
Do we actually listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
We often know that the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us the power of the living Lord, but only to a point we allow it to happen. Limited by our fear to do something extraordinary for God we ignore the power of the Spirit. Our sin and our limited expectations for our service to God, and the fact that we are so easily sidetracked - forgetting about God’s plan for our lives – result in the reality that we do not receive the full benefit of the Spirit’s work in us.
Pentecost offers a chance to confess our disappointing shortcomings when it comes to living by the power of the indwelling Spirit. We should be praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give us the power of the living Lord once again.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Holy Spirit - our Counselor
Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday.
In a certain sense, it is unfortunate that we speak of Pentecost as the coming of the Holy Spirit, as if the Spirit only existed from the first Pentecost Sunday onwards.
Because we all know that the Spirit has been in existence for ever. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Eternally, from even before the beginning of time, from before the creation, into all eternity the Holy Spirit already was. In fact, in the book of Acts, we read that the Spirit already spoke through David and spoke through Isaiah long before Jesus was born.
But on the first Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit came to the Christian Church in a most special way. From that moment the Holy Spirit became the dominant reality in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit came to witness abouth the Father and about Jesus and bring about an intimate relationship between us and our Saviour and Lord.
He came to be our Helper. The Holy Spirit is now the source of all guidance. He is our Comforter, our Advocate, our Counselor. He shows us the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is sincere in his interest in us - he lives in us. He is emphathetic towards our needs - he prays for us in words we do not even know. He does not come to judge us - he convicts us of our sin and weakness and show us a wiser, better, safer, happier way.
Jesus said: “When I go (to heaven), I will not leave you deserted. I will not leave you orphans. But I will send my Spirit, the Counselor, who will live in you and guide you." John 16:5ff)
In a certain sense, it is unfortunate that we speak of Pentecost as the coming of the Holy Spirit, as if the Spirit only existed from the first Pentecost Sunday onwards.
Because we all know that the Spirit has been in existence for ever. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Eternally, from even before the beginning of time, from before the creation, into all eternity the Holy Spirit already was. In fact, in the book of Acts, we read that the Spirit already spoke through David and spoke through Isaiah long before Jesus was born.
But on the first Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit came to the Christian Church in a most special way. From that moment the Holy Spirit became the dominant reality in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit came to witness abouth the Father and about Jesus and bring about an intimate relationship between us and our Saviour and Lord.
He came to be our Helper. The Holy Spirit is now the source of all guidance. He is our Comforter, our Advocate, our Counselor. He shows us the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is sincere in his interest in us - he lives in us. He is emphathetic towards our needs - he prays for us in words we do not even know. He does not come to judge us - he convicts us of our sin and weakness and show us a wiser, better, safer, happier way.
Jesus said: “When I go (to heaven), I will not leave you deserted. I will not leave you orphans. But I will send my Spirit, the Counselor, who will live in you and guide you." John 16:5ff)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Pentecost 12 June 2011 - God prefers to work in community - by Theo
God prefers to work in community
by the Rev Theo Groeneveld.
Minister of the Emmanual Presbyterian Church.
Pretoria, South Africa.
http://www.emmanuel.org.za/
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts2:1-4
As much as we'd like to make Christianity an individualistic faith, the truth is that God draws us to community. The Holy Spirit could have been poured out on each of the disciples individually while they were in prayer or meditation, but God prefers to work in community.
Western Christianity has a very self-centered perspective on spiritual growth and development. We emphasise personal prayer and the private devotional time. This is not wrong, but there is a serious lack: the lack is the recognition of serious growth and development that is possible when God moves within our faith community.
The folk who became the New Testament's first church were together on the day of Pentecost and God used them as a community.
Many people seek to get closer to God. What they don't understand is that coming closer to God is also coming closer to community. God is a Triune Being - enjoying eternal community of Father, Son and Spirit. We who are created in His image are therefore designed for community.
It is perfectly feasible that the Spirit would choose to work in community. Coming together in community means that we have chosen to move aside our own imperfections (letting go of our insecurities) and the imperfections of others (shelving our critical spirits). It means that we take risks and make room for others.
This is not always comfortable for us. But when we take these kind of faith risks, we are in a place where the Spirit can work powerfully.
Here's a closing thought: Moving TOWARD community brought about Spiritual Growth. Moving AWAY from community brings about Spiritual Shrinkage. If we want the Spirit to work in our lives, we must recognise that He will always move us toward community.
by the Rev Theo Groeneveld.
Minister of the Emmanual Presbyterian Church.
