6-9-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think back to when you were a child. It\u2019s Christmas morning. You know there are presents waiting for you. They were hinted at, and promised, and your loving parents have always come through. What anticipation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You come downstairs, and \u2013 yes! \u2013 there are many waiting for you. All wrapped, different sizes and shapes, colorful paper, all with your name on the tags. Your parents set them before you and invite you to open them. You do! What joy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the big one in the corner you choose not to open. The long box with the colorful ribbon you tell your parents you\u2019ll skip. \u201cTill later?\u201d \u201cNo, it just doesn\u2019t interest me.\u201d The square box in the colorful paper sounds intriguing when you shake it, but\u2026 you reject that too. And so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How often did that happen with you on Christmas or your birthday? Never? Probably never.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presents from strangers are exciting enough, but gifts from your loving parents are bound to be special\u2026 chosen for you\u2026 pleasing to you\u2026 designed to meet your needs and desires and expectations. Why would you say No?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OK, you know this is an analogy. In the Christian world, where we are the children and our loving father is\u2026 our loving Father, we have been given lessons and tasks and rules and advice and love, lots of love, we have also been showered with gifts. Lots of gifts. Forgiveness, salvation, mercy, peace, wisdom\u2026 lots of gifts. Why would we turn any of them down?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millions of Christians do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Jesus faced crucifixion \u2013 He knew what was coming \u2013 He told His disciples that One would come to them when He would ascend to Heaven. The Holy spirit, of course was active throughout the Old Testament, as God\u2019s agent of sorts, just as Scripture tells us that through Jesus the Universe was created; and He was the Man in the fiery furnace when Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego were miraculously spared. When Jesus was incarnate \u2013 the Messiah; Emmanuel; \u201cGod-With-Us\u201d \u2013 it was God dwelling among us. Totally God and Totally man? Well, the Lord is a miracle-working God at whose ways we marvel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when the disciples were troubled that Jesus announced His imminent departure from this earth, He reassured them and promised: \u201cI tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you (John 16:7).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Helper, the Advocate, the Comforter \u2013 the Holy Spirit has many names, as He has many roles. But. As Christ left this earth physically, the Spirit came to dwell in the hearts, minds, and spirits of Believers. Many Christians treat the Holy Ghost as some sort of cartoony-angel sitting on our shoulders, or a go-between to Heaven when we pray, or\u2026 not at all. Yet the Spirit of God is the Spirit of God.<\/em> He is as much God as Jesus was when walking on earth. He is as much God as, well, God Himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus was sent to \u201cbe\u201d God among us, to serve His mission and be sacrifice for our sins. The Spirit was sent to \u201cbe\u201d God in every Christian\u2019s heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet many treat Him as an option, an afterthought, almost apart from the Father and the Son \u2013 as if the Godhead is a \u201cdiune,\u201d not a Triune, God who has revealed Himself in three manifestations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is Pentecost Sunday, named for the Hebrew feast that coincided with 50 days after Passover \/ Easter. It was the day, described in Scripture, after Jesus bodily ascended into Heaven to rejoin the Father. It was the day when \u201ca mighty rushing wind\u201d blew through the assembled believers in an Upper Room. Strange things happened: All began speaking in unknown languages. They marveled, and observers wondered if they spontaneously were drunk. They appeared to have supernatural flames on their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who had been cowering fear for days became bold. The confused became wise, for the rest of their lives. Followers became leaders. The impulsive Peter became head of the church, logical and firm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the Day of Pentecost, and the followers of Jesus, the nascent church, indeed the entire world, has never been the same. Because the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to indwell believers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I will return to the Christmas-Day analogy. The Holy Spirit also came with Gifts. As recorded in Scripture \u2013 examples cited in the Book of Acts; in numerous references in Paul\u2019s Epistles \u2013 He shared spiritual gifts. There are nine specifically referred to but, as with Fruits of the Spirit, we may experience more. But:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Word of wisdom; the Word of knowledge; Gifts of faith;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gift of healing; Working of miracles; the Gift of prophecy;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Discerning between spirits; the Gift of speaking in tongues; the Gift of interpreting tongues.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The First-century Church grew exponentially and despite persecution partly because new Believers were wise, brave, equipped, and blessed by these gifts. Eventually broad swaths of the Church disdained these Gifts as\u2026 weird, supernatural, often misapplied. Yes, they were; but they are still God\u2019s gifts, God\u2019s will. Pastors have sniffed to me, \u201cSo, have you experienced these manifestations?\u201d That\u2019s no challenge: Yes, I have. Have I witnessed miracles? Yes, I have. Do I believe the \u201cBaptism in the Holy Ghost\u201d is for today? Um, should I call God a liar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is strange, but the Gifts are widely disdained as \u201cnot for today,\u201d meant for people 2000 years ago, just \u201codd\u201d for modern folks. Yes; there are strange things happenin\u2019 every day. Thank God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gifts of the Spirit are<\/em> for today. These can be explained more, and I invite readers to write if I can share and explain. The Holy Ghost is on the move in this world \u2013 Pentecostals, for instance, outnumber Catholics today in the country of Brazil. We have adherents in every denomination, but also separate church bodies like the Assemblies of and the Church of God and Church of God in Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Faithful believers who seek the Baptism, and the Gifts, should be assured that God honors the desire\u2026 and grants the Gifts as He wills. Don\u2019t get caught up in Tongues, for instance, when you might have been ministering to many through Wisdom and Faith and Discernment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n