June 8, 2014 - Pentecost

Scriptures for June 8th: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34,35; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13; John 7:37-39; Theme: Pentecost; Song: Many Gifts, One Spirit UMH 114 1 Corinthians: This is an important scripture as we think about our spiritual gifts and how we are supposed to use them. We are all different people, we all have difference roles, God speaks to us in different ways. And yet we serve the same God. It is the same Spirit that leads us, and it is important for us realize that everything that we all do is for the same purpose – to usher in the kingdom of God hear on Earth. Sometimes it is so easy for us to disagree with one another, and to assume that other Christians do not know what they are talking about. And yet I think that is the big point of Pentecost. The tower of Babel proved that we cannot work together, we are all not on the same page. And yet it is important to realize that if we are in touch with God, God will put us in touch with others. It is the same spirit that lives in each of us. Acts: This is the official story of the Pentecost event. Jews from all over the world had come into Jerusalem for the 50 days after Passover celebration. But this year something was different. Everything that they had been waiting for had finally happened. They could stop waiting for change, because change was upon them. There were also 50 days since the resurrection. Jesus had said that the Holy Spirit would come and give you power, and the Spirit was indeed present. All of the pieces started to fall into place. People started to understand one another. People had been given the energy to witness to the love of Jesus Christ in their lives. The disciples had been waiting for this power for quite some time, and it was finally here. It was time to recognize that power and to harvest it for their lives, so they would have the power to change lives. Questions: What are some ways that prove that we in the church are not on the same page? What are some ways that you see that we are united, and God is using us? What spiritual gifts has God given you? How are you using them? How is the spirit empowering you to do your job? What do you do to listen to the spirit? How do you see the spirit working and making a difference in the world?