BAPTISM OF THE LORD
JANUARY 13, 2008
MATTHEW 3:13-17
GOD ANOINTED HIM WITH HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH POWER.
WHEN WE STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORLD AROUND US, WE CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER AND WORRY AT ALL THE UNCERTAINTY THAT SEEMS TO BE FACING US. RECENTLY WE’VE LEARNED THAT WE MAY BE ON THE BRINK OF A RECESSION. THE PRICE OF OIL HAS REACHED A RECORD OF $98.00 PER BARREL, UNEMPLOYMENT HAS RISEN 5%, TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO LOSE THEIR HOMES, THE PRICES OF THINGS WE BUY AND THE VALUE OF THE HOME WE LIVE IN --- ARE ALL THREATENED. IN ADDITION THE GOVERNMENT HAS BORROWED 9 TRILLION DOLLARS WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT. HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE GOING OUT OF SIGHT. OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE. THERE ARE MORE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE. AND IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHERE THE DECISIONS OF A FEW BASED ON MONEY AND PROFIT, WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF MILLION OF PEOPLE. ADD ALL THIS TO OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS AND WE MAY REALIZE IT IS A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO BE RENEWED, RESTORED, REPLENISHED AND EVEN RECREATED IN ORDER TO FACE ALL THE UNCERTAINTY.
IN TODAY’S GOSPEL, A FAR MORE MOMENTOUS DECISION IS MADE THAT AFFECTS ALL MAN KIND. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECORDED HISTORY, THE THREE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY ARE DISCLOSING THEMSELVES TO THE WORLD AT THE BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT THAT YOU ARE THERE AT THE JORDAN WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU NOTICE THE CHANGE THAT COMES OVER JOHN AS JESUS STANDS BEFORE HIM SEEKING BAPTISM! JOHN IS PROTESTING THAT IT IS HE WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED BY JESUS. JESUS IS PERSISTING, HOWEVER, THAT JOHN SHOULD BAPTIZE HIM IN ORDER “TO FULFILL ALL OF GOD’S DEMANDS.” SO JOHN GIVES IN. AFTER JESUS WAS BAPTIZED HE CAME DIRECTLY OUT OF THE WATER. SUDDENLY, THE SKY OPENED AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCEND LIKE A DOVE AND HOVER OVER HIM. WITH THAT, A VOICE FROM THE HEAVENS SAID, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. MY FAVOR RESTS ON HIM.”
THE LINES FROM THE SPIRITUAL SONG “HE HAS ANOINTED ME” SPEAK TO THE CONDITION OF US ALL. “SOMETIMES I FEEL DISCOURAGED, AND THINK MY WORK IN VAIN. BUT, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT REVIVES MY SOUL AGAIN.” THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO BE REVIVED. WE NEED TO BE RENEWED, RESTORED, REPLENISHED --- RECREATED IF YOU WILL. AND WE CAN GET EXCITED WHEN WE HEAR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO DOES THE RENEWING. INDEED, SOME OF US MAY HAVE FRIENDS TODAY WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT A CHANGE HAS COME OVER THEIR LIVES SINCE THE “RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”, OR SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN “BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT,” OR “FEEL EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.”
SOME OF US MAY FIND OURSELVES WONDERING, “WHAT IS THIS?...WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?...IS THIS GIFT MEANT FOR ME?...HOW DO I RECEIVE IT?...IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY SOUL CAN BE REVIVED AND RENEWED AND RESTORED AND REPLENISHED AND RECREATED?
AS WE HAVE JUST HEARD IN TODAY’S GOSPEL, JESUS RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HIS BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN RIVER. AND WHEN THE GIFT CAME TO HIM IN THE BAPTISMAL EXPERIENCE (LITERALLY EMPOWERING HIM FOR MINISTRY AS MESSIAH) IT CAME TO HIM VERY GENTLY --- SO PEACEABLY IN FACT THAT THE SYMBOL USED TO DESCRIBE THE EVENT WAS A DOVE---ONE OF THE GENTLEST OF BIRDS.
