EASTER • 7
Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, “Pentecost” literally means “fiftieth”, which marks the 50th day after Easter. For the Jews, Pentecost is marked by the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. As Christians, this Sunday signifies the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5) fulfilled by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
Seen from the perspective of scriptures, the Pentecost we now celebrate, is actually a fulfilment of God’s promise made in Jeremiah 31:33. Where God promised to write His law on our hearts. So what Christians celebrate at Pentecost isn’t that different from the Jews. Rather, its a celebration of a promise fulfilled!
As we celebrate Pentecost, I invite you to really consider what this means for you in your own life, - what does it mean now that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on you? What does it mean now that His law is written on our hearts?
This week, one of our writers for the weekly lectionary guide has written an example of how the word of God engages his life. You can refer to it here
reading for: 19 May
John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15
The Spirit who Has Moved in With Us
READ
Now that all of us are at home, can you imagine if Jesus were to move in with you? Like literally if he decided to move in with you for the next month. How would that make you feel? Imagine Him squeezing into you room or house, sitting at your living room, peeking as you work tirelessly on your computer.
The good news and bad news is that this has happened with the Holy Spirit!
“Paraclete” is the greek word that is used here to describe the Spirit. Different bible versions use different words to translate this word, from Comforter, Intercessor, Advocate or Helper. But each word emphasises one aspect while missing out others. But the word Advocate I believe is worthy for meditations this week. The English dictionary describe it as “one who pleads the cause of another” or “a person who represents another person’s interests, like a lawyer does”. In other words, the Spirit is a person who is with us, pleading another person’s cause.
But whose cause is He pleading for?
Today’s text tell us that the Spirit will testify about Jesus (15:26), He will convict the world of our sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment (16:8). Or as Jesus had said earlier, the Spirit will teach us all things and bring to remembrance all that Jesus had spoken (14:26).
Why? For He is the Spirit of Truth (15:26) and Jesus is the Truth (14:6). So the Spirit will guide us into all truth, plead the cause and glorify Jesus, tell us about the future and tell us all that Jesus wants to tell us (16:13-14).
So even though some of us might cringe at the thought of Jesus moving in with us, at our baptism, we have already said a definitive yes for Him and His Spirit to come and make a home among us (1:14).
REFLECT
The question for us then isn’t “if Jesus were to move in with us”, rather, now that His Spirit is with us and in us, how have we been making space for Jesus and His Spirit? How have we been making time for Him as we would make time for our loved ones? And what does He have to say about our current COVID-19 situation in Singapore?
Although it might feel like we have regressed as a nation with the rising COVID-19 cases and Phase 2 limitations, there is an opportunity for us to re-calibrate and make space for Jesus and His Spirit in our lives.
Revisit the discussion question last Sunday and heres a reminder to follow up: “What is one thing you will put on your calendar to do this week/season to strengthen your prayer life and make it more like Jesus’ prayer life?”
reading for: 20 May
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Spirit who Brings New Life
READ
Make no mistake about Israel’s state in this time - physically they have been exiled and Jerusalem has fallen (Eze 33:21), even the shepherds of Israel have become corrupt and use the sheep to feed themselves (Eze 34). And now, the Lord is giving Ezekiel a vision of the spiritual condition of Israel - they were a valley of lifeless and dry bones (37:1-2). Imagine that, what used to be human beings, full of life and vigour, was now a valley full of nothing but bones that were dry. Some of us might have seen the ashes of a body in an urn after cremation and thats exactly the state of things here.
The Lord’s question only surfaces the question that was likely in Ezekiel’s heart - things are so bad, the situation is so far gone, is there any hope? Can these bones become living people again? (v. 3)
Lest we belittle Ezekiel’s response of “you alone know the answer to that”, its important that we understand it from a perspective of humility. Ezekiel is truly feeling helpless, He knows who God is and sees the state of things before him. And all he can conclude is that outside of God, these bones will never become living people again.
So when the LORD tells Ezekiel to speak a prophetic message to these bones, we can see it as an invitation of faith. An invitation to believe and trust. To trust in the Lord and His word (v. 4-5) that He will make these bones come alive again. As Ezekiel responds in faith (v. 7), we see the faithful God at work while Ezekiel watches (v. 7-8).
