GOD EMPOWERING SPIRIT

                                     

                                    "GOD'S EMPOWERING SPIRIT"

                                                       PETECOST

To: Jesus Christ From: Kingdom Analysis HR. Subject: Twelve Management Trainee Evaluations.

Thank you for placing your confidence in Kingdom Analysis HR and submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked for management trainee positions in your new organization. Your keen insights have been helpful in our evaluation, but we have gone a few steps further. All 12 have taken our scientifically developed aptitude tests and met one on one with our psychologist and other consultants. Although you have complete confidence in the 12 it is the Kingdom Analysis HR staff opinion that most of your management trainee nominees lack the proper background, education and aptitude for what you are doing. Fundamentally they have no team experience or overall concept what a team does.

More specifically: Simon Peter has fits of anger and could be said to be emotionally unstable. Andrew has failed to exhibit any documented qualities of leadership. Sons of Thunder - James and John only show a drive for personal gain --- company loyalty is not in their vocabulary. Thomas questions everything and it has been determined that this attitude would eventually undermine team morale and cause division. Matthew did not qualify to interact with the Scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem. James, the son of Alphaeus and Simon-the Zealot definitely could be described as clinically depressed, and indications are they stirrup everyone they meet.     We highly and collectively recommend you continue searching for management trainees.

Our suggestion is to look for people with experience, managerial ability and proven leadership. There is a however a slight ray of hope - one of the candidates shows marked potential. He tested well in creative ability. Our staff has concluded he meets people well and exhibits a keen business mind. He is either a nifty name dropper or sincerely has contacts in high places. He ranked highest in motivation, ambition and innovation.  Our staff overwhelming agrees to recommend Judas Iscariot for the position of Chief Operating Officer and potential Chief Executive Officer of the future. The remaining profiles were all clearly suspect as to ability, loyalty or adaptability so we need not pursue their qualifications. We believe this will save you a great deal of money by not continuing our evaluations of this group.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Kingdom Analysis HR *

God's Empowering Spirit demonstrates that

  God does not call the Equipped ...

  God Equips those God Calls ...

That is what happened 50 Days after Jesus’ Apostles abandoned him and Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Peter had been an unstable leader during Jesus’s early ministry.  Bravado was his downfall.

As we learned a couple of weeks ago, (see "Called Twice," 2 blogs down) Jesus forgave and restored the humbled Peter.  Now he is boldly is speaking to thousands from all over the Mediterranean area. (Read Acts 2:1-21)

 How did that happen?  According to Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon these fishermen, tax collector and zealots they were empowered.

God’s empowering Spirit not only enabled and equipped the Disciples to witness of Jesus, God’s empowering Spirit enables and equips us to do the same.  We are not expected to do God’s work in our own strength or resources.

                                   

 Three Soul-Shaking Aspects which are also with us.

Experiencing God’s Divine Presence.

(Re-read: Acts 2:2-4)

This is what Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:8)

Jesus: Holy Spirit is like the wind...

Fire: In the Old Testament = God’s Presence.

John Baptist: After me will come one who will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. (Matthew 3:11)

Presbyterian Symbol: Flames/

               

God’s presence was known in a spectacular way:

The Holy Spirt came as violent wind and tongues of fire. 

Jesus: Where two or three are gathered in my name, their I AM.

When we gather in Jesus’ name, we are promised of His presence.

We accept God’s Divine Presence by Faith.

 There are times when God’s presence seems more real than others: Retreats, intense prayer or gathering of large numbers of Christians in conferences or crusades.

Often, we “try recapturing that “presence.” It rarely works. 

God’s Presence was revealed in different ways:

After the Prophet Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal, on Mount Carmel,(I Kg18:18-39) he was threatened by Queen Jezebel. Elijah ran for his life to the desert.  Often after a great spiritual experience, we have a letdown or feel attacked. That was the case with Elijah.  After a period or sleep and nourishment, "The Word of the Lord" came to Elijah asking" "What are you doing here?" (Read I Kings 19:9-13) (Notice God was Not in the earthquake, wind or fire, but in still small voice...gentle whisper.

 Pentecost reminds us that the way we Experience God’s Divine Presence is through the Holy Spirit.  Like wind, we cannot grab a hold of it.  We will experience God’s Empowering Spirit just as did those early disciples.  

The second Soul-Shaking experience was:

Experiencing God’s Divine Power 

As soon as God’s Spirit came upon the disciples, they immediately began speaking of what following Jesus meant in their lives. They began speaking in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them.

These disciples, who 50 days earlier, were hiding behind locked doors, were impelled onto the streets and likely into the Temple, loudly speaking about Jesus.

What a ruckus.  Each disciple speaking in a different language all at the same time.  They drew a crowd of curious pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost.    (Acts 2:8,11-13).