AS FAR AS THE DISCIPLES WERE CONCERNED, THEY DIDN’T RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE, IN THE UPPER ROOM WHERE JESUS WAS AT THE TABLE WITH HIS CLOSET FRIENDS, HE MADE A PROMISE: THROUGH HIM, THE FATHER, WOULD SEND THEM THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT --- A COMFORTER, AN ADVOCATE, A COUNSELOR. THE WORD FOR THIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS “PARACLETE.” AND IT’S DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE. BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE KIND OF POWER THAT COMFORTS...REVIVES
...RESTORES...RENEWS...REPLENISHES...RECREATES!! JESUS PROMISED THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE SUCH POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO DO EVEN GREATER WORKS THAN HE HAD DONE:
“TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL ALSO DO THE WORKS THAT I DO; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE WILL HE DO.” (JOHN 14:12).
THIS VERSE IS SO MIND BLOWING THAT IT JUST PASSES RIGHT BY MOST OF US. JESUS IS SAYING THAT WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU WILL HAVE THE POWER, YOU WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DO MIGHTIER WORKS THAN HE DID.
AND WE KNOW FROM SCRIPTURE THAT JESUS KEPT HIS PROMISE. HE APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES IN HIS RISEN BODY AND HE GIVES THEM THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND, AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL, IT WAS A GENTLE, PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE. BUT LATER, ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHEN JESUS’ FOLLOWERS HAD GATHERED TOGETHER IN JERUSALEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN TO THEM ALL. AND THIS TIME THE GIFT CAME NOT GENTLY, BUT IN THE FORM OF A MIGHTY WIND AND IN THE FORM OF FIRE. FROM THAT TIME ON, OF COURSE, THE NEW TESTAMENT BECAME THE BOOK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED THE WRITING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS THAT IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY WERE TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.
THIS IS EVIDENT IN OUR SECOND READING FROM ACTS. IT’S A STORY FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM. PETER WAS AT THE HOME OF CORNELIUS, A ROMAN PAGAN. TO PETER, THE GOODNESS OF CORNELIUS AND THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THAT HOUSE BECAME EVIDENT. THE EXPERIENCE SURPRISED PETER. HE HAD GROWN UP IN A CULTURE THAT BELIEVED THE JEWS WERE THE ONLY CHOSEN PEOPLE. BUT, LISTEN TO PETER’S WORDS NOW. “I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT GOD DOES NOT HAVE FAVORITES. ANYONE OF ANY NATIONALITY WHO DOES RIGHT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HIM.”
NOW IT WAS CLEAR TO HIM!! GOD SENT HIS WORD FIRST TO ISRAEL THROUGH JESUS, BUT JESUS WAS THE LORD OF ALL PEOPLES.
SO PETER INSTRUCTED CORNELIUS. HE TOLD THE STORY OF JESUS; HOW JESUS BEGAN IN GALILEE, WAS ANOINTED WITH THE SPIRIT, AND WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD TO ALL. HE IS THE ONE. GOD WAS WITH HIM.
PETER’S EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS MADE CLEARER HIS OWN UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS’ LIFE AND GOD’S SAVING ACTION FOR ALL.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN MAKE THAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE --- IN YOU AND IN ME. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO GO FORWARD IN THE QUEST TO BECOME THE UNIQUELY BEAUTIFUL PERSONS GOD CREATED US TO BE. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EMPOWER US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF OUR CARING PRESENCE: OUR COMPASSION, OUR CONCERN, OUR MATERIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT. IT MIGHT BE A NEIGHBOR WHO IS GOING THROUGH A TERRIBLE GRIEF EXPERIENCE, OR A PARENT WHO’S TEENAGER HAS JUST RUN AWAY FROM HOME, OR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE WHO IS FINANCIALLY STRAPPED, OR A STRANGER WHO NEEDS A HELPING HAND, OR SOMEONE IN PRISON WHO IS DESPERATELY LONELY OR SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL WHO NEEDS A TENDER, HEALING TOUCH. WHATEVER IT MAY BE, YOU CAN CARRY THE POWER OF GOD INTO THAT SITUATION, IF YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. BUT FIRST YOU MUST KNOW JESUS... AND LOVE HIM... AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE IS SAYING... AND ALLOW HIS PRESENCE TO BECOME REAL TO YOU. THEN, WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, AND JUST IN THE RIGHT WAY --- EITHER GENTLY AND PEACEABLY OR WITH BELLS RINGING AND CYMBALS CLANGING (LIKE A DOVE OR LIKE A FIRE, WHICHEVER WAY IS RIGHT FOR YOU) --- THE GIFT WILL BE GIVEN. BUT ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS.
