Power in Pentecost

Way back in May, I got to go to Wisconsin to visit my son and my DIL. Since the new grand-baby was born, I've gotten behind in posting. This is Todd's sermon from that week. 

Power in Pentecost

The same spirit who was active hovering over the waters before creation, the same spirit  that made Moses do that all he did, that empowered David, and descended on Jesus himself is the same Spirit poured out in Acts. Pastor Todd's sermon speaks of the Pentecost. This advocate, this power, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, speaks truth, performs miracles, and empowers. He is closer to us than our own breath. God poured gas on a fire, and His message exploded across the world. 

The poor were helped, people were healed, lives were changed. The Spirit inspired generosity. Psalm 121:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house the labors work in vain." The Holy Spirit made them extraordinary disciples of God. The Spirit would take enemies of God and turn them into servants of God. 

This event was a huge turning point, a hinge pin in Christian history. The Holy Spirit comes in Power and in Truth. This even affects us today. In my sketch I tried to show how His coming gave power then, and He does today. 

As Todd's mom, I can attest to the fact that he hated going to the dentist. His fear, as he explained, was that they would find something wrong. That he would try to ignore the pain, eat on the other side of his mouth, or try excuse his pain away, all to not have to go and hear what really needed to be done. This is like the cup and bowl that is clean on the outside, but filthy on the inside.  

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Saul, in that moment on the road to Damascus, was confronted by Jesus. He had to admit he had been wrong. He was sure he had been clean and right, and doing what God wanted. He was pretty sure he had been doing all that was right. But he was confronted by Jesus on the road. He was hit on the head with the fact that he was doing it all wrong. What does he do? Does he pretend he didn't hear, or does he change? Saul makes the choice and surrenders to the truth. Even though he had to admit he had been apposing God. At that moment he let the Holy Spirit break in and guide him in truth.

Are we going to listen or ignore what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Ask the Holy Spirit is there anything you need to change in me? Is there anything you need me to do?