Are not all these men... speaking, Galileans? How is that we hear them speaking  our language? Amazed and perplexed, they asked what does this mean? Some of these men are drunk.                                                                           

When the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, barriers of language and culture were demolished through God’s unifying Spirit. 

What seemed like chaos was God’s restoring order and communication lost at the Tower of Babel, built to reach God on their own terms.  (Genesis 11:7)

Result: God confused their languages ... spread to different parts of the world.   Pentecost began reversing that process.  God made it possible for people to hear in their own language what Jesus had done for them.  The Miracle was not so much that the disciples spoke in other languages but that the Holy Spirit opened their ears ... to hear the good news.

Throughout Acts the Holy Spirit lead Jewish Christians through cultural barriers.  Samaritans (8:14-17), Gentiles (10:44-48) -Transforming Saul into Paul. (Ac 19:1-19)

Since the disciples were all speaking at one time, Peter stood and began clarifying what was happening. (Reread Ac. 2:14-18)

This uneducated fisherman gave an eloquent explanation: What is occurring is a fulfillment of the Prophet Joel.  Peter elaborated on how Jesus of Nazareth, whom the authorities had crucified, 50 days ago, God had raised from the dead.  Peter eloquently showed how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the promised Messiah. 

Following the rather short message 3,000 people made the decision to accept what Peter said as truth and place their lives under the guidance of Jesus Christ.

                     Change your life.  Turn to God and be baptized, each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

When God’s Divine Power (1:8) gripped the disciples, they couldn't help but proclaim what they had learned from Jesus and were empowered to tell others.

We too, gripped by the Holy Spirit become God’s messengers of the Good News.  When we allow God’s Spirit to use us, we discover God’s Divine Power replacing fear with courage and free flowing words empowering us to speak of what Jesus means in our lives, restoring order, communication and hope.

Experiencing God’s Divine Guidance.

Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until God’s Power came upon them. Then they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost parts of the earth. That is what began occurring on Pentecost.  Clearly, they were witnesses in Jerusalem.

Jesus had said: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

As those early Christians, who gathered to commemorate Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and witnesses, recalled His teachings, and in prayer sought his guidance, we too read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life and teaching as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.  It is also a time for us for telling our stories of God's presence and power in our lives. 

It was the Spirit of Truth guiding the Christians in caring for one another. Their love for each other demonstrated God’s love to others.  Acts records how the God’s Spirit led the disciples, individually and corporately in fulfilling what Jesus had told them to do. There are 40 references to the Holy Spirit in first 13 chapters of Acts.

Acts and the Epistles, record how the disciples did not make any decisions or move before (1:24) consulting God in prayer.  Deacon Philip  was walking on a road, when the Holy Spirit guided him to an Ethiopian on his way home from Jerusalem.  The Ethiopian was reading a Torah (Jewish Scriptures) which he apparently had purchased hoping to learn about God.  Philip asked: Do you understand what you are reading?  How can I, unless someone explains it?, responded the Ethiopian. (Acts 8:31)

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip explained the Scripture.  The result was the Ethiopian invited Jesus into his life and was baptized.  The disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit gave guidance in the qualifications of the office of Service/Deacons. (Acts 6:1-7)

The Apostle Paul "was eager to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost, if possible" (Acts 20:18).  Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus to meet him at the ship port (Acts 20:17). speaking to them/"Shepherds" Paul reminded them that The Holy Spirit made them overseers of the church.  (Acts 20:28)

That same Spirit guided Peter and John, giving them courage and what to say when brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Governing Body) for speaking about Jesus. (This was after they had healed a crippled beggar, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. (Acts 3:6) "Filled with the Holy Spirit, "their response was eloquent."  How did these uneducated Galileans speak so boldly?  The Leaders realized, these two had been with Jesus, for they had done what Jesus did and spoke as he did. (Acts 4:8, 13)      

Living in the 21^st century, we have the same promise of God’s divine guidance.  When we seek God’s wisdom, we will receive it.  It may come through corporate decisions.  We pray, seeking God’s guidance, following God’s guidelines recorded in Scripture when electing Church leaders and choosing which way to go in ministry.

That same Spirit enables us to act with boldness.  That same Spirit will guide us into the future.  The same Spirit leads us to those ready to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Pentecost marks the commencement of the ekklisia (Greek word for Church) made up of individuals of various nationalities.  Their belief in God and God’s presence through the Holy Spirit led to a unity of communication.  Today the Church is comprised of people from all parts of the earth.  Something special occurs when Christians gather around the Lord’s Table.  We are all partaking in a sacrament commemorating an act of love and celebrating the presence of God’s Spirit in a manner common to all.  We may not understand the language but fully comprehend what we are doing.  This is evidence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Pentecost dramatically reminds us that God does not act haphazardly.  God chose Pentecost as the day for the Holy Spirit to come upon God’s people for it was the day God gave the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  The Prophet Jeremiah said:(31:31-34)

In Pentecost God fulfilled God’s Promise of engraving God’s law upon people’s hearts, rather than just upon stones.

