The speaker for this day was Pastor Andrew. I like this guy. He speaks well and gives me enough fodder to write. The difference this day was that I had walked to church instead of biking. I was feeling good and the praise and worship was fantastic. The speaker also did not disappoint with his well directed sermon. One of those days when all things went right. So here is the sermon in first person. The passage for meditation was taken from Ephesians:5:15-21
We are called Christians (those who follow the Lord). In the new testament, we the people of God have an identity i.e. spiritual ones. Three observation can be made about the holy spirit from the new testament. Will try to portray/ show the spiritual reference which will help us in our spiritual journey.
1st Observation: Spiritual people need the holy spirit. One cannot please God on our own, on our own talent, on our own credentials. God send us the power which would help us to please Him.
John: 14:15-18: Jesus is talking about another helper. The one who comes along with you in your spiritual journey. What Jesus says is that I will give you another helper who will help you in your spiritual journey. Basically the observation is we cannot please God on our own.
2nd Observation: Spiritual people need to be in balance. It is quite possible that we may not be in balance. How can we go out of balance in life. We may be intellectuals seeking reason in everything to believe. Some of us may be very emotional. The biblical pattern suggest we need to be both intellectual and emotional. Word of God tells us to the put our foot in both camps. Jesus was emotional. He cried at various instances in his stay on earth. Jesus was intellectual. As we look in Luke:24:32 we can observe that in their heart they became emotional as Jesus open their mind. Spiritual people can be conservative (resisting any change) or they may be radical (advocating only change). John 10:35: Jesus was radical as well as conservative. He says He comes not to abolish the law but to keep it. But at the same time Jesus was radical defying time and trend to talk to the prostitute, eat with poor and many such activities against established norms and practices.
If we only concentrate on the holy spirit then we go out of balance. Now the question is how to keep the balance. Colossi ans:3:16 has the answer. The spirit of God and the word of God will keep us in balance. We are moving amidst two polarities. If we concentrate only on one thing then it is not the right approach. We need to understand that we need to take the middle path. Christians should always be in equilibrium. It can become public spectacle if we fall. We need to stay in balance. May the Lord give us the strength to be in balance.
3rd Observation: Spiritual people need to exhibit the fruits of the spirit. How do people realize that you are a Christian. Galatians:5:22,33: What is the fruit of the spirit. Fruit of the spirit is love ....This is what is the most important thing. If we don't see people around with love then their is something wrong with us. The church is an institution where losers can find solace. We are this thing together and we need to exhibit love for one another. As a church we want to change the world but it is not working. Is our doctrine, theology, stewardship wrong. No, it is because of the absence of love. Loving the one who is not changeable. Their won't be any revival in church, in family in the absence of love.
After this the pastor summarized the three observation and concluded with a prayer
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