Most of you have probably heard the legends about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. One particular legend, which is based on fact, is his understanding of the concept of the Trinity. In his personal confession, he wrote:

For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten, and without beginning…and his son Jesus Christ, who always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time…And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons (and daughters) of one God in the Trinity of Holy Name.

Saint Patrick was once asked to explain how God could be three in one. He reached down and picked up a shamrock. He held it up and asked, “Is it one leaf or three?”. The reply was, “It is both one leaf and three”, to which Saint Patrick replied, “And so it is with God”

Here’s a simple example of how the Trinity works. God loves us and he is hurt when we turn away from him through sin. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God by paying the price for our sins. The Holy Spirit reminds us of everything Jesus and God said and did and guides us on our daily walk of faith. The Holy Spirit lets us know that we are loved and that we can experience God’s love in an immediate, personal and transforming way.

Why should we even talk about the Trinity, let alone listen to me preach about it? That is a question I asked myself several times while I prepared this message. The Trinity is a difficult concept for anyone to grasp, and I remembered the reason why it is so difficult for us to understand when I came across these words which I found in the sermon I preached on Trinity Sunday in 2010. 

In that sermon I mentioned that part of reason why the Trinity is so difficult to understand lies in how the Trinity is presented in John’s Gospel. John wrote his Gospel for an audience that was primarily Greek. The Greeks were leaders in science, thought and philosophy. In other words, Greek society was very intelligent and highly sophisticated, especially in terms of understanding abstract concepts. This is one reason why John’s Gospel is very theological in nature.

I also mentioned that the very complications of the Trinity are designed to bring us closer to God. There is something we need to know. We don’t know everything about God, but we know everything about Him that we need to know. The Scriptures assure us of that. We do not have to understand everything, spiritual or non-spiritual, the minute we become adults and that includes the Trinity. We know enough to save us. God pours out grace upon us, in abundance and consistently, whether we realize it or not. The Holy Spirit helps us and the Church to understand all of what Jesus said, especially what he said about God.

The Trinity is one of the most fascinating aspects of Christian theology, but it is also one of the most controversial. It is a mystery to us because it is a reality that is above our human ability to understand. We can begin to grasp it on our own, but we must really discover it through worship, symbol and faith. In essence, the Trinity is the belief that God is one in essence, but distinct in person. In other words, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are somehow distinct from one another, yet at the same time they are completely united in essence, will and tasks.

There are four good reasons why we need to talk about the Trinity. First, the Trinity is God. All three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-are the same but different at the same time. Second, the Trinity is the basis of our Christian doctrine. If we eliminate the Trinity, we eliminate the doctrine of one God or we worship a God who can become better or worse or has needs.

Third, the Trinity reveals counterfeit gods. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes and minds to who Jesus really is. The Holy Spirit reminds us that Jesus is both the Son of God and God himself in the flesh. If we hear the Trinity preached regularly, we accept it and can counter the false gods of faith such as Islam, Mormonism or the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Finally, the Trinity is the basis for all human relations. All three members exist in prefect love and harmony, but the Holy Spirit submits to both the Son and the Father, and the Son submits to the Father. They submit to each other, but they are equal.

The Trinity is not just a New Testament concept. The Holy Spirit was very active in the Old Testament. The Trinity was an active part of creation. People were regenerated in the Old Testament just like they were regenerated in the New Testament, and the only way people can be regenerated is by the influence of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also gifted certain people in the Old Testament and equipped them for specific tasks. For example, kings were anointed with oil, which represented being empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out their duties in a godly way.

The Holy Spirit brings spiritual truth to believers. It calls Scripture to mind, illuminates its meaning and couples itself with experience. The Holy Spirit glorifies God the Son. It vindicates the truth of his teachings and his identity. Unlike the disciples after Jesus ‘ resurrection and before Pentecost, we are not alone. We always have the Holy Spirit. It convicts the world of sin and changes people’s lives.

No one can escape God’s wrath by natural means. It can only be done through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It creates a sense of relief in believers, and only then can we start to live. Faith in God leads to peace with God. Peace does not mean tranquility. It means no longer being subject to God’s anger because of sin. We can’t earn our way out of our sin debt to God because we can never know how much is enough. The process of receiving God’s grace through faith is just a start. It transforms us through the working of the Holy Spirit.

If we give ourselves to the Holy Spirit and let him guide us, we will never wander from the faith because he is ever-present. He glorifies Christ in the view of men. He convicts the world of righteousness. He comes to everyone who humbly seeks to know Christ. He intercedes in every area of our lives. He helps us understand God’s Word. He convicts us of sin. He speaks the truth of God’s Word. He teaches us what Christ taught either by himself or through the disciples.

In order to approach Scripture, we have to pray first. We have to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding. We sense the Holy Spirit when it comes to us from God. God reveals himself to all of us, but only as much as we can understand with the help of the Holy Spirit. For example, in the reading from John 16:12-15, Jesus knew the disciples couldn’t receive more truth because they were concerned with themselves. They could not understand the spiritual truth he wanted to teach them without the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit comes from God and glorifies the relationship between Jesus and God. It translates the words of Jesus for us when we encounter situations where we have to ask ourselves the famous question, “What would Jesus do?” It challenges us to shape our lives according to Jesus’ teachings instead of shaping our lives according to the standards of the world.

The Holy Spirit emphasizes sin, righteousness and judgment. Faith in Jesus gives us God’s grace and peace. It gives us hope and comforts us when we suffer as expressed in these words from Romans 5:3-4: “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope”. God pours out his love through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reminds us that God’s love is watching over us. Suffering is good not because of the suffering itself, but because of the patience, experience and hope that come from it.

For example, those of you who have been farmers or who have planted gardens know that plants need soil, sun and rain in order to grow. If you take away any one of those ingredients, plants have a harder time growing. It’s like the story of a man who toured an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man who gave the tour then took the visitor to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. He said, “These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths.” Suffering can produce the “roots” we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life, but to grow these deep roots we have to plant ourselves in God’s Words to find comfort and strength when we suffer.

We must remember that the Holy Spirit is our guide, not our controller. We keep our ability to choose to follow His leading. As a result, we are always responsible for our actions and our words. The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth, which in turn makes his guidance trustworthy. It helps believers decide what is true and what is false; what is wise and what is foolish; what is best and what is simply okay. When life bombards us, the Holy Spirit will guide us. He will give us that sense of discernment that we need to make both big and small decisions. As we become more sensitive to his guidance, we will worry less and less about the decisions we will make.

The Holy Spirit never speaks on his own. He submits to the Father’s authority, so everything he speaks is directly from the Father. This makes sense because the Holy Spirit lives in all of us, and since he has direct access to our minds, he is the perfect candidate for communicating God’s will to us.

The Trinity is a mystery, but this does not mean a riddle. Instead, the Trinity is a reality above our human comprehension that we may begin to grasp, but ultimately must know through worship, symbol and faith. In order to understand it, we must live in the light of its implications for our human lives. The relationship that exists among the three divine persons suggests to us that we can know God through our relationships—not only in God’s relationship to us, but to the entire created world.

God is real and we are never alone. We can draw close to him and know that he will provide for our needs because he cares for us. We are never beyond his reach because of the Holy Spirit.  The Father opened the way for us to be in his family. Jesus continually offers his peace so we can experience peace of mind and heart, and the Holy Spirit cultivates the fruit of peace in our lives. As a result of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the God-like love dwells, abides and makes its home in our hearts, but it can’t be expressed until we yield to the Holy Spirit in fellowship by confessing it and practicing it.

Bibliography

1. R.C. Sproul, “What was the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?”. Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
2. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
3. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
4. Jared More, “4 Reasons the Trinity Should be Part of Your Preaching”. Retrieved from http://www.sermoncentral.com
5. Anne Graham Lotz, “Open Your Eyes”. Retrieved from angelministries.info@angelministries.org
6. Charles Spurgeon, “The Holy Spirit-the Great Teacher”. Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
7. Jamieson, R., Fawcett, A.R., & Brown, D.: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Oak Harbour, WA: Logos Research Systems inc.; 1997)
8. Frederickson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.: 1985)
9. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.: 2009)
10. Dr. Charles Stanley, “A Helper for All Occasions”. Retrieved from Crosswalk @crosswalkmail.com
11. Anne Graham Lotz, “Guided Into a Deeper Level”. Retrieved from angelministries.info@angelministries.org
12. J. Vernon McGee, “How Could I Have Peace of Mind?” Retrieved from Jesus.org@crosswalkmail.com
13. Craig Condon, “The Three Musketeers-Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. Preached at Trinity Anglican Church, Liverpool, NS on Sunday, May 30, 2010
14. Dr. Harold Sala, “Trouble”. Retrieved from http://www.guidelines.org
15. Bob Heerspink, “Beyond Enlightenment”. Retrieved from http://www.backtogod.net
16. Greg Laurie, “It’s Covered”. Retrieved from Crosswalk @crosswalkmail.com
17. Dr. Charles Stanley, “Peace With God”. Retrieved from Crosswalk @crosswalkmail.com
18. Exegesis for Romans 5:1-5. Retrieved from www. sermonwriter.com
19. Lectionary Homiletics, Volume XXV, Number 3 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; April/May 2013)

Hello boys and girls!

