UNIVERSAL CONDITION

UNIVERSAL CONDITION

Dr. Glen A. Thorp October 19, 2025
I Timothy 6:3-21, Luke 16:19-31 (All Rights Reserved)

“UNIVERSAL CONDITION”

INTRODUCTION: Some of the richest people I know are poor
Some of poorest people I know are rich.
It is not what we own that is important.
It is what we do with what we have &
whether we are content with what we have.

There is a universal condition which all people have in common, whether living in the United States, Korea, Angola, the Congo, Colombia, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France or Syria which may lead to personal or national conflict.
That universal condition is Discontentment.
Proverbs.30:7-9 says:
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Rich caught in endless cycle. “The one who dies with most toys, wins.” Solutions: Wealth, Fame, Filling Time or Withdrawing.
Greek Philosophers defined contentment as
autarkeia - self-sufficiency, autonomy & autocratic.
Frame of Mind completely independent of all outward or external things.
Contentment comes from an inner attitude towards life
Those having wealth & power don’t have to flaunt it.

Henry VI, Shakespeare, Third Act draws a picture of the king wandering through the country un-recognized. Meeting two gamekeepers he tells them he is the king. One of them asks:
“If thou be king, where is thy crown?”
The king gives this great answer:

“My crown is in my heart, not on my head,
not decked with diamonds & Indian stones,
nor to be seen: My crown is call’d contentment
a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

Epicurious wrote: “The secret to Contentment:
Add not to a man’s possessions,
But take away his desires.”

Christianity does not promote poverty.
There is no virtue in being poor. (Blessed are the poor ...)

It acknowledges what I Timothy 6:7 says:

We brought nothing into the world & it is clear
that we can take nothing with us when we die.

Beatles’ Songs: Which best expresses your attitude towards money:
Money (That’s what I want) or
Money Can’t Buy Me Love?

ILLUSTRATION: A close friend worked hard & long hours
became a millionaire. That was not his goal. It was the result of his labor & investments. He was proud of doing it on his own. Not quite:
• long hours meant his family was neglected.
• drain on his energy & health.
• a major law suite took away years of life & finances.
• result he was divorced from his wife.
“I would give anything, money, if I could have my wife back”

Jesus said: What good is it for a person to gain
the whole world but loose her/his soul?

Read Luke 16:19-31. It is a parable ( a story with a point) taught by Jesus about a Rich man & a poor man named Lazarus ... Notice what the rich man asks in vs. 27, 28 & Abraham’s responses.

Jesus also said: Seek first the kingdom of God and these thinngs will be given to as well. (Matthew 6:33)

We acknowledge that all we have comes from God.
We are not autonomous: Don’t need anything or anyone.

There is no such thing as a self-made person.

Wealthy Barron - discovered minerals:
gold, silver, diamonds, oil etc.
Used cheap labor ...

Business person - Markets products or services
Needs customers...

Athlete or Actor - Someone: discovered him/her, developed his/her talent.
payed to see him/her play or act.

Autonomy often leads to loneliness.

That is not what the Greek Philosophers & definitely, not Paul, meant by “contentment.”

“Happiness/Contentment comes from relationships.

Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes to Timothy: (6:6)
Do you want to be rich?
You are when you are content.

On another occasion Paul wrote: (Philippines 4:11-12)
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need.
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any & every
situation, whether fed or hungry, in plenty or in want.

Contentment comes when we escape the servitude to things & find our wealth in the love, friendships & especially our friendship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.

TRANSITION: It is that love & friendship we celebrate each Sunday.

1. God loved us so much that he came in human form.
Jesus took our place of condemnation,
dying that we might live.
We read a story or see a movie where some saves another’s life.
What is the response? “Because you saved my life,
I owe you.”
Jesus saved our lives, yet ...
we owe nothing except gratitude.

2. We are God’s children, so are those born in bamboo huts.
We each came into the world the same.
We each will leave this world the same.
What is the difference?
We have been given opportunity, good diet,
medical care, education & an atmosphere of support.
Acknowledge it all as God’s provision.
Use it wisely
Share what we have learned & earned with others.
We enjoy:
The Good News given to us.
The beautiful churches which have been entrusted to us
What will we do with what we have received?
Paul writes:
You are people of God:
Walk with shoulders straight,
head high.
Given commission from God.

I Timothy 6:11-16 Pursue: (Greek Words - Translated)
dikaiosune: Right Relationships - God, others, self.
eusebeia: Godliness - Aware of God’s presence.
pistis: Faith - Fidelity to God.
agape: Love - Love of God for us.
hupomone: Patience - Victorious endurance.
paupatheia: Gentleness - Doesn’t blaze into anger for
for its own wrongs, but
for wrongs against others.
- Humility that all one has comes from God &
- Pride of calling from God.

Remembering our Baptism:
Our Helplessness
Public Confession of Faith
All we have comes from God.

