Shade Tree Wisdom 6/13/11

Yesterday was the Sunday of the Pentecost. Pastor called it the Birthday of the Christian Church.

The years, some of them, have been kind, but many have also been hard and distressing and filled with anguish for the Christian Believer in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Savior.

They fulfilled exactly the words of Jesus, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be not dismayed, I have overcome the world.”

Indeed, the history of the church shows exactly that. There were times of nearly explosive growth, as in the first Day 3,000 become Believers, and then “These people have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine”, was the complaint of the Sanhedrin. Acts 5,28.

In their joy of this Good News they simply could not be silent. Paul describes them as so filled with their news that it simply spilled over. This is the way we read His word, “Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” 1 Thessalonians 1,5. The word St. Paul uses is plethora, a word that suggests a cup filled to brim and overflowing. The picture is of a Christian so filled with the gospel that when he is bumped into, it was not their own reaction or irritation that came out, but the NEWS of the gracious life-giving Son of God. It is the power of the Spirit given by their Lord for them that showed and worked through them to spread the Gospel.

It worked so well that the Sanhedrin complained, “These that have turned the world up-side-down have come here also,” Acts 17,6. Then, as now, the bitterest opposition came for those who thought they “were doing God service” in their actions.

This very Gospel, the news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose from the dead, is still being told to people who are living in darkness. The Light brightens their lives because it shows them a way out of their plight.

Quietly, often slowly and nearly unnoticed, this Gospel is being spread in the world, and the Lord bless it with results.

That is what Pentecost calls to mind. The Birthday of the Church which still grows, and is blessed. Thank God.

GPD 6/13/11