THAT’S THE STUMBLING BLOCK FOR MANY OF US: WE DON’T KNOW JESUS --- EVEN THE SIMPLEST THINGS ABOUT HIM. A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION AT A LARGE UNIVERSITY ALWAYS GAVE A LITTLE TEST ON JESUS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH COURSE. HE WOULD ASK SIMPLE QUESTIONS AS: “NAME THREE DISCIPLES OF JESUS... QUOTE TWO BEATITUDES OF JESUS ... NAME THE BAPTIZER OF JESUS.” ORDINARILY, THE RESULTS WERE DISAPPOINTING AND THE PROFESSOR SAID HE BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS CAN’T ANSWER THE SIMPLEST QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY. HE SAID THE FIRST TIME HE GAVE THE LITTLE TEST, HE ASKED, “WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS?” ONE STUDENT ANSWERED “JESUS WAS AN IMPORTANT PROPHET” --- NOT A BAD ANSWER, EXCEPT THAT THE STUDENT SPELLED THE WORD PROPHET,
P-R-O-F-I-T. THAT ANSWER BECAME A LITTLE CLEARER IN THE PROFESSOR’S MIND WHEN HE LEARNED THAT THE STUDENT WAS A BUSINESS MAJOR!
NOW AS THE SAYING GOES, THE NEXT MOVE IS OURS. WHY GO ON FEELING DISCOURAGED WHEN SO MUCH MORE IS AVAILABLE TO US. REMEMBER, THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. MY FAVOR REST ON HIM.” IN A SIMILAR WAY, GOD CHOOSES US AT OUR OWN BAPTISM, TO BECOME BELOVED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE MOST HIGH --- AND HIS FAVOR RESTS ON US --- AS WE LISTEN TO JESUS WORDS AND EMBRACE HIS LIFE --- IN OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER ---THROUGH THE STRENGTH AND LOVE OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT --- WHO ENLIGHTENS US AND LEADS US TO ALL TRUTH.
LET US PRAY ---LORD, JESUS, THE HEAVENS ARE OPEN. POUR YOUR SPIRIT UPON US, HELP US TO SEE YOUR KINGDOM MORE FULLY. MAKE US MORE CONSCIOUS OF YOU KINGDOM, EMPOWER US AND TRANSFORM US.
MAY THE GRACE OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU NOW AND FOREVER!!
JANUARY 13, 2008
MATTHEW 3:13-17
GOD ANOINTED HIM WITH HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH POWER.
WHEN WE STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORLD AROUND US, WE CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER AND WORRY AT ALL THE UNCERTAINTY THAT SEEMS TO BE FACING US. RECENTLY WE’VE LEARNED THAT WE MAY BE ON THE BRINK OF A RECESSION. THE PRICE OF OIL HAS REACHED A RECORD OF $98.00 PER BARREL, UNEMPLOYMENT HAS RISEN 5%, TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO LOSE THEIR HOMES, THE PRICES OF THINGS WE BUY AND THE VALUE OF THE HOME WE LIVE IN --- ARE ALL THREATENED. IN ADDITION THE GOVERNMENT HAS BORROWED 9 TRILLION DOLLARS WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT. HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE GOING OUT OF SIGHT. OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE. THERE ARE MORE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE. AND IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHERE THE DECISIONS OF A FEW BASED ON MONEY AND PROFIT, WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF MILLION OF PEOPLE. ADD ALL THIS TO OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS AND WE MAY REALIZE IT IS A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO BE RENEWED, RESTORED, REPLENISHED AND EVEN RECREATED IN ORDER TO FACE ALL THE UNCERTAINTY.
IN TODAY’S GOSPEL, A FAR MORE MOMENTOUS DECISION IS MADE THAT AFFECTS ALL MAN KIND. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECORDED HISTORY, THE THREE PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY ARE DISCLOSING THEMSELVES TO THE WORLD AT THE BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT THAT YOU ARE THERE AT THE JORDAN WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU NOTICE THE CHANGE THAT COMES OVER JOHN AS JESUS STANDS BEFORE HIM SEEKING BAPTISM! JOHN IS PROTESTING THAT IT IS HE WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED BY JESUS. JESUS IS PERSISTING, HOWEVER, THAT JOHN SHOULD BAPTIZE HIM IN ORDER “TO FULFILL ALL OF GOD’S DEMANDS.” SO JOHN GIVES IN. AFTER JESUS WAS BAPTIZED HE CAME DIRECTLY OUT OF THE WATER. SUDDENLY, THE SKY OPENED AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCEND LIKE A DOVE AND HOVER OVER HIM. WITH THAT, A VOICE FROM THE HEAVENS SAID, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. MY FAVOR RESTS ON HIM.”