Can anyone tell me what a compass does?

A compass is a very handy instrument that will help keep you from getting lost. Not only that, it will help you find your way if you do get lost. The compass has four main directions, they are North, South, East and West. The needle of the compass always points North. So, if the needle is pointing in that direction and you want to go South, you would go in the opposite direction from what the needle is pointing. With the needle pointing North, if you want to go East, you would go in that direction. If the needle sometimes pointed North and at other times it pointed to the South, East, or West, you would never be able to use the compass to find your way. You would wander around, hopelessly lost. The compass must always point in the same direction if you are going to use it to guide you.

Can anyone tell me what a map does? A map can help us to find a place, and if we’re travelling a map can show us how to get there, how far away it is, what types of roads we can travel on, etc. A compass and a map are old-fashioned ways to find out where we are and where we want to go. Today, thanks to modern science, we have another way.

Can anyone tell me what a GPS receiver does? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Some people have receivers like this put in their cars to tell them how to get to wherever they want to go. GPS is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites. When a GPS receiver is locked on to the signal of at least three satellites, it can track movement and determine the user’s position, speed, trip distance, distance to where the user wants to go and much more.

Boys and girls, there is another way we can be guided to where we should go. Can anyone guess what it might be? It’s called the Holy Spirit. When we don’t know what to do or which way to turn, the Holy Spirit always points us in the right direction. We can’t trust our feelings or what other people are doing to make important decisions

Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit “to guide us in all truth.” That means that the Holy Spirit will help us to understand God’s Word which always points us in the right direction. It points us to Jesus who is “the Way, the truth, and the life.”

Whenever you don’t know which way to turn, you can always turn to God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.

Dear God, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be our +guide through life. We know that the Spirit will lead us to Jesus. Give us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to obey the Holy Spirit all the time. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Bibliography

1. Garmin Limited, “What is a GPS?”. Retrieved from http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/

2. “Our Spiritual Compass”. Retrieved from http://www.sermons4kids.com

Today, I’m going to do something a little different in my message. In addition to speaking about a particular passage, I’m also going to touch on one of the key doctrines of Christianity-the Trinity. The concept is the Trinity is not mentioned specifically in the Bible, but it is there. The Trinity is one of the most difficult concepts to preach on, and that’s why many ministers take Trinity Sunday off!

Romans 5:5 begins a section of Scripture that scholars consider an exposition of God’s love for humankind. John 3:16 expanded and expounded upon God’s love. Paul refers to God’s glory, wrath, love and grace. God’s plan of salvation is a reflection and extension of his attributes.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans begins with the desperate condition of lost humanity and ends triumphantly with the benefits of being reconciled to God. Just as it begins and ends with “Through our Lord Jesus Christ,” so, too, is Christ first and last in the life of the believer.

God gives peace to us who have faith, even when we face life’s challenges. He pours out love and gives us hope until the day when we share in his fullness. God’s peace comes to us through Christ, and in Christ we have the constant assurance of God’s grace. The Holy Spirit is the means by which we experience God’s love.

Some people believe that they can earn their way out of sin debt to God. The problem with that belief is that people can never know how much is enough. If we trust in religion to save us, we will be in a constant state of fear because our debt will solve the mystery of our eternal destiny. Our fate might be eternal suffering. The only way to get relief from this fear is to receive God’s grace through faith. If we do, we will be at peace. We will also have the assurance that we will be with Jesus when he returns and remodels the world.

We can have confidence that Christ will set things right one day. We have been renewed and we are becoming more like Jesus. We can anticipate his return without unpleasant circumstances to distract us. This does not mean that our present lives will be free from suffering. Being faithful in a world that is full of suffering is difficult and making sense out of it is, as Jesus says in John’s Gospel, “too much for you know, but when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to complete truth.” That truth involves persevering with faith because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel reveals God’s love and justice, both of which begin and end with faith. When we are saved through faith and by God’s grace, we receive God’s righteousness and become children of God because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are made wholly acceptable to God. God’s love touches every part of our lives. It reaches out to everyone, and it is beyond comprehension. It’s like a buried treasure that we have found. God has given us the realities of peace, grace and love.

God’s love sounds regularly in our hearts, but it is seldom heard. It’s often buried under personal ambitions, cares, problems, daily routines and the general busyness of life. When we stop focusing on ourselves and our own problems and focus instead on God, our problems fade away.

God gives us everything we need for inner peace. He opened the way for us to be in his family. It’s as if we entered a castle and were escorted into the royal presence as honoured guests instead of being treated as outsiders. Jesus continually offers his peace so we can experience inner peace. The Holy Sprit cultivates the fruit of peace in our lives.

The word “peace” does not mean a lack of negative experience or a euphoric feeling. It closely resembles the Hebrew word “shalom”, which describes a blessed and prosperous community, not an inner, psychological or emotional peace. Paul has that inner wholeness in mind. Peace must be in the hearts of the people for there to be outward, objective peace in the church and in our lives.

God gives peace to people who have faith. That peace comes to us through Jesus, who gives us the constant assurance of grace. The Holy Spirit provides the means by which we experience God’s love. We have a good, peaceful relationship with God because of what he did for us in Christ. The Holy Spirit assures us that we enjoy divine favour and access into God’s presence. Because of God’s grace, we will share his glory on Judgment Day. God promises his children that they will be one day clothed with Christ’s glory. The term “rejoice” means “to boast, in the sense of jubilation, exultant rejoicing-to shout about it!”

Christians are justified by faith and declared worthy by God. Consequently, they have peace with God and don’t have to fear God’s judgment. When people are justified, they have access by faith to the grace of God in which all Christians stand. In the New Testament, the term “access” refers to the believer’s access to God through Christ.

It is quite natural to glory or exult in what is positive, but not in sufferings and tribulations. In the Greek language, perseverance means “to abide under or stay under pressure.” Suffering teaches believers to stay faithful under pressure, like squeezing olives in a press to extract oil. This pressure results from the conflict of two truths: faith and its enduring benefits versus a fallen world under Satan’s influence.

When we suffer we can rise above our sufferings to see the whole promise of God and the structure he is creating in our lives. God’s grace is sufficient for every situation we will face. Pressure is mandated by God and his love. When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, he opens our eyes to the wonder of his love and shows us that from now on our lives will be covered by his love and that all circumstances (both good and bad) will be related to God’s loving purposes.

Learning to stay calm under pressure produces character. The trials of life refine a Christian’s character and faith. Paul is speaking of sterling character, character without impurities. One writer calls it “tried integrity”-the maturity of a veteran who is complete, or lacking nothing, as opposed to the immaturity of a raw recruit. Christians can rejoice in future glory and present trials and sufferings because they are changed and have become more Christ-like. They have received God’s love and strength because when they were converted the Holy Spirit poured God’s love into their hearts.

When we abide in Christ we are so saturated in Jesus that when God looks at us he sees his own Son and wraps us in his love for Jesus’ sake. Real joy is found in God’s presence, with Jesus, secure and loved forever and ever. God’s love never changes, and Jesus holds us close forever, no matter what our circumstances are. Joy is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1549-1550)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Anne Graham Lotz, “God is Love.” Retrieved from angelmin.info@angelministries.org
4. Dr. Ed Young, “See with Perspective.” Retrieved from ministry@winningwalk.org
5. Dr. Ed Young, “Have Faith in Grace.” Retrieved from ministry@winningwalk.org
6. Briscoe, D.S. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 29: Romans (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)
7. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, Trinity Sunday (C).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
8. “Am I Pleasing to God?” Retrieved from www.abidingabove.org
9. Rick Ezell, “Experiencing God’s Love.” Retrieved from rickezell@greerfbc.org
10. Bayless Conley, “Inwardly Compelled.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
11. Anne Graham Lotz, “The Focus of Our Faith.” Retrieved from angelmin.info@angelministries.org
12. Dr.Charles Stanley, “Peace with God.” Retrieved from www.intouch.org
13. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, Trinity Sunday (C).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
14. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010, pp. 110-114
15. Edwina Gateley, “Deeper Than the Darkness.” Retrieved from http://journeywithjesus.net
16. David Kalas, “This is Where You Come In.” Retrieved from www.sermonsuite.com/printer.php?i=788040700
17. Preaching Magazine, March/April 2016 (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing Inc.; p. 51)

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Church

Happy Birthday to you!

