Week of 5/24/26 and Potlunch/Communion
Dear Church Family,
By the grace of God this last Sunday was a special time of growing in understanding of God's great story of redemption and his work through the Holy Spirit in our lives to that end. You can listen to the message here if you missed it.
God showed his desire for his holiness to be known and displayed among his people in the first Pentecost on Mount Sinai when He gave Moses the commandments and law. Though no one could keep the law perfectly, sin was acknowledged and atonement was made for sin. By faith many drew near to God through its provision and worshipped him.
God again showed his faithfulness by giving a new covenant through his Son that was based on his perfect keeping of the law. Jesus himself was the atonement for our sin and by faith Jesus righteousness and sacrifice for us it is applied to us and we receive the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost of Acts 2 is the inauguration of ministry of the Holy Spirit among all who believe in Jesus Christ and the birth of the church. The Holy Spirit reveals the beauty of God's provision to us in Jesus through his help to us in times of need, by giving assurance and the power to obey him.
Consider for a moment that God did not just 'save you a long time ago', but bought you at the cost of Jesus' blood, and put his Spirit within you in order to plead for you daily before the Father in heaven (Romans 8:26). Even when you struggle in your faith he remains faithful and will hold onto you 'because he cannot deny himself', that is he will NOT disregard the deposit of himself that is in you by the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:11-13). How does that encourage you today? If you have felt like the christian life has just been up to you and you're just failing, how does that convict you and change your perspective?
There will be a potlunch this coming Sunday and we will take communion together as part of the meal. Please come and bring a dish big enough to share!
Home Enjoyment
Read Jeremiah 31:33 and Ezekiel 36:24-27.
Why do you think it is significant that the law is no longer just with God's people, but in them?
Why should the idea of God putting his Holy Spirit in us be shocking?
Who is doing the action in these verses?
Is it necessary for God to be the primary actor in this covenant? Why?
How do these passages help us understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the church today?
Read Leviticus 23:15-21 and Deuteronomy 16:9-12.
We didn't look at these texts Sunday, but take a moment and see what parallels you can find with the New Testament. What symbols point us the ideas relating to Jesus and the Holy Spirit? What does the idea of 'harvest' have to do with Pentecost in Acts 2 and the church?
The time between Passover and Pentecost was seen as a time of waiting and faith that God would bring the harvest to completion. How is that true for the church today?
Read Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:6-8.
Why is the work of the Holy Spirit not just important but essential?
Personal Application
How does it encourage you in your life and in this world today to know that the Holy Spirit is still at work until the purposes of God are completed?
What does it change about what you think or say to yourself and others today?
Extra Credit : )
Read John 14:25-27 and 16:13-15.
How do these verses help us understand the importance of the Spirit being connected with the Words of Jesus?
Why do you think people sometimes put a focus on the Word of God more than the Spirit or vice versa?
If you tend to be a 'Word is more important than Spirit' person, I would invite you to read John 5:39-44. Can you please or understand God by your intellect or obedience alone? Prayerfully read 1 Cor. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:6, Eph. 1:17-18 and ask the Lord to show you the importance of the Holy Spirit in your life with Him.
If you tend to be a 'Spirit is more important than Word' person, I would invite you to read Matthew 7:21-29. Ask the Lord how his Words would help you and guide you in your walking in the Spirit.
Looking forward to being together,
Much Love in Christ,
Pastor Phillip
By the grace of God this last Sunday was a special time of growing in understanding of God's great story of redemption and his work through the Holy Spirit in our lives to that end. You can listen to the message here if you missed it.
God showed his desire for his holiness to be known and displayed among his people in the first Pentecost on Mount Sinai when He gave Moses the commandments and law. Though no one could keep the law perfectly, sin was acknowledged and atonement was made for sin. By faith many drew near to God through its provision and worshipped him.
God again showed his faithfulness by giving a new covenant through his Son that was based on his perfect keeping of the law. Jesus himself was the atonement for our sin and by faith Jesus righteousness and sacrifice for us it is applied to us and we receive the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost of Acts 2 is the inauguration of ministry of the Holy Spirit among all who believe in Jesus Christ and the birth of the church. The Holy Spirit reveals the beauty of God's provision to us in Jesus through his help to us in times of need, by giving assurance and the power to obey him.
Consider for a moment that God did not just 'save you a long time ago', but bought you at the cost of Jesus' blood, and put his Spirit within you in order to plead for you daily before the Father in heaven (Romans 8:26). Even when you struggle in your faith he remains faithful and will hold onto you 'because he cannot deny himself', that is he will NOT disregard the deposit of himself that is in you by the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:11-13). How does that encourage you today? If you have felt like the christian life has just been up to you and you're just failing, how does that convict you and change your perspective?
There will be a potlunch this coming Sunday and we will take communion together as part of the meal. Please come and bring a dish big enough to share!
Home Enjoyment
Read Jeremiah 31:33 and Ezekiel 36:24-27.
Why do you think it is significant that the law is no longer just with God's people, but in them?
Why should the idea of God putting his Holy Spirit in us be shocking?
Who is doing the action in these verses?
Is it necessary for God to be the primary actor in this covenant? Why?
How do these passages help us understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the church today?
Read Leviticus 23:15-21 and Deuteronomy 16:9-12.
We didn't look at these texts Sunday, but take a moment and see what parallels you can find with the New Testament. What symbols point us the ideas relating to Jesus and the Holy Spirit? What does the idea of 'harvest' have to do with Pentecost in Acts 2 and the church?
The time between Passover and Pentecost was seen as a time of waiting and faith that God would bring the harvest to completion. How is that true for the church today?
Read Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:6-8.
Why is the work of the Holy Spirit not just important but essential?
Personal Application
How does it encourage you in your life and in this world today to know that the Holy Spirit is still at work until the purposes of God are completed?
What does it change about what you think or say to yourself and others today?
Extra Credit : )
Read John 14:25-27 and 16:13-15.
How do these verses help us understand the importance of the Spirit being connected with the Words of Jesus?
Why do you think people sometimes put a focus on the Word of God more than the Spirit or vice versa?
If you tend to be a 'Word is more important than Spirit' person, I would invite you to read John 5:39-44. Can you please or understand God by your intellect or obedience alone? Prayerfully read 1 Cor. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:6, Eph. 1:17-18 and ask the Lord to show you the importance of the Holy Spirit in your life with Him.
If you tend to be a 'Spirit is more important than Word' person, I would invite you to read Matthew 7:21-29. Ask the Lord how his Words would help you and guide you in your walking in the Spirit.
Looking forward to being together,
Much Love in Christ,
Pastor Phillip
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