Only the Beginning

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John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

Today is Pentecost, a day set aside in the church’s calendar for commemorating “the birthday of the church.” Scriptures describe the Holy Spirit being given to Jesus’ followers on Pentecost (following the Jewish Feast of Weeks), empowering those first believers to take up the work that Jesus had begun when he walked among them. Filled with a new power, the Apostles began to proclaim the good news of Christ in such a way that onlookers from many nations could hear and understand in their own languages. Scholars point back to this event and see in it the origins of what know today as Church. Thousands of new believers came to faith in those first moments.

In the midst of the wind, the fire, the crowds and curiosity, there is also a quiet confirmation that Jesus—much like the Abba that he served—fulfilled all the promises he made to his followers when the Holy Spirit was given. The Holy Sprit’s presence announces that we are in a living relationship with God; God is not far off but ever present, and close at hand. Baptism and the giving of the Holy Sprit are properly viewed not as a culmination of religious endeavor, but as an initiation into a new life. A life in which God walks with us, responds to us, and faithfully fulfills his word in us.

Love's Legacy

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John 17:6-19

In addition to demonstrating his miracles, his power, his wisdom, and his compassion, Jesus set one other important example for his followers and friends: he was a man of prayer. Prayer, too often considered a “last resort” by those who live under the weighty delusion of self-sufficiency, is actually the foundation supporting all that Jesus said and did in the world. He prayed constantly, for prayer was live-giving communion with and connection to his “Abba.” Even as the end of his life neared, having done all to love “his own” in practical deeds, Jesus turned to prayer in order to cement his legacy of love for them.

It is fitting on a Mother’s Day weekend to raise up the role of prayer in establishing love’s legacy, for there has never been a loving parent who wouldn’t do all they can for their children.  But life in this world has limits, and those who once provided for and protected their children must all too soon watch their charges grow and make their own choices, suffering their own consequences. Even more suddenly, entire generations pass from this world altogether, leaving all the “control” to those who come after. When parents feel powerless to do anything more for their children, it is prayer that breaks through to God.

Prayer connects us to the eternal, to the “otherness” of God. Prayer steadies our unbelief and shores up our faith. The power and the presence of God in our prayers helps purify the love we feel toward others. And intercessory prayer influences the world in which we live, by bringing the full measure of God’s love into the world through the one who prays.

People leave all manner of legacies to their offspring—opportunities, material wealth, and even the genetic material that is passed on—and in our prayers for those we hold dear, we leave love’s legacy and release them into the gracious arms of God.

Dunamis: God Shows No Partiality

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Acts 10:34-48

Dunamis. An ancient word meaning power…strength…ability.  A word used by early Christians to describe things beyond description. The power to heal and make whole. Strength to sustain those exposed to withering oppression and persecution. Ability to reach across cultural and religious barriers, bringing the gospel of God to whoever is hungry for it. In the end, it was also the power to foster new power in others.

A central, defining characteristic of Christ’s church is the explosive growth that occurs whenever we experience the power of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from fear, a new boldness, an honest sharing of Christ’s love, transformational power and healing for the nations. These manifestations are not mere magic tricks or the product of social and political calculations, nor can they be sold for personal gain or glory. They are God’s expression of love, unleashed upon and through his church. This power causes ordinary people to become the conduit of God’s extraordinary grace.

Over these 5 weeks we will be sharing a glimpse of God’s power poured out upon the early church.  Easter has pointed the way. The tomb was opened. The scriptures were opened. Bread was broken and their eyes were opened. A whole new world was opened to them, and to us. A world of resurrection power…a whole people filled with Dunamis.

Dunamis: With One to Guide Me

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Acts 8:26-40

Dunamis. An ancient word meaning power…strength…ability.  A word used by early Christians to describe things beyond description. The power to heal and make whole. Strength to sustain those exposed to withering oppression and persecution. Ability to reach across cultural and religious barriers, bringing the gospel of God to whoever is hungry for it. In the end, it was also the power to foster new power in others.

