5/30 - 5/31/2020 (May 30/31, 2020) | Pentecost
Pentecost is the birthday of the church. Christ was crucified, rose again, spent thirty days with his disciples, then ascended to heaven. Pentecost takes place 40 days after Easter Sunday and is a day of celebration. The purest meaning of Pentecost is that of a time of renewal for Christian believers. It’s a day focused on evangelism, empowerment from the Holy Spirit, deeper intimacy with God, and fellowship. The celebration of Pentecost imparts faith, hope, a sharing of community, and an awareness of a purpose much greater than ourselves.
The disciples must have been thrilled to have Jesus back. Their simple and impatient question reveals it all: “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?” Their anxious readiness for redemption leads to impatient prodding. When will Jesus give us the final victory? How can we persevere when he isn’t with us physically? Why won’t he do what we want him to?
The words we read in today’s scripture are spoken by the man we read about last week who simply stood by and watched the first martyr be killed. Between these two passages, the worst enemy of the Gospel became God’s most outspoken witness. He, the most unexpected candidate, found transformation in Christ. We can too.
In the face of the worst and most difficult circumstances, Stephen persevered in his witness. While we focus this week on the climactic end of Stephen’s journey, his courageous witness began long before his martyrdom. How do we choose to be brave like Stephen, not just in the big moments, but in every moment?
5/2 - 5/3/2020 (May 2/3, 2020) | Simple Practices
As Wesleyan Christians, we hold to the belief that we are always going on to Christian perfection. Are we truly devoted to the teachings of scripture, to sharing meals, to prayer and thanksgiving? What do these practices develop within us? “A sense of awe came over everyone.” When was the last time we allowed ourselves to be “awed” by God, not because of magnificent church buildings or events, but in the simple practices of our faith?
While we are trinitarian people, we don’t often get the chance to focus on the third person of the Trinity. What is the gift of the Spirit? How does the Spirit show up in our lives? How do we recognize and connect with the Spirit? In this time of social distancing, we are called to realize what bonds us together is stronger than proximity: the Spirit makes us the Body of Christ.
What brings us through difficult times? Confidence in Christ. Not that Jesus will solve all of our problems, but that God is fully present with us in all circumstances. As we read, we will focus specifically on vs. 25-28. We are called to have confidence in Christ, but how do we cultivate that within ourselves?
4/12/2020 (April 11/12, 2020) | Easter Sunday
The church is a people that continues on throughout history, even after the biggest setback of Christ dying. Because God never leaves us, we can always continue on.