May Jottings

By this time next month you will probably know more about the Holy Spirit than you ever thought you would. Starting April 26 and going for five weeks, we have our series “Faith Aflame.” So why this emphasis on the Holy Spirit you may ask? Here are a few reasons:

- the Last Sunday in the series in Pentecost

- We promote our belief in the Trinity but give major attention to God the Father and God the Son but little or no attention to God the Holy Spirit

- the Holy Spirit plays a major role in our faith and Christian walk and we need to know how

- Jesus and Paul both emphasized the Holy Spirit

- we need to discern the false from the true where claims concern the Holy Spirit

In my own experience, my training in seminary and my interactions with Christians of many types as a missionary, I think I have a pretty good handle on what to believe about the Spirit and yet I find myself realizing that what I know in my head and what I practice in my life is often at variance and this is true concerning the Holy Spirit as well. John Wesley didn’t have a lot to say about speaking in tongues but he was a strong Trinitarian and emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in the assurance of our faith and in making and keeping us pure.

Even with the five week series we will not have covered every possible topic, so I encourage you to continue to read the Bible for yourself. Look at passages like I Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12 and the book of Acts on your own. See what is said about the Holy Spirit and pray for God to both help you understand and also to experience all that He has for you in regards to the Holy Spirit. As we do that as a community of followers of Christ, maybe it will not just be our faith that is aflame but our community as well.

- Pastor Brian