Pentecost Alive – Jesus Says

June 1, 2020

DAILY READING

John 14:25-26 – “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.

FIELD NOTES

Instead of Simon Says, let’s play Jesus Says. Jesus says,

“Follow me!”

“Forgive that person!”

“Turn the other cheek!”

“Love that person as yourself!”

“Share what you have with someone who needs it!”

“Pray!”

“Reconcile with that person!”

“Say, ‘I’m sorry!”                                                                                                                

“Help that person!”

“Listen to that person!”

“Listen to me!”

In John 14, Jesus told his disciples was leaving but returning through the Holy Spirit to lead them.

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the three-thousand new believers. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling of Jesus, God-incarnate. Thus, the power of God who created the universe, parted the Red Sea, helped Jesus walk on water, healed the sick, feed five-thousand, raise Lazarus from the grave, raised Jesus from the grave, and empowered the disciples, is available to you and me today.

While celebrating Pentecost yesterday, we can celebrate Pentecost every day by following Jesus through the nudges of the Holy Spirit.  If all 8,500 of our members follow at least one nudge daily for these nine weeks of our Fruit Challenge plus this week of Pentecost, we’ll not only pray for 595,000 people; we’ll follow 595,000 nudges from Jesus. Think of that power! After all, Jesus says!

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What nudges have you received in the past that you knew were from God?
•  What nudges might you be receiving from God today?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Play the game, Simon Says?
• Discuss what it’s like to play Jesus Says, doing those things you know Jesus wants you to do, and not doing those things at the moment you know Jesus doesn’t want you to do.
• Discuss any nudges any of your family may be receiving at the moment.

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord, Jesus Christ, you are here, present with me at this moment.  Help me follow those nudges I know are from you. Help me not to discard them, but enthusiastically embrace following you. In your gracious name, I pray.  Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND PENTECOST CHALLENGE

For the duration of our sermon series, we are offering daily prompts for applying the wisdom from the scriptures to our everyday lives. Each week focuses on how we can encourage those around us, resulting in our bearing fruit! This week we are focusing on making Pentecost come alive through our prayer life and following the Holy Spirit.

This week’s scripture is Acts 2:1-21 and we will be practicing Lectio Divina with it.  Lectio Divina is an ancient prayer practice that means divine or sacred reading.  It is a way of meditating on the scripture and allowing God to speak anew through the words of scripture.  There are a number of ways to practice Lectio Divina; one method is listed below.

First pray: Loving God help me to hear your word for me today.  Amen.
Next, read the passage Acts 2:1-21 aloud slowly. Pause for a moment.
Read the passage aloud again slowly.  Listen for a word or a phrase that stands out to you.
Read the passage aloud again for a third time.  As you do, reflect on your word or phrase and think about why God might be revealing those words to you. 
Meditate on your word or phrase and listen for what God might be inviting you to do.
Who is the Spirit inviting you to pray for today?

To learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit challenge, click here.