Pentecost Sunday
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday – the day we remember the coming of the Spirit. Where would we be without the Spirit?
- It is the Spirit who applies Christ’s salvation to us (I Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5-7).
- It is the Spirit who helps and teaches us (John 14:26).
- It is the Spirit who intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
- It is the Spirit who sanctifies us – making us holy and producing in us the “fruit of the Spirit” (I Peter 1:2, Galatians 5:22-23)
- It is the Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
We have so many reasons to celebrate the coming of the Spirit!
For more on this, consider: A Pentecost to Celebrate – Ryan Griffith (Desiring God)
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Secular Salvation Story – Kevin DeYoung
The secular salvation story is a derivative and deviant version of the older Christian narrative. It tells the story of self, authenticity, and acceptance.
The Curious Incident of Modern Evangelism – Justin Taylor
When Christians meet, they talk to each other about their Christian work and Christian interests, their Christian acquaintances, the state of the churches, and the problems of theology — but rarely of their daily experience of God. (J. I. Packer)
What Do You Do When the Word Leaves You Cold – David Murray
We remember the impact sermons made on us in the past – deep impressions, piercing convictions, powerful drawings – but now we feel like cold lifeless statues as we listen to the same preachers preaching similar sermons. What’s gone wrong?
Prayerlessness Is Selfishness – Tim Challies
If I believe that prayer works, if I believe that prayer is a means through which the Lord acts, if I believe that God chooses to work through prayer in powerful ways and in ways he may not work without prayer, then it is selfish of me not to pray. To pray is to love; not to pray is to be complacent, to be unloving, to be selfish.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with God and your local church!
Never Fully Estimate
O my most tender God and Father,
I can never fully estimate the stoop of Thy majesty
in deigning to love me,
nor the greatness of Thy generosity
in inviting me to have fellowship with Thee.
Give me I pray Thee,
grace to value such priceless goodness,
and every day to live in habitual fellowship with Thee.
– Charles Spurgeon
The Hole In Our Holiness
I recently read The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung, a much needed book to refocus our eyes on what God has called his people to be. Here are a few good quotes to ponder and live out:
The Great Commission is about holiness. God wants the world to know Jesus, believe in Jesus, and obey Jesus. We don’t take the Great Commission seriously if we don’t help each other grow in obedience.
The faith that joins you to Christ and makes you right with God is a faith that works itself out in love.
Christians should display a consistent pattern of obedience, along with a quick habit of going to God for cleansing when they are disobedient.
Holiness is not ultimately about living up to a moral standard. It’s about living in Christ and living out of our real, vital union with him…. Our progress in the pursuit of holiness comes largely from understanding and appropriating our union with Christ.
When it comes to sanctification, it’s more important where you’re going than where you are. Direction matters more than position. Your future progress speaks louder than your present placement.
Repentance is a way of life for the holy child of God.
Regret feels bad about past sins. Repentance turns away from past sins. Regret looks to our own circumstances. Repentance looks to God.
Passion News: Homeschooling
The German Romeike family seeking asylum in the U.S. from persecution in Germany related to homeschooling lost their case this week before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals:
German Family Denied Asylum, HSLDA Appeals – HSLDA
German Homeschool Case May Impact U.S. Homeschool Freedom – Michael Farris (HSLDA)
Do Christian Parents Have a Fundamental Right to Homeschool? – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)
Passion News: Abortion
The abortionist Kermit Gosnell was convicted and sentenced this week for killing babies after they were born, but the battle against infanticide is just beginning:
Kermit Gosnell Sentenced – Fox News
9 Things You Should Know About the Gosnell Infanticide and Murder Trial – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)
Kermit Gosnell and the Logic of “Pro-Choice” – Matthew Franck (Witherspoon Institute)
Infanticide: The Coming Battle – Mike Bird (Bible Society)
What Prayer Is
Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out
of the heart or soul to God through Christ,
in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit,
for such things as God hath promised,
or according to the Word, for the good of the Church,
in Faith, to the will of God.
– John Bunyan
An Example of Prayer
In Acts 12, Herod throws Peter in prison. How does the church respond? With prayer. They seek the aid of the King of Kings who is greater than a mere earthly king. Their prayer response provides us with a good example for prayer today. Consider that their prayer was:
- Corporate – Verse 12 says, “…many were gathered together and were praying.” They believed in the importance of corporate prayer. They believed in the church coming together to pray. In our individualistic culture, we often miss this. But the early church was a community, and they prayed together. Do we pray corporately?
- Earnest – Verse 5 says, “…earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Their prayer was earnest. The same word is used of Jesus’ prayer in the garden as he sweated blood. Their prayer was not half-hearted or mere duty. They cried out to God. They pleaded with God. Do we pray earnestly?
- Extended – Verses 4-6 make clear that Peter was in prison for at least a couple of days. And during that whole time, the church prayed. Day in and day out. They were even praying through the night when Peter escaped. Undoubtedly they had to stop to work and sleep, but when they could, they gathered to pray. When a significant trial comes upon our church, do we pray extendedly?
- Expectant – Lest we think the early church were super-Christians, verses 13-16 make clear that they failed in this area of prayer. When Rhoda tells them Peter is at the door, they think that she is out of her mind. What irony that they are knocking on the door of heaven, and the answer to their prayer is knocking on their door – and they don’t believe it. Do we pray expectantly?
Ascension Sunday
Tomorrow is an important day. Most know it as Mother’s Day, but it is also Ascension Sunday. Though often overlooked, the ascension is an essential part of the work of Christ. Consider just four results of the ascension:
- The Spirit has come (John 16:5-7)
- Jesus reigns over all (Ephesians 1:20-23)
- Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25)
- Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:3)
For a further look at the ascension, you might consider the following:
- Happy Ascension Day – Kevin DeYoung
- He Is Ascended, So What? – Chuck Colson
Hope you have a great day celebrating the ascension of our Lord and Savior!
Brian J. Mikul 