Pentecost was when people from all parts of the world were in Jerusalem and witnessed the events that occurred that day.  Whether or not they believed what they had heard and seen, I am sure the pilgrims returned to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene and Rome telling of that amazing day.  They had heard a message in their own language by people that normally don't speak their language.  God demonstrated in a bold and dramatic way that the curse, which began at the tower of Babel, had been removed.  God was no longer going to confuse the language of people, rather offer a way for them to understand one another and respond to God’s love.                                                

Pentecost is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel.  Up to this point God’s Spirit had come upon National Leaders: Kings, Priests and Prophets.  God spoke to the people through a handful of individuals. 

God taught through trained, and Spirit filled leaders.  Joel said the day was coming when the Spirit of God would come upon all people responding to God, whether male, female or slaves, God would come upon ordinary individuals.  That prophecy was fulfilled on Pentecost in 33 A.D.

The Promise of that Prophecy is real for us.  We believe that God’s Spirit is given to each person, who by faith, accepts Jesus.  We believe that each one of us has the potential of tapping into that very Source of God.  Each of us has been given a gift of God’s Spirit motivating us to service.  When we reach out in God’s love to other people, using that Spiritual Gift, God’s Power is manifested to all.

Nothing will stop God’s plan from being fulfilled. May this Pentecost revitalize your own faith and corporate life.  As you experience God’s presence today, may you allow God’s spirit to grip and use you in proclaiming God’s message in your community, with your family and friends.  holding on to the assurance of God’s divine presence and guidance in your individual lives. 

(RED is the color of Pentecost.  Why not wear Red.  If asked why are you wearing Red, you can tell them about Pentecost.) 

*HR is a fictitious document to set the tone for this blog and illustrate how God acts differently than corporate America.

This will be my last Blog on Post Jesus' Resurrection events.  I may blog later on other topics.  

Power and Authority

                                                                    

                                               "POWER AND AUTHORITY"

                                                     (Ascension of Jesus)

Last Sunday, was the official start of finishing season in Minnesota.  The state government has the authority to restrict fishing from the time that last ice melts on the lakes to the Sunday closest to May 15, often Mother's Day weekend.  For avid fishermen, the right to fish, means sometimes, Moms loose out.  States and countries have the authority of limiting the number of fish that can be caught.  Here, in Georgetown, Texas, Brushy Creek is the closest place to fish.  The limit of trout is 5 per day.

Authority is something with which many have trouble.  Some of us use to say:  "You can't trust anyone over 40.  That was until we turned 40.  In my first church, at the age of 25, I was one of the oldest on Session (Governing Board).  We decided to "Seek God's Leading" and act only if we had a unanimous vote.  We discovered that one person could stop a plan.  We realized that not everyone had the "good of the whole" in mind.  Sometimes, a personal issue or vendetta got in the way of God's leading.  After one very long night of praying, discussing and seeking a solution to an issue, we decided to check the Book Of Order (Constitution of the Presbyterian Church) To our amazement that with which we had wrestled was addressed in the authority of our denomination's constitution.  Our Ultimate Authority is the Holy Bible.  

While serving a church in Denver, Colorado, I decided to learn to fly-fish.  I could have purchased fishing gear and headed to the river, trying my skill at catching trout.  Instead, I asked someone who was a fly-fisherman.  He taught me how to caste, to observe the flying insects on the water and choose flies that were as close to those as possible.  What I learned was the secret to fly-fishing is selecting the appropriate bait,Then again, that is true for all fishing.

In Minnesota, I overheard, in a restaurant, men arguing for hours whether Red Devil or Yellow Stinger was most effective in catching Northern or Walleye Pike.  "The practice of the fine art of fish capturing,"* means not only selecting the appropriate bait but also knowing where to find the fish. 

Jesus called men to follow him.  He would teach them how to become fishers of people.  One of the first things those followers learned was the authority of Jesus didn't come from training in Rabbinical Schools but from God.  When Jesus was in Capernaum, Galilee, he spoke on a Sabbath. People said:  "What is this teaching?  With authority and power he gives orders to the evil spirits, and they come out."  (Lk 4:36).  When Jesus calmed a storm, in which the disciples were caught, saying:  "Be Still!" The disciples said:  "Even the wind and the waves obey him."  (Mk 4:41).  On the night, before Jesus was crucified, he prayed:  "Father, the time has come...You granted your Son. authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those you have given him.... As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."  (Jn. 17:1, 18)  

Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples, following his resurrection from the dead, giving them a crash course on all that he had done and taught them.  When you leave on a trip, likely, you give instructions and authority for someone to care for your property of even to act on your behalf.  The Last Will and Testimony is a way of continuing your estate and legacy.  So it was with Jesus.  His last charge and Commission, Blessing and Benediction began with a transfer of power and authority.  

