All Souls Sandringham
  • home
  • worship
    • attending during Covid-19
    • what we believe
    • service times
    • sermons
  • ministries
    • alpha
    • christian meditation
    • family ministry
    • resources - families, children, youth
    • father child camp
    • mission
    • prayer ministry
    • special services
  • publications
    • home worship resources
    • pew sheets
    • photo gallery
    • document library
  • about us
    • ministry team
    • parish council
    • history
    • op shop
  • connect
    • contact us
    • register
    • zoom
  • Vicar's Blog
  • social
  • calendar
  • hall hire

Pentecost

7/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Today is Pentecost and we give thought to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity.

We read in the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Wow! There is a statement. Can you honestly say that? Martin Luther says of this statement, “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith…”

So, what a magnificent role the Spirit plays in our lives. Many outside the Church cannot fathom the truths that we proclaim. Many think our beliefs beyond comprehension, and they are to a degree, but for the work and ministry of the
Holy Spirit. So, thank you Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit doesn’t have to be a puzzle for us. Our reading today from Romans help us out.

The Holy Spirit Points to Christ
When Paul speaks of the power of the Spirit in these verses he points to our inclusion in God’s family. The Spirit makes us “children of God” (8:14) and so intertwines our lives with Jesus that we now understand God as a Father or even a “Daddy” (as Abba might be translated - see 8:15). In addition, Paul suggests we are now “heirs” with Christ (8:17). In other words, all that the Son shares with the Father (peace, life, righteousness) has now been bequeathed to us as well.

The Holy Spirit is a Gift
The Holy Spirit (not to be confused with the human spirit) is not something that resides in us or is under our control. We are speaking of God and a force beyond
human manipulation. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is not something we can manage or direct (Acts 2:2).

But the Holy Spirit does have an agenda: he wants to bring us into a relationship with Jesus. As Romans 8:15-17 says, God seeks to make us his children by adoption.

The talk of heirship and suffering
Suffering for Christ does not cast doubt on our heirship. If, indeed, we suffer, we will also be glorified with Him. You are going to share his glory and be a member of his family.

Maybe you're not sure that you're in the family. Some people have that confused. Some people think they're born into the family, and others are afraid they'll never get into the family. We're not born into it. "Children of God" is something we become.

Maybe you've never become a child of God because you've never acknowledged your sinfulness and your need of a Saviour. You've never put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who died for you and paid the penalty of your sin. Read over Romans 8.14-17 carefully and ask yourself whether you are included or not.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author



    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All
    Demographics
    Easter
    Faith
    Holy Communion
    Holy Spirit
    Love
    Prayer

    RSS Feed

worship

service times
family ministry

events

special services
alpha

about us

what we believe
ministry team
contact us
© COPYRIGHT 2020  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • home
  • worship
    • attending during Covid-19
    • what we believe
    • service times
    • sermons
  • ministries
    • alpha
    • christian meditation
    • family ministry
    • resources - families, children, youth
    • father child camp
    • mission
    • prayer ministry
    • special services
  • publications
    • home worship resources
    • pew sheets
    • photo gallery
    • document library
  • about us
    • ministry team
    • parish council
    • history
    • op shop
  • connect
    • contact us
    • register
    • zoom
  • Vicar's Blog
  • social
  • calendar
  • hall hire