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the birth of the church. On the day of Pentecost over 2,000 years ago, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples, and through the Holy Spirit the church was born. It is a time when the church traditionally concentrates on the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ways in which it strengthens the church. It is a time to consider how the Spirit has created and sustained faith in our lives. It is a time to explore how the Spirit empowers our witness so that others might have faith.

The power of the Holy Spirit ignited the disciples. Peter was ignited and gave one of the most powerful sermons in history. It included both the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy and a strong rebuke/accusation. The effect was remarkable. The message pierced the hearts of the people, and as a result more than 3,000 people were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. When these new converts returned home, they spread the message, and thus the church was born.

This would not have been possible without the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not an impersonal force. It is a person. It possesses the mind of God, emotions and will—because it is God. It performs the actions of God. It has the attributes of God.

As a result of the Holy Spirit, the church opened its hearts to fellowship. It opened its hands to care for each and every member. Members opened their homes to each other, especially for worship. They devoted themselves to prayer. As a result of all of this, the church grew and found favour with other people-both inside and outside the church.

The term “Spirit” describes wind or breath. The Pentecost wind is no wind of destruction. It blows where it will and fires up people with faith and spiritual power. The church did not come alive until after God breathed the Holy Spirit. The wind was an outward sign of what was happening within the disciples. The Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind on the first Pentecost, and it still comes like a rushing wind today. We can’t control the wind, and we can’t control the Holy Spirit no matter how hard we try. We try to control what it tells us to do or who it wants us to allow into our churches. Many Christians want just enough religion to be comfortable, to be respected, to feel good about themselves, but not so much that it shakes up their routines and changes their way of living. Many Christians want the benefits of the Holy Spirit without having to experience much of the Spirit.

Differences can enrich and enliven our worship experiences. Differences force us to reach across what divides us. Differences and diversity force us to rely on the Holy Spirit in order to remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus in more creative and dynamic mission efforts. We are called on to share the Good News with others and welcome them to find love of each other and the love of God. If we do not share the Good News, it is wasted. The Holy Spirit calls on us to share our gifts and love with those who are different from us.

God gave the disciples supernatural ability to speak the languages of all those who had gathered in Jerusalem from around the known world at that time. The Spirit’s presence signified their baptism into the spiritual body of the church. This gift was the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit so the disciples could preach the Gospel to all the people.

God does the same thing today. He speaks through both chosen people and simple people like you and me. This message of being somebody again through God alone is communicated. Why? So that it might get through to everyone. As people who have received God’s grace we get to be a bridge of that good news to people we know and love.

Part of the Jewish liturgy involved reciting one of the great acts of God in their history. When the Holy Spirit came they all worshipped and rehearsed his wonderful works. Bystanders understood them because of the Jewish liturgy. When the Holy Spirit comes to fill a Christian, he/she speaks and acts in ways that weren’t possible before. Christians live supernaturally because the Spirit of God within them controls them.

For example, just a few days before Pentecost, Peter was too scared to admit he knew Jesus. Now, filled with the Holy Spirit, God changed him. In Acts 2:16-21, Peter quoted Joel 2:28-33, which was Joel’s prophecy of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the last days. On that first Pentecost, the Spirit came to people in a new, more powerful way that signalled the beginning of the new covenant age, which runs from the time of Christ’s death until he returns at some time in the future. These are the last days in that the coming of the Messiah, which was foretold in the Old Testament, have now occurred. His saving death and resurrection have been accomplished, and now the Holy Spirit has to build the church before Christ returns.

Acts 2:1-21 is the marching orders for the church. The coming of the Holy Spirit was an awe-inspiring moment that changed the world. It was a tipping point when history was changed. We have to go with the flow. It asks us to go beyond our comfort zone. God’s dream was one where all believers would gather together in unity and faith. Gold calls on us to love one another. That love changes us. It allows us to show grace to everyone.

Sometimes we wonder if what happened at Pentecost can happen today. We wonder if we can gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit and experience its transforming strength. We want to deal with our own feelings of spiritual inadequacy. God answers these questions and other questions people are really asking. People want something more than ordinary, dull religion. They want the power and intimacy of the Holy Spirit. It changes us. We were created for union and communication with the Holy Spirit. The greatest need for both society and the church today is for a contemporary Pentecost. We, like the disciples, must be ready for the miracle of the supernatural endowment of the Holy Spirit’s power.

The flames represented the purity and power with which the disciples would speak as they proclaimed what God had done. The fire of the Holy Spirit burns away anything that will keep us from being the people God wants us to be. It convinces us that God loves us unconditionally and that we can love others unconditionally. It gives us the ability to love others deeply. The Holy Spirit releases us so that we can praise others. That praise becomes very effective proclamation. It frees us from self-concern and to Spirit-consciousness. We are free to praise God and to receive what he will do.

When people hear a minister preach on a Biblical text with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the people have been prepared by the Holy Spirit, the result is conviction, faith and changed lives. In contrast to the baptism with the Spirit, which is the one-time act by which God places believers into His body, the filling is a repeated reality of Spirit-controlled behaviour that God commands believers to maintain. The work of the Holy Spirit in the church today is to dwell with believers so they will look like Christ and be empowered to continue his ministry here on earth.

How does the Holy Spirit work in the church today?

1. He convicts us of our sin, shows us that none of us can live up to the righteousness of Jesus, and reveals to us the judgment that is coming to those who die without faith in Christ.
2. He immerses us into the family of God.
3. He encourages and comforts us when we are hurting or discouraged.
4. We work with him to maintain unity among Christians.
5. He brings peace in the midst of life’s storms.
6. He pours out the power for victorious living.
7. He helps us to study and understand the truths of the Bible.
8. He intercedes for us when we can’t put our feelings into words.
9. He gives us power for evangelism.
10. He distributes spiritual gifts as he deems best throughout the Body of Christ.

A life in Christ is God’s will for his people. God’s plan can’t be stopped. Pentecost is a taste of what will happen in God’s kingdom when the Spirit is poured out on all people. The Holy Spirit will live in all believers.

The Holy Spirit is more than a tool to help us overcome life’s challenges, but much of what we are asked to do is far beyond what we are called to do. On our own, we are never enough. The outpouring of the Spirit is far greater than anyone expects. It will be poured out on all flesh and everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. The Spirit will give us the strength we need to do God’s work in our world.

In return, we are called on to be wanders. We aren’t meant to be too settled, rooted or rigid. Our spiritual lives are meant to be a pilgrimage. The dangerous place is the place that gets too comfortable or stagnant. We are to be on the move, and our churches are meant to be on the move as well.

Pentecost is the day when we remember the eruption in which the Church came to birth. It is also the day when we remember the countless ways in which the Holy Spirit shapes the Church as an institution and ourselves as individuals. It is also the day when we are reminded that once we have received the Holy Spirit, we are required and enabled to take a stand for good and against evil in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. The Holy Spirit will teach us to love God and neighbour-and he will reward us by giving us a life worth living. That life won’t be easy or trouble-free, but it will be worth living and dying for-and that is the greatest birthday gift of all.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, Dr. David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
3. George Hermanson, “All You Need Is Love.” Retrieved from www.holyscriptures.com
4. David McGee, “Grace for Life.” Retrieved from www.crossthebridge.com
5. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 28: Acts (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983)
6. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
7. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
8. Rev. Gregory Seltz, “That’s Just Who God Is.” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org
9. Dr. Roger Barrier, “What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church Today?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. The Rev. Dr. Charles Reeb, “Controlling the Wind.” Retrieved from www.day1.org
11. Pastor Dave Risendal, “The Holy Spirit Has Called Me.” Retrieved from donotreply@wordpress.com
12. Jacob Myers, “Commentary on Acts 2:1-21.” Retrieved from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1296
13. Rick Morley, “Wanderlust-a Reflection on Pentecost.” Retrieved from http://www.rickmorley.com/archives
14. Jeremiah, Dr. David: AD: The Bible Continues: The Revolution that Changed the World (Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers Inc.; 2015, pgs. 39-56)

Good morning boys and girls!

Do any of you have a special toy or stuffed animal or blanket? Why are they special?