But the Lord isn’t done, and He continues with the second part of His miraculous work to bring new life (v. 9). And as Ezekiel responds again in faith, the faithful Lord works again, giving life to the previously dead bodies (v. 10)
Finally, as it becomes clear that this is Israel’s state (v. 11), the Lord promises new life for Israel, a return from exile and a restored relationship with the Lord and His people (v. 13-14).
REFLECT
Is there a situation or someone you know who might have lost all hope? Does it seem like the situation is so far gone that its impossible?
The good news is that we have a faithful God who is able to gather dry bones and cause new life to come again. He did it for Israel, He did it for us and He can surely do it again.
As we pray, do we hear a word from God to proclaim over that person or situation? If so, take that step of faith and prophesy in faith for God to move, for His Spirit to breathe new life. Be assured that a return from exile and restored relationship with God is His desire and will.
reading for: 21 May
Acts 2:1-21
The Spirit who Fills us with New Wine
READ
The day of Pentecost had come and Jews from all nations were in Jerusalem (v. 1 and 5). But what was going to happen would be nothing old. Similar to the miraculous living giving vision that Ezekiel had earlier (Ezekiel 37:9-10), there is a sound like that of a mighty rushing wind filling the entire house (v. 2). Flames of fire appear and settle on each person (v. 3) and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages (v. 4).
To clarify, these languages that were being spoken were actual languages (v. 6, 8 and 11) of the various people who were present. And they were proclaiming about the wonderful things God had done (v. 11). On-lookers had mistaken them to be drunk but Peter, knowing what is happening, steps forward to clarify (v.14-15).
The last days which the prophet Joel had spoken of, has now come (v. 16-17). The Spirit is now being poured out upon everyone, young and old, sons and daughters, even on servants, men and women, everyone now is given this gift (v. 17-18). The heavens and earth will show signs of these last days and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (v. 21).
We are now, 2000 years after this historic event. And this Sunday, we remember how the Spirit has already come and has been poured out on everyone. The way we live, the way we proclaim who God is, should be so “out of this world” and “crazy” that we ought to seem “drunk” to others. But make no mistake, this is what the Spirit filled life looks like, this is what being filled with new wine looks like.
REFLECT
As Jesus spoke in Mark 2:18-22 about the need for new wineskins, for old wineskins cannot contain new wine, the Spirit is wanting to fill us with new wine again. What’s needed however are new wineskins. So will we pray as the song says,
“Make me your vessel, make me an offering, make me whatever you want me to be.”?
What is the Lord stirring in your heart to give up and surrender?
He wants to fill you with new wine in this season, but He’s also asking that you surrender your old ways and thinking.
reading for: 22 May
Psalm 104:24-35
The Spirit who Sustains Creation
READ
One of the hot topics nowadays is climate change. Many nations and large companies are realising the importance of this as we also become aware about how our way of life is killing the earth. But before we jump on the same bandwagon, let’s consider the Creator of creation, the Spirit who sustains creation.
Firstly, earth does not belong to us. We along with the earth, are part of creation, and we all belong to the Creator God.
Verse 24 testifies to this,
O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Second, the earth and all creation finds its sustenance in the Lord alone: (v. 27-30)
They all depend on you to give them food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it.
You open your hand to feed them,
and they are richly satisfied.
But if you turn away from them, they panic.
When you take away their breath,
they die and turn again to dust.
When you give them your breath, life is created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
Third, the purpose of creation, both earth and us is to bring glory to our Creator, the Lord: (v. 31-32)
May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!
The earth trembles at his glance;
the mountains smoke at his touch.
Therefore, we ought to take our place of worship before this Creator, in praise and adoration (v. 33-35).
And in our worship to Him, take care of what He has entrusted to us, to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, governing it (Genesis 1:28).
REFLECT
To care for creation and be involved in climate change for us Christians, isn’t just about sustainability on earth. For us, its about worship to our Lord and God, who is the Creator of heavens and earth.
If the earth and creation is one of the things we will account to the Lord when He returns, how does that impact the everyday decisions you make? Consider 1 action to respond to the Lord in worship as your Creator.
