Wind Fire Spirit Presence

~~~ Pentecost Sunday ~~~

 

~~Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11~~Psalm 104~~1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13~~John 20:19-23~~

 

And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

For fifty days we have been eagerly awaiting the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was not born in the closed locked room that day.

The Holy Spirit was officially sent down to us as promised by Jesus.

 

While Jesus was hear on Earth he was the presence of God.

After his Ascension into heaven,

it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to become an integral part of our world.

Once the force of the Holy Spirit became known

it is also evident that God would never leave us alone.

 

When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the time of his baptism,

it was perceived as a peaceful dove.

There was no powerful wind blowing.

There were no tongues of fire.

It was the Father validating the public life of Jesus.

I believe, Jesus was guided in his ministry through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was doing all that the Father had sent him to do,

but it is hard to believe that the Holy Spirit was not involved as well.

 

Jesus did not need to have the Holy Spirit descend as a powerful being.

 

Those who were huddled together in the upper room that day,

they absolutely needed to see, hear, and feel the power of the Spirit.

There was no doubt that the Spirit had descended upon them.

 

They saw the Spirit coming from the sky.

They heard the sound of the strong wind.

They felt the wind swirling around them passing through the entire house.

They then saw something more vivid than imaginable...

tongues of fire...detached individual flames.

These burning spear of fire rested above their own heads.

This fire did not burn or consume them.

Imagine how speechless and awe struck they all must have been at the same time.

This experience added the huge emotional component.

 

Our brain tends to remember best those events heavily laden in emotions.

This event would forever be remembered;

it was indelibly recorded

in their brains.

 

Even as we read it today we can picture in our mind what it might have been like that day.

We may not be able to capture the emotions first hand, but we can

identify with the sensory details.

 

 

The coming of the Holy Spirit made it possible for all peoples

to hear God's message of love.

They each heard in their native tongue;

which astounded both the speakers and their audience.

 

Perhaps the real message here is that the

 peace and love from God is not language specific.

 

Jesus made visible the attributes of God in flesh and blood.

The Holy Spirit makes possible the essence of

Jesus to remain with us.

The Spirit continues to work in and through us here on Earth today.

The Spirit is the living God among us.

The Spirit bring a whole array of gifts for us to use.

 

The Peace of God is with us until the end of the ages.

Drink of the One Spirit

~~~ 1 Cor 12:2-14, 27-31a ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~Luke 7: 11-17 ~~~

 

"...in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body...

....all given to drink of one Spirit...
...Now the body is not a single part, but many..."

God has blessed us in a special way.

The Body of Christ would not be whole without each of us.

We are each a vital part of the Body of Christ.

Through Baptism we were welcomed into the whole body.

 

We have been given gifts as God see fit for us.

If he knows each hair upon our head;

then certainly he will bestow on us our unique gifts.

The body functions much more efficiently

when all the parts a working as they were designed.

 

Just as each ingredient of a recipe contributes to the tasty dish.

It does not matter if you are the main ingredient or the dash of salt;

you are an essential part for the dish.

 

Paul goes on to talk about those who are the apostles,

the prophets, the teachers,

and those blessed with the gifts of healing,

assistance, administration, and speaking in tongues.

 

Paul offers these words of encouragement...

"...Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts."

 

While you will always be an essential part of the Body of Christ;

the unique part you are may change over time.

If there is a spiritual gift you desire;

 ask for it

during your prayer time.

 

If you are not given the specific gift you want;

 God may just give you new insight.

 He may help you see how to better use the gifts

 he has already given to you.

 

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we can sing with the psalmist today...

"We are his people: the sheep of his flock."

 

His kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness forever.

 

He cares about us so much that he raises the only son of a grieving mother.

He tells this widowed woman 'Do not weep.'

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we have value.

Being a part of the Body of Christ we are loved and cared for

by Christ himself.

 

Being a part of the Body of Christ we share in the same Spirit.

Know that whatever part you have within this Body

you are essential...

you are a unique part.

May we look upon those we meet as a member of the

same body...the Body of Christ.