"these Bones Will Live: Embracing The Power Of The Holy Spirit" Series

Title: "These Bones Will Live: Embracing the Power of the Holy Spirit"

Introduction:

Today we gather on this sacred day of Pentecost, a day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with power and fervor, igniting the flames of faith in their hearts and empowering them to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As we reflect on the passages from Acts 2 and Ezekiel 37, we are reminded of the miraculous work of the Spirit in bringing life to that which was once dead. Acts chapter 1& 2 is a treasure trove of insight into the calling, power, and anointing of the Holy Spirit, especially as it relates to preparing and equipping us for the work of ministry. You need to get one thing clear the Holy Spirit is the power to do the work of ministry.

As Methodist, we don't always focus on the Holy Spirit as much as we should. Yet, we know the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and the source of holiness. God in the present tense, up close and personal.

The Holy Spirit is God with us, enlightening and empowering us to walk in a higher purpose.

Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an Advocate, a Comforter, and a Guide. In John 14:16, 26, Jesus says:

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever... the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you."

Here, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a comforter and a teacher. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is presented as a source of power.

This power is not merely for comfort but for empowerment in uncomfortable situations. The Holy Spirit equips us to be witnesses of Jesus, to spread the Gospel from our immediate surroundings (Jerusalem) to the farthest reaches of the world.

Let us dive into these scriptures and uncover the profound truths they hold for us today.

Point 1: The Divine Wind of Pentecost

In Acts 2, we witness the dramatic scene of Pentecost, where the disciples were gathered together in one place, awaiting the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, like a rushing wind, the Spirit descended upon them, filling the entire house and resting upon each of them as tongues of fire.

This divine wind was a powerful symbol of God's presence and power, signaling the beginning of a new era in the life of the Church.

Just as the wind breathes life into dry bones, so too does the Spirit breathe life into the Church, empowering us to proclaim the Gospel boldly and courageously.

In the Methodist Church history, we see the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit during times of great adversity. Despite facing persecution and oppression, Black Methodists, United Methodist remained steadfast in their faith, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain them. An important aspect of Acts 2 is the disciples' period of waiting. Jesus instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. This waiting time, though uncomfortable, was crucial. It wasn't just about being idle; it was a time of prayer and preparation. In our lives, waiting periods are not wasted time—they are God's way of preparing us for the next step. I know sometimes folks thank every thing should be done yesterday and all we need to do is do it but sometime developing ministry takes years.

Through their unwavering commitment to the Gospel, they became beacons of light in the darkness, inspiring others to embrace the message of salvation and liberation. Being full of the Holy Spirit means living with a constant awareness of God's presence and power within us. This presence is not just a comforting feeling but an active force that empowers us to fulfill God's calling. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you," which implies a dynamic and transformative time of waiting and development.

We are living in a dry bone world view. I'm so proud of our young college students all across the world who were standing during this inflection moment they are standing for Humanity that's what I want to say, because the sad reality is you have some on Fox News who were talking about their supporting Hamas ain't nobody Hamas unless they're evil and demonic.

All of us who have some Humanity we hurt about what happened October 7th over 1,200, 1,300 lives senselessly lost not to mention all of those who have been kidnapped and now find themselves held hostage ain't nobody feeling good about that except evil demonic people.

Now that I said that I got to come back and say but the disproportionate response to what happened October 7th it is evil, it's wrong, it's wicked and Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is a war criminal who needs to be arrested and prosecuted. Netanyahu is a low life net