Nothing can be as wearisome as church work without the
power of the Holy Spirit. It is also true that nothing can be more
exciting, uplifting, and powerful as a church experiencing the anointing of the
Spirit, with Spirit filled, inspired members.
The Church is Born...
The events leading up to the Day of Pentecost were
exceptional times for the followers of Christ. Firstly they experienced
traumatic and confusing days. Jesus had been crucified, yes, the One they
believed to be the Messiah had been killed, cruelly. They didn’t know what to
do.
Then they heard the news that Jesus had risen from the
dead. He appeared to them to confirm this. Even “doubting Thomas” came to an
emotional confession calling Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus then told them to wait in Jerusalem for the
power of the Spirit of God to be poured out on them and that through this power they would be
his witnesses all over the world. Then he ascended into the clouds before their
eyes. What a roller coaster ride it must have been emotionally. They
certainly intensely experienced every single emotion one could have.
Then they earnestly and obediently waited upon the
Lord to fulfil the Pentecost promise: the Holy Spirit will come upon
you. And God showed up in the most awesome way possible. God
poured out his Spirit and therefore his divine power, on one hundred twenty followers who were waiting,
praying and expecting these great deeds of God that would follow the
resurrection miracle.
How powerful, how spectacular and how encouraging was
the demonstration of God’s power on Pentecost: tongues of fire floating
above everyone while they heard a sound like that of a raging wind. And they
could speak languages they have never learned – some of it probably never even
heard spoken. Something amazing was happening. Something supernatural was given
to them. When God showed up in their community, everything was about to change.
What we notice first is that scared and timid men and
women became bold beyond reasonable explanation. Their leader, Peter, was
touched particularly and this fisherman started preaching in a powerful,
persuasive way. The same Peter, who struggled to confess Christ to a
young servant girl, became as bold and courageous as a lion.
Peter certainly received the power that the Lord Jesus
promised them! He preached as an anointed messenger of God and at the end
of his sermon told them exactly who Jesus Christ truly was.
When the people heard this (who Jesus really was), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter
and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Act 2: 37)
(This was exactly where God wanted them to be).
And Peter replied, "Repent.... and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit... With many other words he warned them;
and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt
generation." (vv. 38-40)
We too have the promise! We too may receive God’s
calling and the power to do his work through our gifting.
Are you willing to wait for God to show up like he did
at Pentecost! Are you willing to dare praying for it? Do you too want to be
part of it? Do you pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
No comments:
Post a Comment