Easter Season Worship Playlist
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Advent
- Nov 28, 2023 ADVENT • 1
- Dec 5, 2023 ADVENT • 2
- Dec 11, 2023 ADVENT • 3
- Dec 19, 2023 ADVENT • 4
- Dec 26, 2023 ADVENT • 5
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Holy Week
- Mar 27, 2021 HOLY WEEK • GUIDED PRAYER RETREAT
- Mar 29, 2021 Holy Week • Guided Prayer Retreat (31 March)
- Mar 30, 2021 Holy Week • Guided Prayer Retreat (1 April)
- Apr 1, 2021 Holy Week • Guided Prayer Retreat (2 April)
- Apr 2, 2021 Holy Week • Guided Prayer Retreat (3 April)
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Season of Advent
- Nov 23, 2020 ADVENT • 1
- Dec 2, 2020 ADVENT • 2
- Dec 8, 2020 ADVENT • 3
- Dec 15, 2020 ADVENT • 4
- Nov 23, 2021 ADVENT • 5
- Nov 30, 2021 ADVENT • 6
- Dec 7, 2021 ADVENT • 7
- Dec 14, 2021 ADVENT • 8
- Dec 21, 2021 ADVENT • 9
- Dec 29, 2021 ADVENT • 10
- Nov 22, 2022 ADVENT • 1
- Nov 30, 2022 ADVENT • 2
- Dec 6, 2022 ADVENT • 3
- Dec 13, 2022 ADVENT • 4
- Dec 21, 2022 ADVENT • 5
- Nov 28, 2023 ADVENT • 1
- Dec 5, 2023 ADVENT • 2
- Dec 11, 2023 ADVENT • 3
- Dec 19, 2023 ADVENT • 4
- Dec 26, 2023 ADVENT • 5
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Season of Christmas
- Dec 23, 2020 CHRISTMAS • 1
- Dec 29, 2020 CHRISTMAS • 2
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Season of Easter
- Apr 5, 2021 EASTER • 1
- Apr 12, 2021 EASTER • 2
- Apr 20, 2021 EASTER • 3
- Apr 27, 2021 EASTER • 4
- May 3, 2021 EASTER • 5
- May 11, 2021 EASTER • 6
- May 18, 2021 EASTER • 7
- May 18, 2021 EASTER • 7 (Testimony)
- Apr 19, 2022 EASTER • 1
- Apr 25, 2022 EASTER • 2
- May 2, 2022 EASTER • 3
- May 9, 2022 EASTER • 4
- May 17, 2022 EASTER • 5
- May 23, 2022 EASTER • 6
- Apr 3, 2023 EASTER • 1
- Apr 11, 2023 EASTER • 2
- Apr 18, 2023 EASTER • 3
- Apr 24, 2023 EASTER • 4
- May 2, 2023 EASTER • 5
- May 8, 2023 EASTER • 6
- May 16, 2023 EASTER • 7
- May 23, 2023 EASTER • 8
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Season of Epiphany
- Jan 4, 2021 EPIPHANY • 1
- Jan 13, 2021 EPIPHANY • 2
- Jan 20, 2021 EPIPHANY • 3
- Jan 28, 2021 EPIPHANY • 4
- Feb 2, 2021 EPIPHANY • 5
- Feb 8, 2021 EPIPHANY • 6
- Jan 4, 2022 EPIPHANY • 7
- Jan 11, 2022 EPIPHANY • 8
- Jan 19, 2022 EPIPHANY • 9
- Jan 25, 2022 EPIPHANY • 10
- Feb 2, 2022 EPIPHANY • 11
- Feb 9, 2022 EPIPHANY • 12
- Feb 15, 2022 EPIPHANY • 13
- Feb 23, 2022 EPIPHANY • 14
- Dec 27, 2022 EPIPHANY • 1
- Jan 3, 2023 EPIPHANY • 2
- Jan 10, 2023 EPIPHANY • 3
- Jan 17, 2023 EPIPHANY • 4
- Jan 24, 2023 EPIPHANY • 5
- Jan 30, 2023 EPIPHANY • 6