THE LINES FROM THE SPIRITUAL SONG “HE HAS ANOINTED ME” SPEAK TO THE CONDITION OF US ALL. “SOMETIMES I FEEL DISCOURAGED, AND THINK MY WORK IN VAIN. BUT, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT REVIVES MY SOUL AGAIN.” THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO BE REVIVED. WE NEED TO BE RENEWED, RESTORED, REPLENISHED --- RECREATED IF YOU WILL. AND WE CAN GET EXCITED WHEN WE HEAR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO DOES THE RENEWING. INDEED, SOME OF US MAY HAVE FRIENDS TODAY WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT A CHANGE HAS COME OVER THEIR LIVES SINCE THE “RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”, OR SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN “BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT,” OR “FEEL EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.”
SOME OF US MAY FIND OURSELVES WONDERING, “WHAT IS THIS?...WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?...IS THIS GIFT MEANT FOR ME?...HOW DO I RECEIVE IT?...IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY SOUL CAN BE REVIVED AND RENEWED AND RESTORED AND REPLENISHED AND RECREATED?
AS WE HAVE JUST HEARD IN TODAY’S GOSPEL, JESUS RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT HIS BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN RIVER. AND WHEN THE GIFT CAME TO HIM IN THE BAPTISMAL EXPERIENCE (LITERALLY EMPOWERING HIM FOR MINISTRY AS MESSIAH) IT CAME TO HIM VERY GENTLY --- SO PEACEABLY IN FACT THAT THE SYMBOL USED TO DESCRIBE THE EVENT WAS A DOVE---ONE OF THE GENTLEST OF BIRDS.
AS FAR AS THE DISCIPLES WERE CONCERNED, THEY DIDN’T RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE, IN THE UPPER ROOM WHERE JESUS WAS AT THE TABLE WITH HIS CLOSET FRIENDS, HE MADE A PROMISE: THROUGH HIM, THE FATHER, WOULD SEND THEM THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT --- A COMFORTER, AN ADVOCATE, A COUNSELOR. THE WORD FOR THIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS “PARACLETE.” AND IT’S DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE. BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE KIND OF POWER THAT COMFORTS...REVIVES
...RESTORES...RENEWS...REPLENISHES...RECREATES!! JESUS PROMISED THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE SUCH POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO DO EVEN GREATER WORKS THAN HE HAD DONE:
“TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL ALSO DO THE WORKS THAT I DO; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE WILL HE DO.” (JOHN 14:12).
THIS VERSE IS SO MIND BLOWING THAT IT JUST PASSES RIGHT BY MOST OF US. JESUS IS SAYING THAT WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU WILL HAVE THE POWER, YOU WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DO MIGHTIER WORKS THAN HE DID.
AND WE KNOW FROM SCRIPTURE THAT JESUS KEPT HIS PROMISE. HE APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES IN HIS RISEN BODY AND HE GIVES THEM THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND, AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL, IT WAS A GENTLE, PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE. BUT LATER, ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHEN JESUS’ FOLLOWERS HAD GATHERED TOGETHER IN JERUSALEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN TO THEM ALL. AND THIS TIME THE GIFT CAME NOT GENTLY, BUT IN THE FORM OF A MIGHTY WIND AND IN THE FORM OF FIRE. FROM THAT TIME ON, OF COURSE, THE NEW TESTAMENT BECAME THE BOOK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED THE WRITING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS THAT IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY WERE TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.
THIS IS EVIDENT IN OUR SECOND READING FROM ACTS. IT’S A STORY FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM. PETER WAS AT THE HOME OF CORNELIUS, A ROMAN PAGAN. TO PETER, THE GOODNESS OF CORNELIUS AND THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THAT HOUSE BECAME EVIDENT. THE EXPERIENCE SURPRISED PETER. HE HAD GROWN UP IN A CULTURE THAT BELIEVED THE JEWS WERE THE ONLY CHOSEN PEOPLE. BUT, LISTEN TO PETER’S WORDS NOW. “I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT GOD DOES NOT HAVE FAVORITES. ANYONE OF ANY NATIONALITY WHO DOES RIGHT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HIM.”
