Day of Pentecost: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or 7:37-39

Speaking the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

‘No one can say “Jesus is Lord”except by the Holy Spirit’(1 Corinthians 12:3).

‘In Jerusalem’, on ‘the day of Pentecost’, there are ‘Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven’ (Acts 2:1, 5). They are ‘amazed’ at what they hear – ‘we hear them telling in our own tongue the mighty works of God’ (Acts 2:7-11).

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ (John 16:14). ‘To God be the glory! Great things He hath done!’(Church Hymnary, 374).

Speaking ‘as the Spirit gave them utterance’, the apostles pave the way for Peter’s bold proclamation: ‘God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified’ (Acts 2:36).

Empowered ‘by the Holy Spirit’, this message – ‘Jesus is Lord’ – is still God’s way of bringing people to Himself.

When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied (Numbers 11:25): Preaching Christ and praying for the Spirit’s power, let us look to God for His blessing.

The Holy Spirit leads us to worship the Lord.

‘I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live’ (Psalm 104:33).

Do you feel like giving up? Other things are becoming more important to you. Worshipping the Lord is being pushed out to the edge of your life. Wrong attitudes are creeping in.

It starts with the idea, ‘Worship’s just an hour on a Sunday’. Then, it becomes, ‘I’ll worship the Lord when I feel like it’. It soon becomes, ‘I’ll worship the Lord when I’ve nothing better to do’. Before long, all desire for worshipping the Lord has gone! Little-by-little, you are drifting away from the Lord.

It’s time to start thinking about what’s happening. It’s time for a new beginning. It’s time for an ‘all my life’ commitment to worshipping the Lord – not just on a Sunday, not only when I feel like it, not only ‘when there’s nothing better to do’!

The Holy Spirit leads us to serve the Lord.

Paul speaks about ‘gifts of the Spirit.’ They are ‘given for the common good’ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

We’re not ‘to show off’: ‘Look at me. The Church can’t do without me’.

When we draw attention to ourselves rather than Christ, we are not living ‘by the Spirit of God.’

He moves us to say, with our whole heart, ‘Jesus is Lord’ (1 Corinthians 12:3). We live in fellowship with one another: ‘the body does not consist of one member but of many’ (1 Corinthians 12:14).

‘I’m happy – as long as I’m getting my own way’: We can do without this kind of attitude! What about ‘the common good’?

Sometimes, things don’t go according to my plan. Perhaps, my plan needs revising – to take account of ‘the common good.’

When self raises its ugly head – ‘It’s my way or no way at all’ – let’s not forget the ‘still more excellent way’ (1 Corinthians 12:3).

It is the way of love – Christ’s love!

The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus.

* In Jesus, we see the presence of the Spirit.

‘Rivers of living water’ were flowing out of Jesus’ heart. ‘No man ever spoke like this man’! ‘The Spirit’ was speaking through Him with power (John 7:37-39).

* From Jesus, we receive the gift of the Spirit.

The disciples are filled with ‘fear.’ Jesus comes to them. He gives them His ‘peace’ and ‘joy.’ From Jesus, they receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:19-20, 23).

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The Bible Readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary – Year A.