Boys and girls, all of us have something special that comforts us. For you, it’s a special toy or a favourite stuffed animal or blanket. For many of us adults, it’s something like a doughnut and cup of coffee from our favourite coffee shop! J

The one thing that all of us as believers have is the Holy Spirit. It guides and comforts us, especially when we are sad or having problems. Even the disciples had the Holy Spirit, and they were with Jesus since the start of his ministry. Let me tell you the story.

The disciples were sad because Jesus was going to leave them. He was their friend and teacher. He told them not to be sad, because he was going to send them another helper who would remind them of everything he did, said and taught. That helper’s name was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would help the disciples grow the church by helping them to do God’s work in the world.

Boys and girls, we can also have the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is believe in Jesus and confess him as our Saviour. If we do, he will send us the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will help us to do God’s work in our world. That work can be anything from caring for the sick, helping around the house, or telling other people about Jesus. Are you ready to help Jesus?

Let us bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for your love. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. Help us to teach, guide and comfort others, just like you teach, guide and comfort us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

What would qualify a person as a “real Christian?” What daily practices would they have to observe? What would they have to know? These questions and others like them would be interesting topics for an information session or a class for new believers. There is one basic thing that each and every Christian must have to be a real Christian. It is the Holy Spirit.

John 14:1-21 is another part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples. Jesus has just told the disciples that he is going to be crucified. Now he is telling them that he will not leave them alone because he will send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide them and remind them of everything Jesus said, taught and did. In that sense, Jesus will be with them forever.

The disciples saw the risen Christ and knew the truth about Jesus and his relationship to them. They would live because Jesus lived. In other words, Jesus would live on because of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would live in the disciples just like the Holy Spirit lives in all believers. Because the Holy Spirit lives in all believers, they will show their love for Jesus by keeping all of his commandments. By keeping his commandments and doing Jesus’ work in our world, the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in all believers.

The Holy Spirit’s role in our lives is the same role the Holy Spirit had in the lives of the disciples. He is a helper, teacher, guide and encourager. He continues to do Jesus’ work. He gives us gifts that are based on the character of Christ. In return, we are to work in the Spirit and obey God.

John 14:1-21 marks a change in the relationship between believers and the world. Until this point, Jesus has defined the world to include all of humanity that is opposed to him because of sin. Now, there arises a difference between the world and those who believe in Jesus. Both groups are opposed to each other.

Those who believe in Jesus and his death and resurrection are inseparable from Jesus, especially through the Holy Spirit. We will see Jesus in heaven, but in the meantime we have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows believers to see Jesus even though he is no longer with us. Since we “see” Jesus, it stands to reason that he can “see” us. Therefore, he can see whether or not we are obeying him. As we continue to obey him, our spiritual sight gets stronger.

The Holy Spirit came into the world just like Jesus came into the world, the only difference being that the Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus completed his work of salvation. Just like Jesus is under the authority of God, the Holy Spirit is under the authority of Jesus. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are the same person, but they are also three different people at the same time. They are like the three sides of a triangle, hence the term “Trinity.”

The Holy Spirit will always stand beside God’s people. The Holy Spirit is referred to as “the Spirit of truth” because truth is part of the nature of the Holy Spirit’s mission. The Holy Spirit testifies to God’s truth and brings people to the truth through conviction that leads to repentance and faith.

When the Holy Spirit is present, Jesus is present. When Jesus is present, God is present. John 14:1-21 helps us to understand the Christian life and God’s will for our lives. It allows us to see things as Christ sees them. The Trinity teaches us to love unconditionally and respect boundaries and roles. John’s Gospel sees love as the key to following Jesus.

At this point in our church year we are getting ready for Pentecost. During these weeks between Easter and Pentecost we have been describing what it means to be a Christian and a church. Jesus’ resurrection has changed us into a people who are living beyond the power of death. The Scripture readings we have heard since Easter Sunday are full of references to the Holy Spirit and the work the Holy Spirit will do among believers. In John 14:12, Jesus said that the disciples would do greater works than he did. That is because Jesus in his human body could only be in one place at one time, whereas the Holy Spirit can dwell within all believers, wherever they are, all the time. To do this, Jesus said in verses 14 to 16 that the disciples would need prayer, obedience and the Holy Spirit. The greater works referred to are the proclamation of the fact of deliverance and the hope and promise of salvation.

God wants to reveal himself to us and he reveals himself to us through Jesus, but only if our hearts belong to Jesus. That’s why Jesus revealed himself to only a select few people after his resurrection. He knew that there were a lot of people who refused to believe that he rose from the dead. In other words, their hearts did not belong to Jesus.

Loving Jesus means wanting him because he is desirable. It means admiring him because he is infinitely admirable. It means treasuring him because he is very valuable. It means enjoying him because he is enjoyable. It means being satisfied with all that he is because he is infinitely satisfying. It is the response of the reawakened human soul to all that is true and good and beautiful and embodied in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is just like Jesus, so following the Holy Spirit is no different from following Jesus. The only difference is that the Holy Spirit’s leadership is invisible instead of physical. The Holy Spirit is the exact image of both Jesus and God.

No one can produce the love we need to do God’s work except the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us obey Jesus’ instructions because it gives us revelation from God’s word. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, he changes us and his love flows from us. This lifestyle of obedience will increase our trust in God. We will be able to commit to obeying God, and our study of the Scriptures will be consistent.

The Holy Spirit can transform us once we understand it. It will help us to model the type of Christian behaviour that we want to teach other people. If our behaviour is unbelievable, we will deceive ourselves in the long run. When the Holy Spirit changes us, we will be able to withstand all of life’s problems. We will have peace in our hearts. We will have hope when we are hurting. This will only be possible when Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the centre of our hearts and thoughts.

No man-made idols will be able to withstand the truth of God’s love if we open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to live in us. Money will not make us happy, because the Holy Spirit teaches that happiness can’t be bought. Power and control are not important because the Holy Spirit teaches us that truth, kindness and love are more important.

When the Holy Spirit is in us, it shows that we love Jesus. We must always ask ourselves what the condition of our love for God is. How do we respond to God’s love for us by loving others? We often think of God’s love as being unconditional, but this passage from John’s Gospel concludes with two conditions for receiving God’s love-keeping Jesus’ commandments and loving Jesus. These two conditions are so interdependent that Jesus binds them together as if they were one. When we love Jesus, we will obey his commandments and we will not find them burdensome. On the contrary, we will obey them joyfully, because the Holy Spirit inspires us to go into the world and share God’s love, even if the world can’t or won’t accept this message. The world doesn’t know the Holy Spirit of truth and love yet, but if we allow God’s truth and love to speak through us, the world will know this life-changing, life-saving message.

Bibliography

1. Exegesis for John 14:15-21. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
2. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)
3. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
4. Frederikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
5. White, J.E. in Holman Concise Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1998)
6. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible Software package.
7. Rick Renner, “Jesus’ Last Lesson for the Disciples”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
8. Dr. Charles Stanley, “A Lifestyle of Obedience.” Retrieved from www.intouch,org
9. Dr. Charles Stanley, “Our Constant Companion.” Retrieved from www.intouch.org
10. Dick Inness, “Show Me-Don’t Tell Me.” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org
11. Jim Cymbala, “The Power to Love.” Retrieved from www.billygraham.org
12. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Taking God’s Hand.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
13. John Piper, “If Anyone Loves Me He Will Keep My Word.” Retrieved from www.desiringgod.org
14. Dr. Ed Young, “Do You Love Me?” ”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
15. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, Sixth Sunday of Easter (A).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
16. Lectionary Homiletics, Vol. XXV, No. 3 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; April/May 2014)
17. Johnathan Shively, “Evangelectionary for Sunday, May 25, 2014.” Retrieved from www.evangelismconnections.com
18. The Rev. Jason Cox, “Paul: Appealing or Appalling?” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitialnetwork.com

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know and the way you know.”

Isn’t that comforting? It is not surprising that these words are often read at funerals. Jesus said these words to his disciples shortly before his arrest and crucifixion. He knew that they would be upset by his death and ascension, and he wanted to comfort them.

These words are part of his farewell discourse as written in John 13-17. Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure. Jesus came to earth from his father, and now he was preparing to go back to his father’s house. It is the same house all believers will go to one day.

These same words comforted the early Christians, especially when they were being persecuted. They also give us comfort today. When something terrible happens, we often ask “Where is God?” This is only natural. Jesus asks us to trust him in the midst of our confusion. The special comfort is to believe and trust in Jesus. When life gives us hard knocks, we can let go of uncertainties and believe that Jesus has prepared a place for us in our heavenly home because we can trust him.

