From the Resurrection to the coming of the Holy Spirit

From Fearful Disciples to Bold Apostles

Throughout the fifty days of Easter, Jesus constantly appeared to his disciples who were often hiding in some back room in Jerusalem, terrified of the Jewish leaders. During these fifty days we witness through Scripture Jesus’ appearing to his followers (who by the way usually didn’t recognized him).  He appeared to them in the breaking the bread, cooking fish on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, to Thomas who refused to believe unless he placed his hand in Jesus’ wounds. We witness Jesus meeting the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and greeting Mary Magdalene along with several other encounters with his disciples. Perhaps the biggest event witnessed by the disciples and others, was Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. Jesus told them that he would see them again one day but in the mean time he was sending the Advocate to be amongst them and guide them in their lives and ministry. He commanded the disciples to “Go forth into the world and spread the Gospel to all nations.” Then he was gone and the disciples did what they did best, hide in some back room, afraid of the Jewish leadership; that is until the day of Pentecost.

Pentecost is the coming of the Holy Spirit. As the disciples ventured out and walked in the temple portico, a sudden blast of wind came upon them. Without warning tongues of flames danced over their heads. Jewish people of all races and ethic origins suddenly began to hear and miraculously understand one another’s language. The scene was almost one of pandemonium. Yet the Holy Spirit had come upon them all, especially the disciples. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the once fearful disciples found courage and strength to fearlessly preach and teach the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. They boldly and without fear ventured forth into the world sharing the Good News as the power of the Holy Spirit went before them. Through the Holy Spirit the disciples grew in love, charity and confidence. The Spirit dwelled in their hearts and moved them forward without fear or trepidation. Many of the Apostles and other faithful followers of Christ willingly laid down their lives as martyrs for the sake of the Gospel, and their love of Jesus. Yet the more these faithful and determined people of faith (who came to be known as Christian’s) were persecuted, the more they grew in numbers and embraced their belief in Christ.

The Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives today. Scripture tells us that the Advocate will be with us until the return of Christ Jesus in all of his might and glory. In the meantime in our lives today, it is important that we believe and boldly trust in the love and power of the Holy Spirit. It is vital to our faith, peace and comfort that we continue to pray to Christ, who with the Holy Spirit are one with the Father.

Just as all who believe in Christ have suffered throughout history, it is no different in our age. Here in the United States it is relatively easy to be a Christian, with little to no pressure. However in other parts of the world, Christians are heavily persecuted and oppressed, just look at the Darfur region of the Sudan. The missionaries and native Christians suffer greatly in that region, and are intensely disliked by their Muslim oppressors. But it is important that we remember what Jesus told his disciples, “You will be hated and cursed because of my name.”

Are we willing to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and stand boldly in our faith today? Or when the least bit challenged do we deny Christ by saying nothing, while simply ignoring the challenge? Does Christ live in our hearts? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to move us to do all such good works?

There comes a time in all of our lives in which we stand at a critical crossroad of faith. Do we boldly and without fear choose to take the road less traveled, the way of the cross, or do we take the wide road of the world; a road that leads to sin and death? The choice is ours; will we trust the Spirit? Or instead fearfully turn away from our faith, placing our reliance in the world and what it has to offer?

The Holy Spirit is alive and here among us, even in our worst experiences or days. Through the power of the Spirit, God will see us through whatever we face in God’s own special way. All we have to do is be like the Apostles and boldly take up our cross and follow Christ.

Flames of Courage in a Secularized World

On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit rushed through the temple portico like a might wind, breathing fire upon the disciples. Tongues of flames rested upon the faithful, and dedicated disciples giving them courage to do the will of Christ, which was to spread the Gospel throughout all nations. These same disciples who had been hiding out from the Jews in absolute fear for their lives, suddenly felt the power of the Holy Spirit and were emboldened to over come their trepidation, stepping out in faith. They were no longer Disciples of Christ; rather in that pivotal moment they became his Apostles. Peter even stood up (while at the same time the disciples were speaking and understanding the diverse languages), and addressed the crowd with confidence.

Today we must find the courage to do the same, by stepping out in faith and boldly proclaiming the Gospel truth. The Holy Spirit is still amongst us seeking to empower all who seek Christ and a deeper relationship with him.  The flame of Christ Jesus burns in our hearts, igniting a fire of passion for God’s Holy Word and the desire and courage to serve as evangelists.

In this day and age much of the western world has become secularized in nature. Many people are hungry for something in their lives but either don’t know where to look, or are simply put off by the church completely. This generation is a product of the previous generation in which we witnessed the beginning of the Churches decline, and struggle. A period that is still present today as far as having the courage to reach out into the community and attract others to God.

The word Evangelism strikes fear in the hearts of most people whether they be in the secular world or even in the church. The Greek word evanglion simply means Good News. But over the years television evangelist and some protestant or non-denominational Churches have misused power by preaching at people rather than to people. Or even worse placing guilt on their congregations to give much of their financial resources to the church, which often finds its way into the ministers pockets. No wonder those in the secular world are turned off by the church. In one case I had a friend who asked upon my leaving for seminary if I was gong to come home and preach at them to be saved!

Yet if the Church is to survive, the faithful believers must find a way to attract folks into the Church. There is no doubt that this will require courage on our part. But let’s not forget about the power and love of the Holy Spirit. She has the capacity to provide us with great courage in order attract people to our churches, using us as her evangelical instruments.

People today don’t want to be preached at, and who can blame them. Rather they want a message that will fill those empty places in their lives, providing sustenance that they are able to understand and apply to their daily lives.

So I encourage each of us to take up our staves of courage, trust the Holy Spirit and preach the Gospel in a way that moves the hearts of those who are seekers in this world. And remember the flame of courage always goes before us lighting the way.