Joel 2:23, 26 Affirms how we respond to God for all that God
provides for us:

Be glad, oh people of (insert you city),
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, but autumn & spring rains..
You will have plenty to eat, you are full &
you will praise the name of the Lord.

Stuart Hamblem “had a series of highly popular radio programs on the West Coast or the United States (1931-1952.)
He composed music & acted with others stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & John Wayne ...Hamblem didn’t cope well with the pressure ... sought relief in alcohol ... which often landed him in jail for public brawling & other destructive behavior...
In 1949 he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles.
His life was dramatically changed when he turned his life over to Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. He described this as “the turning point” of my life. He was fired from his radio career when he declined to continue with his radio station’s sponsor’s beer commercials. Hard times were upon him. During this struggle, John Wayne took him aside & told him “your troubles started when you ‘got religion’ & asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, “Yes.”
Then John said, “You liked booze so much. Don’t you ever miss it?”
The answer was “no.” John continued:
“I don’t understand how you could give it up so easily.”
Hamblen’s response was “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” To this John said,
“That’s a catch phrase. You should write a song about it.”

He did and it is called: It Is No Secret . The first verse is:

“The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strenght Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you.

It is no secret, what God can do What he's done for others, he'll do for you With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do.” 

 Dr. Glen A. Thorp June 15, 2025

Romans 8:15-17, Isaiah 6:1-8 (Trinity Sunday)
(All Rights Reserved)

TRINITARIANS:
(“Worshiping One God, not Three”)

INTRODUCTION: Christians are often accused of being tri-theists
by Muslims and Jews. We are not. We are Trinitarians.
Today, Trinity Sunday in the Christian calendar, I am going to try explaining the concept and implications of believing in a Triune God.

“The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the deepest and most sacred in the Christian system. * Yet it is one of the most confusing of Christian doctrines.

The term “Trinity” came from man (Tertullian, 220 AD) and
not expressed in a creed until the Council of Nicea (325 AD)
from which came the first Christian Creed: “Nicean Creed.”

The Triune Nature of God is NOT a human invention.
Nor is the term “Trinity” simply a metaphysical attempt of describing God.

Both the unity and tri-unity of God are revealed in Scripture.
“Reason shows unity of God; only Revelation shows Trinity of God.”+
Although the term “Trinity” is not found in Scripture,
the concept definitely is Biblical.

The term “trinity” designates Facts that help us better understand the Implications of what God has revealed about God’s self to us.

The First Fact is: There is but One God.

We do not believe in three Gods. Along with Muslims and Jews we affirm the powerful phrase in Deuteronomy 6:4
"The Lord our God is One Lord."
“In the midst of the most seductive forms of polytheism, it was necessary that the Israelites be thoroughly instructed in divine unity.”*
St. Patrick of Ireland used a Shamrock, 3 leaf clover in explaining the Trinity. Three leaves yet one clover. By the way that is why all those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day wearing green and Shamrocks.
I wonder how many realize they are affirming their belief in the Trinity.

The first and foundational in the Ten Commandments was
You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
I could list many other Scripture stating there is but One God.

The Second Fact is: God is Revealed in Three Ways.

From the first verse of the Bible:
"In the beginning God ... Elohim-the Hebrew word for God is plural
created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:26 states:
"God ... Elohim, said:
'Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." In Genesis 3:22:
The Lord said, this man has become like one of us. Isaiah 6:8:
"The Lord said: Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"

Even the sacred phrase for Jews, Muslims and Christians:
"The Lord, Elohim (Our Gods) is One Lord."

When Jews and Muslims are asked to explain these verses, their response is: “this is a council in Heaven of which God is the Moderator.”
Jews acknowledge God’s Spirit came upon prophets and priests but will not say the Spirit is God. Numbers 11:24-24 tells of God’s Spirit being given to seventy elders who had be chosen to assist Moses.
"The Lord took of the Spirit that was on him (Moses)
and put the Spirit on the seventy elders." (11:25)

Though there is but One God, God is revealed in the Three Ways.
The Greek word hypostasis means “substance” and became the technical term explaining that God is One revealed in Three Ways.

A. The Father is recognized as God.

For the Jews and Muslims this is no problem.
Many Scriptures affirm the Father as God. Two:
John 6:27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

I Peter 1:2 "Peter as apostle of Jesus Christ ... chosen and destined by God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for the obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood."

The Lord’s Prayer begins: "Our Father in Heaven ..."

For us to address God as Father is a privilege given by Jesus.

B. The Son, Jesus Christ, is recognized as God.

This is what separates Christians from Jews, Muslims and every other religion. Each acknowledges Jesus was a great prophet who lived a exemplary life. But saying that Jesus born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth and crucified in Jerusalem was God is blasphemy. This is the accusation that ultimately lead to Jesus’ death. Again, there are many
Scriptures declaring Jesus was God. Two:

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, (Greek is Logos) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

This chapter and the Gospel affirm that the Word was Jesus.