The phrase “Do not let your hearts be troubled” might seem a little ironic to us as we gather for worship. After all, whose heart isn’t troubled? All of us have had turmoil in our lives at one time or another. It doesn’t matter if the turmoil is caused by problems within our family, at work, among our friends or even within our churches.

Jesus has already made many dwelling places for us here on earth. Some of these places are places of worship such as a church. Here we can be unburdened from past wrongs. Here we can be ourselves and get help carrying life’s burdens. It is at times like these and in places like a church  where God shows us unconditional love, mercy and surprises.

These places are tailor-made for all of us, both as individuals and as a faith community. They remind me of the words of a song that was popular in the late 1970’s. It was recorded by Peter Frampton and is entitled “I’m In You” It describes how Jesus comforts us here on earth. The first verse goes like this:

I don’t care where I go

When I’m with you

When I cry you don’t laugh

‘cause you know me

I’m in you, you’re in me

I’m in you, you’re in me

‘cause you gave me the love

Love that I never had

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament teachings that there is only one way to God and one way to see God. Jesus’ ministry and character reveal and reflect God’s character of love, forgiveness and grace. God works through Jesus and he works through us thanks to the Holy Spirit that lives in us. We, like the disciples, can do even greater works than Jesus did thanks to the Holy Spirit.

The disciples could do works that would be greater than the works Jesus did because they could go out into the world. Each and every one of us can also do great works because we can go out into the world and do what Jesus and the disciples did. The disciples had the privilege of working for God and knowing the purpose for their lives. We can also have the same privilege and purpose. Jesus will guide us in the direction he wants us to go. He will help us to “keep our eyes on the prize.”

The reason why Jesus went away was to secure our future. He prepared a heavenly home for us. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Most people today, if asked why they think God will let them into heaven, would say that God will let them into heaven because they try to be good and go to church. They also believe that if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds then God will let them into heaven. Man’s pride believes that God somehow owes him a place in heaven or eternal life as a reward for good deeds, earnest effort or sincerity. We can’t earn our way to heaven. Belonging to a particular church or a particular denomination won’t get us into heaven. Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

We, like the disciples, dread death and the separation it creates. Death and separation are Satan’s stronghold, and the only remedy is faith in an unshakeable God. This faith will help us to do God’s work in our world. When we pray to God in faith, we glorify God. When we glorify God, we can do great things for him. Praying to God in faith is the cure for anxiety. We pray because we believe in prayer. Prayer is the result of our deepest belief in God. In order for us to believe in God and do his work in our world, we have to have intimacy with God.

Sometimes we are afraid to pray to God because we are afraid that God will turn down our requests. Prayer is not about getting God to do what we want him to do. It is about releasing God’s will on earth. God even said “no” to Jesus when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had to submit to God’s will, and we must obey God’s will. That is the only way God can be glorified in life.

Jesus is exalted by God to the highest place in the universe. That is why everyone has to bow down before him. That is why Jesus said that no one can come to God except by going through him. Jesus bridged the gap between God and man that was created by the sins of Adam and Eve. In return, we are to spread the Good News of salvation.

Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is the perfect representation of both our heavenly Father and our heavenly home. In fact, one reason why Jesus came to earth was to show us the Father. Jesus showed us what God is like and what God likes. God likes to be glorified and when our prayers glorify him, they will be answered in his own time and in his own way. Our prayers glorify him when they are offered in Jesus’ name. Jesus will return one day to take us to our heavenly home. Will he find us doing what he told us to do, or will he find us doing nothing?

If we follow Jesus, we must obey his instructions. We have to surrender our way of doing things, even if it means suffering for his sake. We have to trust that his promises will come true, even if other people say that Jesus is no longer relevant. He is the way to eternal life even when we are surrounded by death. We must keep our eyes focused on heaven so we won’t be distracted by the things of the world. In other words, we must have an eternal view of life.

The way to God means following the narrow road to salvation instead of the wider road to damnation. The wide road is travelled by people who follow the ways of the world. The narrow road is travelled by people of faith. Sometimes we don’t know what lies ahead on the narrow road, but we can be thankful that Jesus has laid out the steps we have to follow. He won’t lead us astray. He will provide for our needs. He will shape our character and define how we are to live godly lives. He will show us the words, deeds, characters, and attitudes we are to have in life’s joys, sorrows and difficult moments.

Those who follow the narrow road will rejoice when Jesus returns because they have been redeemed by his blood. His return will fulfill our hopes and dreams. Those who follow the wide road will mourn because his return will bring their judgment. They did not believe that he died and rose again for their sins, so they are doomed to spend eternity in hell. If we follow Jesus, our hearts will not be troubled.

Some of you may remember a children’s TV show called “The Friendly Giant” It ran on the CBC Television Network in Canada from 1958 to 1985. At the start of each show, the Friendly Giant said that he would “hurry over first and go in the back door so I can lower the drawbridge down and open the big front doors for you.” He would then arrange the furniture for his guests. In other words, he prepared his home for visitors. Similarly, Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us to go to when we go to our heavenly home. Going home fulfills the longing we have for God. Only God can fulfill the emptiness of our souls.

Bibliography

1. “The Friendly Giant” Retrieved from www.en.wikipewdia.org
2. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible (Brentwood, TN: Worth Publishing; 2013)
3. Swindoll, Charles R.: Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2010)
4. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
5. Frederikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985)
6. Radmacher, E.D.; Allen, R.B. & House, H.W.: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1999)
7. Barry, J.D., Grigoni, M.R.; Heiser, M.S.; Custis, M; Mangum, D.; & Whitehead, M.M.: Faithlife Study Bible (Oak Harbour, WA: Logos Bible Software; 2012)
8. Os Hillman, “Father, Son and Holy Scriptures?” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
9. Pastor Jack Hibbs, “Words to the Wise Devotional, John 14:1-3”. Retrieved from wttw@calvarycch.org
10. Selwyn Hughes, “Christianity is Unique” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
11. Jim Burns, “Good Intention, Wrong Destination” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
12. Pastor Bob Coy, “Eternally Covered” Retrieved from www.activeword.org
13. Calvin Aardma, “Revealing the Father” Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
14. Anne Graham Lotz, “He Will Be Looking for You” Retrieved from www.angelministries.org
15. Berni Dymet, “Boarding Pass” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
16. Pastor Bob Coy, “Eyes on Eternity” Retrieved from www.activeword.org
17. Gwen Smith, “Don’t Say No” Retrieved from www.girlfriendsingod.com
18. Reginald Smith, “Trust Me” Retrieved from www.thisistoday.net
19. Skip Hertzig, “Purpose” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
20. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Word of the Father” Retrieved from www.joniandfriends.org
21. Anne Graham Lotz, “God Reaches Down to Man” Retrieved from www.angelministries.org
22. Exegesis for John 14:1-14. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
23. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 5^th Sunday of Easter (A), May 18, 2014.” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
24. Rev. Grace Imathiu, UMC, “Room Enough for All.” Retrieved from www.day1,org
25. Lectionary Homiletics, Volume XXV, Number 3 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; April/May 2014)

How many of you have seen the movie Saving Private Ryan?

It’s a war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. The film is about U.S. Army Ranger Captain John H. Miller (who was played by Tom Hanks) and his squad as they search for Private First Class John Francis Ryan (who was played by Matt Damon). Private Ryan was the last surviving brother of four servicemen. Captain Miller lost several of his men in their search to find him. After finding him, Captain Miller himself was mortally wounded. As he laid dying, he told Private Ryan, “Earn this.”

Years later Private Ryan stood in front of Captain Miller’s grave and said, “Every day I think about what you told me that day on the bridge. I tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I’ve earned what all of you have done for me.” He turned to his wife and said, “Tell me I have led a good life…. tell me I’m a good man.”

Private Ryan asked the same question many of us ask ourselves: “Have I done enough with this one and only life God has given me?” On our own we can’t answer that question, but with Jesus’ help the answer is clear. He died for us so that we don’t have to do anything. By his grace we can live lives that are satisfied with good things, as the writer of Psalm 104 tells us. The question then becomes “Is the work of Jesus enough to make me satisfied and significant?”, and the answer is always a resounding “Yes!”

All of God’s creation is subject to his authority, including the biggest sea creatures. All of creation must praise him. In return, he takes pleasure in everything he has created. They depend on him, and in return he is generous to them. They can rely on him. We are part of God’s creation, so we can also depend on him.

God gives life. He makes the world new again and again. Creation is God’s and it exists for him. He cares and provides for creation, and in return everything he has created gathers in what God gives them and returns a portion to him. This is what the term “tithing” means-giving back to God a portion of what he has given us. God’s spirit has touched all of us in amazing ways, and we must share what we have been given with others.

