Pentecost Sunday..."All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..."

Acts 2: 1-4 :  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues ^(languages) as the Spirit enabled them.

I visited a church Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) and heard a sermon in which I cannot recall the name of Jesus being used or mention of the Holy Spirit.  Now in fairness to the preacher, he did mention both in the children's story time and told them about Pentecost being the fiftieth day after Easter, but the sermon to the adult congregation focused on the relevance of the church today.  The pastor cited the dropping attendance and membership of the mainstream churches, Methodists, Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, Catholic, etc. and posed the question of why.  He proceeded to speak about the need for the church to be relevant in today's world and spoke of several social issues where the church needs to have influence and impact.  He spoke about gun control, the environment, tolerance; specifically gay and lesbian rights, and government social programs. 

If we look at the Scriptures we find that the birth of Jesus' church was not because of its impact on society but was entirely the work of the Holy Spirit.  In Peter's first sermon, Acts 2: 14-41, we see the birth of the church was built on the acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah, born of a virgin, crucified dead and buried, and raised from the grave by His Father, God in heaven, and that all who turn to Him in repentance of their sins, will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Verses 38-39: ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

I was speaking to a pastor who is a personal friend, and as we discussed the relevance sermon last Sunday he pointed out that too many churches have lost sight that all relevance for the church must be defined by the Holy Spirit and it all begins with "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2: 2).  The church will have an impact and influence within society, but it will be the work of the Holy Spirit working through believers who have repented and received His Spirit, and more often than not it will be God's people sharing His love one on one...feeding a hungry person, providing shelter to the homeless, touching and loving the unclean, giving Godly counsel to the hopeless.  The work of the Holy Spirit will not look like or be mistaken for any political social programs which are filled with pride, waste, corruption, and prejudices.    When the Holy Spirit is involved, God will be Glorified!

The work of the Holy Spirit is to share God's Love, Jesus Christ, so that salvation is received by all who come to know Jesus.