NOW IT WAS CLEAR TO HIM!! GOD SENT HIS WORD FIRST TO ISRAEL THROUGH JESUS, BUT JESUS WAS THE LORD OF ALL PEOPLES.
SO PETER INSTRUCTED CORNELIUS. HE TOLD THE STORY OF JESUS; HOW JESUS BEGAN IN GALILEE, WAS ANOINTED WITH THE SPIRIT, AND WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD TO ALL. HE IS THE ONE. GOD WAS WITH HIM.
PETER’S EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS MADE CLEARER HIS OWN UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS’ LIFE AND GOD’S SAVING ACTION FOR ALL.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN MAKE THAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE --- IN YOU AND IN ME. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO GO FORWARD IN THE QUEST TO BECOME THE UNIQUELY BEAUTIFUL PERSONS GOD CREATED US TO BE. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EMPOWER US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF OUR CARING PRESENCE: OUR COMPASSION, OUR CONCERN, OUR MATERIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT. IT MIGHT BE A NEIGHBOR WHO IS GOING THROUGH A TERRIBLE GRIEF EXPERIENCE, OR A PARENT WHO’S TEENAGER HAS JUST RUN AWAY FROM HOME, OR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE WHO IS FINANCIALLY STRAPPED, OR A STRANGER WHO NEEDS A HELPING HAND, OR SOMEONE IN PRISON WHO IS DESPERATELY LONELY OR SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL WHO NEEDS A TENDER, HEALING TOUCH. WHATEVER IT MAY BE, YOU CAN CARRY THE POWER OF GOD INTO THAT SITUATION, IF YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. BUT FIRST YOU MUST KNOW JESUS... AND LOVE HIM... AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE IS SAYING... AND ALLOW HIS PRESENCE TO BECOME REAL TO YOU. THEN, WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, AND JUST IN THE RIGHT WAY --- EITHER GENTLY AND PEACEABLY OR WITH BELLS RINGING AND CYMBALS CLANGING (LIKE A DOVE OR LIKE A FIRE, WHICHEVER WAY IS RIGHT FOR YOU) --- THE GIFT WILL BE GIVEN. BUT ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS.
THAT’S THE STUMBLING BLOCK FOR MANY OF US: WE DON’T KNOW JESUS --- EVEN THE SIMPLEST THINGS ABOUT HIM. A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION AT A LARGE UNIVERSITY ALWAYS GAVE A LITTLE TEST ON JESUS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH COURSE. HE WOULD ASK SIMPLE QUESTIONS AS: “NAME THREE DISCIPLES OF JESUS... QUOTE TWO BEATITUDES OF JESUS ... NAME THE BAPTIZER OF JESUS.” ORDINARILY, THE RESULTS WERE DISAPPOINTING AND THE PROFESSOR SAID HE BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS CAN’T ANSWER THE SIMPLEST QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY. HE SAID THE FIRST TIME HE GAVE THE LITTLE TEST, HE ASKED, “WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS?” ONE STUDENT ANSWERED “JESUS WAS AN IMPORTANT PROPHET” --- NOT A BAD ANSWER, EXCEPT THAT THE STUDENT SPELLED THE WORD PROPHET,
P-R-O-F-I-T. THAT ANSWER BECAME A LITTLE CLEARER IN THE PROFESSOR’S MIND WHEN HE LEARNED THAT THE STUDENT WAS A BUSINESS MAJOR!
NOW AS THE SAYING GOES, THE NEXT MOVE IS OURS. WHY GO ON FEELING DISCOURAGED WHEN SO MUCH MORE IS AVAILABLE TO US. REMEMBER, THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. MY FAVOR REST ON HIM.” IN A SIMILAR WAY, GOD CHOOSES US AT OUR OWN BAPTISM, TO BECOME BELOVED SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE MOST HIGH --- AND HIS FAVOR RESTS ON US --- AS WE LISTEN TO JESUS WORDS AND EMBRACE HIS LIFE --- IN OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER ---THROUGH THE STRENGTH AND LOVE OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT --- WHO ENLIGHTENS US AND LEADS US TO ALL TRUTH.
LET US PRAY ---LORD, JESUS, THE HEAVENS ARE OPEN. POUR YOUR SPIRIT UPON US, HELP US TO SEE YOUR KINGDOM MORE FULLY. MAKE US MORE CONSCIOUS OF YOU KINGDOM, EMPOWER US AND TRANSFORM US.
MAY THE GRACE OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU NOW AND FOREVER!!
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