Pretoria, South Africa.
http://www.emmanuel.org.za/
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts2:1-4
As much as we'd like to make Christianity an individualistic faith, the truth is that God draws us to community. The Holy Spirit could have been poured out on each of the disciples individually while they were in prayer or meditation, but God prefers to work in community.
Western Christianity has a very self-centered perspective on spiritual growth and development. We emphasise personal prayer and the private devotional time. This is not wrong, but there is a serious lack: the lack is the recognition of serious growth and development that is possible when God moves within our faith community.
The folk who became the New Testament's first church were together on the day of Pentecost and God used them as a community.
Many people seek to get closer to God. What they don't understand is that coming closer to God is also coming closer to community. God is a Triune Being - enjoying eternal community of Father, Son and Spirit. We who are created in His image are therefore designed for community.
It is perfectly feasible that the Spirit would choose to work in community. Coming together in community means that we have chosen to move aside our own imperfections (letting go of our insecurities) and the imperfections of others (shelving our critical spirits). It means that we take risks and make room for others.
This is not always comfortable for us. But when we take these kind of faith risks, we are in a place where the Spirit can work powerfully.
Here's a closing thought: Moving TOWARD community brought about Spiritual Growth. Moving AWAY from community brings about Spiritual Shrinkage. If we want the Spirit to work in our lives, we must recognise that He will always move us toward community.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Pentecost - transformed inside out - by Theo
Pentecost – transformed inside out…
By the Rev Theo Groeneveld
Minister of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
Pretoria, South Africa.
http://emmanuel.org.za
36:24 " `For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel36:24-28
This awesome promise is part of a greater promise of forgiveness, renewal and restoration. God is addressing the hope-depleted, faith-diminished and devotion-decreased Israelites in Exile in Babylon.
They had given up hope.
They had lost everything.
They thought that they were forgotten.
God promises
- forgiveness (sprinkled with clean water)
- renewal (heart transplant & Spirit filling)
- restoration (to the land and to being God's people)
The picture of renewal is awesome.
Their hearts were stone - because of their sin and because of their suffering. In Hebrew thinking the heart is not the seat of emotions but rather the control room of a person's life. Their control-centers were bitter, cynical and empty of grace. God promises that this can change!
But that's not all! The promise is that Holy Spirit will take up residence in them to move them in commitment and devotion that they might live according to God's ways.
Are you hope-depleted or faith-diminished? Has your heart turned to stone through the pain and disappointment you've experienced? God wants to forgive, renew and restore!
Prayer: Lord, I'm so tired out by trying to become a better person from the outside-in. Please soften my heart so that I can be transformed from the inside-out. Amen.
By the Rev Theo Groeneveld
Minister of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
Pretoria, South Africa.
http://emmanuel.org.za
36:24 " `For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel36:24-28
This awesome promise is part of a greater promise of forgiveness, renewal and restoration. God is addressing the hope-depleted, faith-diminished and devotion-decreased Israelites in Exile in Babylon.
They had given up hope.
They had lost everything.
They thought that they were forgotten.
God promises
- forgiveness (sprinkled with clean water)
- renewal (heart transplant & Spirit filling)
- restoration (to the land and to being God's people)
The picture of renewal is awesome.
Their hearts were stone - because of their sin and because of their suffering. In Hebrew thinking the heart is not the seat of emotions but rather the control room of a person's life. Their control-centers were bitter, cynical and empty of grace. God promises that this can change!
But that's not all! The promise is that Holy Spirit will take up residence in them to move them in commitment and devotion that they might live according to God's ways.
Are you hope-depleted or faith-diminished? Has your heart turned to stone through the pain and disappointment you've experienced? God wants to forgive, renew and restore!
Prayer: Lord, I'm so tired out by trying to become a better person from the outside-in. Please soften my heart so that I can be transformed from the inside-out. Amen.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
What is Pentecost Sunday: 12 June 2011
What is Pentecost?
This coming Sunday, 12 June, Christians across the world will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost remembers the birthday of the church and should be celebrated with commitment and enthusiasm.
Pentecost Sunday commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first followers of Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Christ, the disciples could not really be called the Church yet, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and gives the resurrection life of Jesus to her. This is why we say that on the first Pentecost Sunday the Christian Church was born when the Spirit was poured out on us who believe in Jesus.
What does the word “Pentecost” mean?
The English word “Pentecost” comes from a Greek word for “fifty” and was the name the Greek speaking Jews called the Hebrew festival “Shavuot”. Both Shavuot (Hebrew) and Pentecost (Greek) means “fifty”. This name comes from a decree in Leviticus 23:16, which instructs people to count seven weeks or “fifty days” from the end of the Hebrew Passover to Shavuot, a harvest festival celebrating the “first fruits” on the farms. It also later became the feast of thanksgiving for the giving of the law on Mount Sinai.
