Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
To explore the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the power of Pentecost, and the significance of the Church being called into session, emphasizing that we are all integral parts of the church and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified and empowered.
Good morning, beloved friends. Today, we're going to delve into a topic of utmost significance, which is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Power of Pentecost, and the Church being called into session. As we explore these profound narratives, we'll be guided by the wonderful words of A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author, who once said, "God wants the whole person and He will not rest till He gets us in entirety. No part of the man will do." It's a reminder that we are all integral parts of the church, and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified and empowered.
Our scripture passage today is Acts 2:1-4. Let's read together: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Lord, we thank You for Your Word and the truth it carries. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your message today. Illuminate our understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in the Church, the Power of Pentecost, and the significance of the Church being called into session. May we be inspired and transformed by Your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The Holy Spirit breathes life into the Church, empowering it to fulfill its divine mandate. The Church, as the body of Christ, is not merely a human institution, but a divine entity, animated and guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin, leads us to repentance, and guides us into all truth. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church would be powerless and ineffective in its mission.
A. The Holy Spirit is the divine agent of transformation within the Church. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified, made holy, and transformed into the likeness of Christ. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to purify us from sin and to cultivate in us the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we are progressively transformed from glory to glory, until we attain the full stature of Christ.
B. The Holy Spirit also empowers the Church for service. It is the Holy Spirit that endows us with spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church and for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. These gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and others, are given not for our personal aggrandizement, but for the common good. They are intended to build up the Church, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, and to glorify God.
C. The Holy Spirit also unites the Church. In a world that is divided along racial, ethnic, social, and economic lines, the Holy Spirit brings unity in diversity. The Holy Spirit breaks down the walls of hostility that separate us, and creates in us a new humanity, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit fosters a spirit of love, unity, and mutual respect among believers, making us one body with many members, each with its unique function, but all working together for the common good.
D. The Holy Spirit also guides the Church. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth, that teaches us all things, and that reminds us of everything that Jesus has said. The Holy Spirit also guides us in our decision-making, helping us to discern the will of God in various situations. The Holy Spirit also inspires our worship, helping us to worship God in spirit and in truth.
E. The Holy Spirit also comforts the Church. In times of sorrow, pain, and loss, the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Counselor, and our Helper. The Holy Spirit comforts us with the assurance of God's love, the hope of eternal life, and the peace that surpasses all understanding. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express, and helps us in our weakness.
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