John 20:28 One of Jesus’ resurrection appearances was to the
Apostle Thomas, who did not believe Jesus was alive. Jesus said:
"Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe." Notice Thomas’s response:
"My Lord and My God!"

While Jesus was on earth he prayed to the Father:
"I do what the Father tells me to do."
How can God be in two places at once?
We say God is omnipresent, God can be in all places at once.
(Try Comprehending one God being both on earth in a physical human form and yet be transcendent, not bound by earth’s restrictions.)

There are many who say Jesus was a Son of God, just like you and I are Children of God. That is Not What Scripture says. It was against that heresy the Council of Nicea met and drafted what we call the Necean Creed.
(Read the Creed at the end of this blog**) Notice that Jesus is
described as Substance that is the Greek word: hypostasis.

In Jesus, God revealed God’s self to us.
In Jesus, we who were separated from God by sin were
brought to God through our faith in Jesus, his dying on
a cross and resurrection from the dead. From John and
other Scriptures we read Jesus was present at creation.
We believe that God revealed as the Son is Elohim.

C. The Holy Spirit is recognized as God,

Jesus says to his disciples: (John 14:16)
"I will never leave you or forsake you.
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor."

Last Sunday I wrote about Pentecost, the time when the promised Counselor,
the Holy Spirit, came and permanently dwelt among Jesus’ followers.
It was the Holy Spirit’s presence who enabled the disciples to boldly speak about Jesus.                Two Scriptures: First Peter’s response to Ananias & Sapheria.

Read Acts 5:1-12 to understand who they were and why Peter said the following:

"How is that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself of the money you received for the land. Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing?
You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4)

Notice how the Holy Spirit is God.

I Corinthians 3:16:
"Don’t you know that you yourselves
are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?"

Throughout the New and Old Testaments, the Spirit of God,
the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Guide and other
names are given to that manifestation of God, is God.

That is why we Christians believe that though God is One,
God is also Triune. Bringing together these two diametrically opposed opinions was the struggle of the early Christian Community, which developed the term, Trinity.

Reading the Scriptures: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are interchangeable. Each has a particular function. Each in interconnected with the other. Father is primarily revealed as Creator,
Son is primarily revealed as Redeemer and
Holy Spirit is primarily revealed as Enabler.

An illustration: The Formula H2O = Water. Combining 2 molecules (hypostasis) of Hydrogen and             1 molecule of Oxygen results in water.
It is liquid and can be swallowed. Same liquid cooled to at least 32*F results in a solid object.         Still H2O - different form.
Heat that solid and it becomes liquid and then steam vapor.
That same H2O can be taken to different locations and used in the three forms all at once.

Any analogy trying to illustrate the Trinity is difficult and falls short of explaining the different ways God has revealed God’s self to humanity.

Some of you are asking: “What difference does it make whether we believe in a triune God?” or         “I don’t understand the Trinity, but I am willing to accept that God is revealed in Three Ways in Scripture.”

There are Three Implications for us.

1. Understanding that we may be accused of worshiping more than one God.

We do Not Worship Three Gods, Only One.
Some say God is ultimate. Jesus is subservient and
the Holy Spirit is at the bottom of the authority grid.

That is Not what Scripture says.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all equal. They are God.

2. God did not create us because it was necessary for God to have relationships.                           God already had relationships, Elohim.
Elohim wants a relationship with humanity,
but not because God was lonely. God created humanity out of love.

3. God is not restricted to a transcendent state, that is God is not just in Heaven,                            God the Holy Spirit dwells with us in this 21st century.
God’s presence is God’s Spirit.
We serve God enabled and empowered by The Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God joins with our spirit testifying that we are God’s children,                                       and if God’s children, then heirs.

"The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
We are God’s heirs and Christ’s fellow-heirs." (Rom. 8:16-17)

CONCLUSION: Trinity is Not a human invention.
It is an aspect of God revealed in Scripture.
As Trinitarians we “believe in a God who is revealed in three different ways.” Each of the Elohim has a particular relationship to us, as God’s children. Each brings a depth of relationship that would not be present if we had only one aspect of God revealed to us.

God may be called Father, Son or Holy Spirit.
Each possess all the substance and all the attributes of the deity.
God is not: Three and One, but Three in One.

The Trinity is not a partnership in which each member can sign for the name of the firm; this is unity of council and operation only (Synchronicity) not essence. God’s nature is not an abstract but an organic unity.

Footnotes: * H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, Vol. 1
(Beacon Hill Press: Kansas City, 1969. 393, 395)

+ Augustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology.
(The Judson Press: Valley Forge, 1907, 1967. 304)

The Nicene Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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 past blog: "Called Twice,"), Jesus forgave and restored the humbled Peter.  Now he is boldly 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 the 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 was 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 ekklesia (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 you are 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.