In the same way that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified on the day and more or less during the time when the Hebrew Passover lamb was slaughtered in the temple during the Passover feast, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the very day when the Hebrews celebrated the first fruits of the harvest and the coming of the law – Shavuot or Pentecost.
It seems that God values the days of celebration he instated and gives a deep spiritual meaning to them that we who follow Jesus may grow in knowledge, gratefulness and commitment. And that we will never forget God’s great deeds of salvation.
The first fruits of the church, more than 3000 people, were saved and brought in after Peter preached his first sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church on that day, the Hebrew Pentecost day, a Sunday.
As you might expect, there are a wide range of Christian celebrations of Pentecost amongst all the many denominations. Most churches at least mention it in prayer, song and sermon. Churches that employ liturgical colors (like we do) generally use red on Pentecost as a symbol of the power and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
So on Sunday we celebrate the birthday of the Church, when God by the power of the Holy Spirit gave a harvest of believers as a result of the “seed” of his blood Jesus planted on the cross and through his resurrection.
We too are part of that harvest – we, and all we will tell of the wondrous Gospel that Jesus came into this world to save sinners!
This coming Sunday, 12 June, Christians across the world will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost remembers the birthday of the church and should be celebrated with commitment and enthusiasm.
Pentecost Sunday commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first followers of Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Christ, the disciples could not really be called the Church yet, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and gives the resurrection life of Jesus to her. This is why we say that on the first Pentecost Sunday the Christian Church was born when the Spirit was poured out on us who believe in Jesus.
What does the word “Pentecost” mean?
The English word “Pentecost” comes from a Greek word for “fifty” and was the name the Greek speaking Jews called the Hebrew festival “Shavuot”. Both Shavuot (Hebrew) and Pentecost (Greek) means “fifty”. This name comes from a decree in Leviticus 23:16, which instructs people to count seven weeks or “fifty days” from the end of the Hebrew Passover to Shavuot, a harvest festival celebrating the “first fruits” on the farms. It also later became the feast of thanksgiving for the giving of the law on Mount Sinai.
In the same way that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified on the day and more or less during the time when the Hebrew Passover lamb was slaughtered in the temple during the Passover feast, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the very day when the Hebrews celebrated the first fruits of the harvest and the coming of the law – Shavuot or Pentecost.
It seems that God values the days of celebration he instated and gives a deep spiritual meaning to them that we who follow Jesus may grow in knowledge, gratefulness and commitment. And that we will never forget God’s great deeds of salvation.
The first fruits of the church, more than 3000 people, were saved and brought in after Peter preached his first sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church on that day, the Hebrew Pentecost day, a Sunday.
As you might expect, there are a wide range of Christian celebrations of Pentecost amongst all the many denominations. Most churches at least mention it in prayer, song and sermon. Churches that employ liturgical colors (like we do) generally use red on Pentecost as a symbol of the power and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
So on Sunday we celebrate the birthday of the Church, when God by the power of the Holy Spirit gave a harvest of believers as a result of the “seed” of his blood Jesus planted on the cross and through his resurrection.
We too are part of that harvest – we, and all we will tell of the wondrous Gospel that Jesus came into this world to save sinners!
The Holy Spirit is not a stranger. Pentecost 2011
Is the Holy Spirit a stranger to you? An article about what Presbyterians – and many other Bible believing Christians believe about the Holy Spirit
http://www.centurionwest.co.za/pdf/art_holy_spirit.pdf
http://www.centurionwest.co.za/pdf/art_holy_spirit.pdf
Monday, June 6, 2011
Great Commission or Great Omission?
Before his ascension Jesus issued what is now called “The Great Commission”. A “commission” is “an authoritative and directive command.”
The mandate of The Great Commission is to “Go”. (Matt. 28:19). This is a word of action! We cannot “go” if we are sitting still. We cannot “go” if we stay where we are. We cannot “go” if we do not make a move. And the move we are to make is to make disciples or followers or students of Jesus, teaching them everything Jesus did and taught.
The first disciples took the Lord’s command seriously. They went into the world and shared the Gospel of Jesus and thousands upon thousands were saved by the grace of God.
But is this still the true state of the Church today? We are satisfied to be saved, but are we motivated to support the mission Jesus gave us to see others come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Somehow many now believe that the end of our responsibility is to come to church now and then, pray when we can, read the Bible if we feel like it and live a life that is slightly cleaner than the world around us.