It’s almost impossible for us to understand creation. Even our best scientists have to regularly revise their theories to try to explain creation-and God puts all of his wisdom at their service and ours. What God has created is awesome beyond our ability to understand it.

All of creation is supposed to show the majesty of God, including Jesus. He was the shekinah, or the visible sign of the invisible God. According to the Old Testament, the shekinah was a radiant cloud or a brilliant light within a cloud that showed the immediate presence of God. That same cloud led the Israelites by day in the desert. That same cloud also appeared at Jesus’ baptism and his transfiguration.

On the other hand, sinners and the unchurched are those who reject God’s rule and rebel against him. They are a blemish on the world, and God will remove that blemish in due time. The purpose of Psalm 104 is to foster hatred of sin. Its purpose is not to foster hatred against sinners. On the contrary, we are to love them. For example, Pope Francis’ stated to the Roman Catholic Church that homosexuality and divorce are to be treated by showing compassion and love instead of hatred.

Our prayerful response to God’s love is to worship him and care for creation, but unfortunately our modern world has selfishly neglected to care for creation. The only way to prevent an ecological disaster is for humanity to treat God’s creation with respect.

Those who bless and praise God want to see the day when sinful men have been removed from the earth and the curse of sin removed. Throughout the Old Testament there are stories of how God used creation itself to destroy evil and rebuild the world. The prime example is the story of the Great Flood. There is a destructive power in nature. God’s world contains forces that are beyond our wildest dreams, so we would be wise to respect both the forces of nature and the forces of God. We can’t challenge God’s truth and justice, because they are both swift and just. God wields his power with love and compassion.

If we take time to develop the habit of seeing God in our lives, we will be able to withstand the most trying times in our lives. When the Holy Spirit breathes new life into us, we can expect that it will be consistent with the character of Christ even though we might not be able to anticipate everything it will mean.

Our Christian life with God is like a song that is ready to be written. He loves to hear our praise. He will put a song in our hearts that will be the sweetest melody that we can enjoy for the rest of our lives. Just like the angels sang “Glory to God” at Christ’s birth, we are to give God glory in every circumstance in our lives. We don’t have to be a great singer to sing praise to God as long as we praise him every day. We can praise him when we do our household chores or serve others behind the scenes. When we show that Jesus is in our lives and reflect his character to those around us, we will make God happy.

Bibliography

1. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
2. Dr. R.C. Sproul, “Witnessing His Glory.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
3. Williams, D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 14: Psalms 73-150 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1989: pp. 239-242)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
6. “Sing to Me.” Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
7. Carol A. Solovitz, “God Pause for Tues., June 3, 2014.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
8. Ron Moore, “Beyond the Last Note.” Retrieved from www.ronmore.org
9. Ron Moore, “Significant in Christ.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org
10. Joni Eareckson Tada, “What Makes God Happy?” Retrieved from communications@joniandfriends.org
11. Alan Brehm, “The Waking Dreamer.” Retrieved from http://thewakingdreamer.blogspot.ca/2010/06/breath-of-god-acts-21-21-ps.html
12. Matthew Stith, “Commentary on Psalm 104:24-34,35b.” Retrieved from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=320

Zoe sat at the edge of her bed and put on a pair of white socks. Then she looked up and saw her brother, Jackson, standing in her doorway wearing one black sock and one white sock. Zoe laughed. “Your socks don’t match,” she said.

Jackson looked down at his outfit. “They do too. The black one matches my black jeans and the white one matches my white t-shirt.” Jackson smiled a big toothy grin, and Zoe rolled her eyes and smirked.

Just then Dad came out of his room holding a black sock and a white sock. “Have either of you seen the match to either of these socks?” he asked.

“Yeah,” said Zoe. “On Jackson’s feet!” Jackson was slightly big for his age, so he and Dad could share socks. Dad shook his head as Jackson stood on one foot and yanked the black sock off, then handed it to him in exchange for the white sock.

After breakfast, they met in the living room for their morning devotions. “Time to get spiritually dressed for the day,” Dad said.

“But we’re already dressed,” said Jackson, looking down at his clothes. “We even have matching socks!”

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” said Dad. “Let’s try it from a different angle. Why is it important to wear socks?”

“Well, socks help keep our feet warm and dry,” Zoe said.

“And they protect our feet from getting hurt by rubbing against our shoes,” Jackson added.

Dad nodded. “The Bible talks about putting on spiritual clothes that help and protect us called the armor of God. It helps us remember His promises and protects us from the devil’s attacks. And one of the pieces of armor we need to put on is the gospel of peace on our feet.”

“How do we do that?” Zoe asked.

“By reminding ourselves that Jesus has saved us from sin and given us new hearts, and that we have victory over Satan through Him. One good way to do that is to read God’s Word and remember what Jesus has done for us every day so we can feel His peace in our lives and obey Him.”

Jackson smiled. “Well, let’s get started,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m wearing matching gospel socks!”

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a spiritual war. We’re fighting an unseen enemy. He uses deceit, deflection and disguise. It’s getting worse and the devil is becoming much more real. We have to take this seriously because we have a crisis on our hands. We have to do something to prevent disaster.

There’s no shortage of passages in the New Testament that characterize the Christian life as a battle. Paul urges Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 to wage spiritual warfare. In 1 Timothy 6:12 Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Paul urges all of us in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave and be strong.

Our spiritual battle plan is similar to a military battle plan. We have objectives, strategies and tactics. Satan and Jesus plan their attacks and direct their forces just like a military general does. We have to put on spiritual armour just like soldiers have to put on battle armor. Our struggle with evil will result in certain victory because of God’s promise to be with us in good times and in bad times. God helps us in our struggles. He will stand with us during the battles of life. He will give us the ammunition and the equipment we need to fight the battle. 

In Ephesians 6:10-12 Paul urges us to put on the armour of God. This armour gives us the protection and weapons we need to fight this battle. We are trying to make progress toward God’s Kingdom, and Satan tries to resist us.

As Christians, we are called to join this fight. All believers have been drafted into this army,. We can either join the fight or stand in the background and be miserable. We don’t know when and where the devil will attack, but he often tempts us during vulnerable moments such as when we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. We have to be prepared all the time for an attack. Satan is deceptive. We won’t recognize the trap as an evil scheme. It will seem good, and we’ll likely wrestle with some sort of doubt.

Today’s culture floods us with temptations and worldly thinking that encourage us to be puffed up, to lust, to covet, and more. Our flesh relishes these sins. It works to convince us that we don’t need God. Satan conspires to use both the world and our flesh to thwart the work of God in our lives.

Modern theology is almost entirely about how we can make things better for ourselves. When we study the Bible, we realize that it’s not just about making us feel better. It’s also about making us better soldiers of Jesus Christ. We might feel that we’re powerless. We might be afraid. Letting fear or our own weaknesses keep us from the battle is not acceptable. It’s like the old saying that “failure is not an option.” God calls us to be fearless. We don’t have to rely on our strength. God will strengthen us with His might and His armour.

In order to fight our enemy, it’s best to understand our enemy first. Most Christians don’t take the enemy seriously because they don’t know enough about him to take him seriously. Some Christians think that the devil is a Biblical symbol for evil. The Bible tells us that the devil is every bit as literal as God is. Symbols can’t do things such as deceive, murder, tempt, destroy, lie, accuse or control. Satan is active in human affairs today. The whole world is under his control. God has given Satan authority on the earth for a while, but one day God will take it back.

Our attempts to live victoriously in Christ when in a hostile environment could become frightening if we did not believe that God provides for us in every trial. As believers in Jesus Christ, baptized in His kingdom and covered by His blood, we have authority and power over the forces of darkness. Even though we have sinned and made mistakes, we have authority that Jesus has delegated to us. We are engaged in a battle, but we can walk in His power, claim His Name, and watch as He fights for us.

The armour of God is Christ Himself. God has given us enough faith to make sure we are covered from head to toe. It, like a long and wide shield, is enough to cover any need that will ever come along in our lives.

So how do we use the armour of God when we’re waging spiritual warfare? Knowing Bible references will help. Memorizing Scripture allows us to have it in mind so we can fight off Satan’s attacks. In Matthew 4:11, when the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Christ fought him off by quoting Scripture. We can share His Word with others and encourage them to trust Him.

So how can we fight the enemies of today and win? The answer is simple. We have to use weapons that are similar in nature to weapons used by soldiers in times of war. These similar weapons are outlined by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-17. Each piece of this armour of God is an ethical quality which is derived from the character of Christ and which is ours through faith.

