Bible readings: Acts 2:1-11, Romans 8:8-17, John 20:19-23
Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day in the church calendar that we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first believers and the birth of the church. It is a day when we remember the help that comes from above. Today I have three reflections from our readings.
The Holy Spirit comes in power
In Acts chapter one we see Jesus told the disciples to not leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the gift from God that He had told them about. This gift was the Holy Spirit which would give them power to be His witnesses. Fast forward to chapter two and today’s first reading, we see this happens. The Holy Spirit comes in power. In verses 2-5 we read there was a rushing wind and flames of fire, that tongues of fire came upon them, and they spoke in various languages as the Spirit enabled.
This was such a powerful event that people came to see what was happening. They were shocked with what they saw – ordinary men from Galilee speaking in about a dozen languages of the hearers. They were praising God and declaring His wonders for all to hear and understand. They were filled to be the witnesses that Jesus spoke about. Now they had the power to continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost.
True followers of Jesus live by the Spirit
In our second reading we see there are two ways to live this life – by the flesh or by the way of the Spirit. Verses 9-11 encourages us to live by the Spirit and not our natural human nature. It reminds us to not live at the level of our natural fleshly nature that seeks the fleshly comforts of this world like riches, comfort and physical pleasure. God wants us to set our sights higher and seek what the Spirit wants by seeking the Kingdom of God above all else (Matthew 6:33).
Romans 8:11 reminds us that the Spirit that came at Pentecost, and whom lives in all true believers, is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. You and I have resurrection power inside of us! When Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, He did not leave us alone to fumble and stumble through this life. He sent us the Holy Spirit so we could continue His mission of seeking and saving the lost, loving one another and doing good works. He gave us the power to chose life – the Kingdom life that He calls us to live.
We are sent out by Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit
In our last reading from John we see that Jesus sends out His followers. He said, “As the Father sent Me, I am sending you.” This call echoes Jesus last words to His disciples before ascending to heaven in Matthew 28:18-20. It says, “Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, [20] and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
This call to His first disciples is also our call today. In the same way the disciples were called and sent out, so are we. However, we are not sent out alone. Just like the first believers were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and empowered for their mission, so are we. We are filled with the same resurrection power that enabled the disciples to preach and bring thousands in to the Kingdom in one day! Just continue reading on in Acts 2 to read about Peter’s first sermon that was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were added to the church from one Holy Spirit empowered sermon. Yes I will admit that Jesus’ call to continue His mission can be daunting, but if we keep focussed on the Kingdom and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, then we have all we need to continue His work.
Closing thoughts
Today as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday I want us to be reminded of these three things. That Jesus did not leave us alone as Holy Spirit came in power, that as true followers we chose to live by the Spirit’s power, and as we do we can fulfil Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost means we have help from above to continue Jesus’ mission in this world.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Pentecost. Thank You that You sent the Holy Spirit to us as followers of Jesus. Right now Holy Spirit I submit to You. I ask that You will empower me and use me to continue Jesus’ work in this world. Give me confidence and boldness to speak of God’s Kingdom and salvation through Jesus. Please help me to make disciples of all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I believe there are five things we should try to find in this life. Things which will not only make our lives better, but will make the lives of those around us better too. I think we will also be more fulfilled.
Find Jesus – I honestly believe with all of my heart that we all need to find a personal relationship with Jesus. We all have a God shaped hole inside us and we will not make full sense of this life if we do not include Jesus. As St Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you”.
Find your Church – We all need a church home where we can learn about God, share our faith with others believers, serve others in community and receive the Sacraments. God wants us in community to journey together and grow in our faith together.
Find your partner – I believe most people will find a partner to share their life with. Yes some are called to serve as Priests or Nuns and serve the church, but most are called to have a spouse and family. Back in the Garden of Eden, God said it is not good for man to live alone. We need someone to love and support us, and we need to be that for someone else.
Find your Vocation – For me a vocation means more than having a job. It is about finding the thing that God has made you to do. We are all shaped by God with different gifts and talents. He knit us together in our mother’s womb to do certain things. I believe we are most satisfied when we find and do God’s work for us.
Find your devotional style – By this I mean finding the way you connect with God. Some love sitting in church and worshipping God, some find reading and meditating on the Bible hits the spot, some go on prayer walks in nature and feel God’s presence, some pray the Rosary and connect with the Mysteries. It is does not matter what it is as long as you feel connected to God and do it regularly. God wants to be with us daily.
These are some of the things that have helped me in this life. I really do not think my life would be the same without them. Each of them has added to my life in so many ways. I am so thankful to God He has blessed me with these things.
The Catholic Church has a new leader – Pope Leo XIV.
