A Prayer for Pentecost

O God, who at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

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Pentecost (A Dramatic Scripture Reading from Acts 2)

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Prayer for Pentecost

O eternal God, the Father of spirits and the lover of souls, who didst send thy Holy Spirit upon thy Church on the day of Pentecost, and hast promised that he shall abide with it forever: Let that same Spirit lead us into all truth, defend us from all sin, enrich us with his gifts, refresh us with his comfort, rule our hearts in all things, and lead us in the way everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

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Pentecost in Two Minutes

This is a wonderful video explaining what Pentecost is and why Christians celebrate it. Well worth two  minutes of your time to learn more about God’s gift of his Spirit. (produced by Busted Halo)

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By Whose Power Are You Living?

Acts 19:5 – One day the evil spirit answered them, [the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest] “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

In the name of Jesus, the seven sons of Sceva attempted to drive out a demon from a man who was demon-possessed. But they didn’t really know the “Jesus” whose name they invoked. The demon was not terribly impressed with them. Therefore he, through the man he possessed, jumped on the seven brothers and gave them the beating of their lives (Acts 19:16).

This made me think of my own life and ministry. Do I live and minister in and through the power of the Holy Spirit or in my own power? God tells Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6…

… “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Even though Zerubbabel didn’t have the human power and prestige of a David or a Solomon, God assured him he had something even greater – the Spirit of the Living God! Therefore, he would be able to accomplish what God set before him.

And so, I’m back to my question: Am I trusting and depending upon the only One who has the true power to overcome demons, problems, obstacles, sin, and all the rest? Or am I trusting in my own “might” and “power?”

I sometimes think that some predicament that I’m faced with might reply to me: “Jesus I know, but who are you?” And yet, if Galatians 2:20 is true, and I really do have the Lord of the universe living in me, then what kind of extraordinary fool am I for not living and ministering in his power and authority, rather than my own?

Lord forgive me. Please enable me to live by faith in you and dependence upon your Spirit. Provoke me to live for you, with you, like you, and by you. For your sake I pray. Amen.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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Scripture for this Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-47
    When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
    [5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? [9] Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome [11] (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” [12] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
    [13] Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
    [14] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
 
    [17] ” ‘In the last days, God says,
        I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
        your young men will see visions,
        your old men will dream dreams.
    [18] Even on my servants, both men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
        and they will prophesy.
    [19] I will show wonders in the heaven above
        and signs on the earth below,
        blood and fire and billows of smoke.
    [20] The sun will be turned to darkness
        and the moon to blood
        before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
    [21] And everyone who calls
        on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
 
    [22] “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. [23] This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. [24] But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. [25] David said about him:

    ” ‘I saw the Lord always before me.
        Because he is at my right hand,
        I will not be shaken.
    [26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
        my body also will live in hope,
    [27] because you will not abandon me to the grave,
        nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
    [28] You have made known to me the paths of life;
        you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
 
    [29] “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. [30] But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. [31] Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. [32] God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. [33] Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. [34] For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

    ” ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
        “Sit at my right hand
    [35] until I make your enemies
        a footstool for your feet.” ‘
 
    [36] “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
    [37] When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
    [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
    [40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” [41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
    [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 20

The Holy Spirit

53. Question: What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?

Answer: First, He is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God.[1] Second, He is also given to me,[2] to make me by true faith share in Christ and all His benefits,[3] to comfort me,[4] and to remain with me forever.[5]

[1] Gen. 1:1, 2; Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3, 4; I Cor. 3:16. [2] I Cor. 6:19; II Cor. 1:21, 22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13. [3] Gal. 3:14; I Pet. 1:2. [4] John 15:26; Acts 9:31. [5] John 14:16, 17; I Pet. 4:14.

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