May- Celebrations of Commencement Month

Last month Christians celebrated the most important of the three major holidays on the Christian calendar. They are the birth of the Messiah, the Resurrection of the Messiah and the Day of Pentecost. Without the Resurrection, the other two of God’s Mighty Acts for the restoration of creation lose their transformative impact for the both creation and humankind. But is the Resurrection primarily a historic event? Should this day just be an annual celebration of what many would view as God’s Most Mighty Act in human history? Informed answers to these questions will enable sincere seekers of truth to understand that the Resurrection, though historic, is actually a spiritual awakening for every disciple of The Christ. Next is Pentecost, which transforms the Resurrection into the foundation for Christian faith and practice in worship and in daily living.

Pentecost is celebrated during the month of May. Pentecost is a commencement for creation as God Anoints the first disciples of The Christ with The Holy Spirit, Who Indwells the followers of The Christ. Interestingly, the graduation season also begins in May. These commencements are new beginnings for graduates as they move forward to another facet of life. The graduates are commissioned to practice the principles they have learned and apply the knowledge to which they have been exposed. Similarly, disciples of The Christ receive instruction for righteous living and the practice of holiness in our daily interactions. Then, Christian disciples are commissioned to go and share both this knowledge and lifestyle with others. This is the core of Christian worship and witness.

Now, we all have made a big mess in our lives (some much greater than others) “for all have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God.” We owe a debt that we can never repay. Thank God for Not Leaving or Abandoning us sinners to our horrible fate and doom to death. Hallelujah! Instead, God Sent Jesus to demonstrate how to live a life dedicated to godly precepts and to bring The Good News of new commencements (God’s Mercies Are Renewed Fresh each day) to everyone who accepts God’s Gracious Gift. Thank God for commencements! Thank Jesus, our elder brother and Risen Savior. Now, may Christian faith and practice as disciples of The Christ embolden us to “take up our crosses daily and follow” the example of Jesus in worship and witness.

Jesus taught the first disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received The Promise of God, The Indwelling of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit (God’s Presence and Power) Is God’s Agent and Resurrected the dead Jesus. We too receive Resurrection Power by practicing Pentecostal discipleship in obedience to God’s Message as delivered by Jesus. May we seek to experience The Baptism of/with/in/by The Holy Spirit and live daily in The Power of The Resurrection.

God Bless, Pastor Jay