I must say he has been very impressive so far. I have really enjoyed the first things he has done. Here are a few I have enjoyed.
1. First Sermon – I loved his first words as Pope, they were about peace, blessing and our hope in Jesus Christ the one true Saviour. Reading a translation in English touch my heart.
2. Clothing – I really loved his wearing of the traditional outfit. It showed he is attached to tradition and values it highly.
3. Augustinian – Leo is from the Augustinian order. They are deeply religious, contemplative, servant-hearted and relational. This gives me hope.
4. No War – In his first chance to speak as Pope he called for an end to the wars going on in the world. He reminded us that we are all in this together and must look after each other.
5. World Attention – I really love the whole world stops to look for smoke from a chimney. Not all Christians are Catholic, but the election of the Pope is something very special to us all.
6. Young Age – At only 69 Pope Leo could be in the role for a long time. It is good to see a spritely Pope moving around by himself. I heard he still plays weekly tennis!
7. Languages – I really like he can speak in multiple languages. I understand he is fluent in Italian, Spanish, Latin, English and can read German. This is great for the worldwide church.
These are just some of the things I have liked and enjoyed so far. I am hopeful he will be a great leader for the church. I am hoping he is for a time such as this.
Over the years people have asked me what church I attend or what church do I point people to? Generally I do not say, especially online. But if someone asks to come along I will tell them.
My reason for this is that churches in different countries are not the same. If I say I belong to a particular denomination online, it may be very different in Australia to the USA, Asia, Africa or Europe.
My heart is to always point people to Jesus. Jesus is the way we find salvation. Jesus died on the cross for our sin. First and foremost we have to come to Him. Then I encourage people to read the Bible and learn to pray and find a local church.
I came to Jesus through some friends I worked with. They talked about Jesus and the Bible, prayed for me and gave me a tract to find salvation. Then they asked me to their church. I attended for about a year, but as it was a 30 minute drive, I found one closer to my home.
I have found in a smallish country town where I live this works best in my context. People will talk about God, the Bible, prayer and ask questions, but are reluctant to attend church at first. Walking in to a church in a small country town is a big statement. Everybody has a way of finding out.
So I do not really point people to a particular church, I point them to Jesus. I want people to be saved, discipled and to follow Him. Then I point them to the main church denominations in Australia. I encourage them to find a local one.
This is why I include an alphabetical list of denominations on my links page. I want people to find a church where Jesus is held up as Lord and Saviour, the Bible is preached, prayer happens and they can grow in their faith.
Another reason I do not recommend a particular church is one person might like a relaxed house church style and another might like a high church or liturgical style of worship. We are not all the same, we have different tastes, we have to find our own place in the church.
So this is why I do not talk about my church or push a particular denomination. My heart is to point people to Jesus, not a church.
The title of my message today is “10 things God says about you in the Bible”. Today I want to use Romans 12:3 as my starting verse and go from there.
Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
This verse reminds of the important of having a right view of ourselves. It says we should think of our self with sober judgement. The Greek word used here for sober is so-fron-eh’-o. It means to think and be in your right mind or to think correctly about ourselves. Some people think too highly of themselves, while others have a too low opinion. The best way to think right about ourselves in by seeing who God we are in the Bible.
As Christians I believe at times we need to be reminded of who God says we are. Sometimes we forget just how loved we are and just how important we are to God. Today I want to look at 10 Scriptures that changed and transformed my life. They helped me to see myself through God’s eyes and are helping me to fulfil the destiny God has before me.
The main focus is to let God’s Word speak to our hearts and minds. I will read each Scripture and make a short comment.
1. You are created in God’s image
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
We are made in God’s image. According to most theologians or Bible scholars, being made in God’s image has three aspects or three schools of thought…
Structural – Structural in the way we are made. We think, can reason, make choices and love. We are logical cognitive beings. When we do these things we reflect God’s image.
Vocational – God is vocational. He is creative in the way He works and created this world. When we create and work and use our gifts in the world around us we reflect God’s image.
Relational – God is in the perfect loving triune relationship – the Trinity. Three persons, but one in love, purpose, mission, unity and relationship. When we love God and relate to each other in loving ways we reflect God outwards to the world around us.
While most theologians or Bible scholars fall into one of those camps, I believe that being made in the image of God is a combination of all three. When we make choices, when we work using God’s gifts and when we related lovingly to each other, we reflect God’s image.
As Christ followers we need to remember that God’s DNA is stamped on us. Yes the fall of man skewed the image when God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden and sin entered the world, but it was restored in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are able to reflect all God wants us to be.
2. You were chosen before the foundation of the world
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (Ephesians 1:4-5)
God chose us before the creation us the world. What did He choose us for? To be holy and blameless in His sight. Why? Because that would give Him pleasure! It was His will and prior choice to have you in His Kingdom and adopted into His eternal family.