A central, defining characteristic of Christ’s church is the explosive growth that occurs whenever we experience the power of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from fear, a new boldness, an honest sharing of Christ’s love, transformational power and healing for the nations. These manifestations are not mere magic tricks or the product of social and political calculations, nor can they be sold for personal gain or glory. They are God’s expression of love, unleashed upon and through his church. This power causes ordinary people to become the conduit of God’s extraordinary grace.

Over these 5 weeks we will be sharing a glimpse of God’s power poured out upon the early church.  Easter has pointed the way. The tomb was opened. The scriptures were opened. Bread was broken and their eyes were opened. A whole new world was opened to them, and to us. A world of resurrection power…a whole people filled with Dunamis.

Dunamis: They Were All Filled With the Holy Spirit

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Acts 4:23-37

Dunamis. An ancient word meaning power…strength…ability.  A word used by early Christians to describe things beyond description. The power to heal and make whole. Strength to sustain those exposed to withering oppression and persecution. Ability to reach across cultural and religious barriers, bringing the gospel of God to whoever is hungry for it. In the end, it was also the power to foster new power in others.

A central, defining characteristic of Christ’s church is the explosive growth that occurs whenever we experience the power of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from fear, a new boldness, an honest sharing of Christ’s love, transformational power and healing for the nations. These manifestations are not mere magic tricks or the product of social and political calculations, nor can they be sold for personal gain or glory. They are God’s expression of love, unleashed upon and through his church. This power causes ordinary people to become the conduit of God’s extraordinary grace.

Over these 5 weeks we will be sharing a glimpse of God’s power poured out upon the early church.  Easter has pointed the way. The tomb was opened. The scriptures were opened. Bread was broken and their eyes were opened. A whole new world was opened to them, and to us. A world of resurrection power…a whole people filled with Dunamis.

Dunamis: Holy Boldness

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Acts 4:1-22

Dunamis. An ancient word meaning power…strength…ability.  A word used by early Christians to describe things beyond description. The power to heal and make whole. Strength to sustain those exposed to withering oppression and persecution. Ability to reach across cultural and religious barriers, bringing the gospel of God to whoever is hungry for it. In the end, it was also the power to foster new power in others.

A central, defining characteristic of Christ’s church is the explosive growth that occurs whenever we experience the power of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from fear, a new boldness, an honest sharing of Christ’s love, transformational power and healing for the nations. These manifestations are not mere magic tricks or the product of social and political calculations, nor can they be sold for personal gain or glory. They are God’s expression of love, unleashed upon and through his church. This power causes ordinary people to become the conduit of God’s extraordinary grace.

Over these 5 weeks we will be sharing a glimpse of God’s power poured out upon the early church.  Easter has pointed the way. The tomb was opened. The scriptures were opened. Bread was broken and their eyes were opened. A whole new world was opened to them, and to us. A world of resurrection power…a whole people filled with Dunamis.

Dunamis: Healing and Wholeness

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Acts 3:1-16

Dunamis. An ancient word meaning power…strength…ability.  A word used by early Christians to describe things beyond description. The power to heal and make whole. Strength to sustain those exposed to withering oppression and persecution. Ability to reach across cultural and religious barriers, bringing the gospel of God to whoever is hungry for it. In the end, it was also the power to foster new power in others.

A central, defining characteristic of Christ’s church is the explosive growth that occurs whenever we experience the power of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from fear, a new boldness, an honest sharing of Christ’s love, transformational power and healing for the nations. These manifestations are not mere magic tricks or the product of social and political calculations, nor can they be sold for personal gain or glory. They are God’s expression of love, unleashed upon and through his church. This power causes ordinary people to become the conduit of God’s extraordinary grace.

Over these 5 weeks we will be sharing a glimpse of God’s power poured out upon the early church.  Easter has pointed the way. The tomb was opened. The scriptures were opened. Bread was broken and their eyes were opened. A whole new world was opened to them, and to us. A world of resurrection power…a whole people filled with Dunamis.