Get After It
Pentecost is the birthday of the church. Prior to this time, the disciples and apostles followed Jesus, they were with Him, watching and learning, being prepared for a future that they had no idea was coming. But now they (and we!) are the church, the Body of Christ!
Among all the promises that Pentecost brings to us are two that I want to draw attention to today. Pentecost reminds us that the church is so much more than just another club. There are many clubs that we join for various interests — boating, golfing, knitting, playing cards, reading novels, etc. The church is not just a religious club — the church is the living, breathing Body of Christ!
Second, and flowing from the first, the church is not dependent on you and me. We are dependent on the Holy Spirit of God. That does not mean we toss it off to the Spirit. Another pastor I used to work with had a poster that read: Work as if everything depends on you — Pray as if everything depends on God!” To which I would add, “Because it does!” All we do that is pleasing to God depends on prayer and if we don’t get up and get after it, nothing happens because God chooses to accomplish His purposes thru us.
God promises us the Holy Spirit to guide, to strengthen, to give us the gifts needed for what He intends for us to accomplish. But we still have to get up and do it!
Prior to Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of God, was given only to special, selected individuals: prophets, etc. Now the Holy Spirit is promised to all who turn to Jesus! No longer can we look to someone else, some specially anointed one, to do the work. We are each given the Spirit and we are each part of the Body!
This column appeared in the May 28, 2023 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.
If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for the current eNews.
