Today's rant

May 31, 2020 (Sunday)

 

Today is Pentecost. Many theologians see this as the church’s birthday. It was the day when the Holy Spirit showed up and gave the followers of Jesus the power to be witnesses. Let’s take a look at what happened that day.

 

First, I want to point out a very simple truth. The believers were meeting together and in unity. “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.” [Acts 2:1 NLT] This gives me the impression of several things. They were united, being in one place. Earlier in Acts we are told, “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…” [Acts 1:14a NLT]

 

Notice the place of prayer. Before there was preaching, there was prayer. Before there was the fire of the Holy Spirit, there was prayer. But notice this is in context to CORPORATE PRAYER. Without corporate prayer, nothing else happens. Yet, over my life time, I have watched the prayer meeting die. It has become something believers seem to go out of the way to avoid.

 

I have run across many who suggest that meeting regularly with other believers is not necessary. Here is another point about Pentecost: if you don’t meet with fellow believers, you will have no power. The power of the Holy Spirit happens only in context to the church, the group of believers meeting together in expectation of meeting with God.

 

The next thing to notice is when the Holy Spirit showed up, people were drawn to the church. “When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.” [Acts 2:6 NLT] The “they” in this verse is the crowd in Jerusalem. It is interesting the people “came running.” They did not walk, they ran. Why? Because the Holy Spirit literally set the believers on fire!

 

Notice the people who came running heard the message in “their own languages.” Something supernatural was happening. People were drawn to the church THEN they heard the witness in a way they could understand. One problem the church has is the constant satanic spin doctors who twist the words and actions of the church. One trick is to focus on the messenger instead of the message. Remember as messengers of God, we are broken people in a broken world. The church and its message is not about us, it’s about Jesus.

 

This event was not without criticism. “But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”  [Acts 2:13 NLT] Look at the tactic. The ridicule was directed as a false caricature (think cartoon) of their actions. Its interesting this image of inebriation is used by Paul when he advised, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” [Ephesians 5:18 NLT] This leads me to think the believers that day were exuberant (“lively energy and excitement” – Oxford Dictionaries).

 

There is the preaching of God’s word. Peter connected the events of the day with scripture. “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel.” [Acts 2:16 NLT] He also quoted the Greek version of Psalm 16:8 – 11. Not having church has been eye-opening for me. Watching various services, I have come to several conclusions. Personal participation in worship has been reduced to watching a performance. Preaching intended to feed, fuel, and challenge the soul is not being done (by the overwhelmed solo pastor without a sermon writing staff).

 

One last observation. We put a lot of effort into “reaching the lost.” We do everything in our power to convince someone to believe (typically what we believe). This should give away the fact we are operating without the Holy Spirit. When Peter pointed people to Jesus, he did not give an altar (and alter) call. Rather than begging for a response, the people begged for salvation. “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” [Acts 2:37 NLT]

 

This is my rant. As God told Ezekiel: preach to the bones, pray for the wind (the life giving Spirit).