FROM THE FIRE SIDE: PENTECOST
Christians need to ask: Am I serving God through the power of the Spirit? Am I exercising the gifts of the Spirit in my life, both in the gathered church and as I live for God in the world? Pentecost is a time to ask God to fill us afresh with the Spirit so that we might join in the ministry of Christ with gusto. And it is a time to renew our commitment to fulfilling our crucial role in the ministry of God’ s people in the world.
So says The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary.
And I agree, we all ought to agree with that statement. It is missional, it is the only way to be if we are Christian. And it is so easy to read and to say it from the pulpit, but it isn’ t quite so simple is it.
First, how do we know what gift we have?
It’ s alright for the priest because its stating the blooming obvious( or is it?). If you want to know what your spiritual gifting is you must first ask God for it to be revealed to you. It is usually pointed out by others. E. g.“ you are so good at this or that”; or you yourself realize that you enjoy doing something you can share, or, you absolutely need to share something regardless of whether you enjoy doing it!!( I don’ t mean gossip or nasty criticism 😊) something that would help God’ s kingdom come i. e.,“ Lesley-ann have you considered doing / changing …. Or, would you like some help with …. Or, I think you should stop that, it isn’ t Godly!!!( gosh I do hope that isn’ t said to any of us
too often😊)
Second, why?
After the Holy Spirit fell upon the first followers of Jesus, Peter preached a sermon to help us understand what had just happened.
He quoted a portion of a prophecy from Joel:
‘ In the last days,’ God says,‘ I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants – men and women alike – and they will prophesy.( Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-29)
StOM Page 3