First, we have to put on our helmets. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Just like a physical helmet protects soldiers in battle, a spiritual helmet protect Christian soldiers. A soldier on the battlefield has confidence that his helmet will protect his head, and a Christian soldier has confidence that nothing can separate him or her from the love of God. As Paul says in Romans 8:31-39, if God is for us, who can be against us?

If our shield of faith is leaking and our daily victory is elusive, the helmet of salvation guarantees our victory. The helmet also provides coverage for the most critical part of our body: our mind, where spiritual battles are either won or lost. As we fight spiritual warfare on a daily basis, we can stand firm knowing that our salvation does not come and go with our success or failure in a spiritual battle. Our salvation is our eternal possession. We are children of God, and nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.

Next, we are to arm ourselves with weapons. In the case of a soldier on the battlefield, these weapons include guns and grenades. On the spiritual battlefield, the weapon is the truth of the Word of God. It is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Paul’s list of spiritual armour. We are to defend ourselves against Satan’s attacks by speaking and reading God’s Word. Satan tries to influence us by planting thoughts in our heads, but he can’t read our thoughts. If we’re going to resist Satan, we have to do so verbally so he can understand us and be put to flight.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. We need to practice with it regularly so that we become proficient in using it, just like someone who takes part in the sport of fencing has to practice regularly. How much effort do we spend on training with the sword of the spirit, also known as the word of God, the Bible? Are we half-hearted with it? Do we study it and put verses to memory? Do we know our way around it and can find passages when we need to?

General Jesus commands us to take up the sword. We are to do so until we get to heaven. The Spirit alone can show us how to use it effectively. It’s ours to use under His guidance and leading. It isn’t to be used for defence, but for attack. The enemy is up close and personal and we can’t throw spears or shoot arrows at him. We need a powerful weapon for close quarter fighting and this is it.

We are to wear a belt. A soldier’s belt allows him to carry his weapons. A spiritual warrior wears the belt of truth-truth about himself or herself, relationships, God and God’s love, our spouses and children and relatives. The belt of truth allows us to live truthfully and not live a lie. The belt of truth is the best weapon to use for fighting evil.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am…the truth.” Because Christ is in us, the truth is in us. When we learn to live in the truth on a daily basis, we will grow to love the truth because we have nothing to hide. The truth will set us free because it is one of the strongest spiritual weapons we have in our arsenal.

We are also to arm ourselves with shields of protection. Ephesians 6:14,16 tells us to “Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness… Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.” A soldier on the battlefield today or a police officer on duty wears a bulletproof vest and a helmet. Riot police are also equipped with face shields and full-length body shields. A Christian soldier has the resources of the greatest shield of all-Jesus Christ. He stands with us and fights with us and for us against Satan’s attacks.

Biblical faith is simply what we believe about God and His Word. The more we know about God and His Word, the more faith we will have and the bigger our shields will be. The less we know, the smaller our shield will be and the easier it will be for one of Satan’s fiery darts to reach its target. These darts are nothing more than lies, accusations and temptations bombarding our minds. When a deceptive thought, accusation or temptation enters our minds, we can meet it head-on with what we know to be true about God and His Word.

If we are living in Christ, we will have to take our shots too. Satan will do everything he can to convince us that we are not who Christ says we are. Guilt and shame from our sins will be aimed at our hearts with the intent of killing us. We might even get knocked down hard. The intent of God’s breastplate of righteousness is not to perfect us, it is to protect us and our hearts today.

A good soldier also needs good footwear. Soldiers wear boots that have to meet tough regulations. Christians are to wear the sandals of peace as Paul commands us in Ephesians 6:15: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.” Just like a soldier’s boots provide traction for every type of terrain, the good spiritual boot called the Gospel gives us stability and sure footing when we face pain and fear. These spiritual boots will allow us to take the gospel anywhere and everywhere, just like a soldier’s boots will allow him to go anywhere and everywhere.

The shoes of peace provide protection against the divisive schemes of the devil when we act as a peacemaker among believers. Peacemakers bring people together by promoting fellowship and reconciliation. Anyone can divide a fellowship, but it takes the grace of God to unite us in Him.

Too many Christians insist on common doctrine as the basis for fellowship. They reason that if we don’t think the same and believe the same, there is no basis for peace. Common doctrine isn’t the basis for fellowship.; common heritage is. We are all children of God. If we wait for fellowship with someone until we agree perfectly on every point of doctrine, we will be the loneliest Christians on earth. Instead of insisting on the unity of the mind, we can preserve the unity of the Spirit by taking the initiative to be the peacemaker in our relationships.

The best weapon we have is prayer. Prayer is not a tangible piece of armour, but Paul summed up his message on spiritual armour with an eager command to pray. Our spiritual armour comes from God and is only empowered by God as we seek Him through prayer.

When we put on the armour of God, we are really putting on Christ. When we put on Christ, we take ourselves out of the realm of the flesh, where we are vulnerable to attack. We place ourselves within the dominion of Christ, where the devil can’t attack us. Satan has nothing on Christ, and to the extent that we put on Christ, the devil can’t touch us.

The belt, breastplate and shoes are made possible when we receive Christ and in which we are commanded to stand firm. They, along with the rest of the armour, have already been supplied to us by God. We have all we need to win this war. Our strength is supplied by God’s grace. He equips us to live the life to which we have been called. 

Spiritual warfare is everywhere, even in the church. We only have to look at the empty pews in most churches today to see that this is true. Spiritual warfare disguised as other activities on Sunday morning or church dissention keeps people away from church. People who don’t attend church for reasons such as not liking the minister or the order of service or the music or taking part in other activities on Sunday morning are on the side of the devil. He hides the real reason why people need to attend church. He doesn’t tell them that the real reason to go to church is to worship God, especially with other believers.

Is it even possible to live peaceably with others? In a newspaper column that appeared a few years ago, Billy Graham was asked why nations can’t get along with each other. He was also asked if warfare could be eliminated if poverty was eliminated. He stated in his reply that “Even if all poverty were somehow eliminated we’d still have conflicts and wars. This is because our real problem is deeper than economic inequality, or other social or economic problems. Our real problem is within ourselves, within our own hearts and minds.”

What help do we have to stand firm against attacks from Satan and his allies? We have:

1. Truth: It protects us against damaging lies.
2. Righteousness (by faith through grace in Christ): It annihilates our sins.
3. Peace: It guides our hearts and minds. It motivates us to share the hope of Jesus.
4. Faith: It protects us from attacks and extinguishes the flaming darts of the devil.
5. Salvation: In Christ alone. It conquers death. It is finished. Team Jesus has won.
6. The sword of the Spirit: The word of God. Inherent. Flawless. It guides us in all truth.
7. Pray in the Spirit: It connects us to God’s power.

If we need more inspiration, all we have to do is sing the old hymn “Stand Up, Stand up for Jesus”:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:

From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:

Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;

Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,

The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;

Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,

Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: Answers to Questions About Spiritual Warfare (San Diego, CA: Turning Point for God; 2014)
2. Craig Condon, “Spiritual Warfare and Real Warfare.” Retrieved from the author’s personal library.
3. Anne Cetas, “Time for the Armour.” Retrieved from noreply@rbc.org
4. Charles R. Swindoll, “The Shadow of the Giant, Part 2”. Retrieved from www.insightforliving.ca
5. Bayless Conley, “The Reality of the Battle.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
6. Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

• Dr. Neil Anderson, “The Helmet of Salvation.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Dr. Neil Anderson, “The Shield of Faith.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Dr. Neil Anderson, “The Shoes of Peace.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Dr. Neil Anderson, “The Belt of Truth.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Dr. Neil Anderson, “The Full Armor of God.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Dr. Tony Evans, “Grace Fully Supplied.” Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/devotionals/alternative-view-tony-evans-/alternative-view-november-11-2014.html#
• Dr. Charles Stanley, “Enduring Satanic Attacks.” Retrieved from https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/in-touch/in-touch-nov-12-2010-1164088.html#allpass.container
• Paul Estabrooks, “Armor of God.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Pete Briscoe, “Experiencing Life Today-May 25, 2015.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Rick Renner, “The Shield of Faith.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
• Michael Youssef, Ph.D.,” Faithful in Battle.” Retrieved from noreply@ltw.org
• Dr. David Jeremiah, “Praying on the Armor.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
• Bill Crowder, “Courageous Stand.” Retrieved from donotreply@email.rbc.org
• Peter Hoytema, “Prayer and Spiritual Warfare.” Retrieved from today@thisistoday.net
• Pastor Greg Laurie, “It’s Time to Fight Back.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
• Philip Asselin, “Take the Sword.” Retrieved from info@seedsofthekingdom.net
• Gwen Smith, “Standing Firm When Your Faith Feels Flimsy.” Retrieved from http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends
• Melissa Yeagle, “Gospel Socks.” Retrieved from info@keysforkids.org
• George Duffield, “Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus.” Retrieved from https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Stand_Up_Stand_Up_for_Jesus/

Do you enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles? They can be a lot of fun. The pieces of the puzzle are in many different sizes, shapes, colors. If you look at one piece of the puzzle, you don’t get very much of the picture, do you? No, the pieces are not very important by themselves, but when they are all joined together and become one, they show the total picture.