3. You were created for good works
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
We are created by God for good works that He planned for us before He made the world. You were on His mind and He had a job for you to do. Like Queen Esther was chosen for a time such as this, so are you. God made you perfectly to play your part. He used all the right ingredients when moulding you on His potter’s wheel. You are gifted with everything you need to do all He needs you to do. Next week we will look into this in a deeper way when we look at using our gifts well.
4. You were adopted as children of God
Yet to all who received him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)
We are God’s children. Adopted into His eternal family because our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We are co-heirs with Christ. We are all born into this world in to natural families. Some are good and some are not so good. But when we come to Christ we enter the eternal family of God. We here are brothers and sisters. Not just for this life, but for all eternity.
As I shared in my message a few weeks ago – we will spend way more time in eternity than we will on earth. When we have been there 10,000 years we have only just begun. Look around and see your brothers and sisters in Christ. These relationships will last for eternity. We are brothers and sisters in Christ forever and ever and ever. We are adopted into Christ and God’s eternal family.
5. You have the power of the resurrection inside you
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
Not only are we God’s children and made in God’s image, but we have part of God living inside us. We have resurrection power living in us. The Bible also tells us that we are a Temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit resides in you (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we come together we have part of the Creator of the universe resides in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). We don’t have to feel powerless because the same Spirit who hovered over the waters and the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and active in you.
6. You are no longer condemned
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Often we feel condemned and unworthy in the face of a Holy God. God tells us in the Bible there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. None at all. The Greek word used here for condemned is kat-ak’-ree-mah. It means an adverse sentence or judgement from a judge. We are condemned and ready to be sentenced to jail. But this verse says there is no condemnation. No sentence against us. Our judgement has been put aside.
As a result we can’t let other people make us feel condemned, or the devil and we can’t even condemn ourselves. We are free. Personally I was the worst offender at condemning myself. If I spoke to you the way I spoke to myself most of the time, then you would not want to be my friend and you would definitely not want me preaching up front! Romans 8:33-34 NLT told me that if God has said we are right with Him, who can condemn us. No-one! Not even ourselves! Now I am free to live in the love of Christ. Free from condemnation.
7. You are alive and seated with Christ
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)
When Jesus returned to heaven He took up the highest place in the universe – seated at the right hand of the Father. These verses tell us that spiritually we are seated right there with Christ. You hold a special place in the heavenly realm. Learning this at Bible college changed my whole perspective on life and how I see myself. I now see my standing as with Christ. I can hold my head up high.
8. God created you in your mother’s womb
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13).
This is David praying/talking to God. David realised the special role God played in creating him. He knit him together in his mother’s womb. The potter moulded and shaped him into a future king. God also knit you together. Making you exactly how He wanted you to be. There are no mistakes. You are what He intended you to be. God said that same thing to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “before I created you, I knew you.”
9. God loved you and sent His Son for you
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
God loved you so much that He couldn’t bear for you to miss out on spending eternity with Him. He sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus gave His life for you. For God so loved you as it says in John 3:16. It is the greatest sacrifice and the greatest demonstration of love of all time. He loved you first and planned always for you to be His treasured possession. You are God’s treasured possession. Loved and treasured. God is besotted with you.
When God looks at you He looks at you with the pride and love of a parent holding their new born child, or like when you watch your children play, or like when you see your child ride their bike for the first time, or when you see your child grow up and marry. There is an immense love and pride in you. God loves you. He adores you. He is besotted with you.
10. You are free in Christ
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
If you are in Christ, you are free. Free of worry about salvation, free of worry about the future, free of the past, free of sin, free of guilt, free of condemnation, free of striving to be accepted, free of the need to know if God loves you or not. He loves you and accepts you. You are His. You are chosen. You are part of His eternal family. You are free of everything that would hold you back from being all God wants you to be.
Closing
Today we have looked at 10 passages that tell us who we are and what we have in Christ. And this is only just scratching the surface of the amount of passages in the Bible that tell us how important to and how loved we are by God.
When we fully believe these verses it changes our hearts and minds and it truly changes the way we live. We can stand taller and we can be confident in taking on the world knowing that God loves us, is with us and is on our side.
Summary
You are made in God’s image
You were chosen before the world was made
You were created and equipped for good works
You are adopted into His family
You have the Holy Spirit living inside you
You are no longer condemned
You are seated with Christ
You were knit together in your mother’s womb
You are truly loved by God
You are free in Christ. Free from everything that would hold you back.
It is my hope and prayer that you will take these Scriptures home with you and read them everyday this week. Let them sink deep into your heart and mind. Amen.
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