Pentecost Coming!

May 09, 2016 Monday Message:

“When the holy day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, the believers were gathered together in one place.” Acts 2:1

This coming Sunday, May 15, is celebrated in many churches as “Pentecost.” Pentecost is the Greek name for the Hebrew “Shavuot” or “Shavuous.” In the Anglican (Episcopal) church, it’s called “Whitsunday.” The Hebrew people were celebrating God giving them the Law through Moses on Mt. Sinai.

But the day has a much different meaning for Christians. First, this is the day when the gathered believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit. There was a mighty sound, like a giant wind, and little flickering flames descended from heaven and landed on each person. There was no mistaking it – no one could miss what was happening. Many churches nowadays use red paraments on their altars, wear red clothing that day and sing, “Send the Fire!”

Next, everyone in Jerusalem heard that sound of mighty wind, and gathered to see what was taking place. Peter then preached the first large-scale Christian “Repent-and-Return” message to the crowd, and many were persuaded. 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day, so we now celebrate Pentecost as the “Birth of the Church.”

But remember, the first step in that first Pentecost is that the believers were all gathered in one place. They actually got out of bed, got dressed, and went to worship and pray with their brothers and sisters – kind of like us going to church. They were all of one mind, on the same page, shared the same intents and purposes. And look what happened!

So following the example of the early church, I encourage each one of us to leap out of bed next Sunday morning, don something red, and go join your brothers and sisters in worship and prayer. Who knows what could happen next? Send the Fire!

Norton Lawellin

Join us for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 15. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. We’ll look into the Birth of the Church on that first day of Pentecost as it happened in Acts Ch. 2. See you at church!

Courageous Evangelism

May 18, 2015 Monday Message:

“Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a clear voice to the crowd.” Acts 2:14a CEV

The apostles should have been scared to death. Jesus, their leader, had just been crucified, and public opinion was not with them.

But on the day of Pentecost, God filled them with the Holy Spirit, and Peter boldly stepped forward, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy. That’s right – Peter used the Hebrew Scriptures, the words of their prophets, to prove that Jesus was the Son of God and the answer to the world’s sin-problem.

Did it work? Was he successful? Yes! 3,000 were convinced, came forward that day and were baptized. “They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also ate together, celebrated the Lord’s Supper and prayed together.” Acts 2:42 CEV

This Pentecost story is often called the birthday of the church. God added to their number daily, and Peter is still alive!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, May 24, we’ll look at the Pentecost story in Acts 2. Wear something red – send the fire!