                                

                                            (Painting by Rembrandt)

Today, May 18, we remember the day Jesus transferred his authority to the disciples and then was taken to Heaven.  We call it "Asencion Day."

Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives (first picture) overlooking Jerusalem.  He said:

All authority in heaven and earth has been giving to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely, I AM with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:16) 

Since Jesus had supreme authority and power over all God's creation, his servants including us, may be assured his presence and power was with them and will be with us in all we do.  

There are several Implications:

We are under Christ's Authority.

This event marks the end of Jesus' resurrection appearances.  Jesus opened their minds, so they understood Scriptures. (Lk 24:44) Later, Peter addressing the crowd on Pentecost (which we will discuss next week) quotes Scripture (Ac. 2:16-39) Peter and John, entering the Temple to pray, were approached by a beggar asking for money.  Peter said:  "we don't have silver or gold.  What we have, we give to you."  Using Jesus' authority they did and said what Jesus had done and said in similar healing, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk. (Ac. 3:1-10)  When Peter and John are arrested for "Speaking and acting in the name of Jesus," they were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Court) and asked:  By what power and authority do you do this?  They responded:  By the Name of Jesus of Nzareth!  ... When they saw the courage... and realized they were ordinary men...who had been with Jesus ... they released them.  (Ac. 4:7-10)

We have been commissioned: 

Jesus said:  "Wherever you go, be a witness."  Jesus is Lord of the Earth.  Like the disciples we can Show and Tell of what God has done for us.  

Jesus said:  "Baptize and Teach everything you have learned."  There was a Series of ever-widening Circles.  The Good News of Jesus Life, Death and Resurrection, spread geographically across races, cultures, including Gentiles, (non-Jews).  God's Gospel has not reached its final destination., if someone in your family, workplace, school or community hasn't heard about Jesus Christ.  Let us be open to God using us in the ever widening of God's loving message. (Using what we learn about fishing, let us Observe, ask questions seeking to find a connection and showing God's Love)

"IN THE NAME OF ... used in Baptism gives the Authority in the Threefold formula:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We did not invent the idea of a Triune God.  It comes from Jesus himself.   (I will write more about this next week, when we celebrate the Coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples on the Jewish Day, 50 days after Passover, Pentecost.

We are Assured of Christ' Presence and Power.

Jesus said:  I will send you what the Father promised.  (Ac. 1:4)   Stay in Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power.  We have been commissioned and have important work to do, which can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes that means waiting and listening for God's plans.  We need God's timing and Power to be effective. Power involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority.  The disciples used all those gifts in fulfilling their mission. Those who believe in Jesus and accept him as Lord and Savior will experience the same power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.                                                          

The Gospel of Matthew begins and ends with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  And they will call him Immanuel ... God with us. (1:23) And surely, I AM with you always, to the end of the age. (28:20)

Jesus perfectly lived in and carried out God, the Father's Plan.  Jesus Chrit, in fellowship with the Father, shared divine power.  Thant power and authority came upon the disciples 10 days later, Pentecost, of which we will commemorate next week.  Authority: To act in surprising ways -- "Outside the normal way (box) of doing things. Power: To Act on behalf of another. Wherever we go, whether it is next door or to another country, we are to tell of Jesus means in our lives.  This is not an option for those who call Jesus Lord. We are not all evangelists.  We have all received a spiritual gift that enables God's love to flow through us to others.  As we remain in fellowship with Jesus, seeking to live as he taught, we have the comfort of knowing Jesus is always with us.  How can that be if he ascended into Heaven?  Through the Holy Spirit.

As the disciples gazed into the sky watching Jesus ascend, two Angeles said: This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven. (Ac 1:11)

There Jesus took the rightful position of power and rank with the Father in the eternal realm.    Ultimate power raised Jesus from the dead.  The disciples learned to live in that resurrection power.  That is what we called to do.  Let us Go live and act/do in Resurrection Power for the world.

There is a story that when Jesus arrived in Heaven an angel asked:  "What did you do to continue your ministry on Earth?"  Jesus responded:  "I entrusted it to my disciples. "  "Do you have another plan if they don't do what you taught them?"  "No," responded Jesus, "The Holy Spirit will empower and lead them and through them the Good News will be taken to te the Whole World.  We are recipient's of their faithfulness. Let us continue spreading the Good News to all we know.

(Next week I will write about Pentecost and Power the disciples received and used in witnessing, wherever they went, of what Jesus meant in their lives and could mean in those who heard their stories.)

* The phrase come form a member in the North Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colorado.