A jigsaw puzzle can teach us an important lesson about the church. The church is made up of many individual members. Like the pieces of a puzzle, the members of a church come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Jesus himself prayed that the church would be one so that the world would see God’s love in us. We are part of the picture. Jesus wants us to love one another, help one another, and serve one another. When we do that, we become one, just as Jesus prayed we would be, and when we are one, the world can see God’s love in us.

Unfortunately, just as it is sometimes difficult to put all of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together, the individual members of the church sometimes have a hard time being one with each other. We may hear people in the church saying things like “I don’t like the songs we sing” or “The preacher preaches too long.” When we say things like that and concentrate on our own likes and dislikes, we are no longer being one. We are like the individual pieces of the puzzle. The world cannot see God’s love in us. They don’t get the whole picture.

If you ever find yourself thinking about yourself, rather than being united with others in the church, remember that Jesus prayed that we would be one. When we are one, bound together by Christ’s love, the world will see God’s love through us.

When Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a human baby, He united Himself to us in our humanity by taking on human flesh. He went on to live a perfect life, obeying God in all things. He died a sacrificial death. He took the punishment we deserved. Through our faith in Christ and what He did for us in His life, death and resurrection, we are united to Him. This means that His perfect life is now ours. God looks at us and sees Christ’s righteousness. The death he died is ours. God accepts Christ’ s payment as though we paid it ourselves.

Our unity with Christ creates and shapes our unity with other believers. We are united to Christ through our justification and united to one another through our adoption. Though we come to faith as an individual, once we are a believer, we become part of the family of God.

Jesus wants his cross to be given to all people-the cross that contains his promise to include all people in his resurrection. As Jesus and the Father are one, never judging each other, never excluding the other, but working together to bring life to the world, so Jesus prays that all people be given his life, eternal life, a life of mercy and forgiveness.

When Jesus prayed for those who will believe in Him, He was praying for every believer who would come to know Him into the future. Jesus prays that all of His people throughout all time will be one. He wants unity to be rooted in Himself and God-the unity that Jesus and God have in each other. This unity can be revealed in all of us. As Christ’s love is perfected in us, the world is challenged. The church will become God’s call to the world. Everyone will eventually know that Jesus was sent by God to be our witness. God’s love will distinguish us as His disciples. He is in us. It is His love that will enable us to fulfill Jesus’ command to love one another.

Jesus wants us to be united with Him in glory. We will be united with Him in God’s love because we have been united with Him on earth. Christians who operate on the same agenda as Jesus understand these things as His heartbeat: He longs that the Father be glorified, that His followers would be sanctified, and that the church would be unified to reach the world for Him.

The world is a battleground. There is constant spiritual warfare between the forces of God and Satan. Jesus prayed that God will keep His people pure and give them joy, peace and unity. He also prayed that God would protect His people from Satan’s power.

The power of Christian unity is God’s love within His people.  There are people who have never known Him. They have rejected Him. Those who know Him now and love Him will be transformed and will be with Him in heaven.

The basis of the unity Jesus prays for is the adherence to the revelation God showed to the first disciples through Jesus. We are to be united in a common belief of the truth that was received in God’s Word.

Christians are all redeemed by the same blood and are going to heaven. They have the same wants, the same enemies, the same joys. They are divided into different denominations, but they will be united in heaven. They are all children of God. This unity will be complete when there are no controversies, no envying, no arguments, no jealousies.

When we do what Jesus calls us to do, unity happens. That doesn’t mean we will agree about everything. It does mean we’ll have a humble spirit of unity. If we want to have this unity, we have to stay on mission. We can’t allow division to gain a foothold among the body of Christ. When we as Christians fight and bicker among ourselves, we encourage other people not to listen to God’s Word.

When we join together, we reveal God’s love in ways that can’t be seen when we try to do things alone. Our efforts are multiplied because of our obedience. People will respond to God in a much greater dimension when we operate in unity.

Unfortunately, competition has penetrated the church so much that many churches and Christian organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They see their mission as a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians-donors, members, influence-all in the name of God. When God sees this, He probably asks Himself, “Whatever happened to John 17:23?” Sometimes we have to remind our fellow Christian servants that we are all on the same team. We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of God, not increase our own market share.

What is happening in the church is a reflection of what is happening in society, especially in large urban centres. Families are spread out from coast to coast. We barely know our neighbours. We see ourselves as individuals, living as individuals and concerned with our individual welfare. As a result, we isolate ourselves and immerse ourselves in the virtual reality of television, Internet and video games. These are poor substitutes for real flesh and blood relationships.

There is a statement about believers: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” The word essentials refers to the most important theological doctrines like that of the Bible being the Word of God, Jesus Christ being the only way to the Father, and salvation coming through Christ and Christ alone. Those are the essentials. We don’t ever flex on essentials.

But in nonessentials, liberty. What are nonessentials? Things like the style of music. Some people like it loud. Some people like it soft. Some people like a certain style. Some people like another style. These are secondary issues. We should never divide over them.

Finally, in all things, charity, which is another word for love. God calls us to be loving.

What is Jesus’ concern for those to come? It’s not about dogma or right belief. It’s not about who’s in and who’s out. It’s not about proper behaviour or perfect speech. Jesus’ concern is that they know their oneness with God. It fills them fully and completely with God’s love.

Jesus longs for a community of believers that understand God works in and through them. He wants a community of believers that know they are in and through God. Jesus wants a community of misfits that somehow know deep within what it means to be in God and God in them.

When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, He gave us the key to bringing salvation to many. He was telling us that when His body is unified, the non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is-the Son of God. Are we contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are we contributing to a spirit of competition? We should ask God how we can be an instrument of unity in His Body.

The unity of the church is essential to its mission to reach out to a hurting world. If humankind sees people of many differences and diversities living in joyous common cause and unwavering, grateful commitment to each other, and if these united people say that the love of Christ has done it and lives in their unity, then conclusions may be reached about Jesus-and perhaps about the Oneness of love that is God.

Jesus wants us to experience the priceless gift of unity. He knows it is a means of grace that will help us grow deeper in love with Him and walk by faith. God doesn’t throw us into life as Christians without also giving us a means of knowing Him and how to show His love to others. God’s Word is our roadmap and along with fellow believers God helps us better understand how to live out His Word.

This unity is not so much realized as the result of weighty theological discussions, but in working together to stand alongside those who have been enslaved and are now free. This is a unity of action and love lived out for the sake of all who have been set free and are now trying to live into that freedom.

Believers come from all over the world. Despite these differences, they are united by their love of God and their desire to see His Kingdom on earth. The best way to maintain that unity is to pray for each other-just like Jesus did.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp.1472)
2. “We are One.” Retrieved from www.Sermons4KIds.com
3. Fredrikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 248-250)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr,: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1494-1497)
6. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 12 Bible software package.
7. Os Hillman, “Listening to the Father’s Heart-February 27, 2019.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
8. Os Hillman, “The Spirit of Competition.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
9. Sharon Betters, “Life-Giving Encouragement Happens in Community.” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
10. Dr. Jack Graham, “The Key in Creating Christian Unity.” Retrieved from www.jackgraham.org
11. “John in 21: Chapter 17.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
12. Pastor Greg Laurie, “Unity, Liberty and Charity.” Retrieved from www.harvest.org
13. Christian Fox, “United in Christ for Community,” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
14. Dr. Paul Simpson Duke, “John 17:20-26.” Retrieved from https://blogs.baylor.edu/truettpulpit/2016/04/25/john-1720-26/
15. Alan Brehm, “That the World May Believe.” Retrieved from http://thewakingdreamer.blogspot.com/2013/05/that-world-may-beleive.htm
16. “Sounds Like a Plan.” Retrieved from  http://crossings.org/text-study/7th-sunday-of-easter-gospel-year-c/
17. Rev. Janet Hunt, “A Slave Girl Set Free and the Unity to Which Jesus Calls Us.” Retrieved from http://dancingwiththeword.com/a-slave-girl-set-free-and-the-unity-Jesus-calls-us-to/