It is Pentecost Sunday in a few days. Why does that matter? How does it affect your life? I trust you are aware of the significance of what happened on that date two thousand years ago and how it changed our relationship and interaction with God. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sin debt and rose from the dead two days later. He spent the next forty days meeting with and teaching over five hundred of his followers about the kingdom of God and the part they play in it. Jesus then commissioned every believer to reach all people and make them his disciples. He told them to go to Jerusalem and prayerfully wait to receive the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit and then he ascended into heaven where he still resides.

Ten days later, on the Sunday of the Jewish Pentecost celebrations, all the believers gathered in Jerusalem experienced what they had been promised. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and his power to be witnesses of Jesus in their local communities, their regions, and throughout the entire world (Acts 1:8 / 2:1-4). Since that event, every Christ follower has the potential for a deep intimate relationship with the Lord by engaging the Spirit continuously to understand and apply the Word, pray with confidence and effect, and live in a way that pleases and glorifies God. You have the privilege and opportunity every moment to be filled with the same Holy Spirit that the first disciples were. That has major implications as it relates to the sermon this Sunday about being a godly model for readiness for Jesus to return to earth one more time.

To prepare to hear the message with context and insight, read and think about the passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. I pray you will find the words encouraging and will share them with others for building up our faith as we look for Jesus to return at any moment. I will make the connection between staying true to the Lord and the ongoing sustaining power of the Holy Spirit to do so. I look forward to participating with you in worship, fellowship, and service as is our habit on Sunday morning. Be blessed.

Pastor Del