Pentecost Sunday – Celebrating the Church’s Birth and Ongoing Mission
In Acts 2:1-2, the Bible describes a sound like a rushing mighty wind filling the room where the disciples were gathered on the day of Pentecost.
It was 50 days after Easter as the mighty wind swept down. This wasn’t a random weather event, but a supernatural sign of the Holy Spirit’s arrival, descending upon the disciples and filling them with purpose and power. It marked the beginning of a new era – the era of the visible Church guided by the invisible God dwelling within.
This 19th of May, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Are we earnest to claim the Pentecost wind of revival, the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us to accomplish something extraordinary? The Holy Spirit can transform our lives too, filling us with the same purpose and power that ignited the early Church.
The Church belongs to God
God’s grand design, not human hands, set the stage for the Church’s story. From the very beginning, He envisioned a community of believers, a body united in faith. As promised, “even the gates of Hades would not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Jesus’ arrival, sacrifice and resurrection paved the way for this community in Christ (called the Church) to take root. On the day of Pentecost, the Church sprang to life. The “sound like a rushing mighty wind” (Acts 2:2) wasn’t just a dramatic show. It was the Holy Spirit launching the Church on its mission.
Christian leaders face a constant challenge to ward off the temptation to look at what the world is doing and then try to get the Church in step with the world. God desires the Church to be a beacon of truth, unwavering in its message, because the Church belongs to God. It is His Church, not ours.
Showing God’s tangible love to the world
The Church has a vital mission to communicate the love of God to a lost and dying world. Now if God wants to give us a miracle to do that, praise Him for it; but our mission isn’t dependent on waiting for spectacular miracles.
The Bible has been translated into over 10,000 languages and dialects, a testament to our ongoing effort to reach hearts across the globe. This mission isn’t reserved for clergy or celebrities. The moment you accept Christ, you become part of the movement. God commissions every Christian to share His message with the world.
Here is a story of Rollin Stewart, extracted from the Internet for illustration:
Rollin Stewart was an alcoholic. He met Jesus, accepted Him as his Savior, & became a Christian. One day, the idea struck him that if he could just get into major sporting events & put the Word of God before the people, it would be seen by hundreds of thousands, and maybe even millions of people.
So, for several years Rollin Stewart & his wife, Margaret, & a friend named William James, lived a very simple life. They averaged driving 55,000 miles a year in an old beat-up van, telling their story, and using the money they collected to buy tickets for major sporting events to hang out a sheet saying, “John 3:16.”
Don’t you wonder how many tens of thousands have turned to John 3:16 & read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” because of Rollin Stewart?
We are all called to action. Saved by Jesus, welcomed into His family, we are entrusted to share this message of hope with a world desperately needing it.
This is the core mission of the Church – to be a conduit of God’s love, transforming lives one message at a time.
The Church: A Unique Fellowship
It is also the goal of the Church to establish a unique fellowship.
Imagine the scene on the Day of Pentecost. 3,000 new believers, united by a shared experience. They all recognized their sins, repented, and received the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t just a religious conversion; it was a societal shift. They left behind a world of slavery & superstition, selfishness & greed; and entered a new fellowship. Suddenly, a powerful bond emerged. These 3,000, “born again” through forgiveness, were a beacon of hope for others. No wonder their numbers swelled – the Church offered what the world lacked.
Unlike most institutions focused on self-gain, the Church thrives on giving. We are called to be a distinct culture, an oasis in a harsh world. A place of refuge, like shade on a hot day or cool water to the thirsty. Here, rejection is replaced with acceptance and love. We become brothers and sisters, a united family of God.
Let us embrace this unique fellowship, offering love, acceptance, and a listening ear to those around us. Let the Church continue to be a beacon, drawing people not just to a message, but to a transformative community.
Conclusion
Can the wind of Pentecost blow in our lives today? Yes, absolutely!
As we celebrate Pentecost, may it be a time for spiritual renewal! Let’s open our hearts wide and invite the Holy Spirit to sweep in like a mighty wind to transform us for the better.
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