We have forgotten the truth that Christ-followers are called to be militant. That we are activists of the Gospel. Our orders are not to sit by while the world remains lost and without Jesus. The ascended King instructs us to go into the world and tell everyone the glorious news of a crucified and risen Saviour who specializes in saving people, changing everything in their lives and shifting their eternal destiny.
Can it be true that The Great Commission became The Great Omission in our lives?
The mandate of The Great Commission is to “Go”. (Matt. 28:19). This is a word of action! We cannot “go” if we are sitting still. We cannot “go” if we stay where we are. We cannot “go” if we do not make a move. And the move we are to make is to make disciples or followers or students of Jesus, teaching them everything Jesus did and taught.
The first disciples took the Lord’s command seriously. They went into the world and shared the Gospel of Jesus and thousands upon thousands were saved by the grace of God.
But is this still the true state of the Church today? We are satisfied to be saved, but are we motivated to support the mission Jesus gave us to see others come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Somehow many now believe that the end of our responsibility is to come to church now and then, pray when we can, read the Bible if we feel like it and live a life that is slightly cleaner than the world around us.
We have forgotten the truth that Christ-followers are called to be militant. That we are activists of the Gospel. Our orders are not to sit by while the world remains lost and without Jesus. The ascended King instructs us to go into the world and tell everyone the glorious news of a crucified and risen Saviour who specializes in saving people, changing everything in their lives and shifting their eternal destiny.
Can it be true that The Great Commission became The Great Omission in our lives?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thursday 2 June 2011, is Ascension Day!
The Ascension of Jesus is the Christian teaching found in the New Testament when the resurrected Jesus was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body in the presence of eleven of his Apostles, occurring 40 days after the resurrection. Jesus ascended to his Father and his heavenly throne, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. An angel told the watching disciples that Jesus' second coming would take place in the same manner as his ascension, that is, He would descend in bodily form.
This is referred to in various Biblical passages. The Ascension of Jesus is also professed in the historic creeds of the Christian Faith, such as the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed.
The Ascension implies Jesus' humanity being taken into heaven. The Feast of the Ascension, celebrated 40 days after Easter, is one of the principal feasts of the Christian year. The feast dates back at least to the later 4th century and is therefore celebrated for more than 1 600 years.
1. What does “He ascended into heaven” means?
That Christ, in the sight of his disciples, according to his human nature was taken up from the earth into heaven, and continues to be there in a position of divine authority and power until he shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
2. Is Christ then not with us as he has promised?
Christ is true man and true God. According to his human nature he is now not on earth but in heaven, but as our God, Saviour and King he is never absent from us!
3. What benefits do we have because Jesus Christ ascended into heaven?
Firstly: He is our Advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven, always praying for us.
Secondly: Because he is in heaven as a human being, we know that he as our Head will also take us there.
Thirdly: He sends his Spirit to us by whose power we seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and not the things on the earth. The glorious Christ, enthroned in heaven, pours heavenly gifts on us, defending us against all our enemies and protecting us from evil.
Worship, honour, glory, blessing,
Lord, we offer to Your Name.
Young and old, Your praise expressing,
join their Saviour to proclaim.
As the saints in heaven adore You,
we would bow before Your throne,
As Your angels serve before You,
so on earth Your will be done
This is referred to in various Biblical passages. The Ascension of Jesus is also professed in the historic creeds of the Christian Faith, such as the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed.
The Ascension implies Jesus' humanity being taken into heaven. The Feast of the Ascension, celebrated 40 days after Easter, is one of the principal feasts of the Christian year. The feast dates back at least to the later 4th century and is therefore celebrated for more than 1 600 years.
1. What does “He ascended into heaven” means?
That Christ, in the sight of his disciples, according to his human nature was taken up from the earth into heaven, and continues to be there in a position of divine authority and power until he shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
2. Is Christ then not with us as he has promised?
Christ is true man and true God. According to his human nature he is now not on earth but in heaven, but as our God, Saviour and King he is never absent from us!
3. What benefits do we have because Jesus Christ ascended into heaven?
Firstly: He is our Advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven, always praying for us.
Secondly: Because he is in heaven as a human being, we know that he as our Head will also take us there.
Thirdly: He sends his Spirit to us by whose power we seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and not the things on the earth. The glorious Christ, enthroned in heaven, pours heavenly gifts on us, defending us against all our enemies and protecting us from evil.
Worship, honour, glory, blessing,
Lord, we offer to Your Name.
Young and old, Your praise expressing,
join their Saviour to proclaim.
As the saints in heaven adore You,
we would bow before Your throne,
As Your angels serve before You,
so on earth Your will be done
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