Twenty-three days before the Nazis surrendered in World War II, a protestant pastor was executed for his stance against the Nazis' policy toward Jews. From the doctor at the prison, "“I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer ... kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.(Eberhard Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography, p. 927) As a member of the Confessing Church in Germany, you could imagine the thoughts, fears, and dread others of this church felt.
Now go back nearly two-thousand years ago to a room holding those disciples of Christ who had been told to wait in Jerusalem by Jesus. These men and women had seen their friend, mentor, and teacher die, resurrected, and now ascended into the heavens. What next? Jesus told them they would be witnesses throughout the known world and here they were still afraid of arrest. Then, the presence of the Holy Spirit comes upon them and The Church begins. Century upon century it still continues, not because of men or women, but the power of God's Spirit in the lives of those believers.
Men and women of the Vineyard in Wheeling, you have begun a study in small groups which studies this magnificent launch of the body of Christ and you may wonder, "What is my role in this?" The answer is easy but the application can be daunting. No it is not a mystical or magical power but the very real power which brings salvation to the sinner and support for the saint. It is a power which proves the very presence of God in your life and mine.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord... Ephesians 5:18b-19 (NIV)
Some translations of the passage use such words as "be filled and stimulated by the Holy Spirit" to convey two parts. The first requires the daily filling. Just as cars do not move without fuel, Christians cannot be propelled into the world to be witnesses without the filling of the Holy Spirit. In addition, the filling leads to the next step--motion. Witnesses are on the move for the Lord, with their spiritual radar watching for the next opportunity to testify.
One when I was a new Christian I was hitch-hiking to get to college. When a car pulled up beside me to give me a ride and the driver said he was going in my direction, I said, "Praise the Lord!" He asked me if I was a religious nut and I said no. I regret to this day the choice of a car instead of Christ. I have learned with growing faith, nothing is worth Christ. Keep studying in your groups and I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks. Steve
Now go back nearly two-thousand years ago to a room holding those disciples of Christ who had been told to wait in Jerusalem by Jesus. These men and women had seen their friend, mentor, and teacher die, resurrected, and now ascended into the heavens. What next? Jesus told them they would be witnesses throughout the known world and here they were still afraid of arrest. Then, the presence of the Holy Spirit comes upon them and The Church begins. Century upon century it still continues, not because of men or women, but the power of God's Spirit in the lives of those believers.
Men and women of the Vineyard in Wheeling, you have begun a study in small groups which studies this magnificent launch of the body of Christ and you may wonder, "What is my role in this?" The answer is easy but the application can be daunting. No it is not a mystical or magical power but the very real power which brings salvation to the sinner and support for the saint. It is a power which proves the very presence of God in your life and mine.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord... Ephesians 5:18b-19 (NIV)
Some translations of the passage use such words as "be filled and stimulated by the Holy Spirit" to convey two parts. The first requires the daily filling. Just as cars do not move without fuel, Christians cannot be propelled into the world to be witnesses without the filling of the Holy Spirit. In addition, the filling leads to the next step--motion. Witnesses are on the move for the Lord, with their spiritual radar watching for the next opportunity to testify.
One when I was a new Christian I was hitch-hiking to get to college. When a car pulled up beside me to give me a ride and the driver said he was going in my direction, I said, "Praise the Lord!" He asked me if I was a religious nut and I said no. I regret to this day the choice of a car instead of Christ. I have learned with growing faith, nothing is worth Christ. Keep studying in your groups and I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks. Steve
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