- Feb 7, 2023 EPIPHANY • 7
- Feb 13, 2023 EPIPHANY • 8
- Jan 2, 2024 EPIPHANY • 1
- Jan 9, 2024 EPIPHANY • 2
- Jan 16, 2024 EPIPHANY • 3
- Jan 23, 2024 EPIPHANY • 4
- Jan 29, 2024 EPIPHANY • 5
- Feb 7, 2024 EPIPHANY • 6
- Feb 9, 2024 EPIPHANY • 7
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Season of Lent
- Feb 16, 2021 LENT • 1
- Feb 22, 2021 LENT • 2
- Mar 4, 2021 LENT • 3
- Mar 8, 2021 LENT • 4
- Mar 14, 2021 LENT • 5
- Mar 23, 2021 LENT • 6
- Mar 1, 2022 LENT • 1
- Mar 9, 2022 LENT • 2
- Mar 16, 2022 LENT • 3
- Feb 21, 2023 LENT • 1
- Feb 28, 2023 LENT • 2
- Mar 6, 2023 LENT • 3
- Mar 13, 2023 LENT • 4
- Mar 20, 2023 LENT • 5
- Mar 30, 2023 LENT • 6
- Feb 20, 2024 LENT • 1
- Feb 27, 2024 LENT • 2
- Mar 5, 2024 LENT • 3
- Mar 12, 2024 LENT • 4
- Mar 18, 2024 LENT • 5
- Mar 26, 2024 LENT • 6
- Apr 2, 2024 EASTER • 1
- Apr 8, 2024 EASTER • 2
- Apr 16, 2024 EASTER • 3
- Apr 23, 2024 EASTER • 4
- May 2, 2024 EASTER • 5
- May 6, 2024 EASTER • 6
- May 16, 2024 EASTER • 7
- May 21, 2024 Pentecost • 1
- May 28, 2024 Pentecost • 2
- Jun 5, 2024 Pentecost • 3
- Jun 11, 2024 Pentecost • 4
- Jun 18, 2024 Pentecost • 5
- Jun 26, 2024 Pentecost • 6
- Jul 2, 2024 Pentecost • 7
- Jul 8, 2024 Pentecost • 8
- Jul 15, 2024 Pentecost • 9
- Jul 23, 2024 Pentecost • 10
- Jul 30, 2024 Pentecost • 11
- Aug 7, 2024 Pentecost • 12
- Aug 14, 2024 Pentecost • 13
- Aug 19, 2024 Pentecost • 14
- Aug 26, 2024 Pentecost • 15
- Sep 3, 2024 Pentecost • 16
- Sep 10, 2024 Pentecost • 17
- Sep 18, 2024 Pentecost • 18
- Sep 23, 2024 Pentecost • 19
- Oct 1, 2024 Pentecost • 20
- Oct 8, 2024 Pentecost • 21
- Oct 16, 2024 Pentecost • 22
- Oct 21, 2024 Pentecost • 23
- Oct 29, 2024 Pentecost • 24
- Nov 5, 2024 Pentecost • 25
- Nov 12, 2024 Pentecost • 26
- Nov 18, 2024 Pentecost • 27
- Nov 27, 2024 Advent • 1
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Season of Pentecost
- Sep 8, 2020 PENTECOST • 18
- Sep 14, 2020 PENTECOST • 19
- Sep 22, 2020 PENTECOST • 20
- Sep 29, 2020 PENTECOST • 21
- Oct 6, 2020 PENTECOST • 22
- Oct 12, 2020 PENTECOST • 23
- Oct 19, 2020 PENTECOST • 24
- Oct 27, 2020 PENTECOST • 25
- Nov 1, 2020 PENTECOST • 26
- Nov 10, 2020 PENTECOST • 27
- Nov 17, 2020 PENTECOST • 28
- May 24, 2021 PENTECOST • 29
- May 31, 2021 PENTECOST • 30
- Jun 8, 2021 PENTECOST • 31
- Jun 15, 2021 PENTECOST • 32
- Jun 21, 2021 PENTECOST • 33
- Jun 28, 2021 PENTECOST • 34
- Jul 5, 2021 PENTECOST • 35
- Jul 13, 2021 PENTECOST • 36
- Jul 20, 2021 PENTECOST • 37
- Jul 26, 2021 PENTECOST • 38
- Aug 3, 2021 PENTECOST • 39
- Aug 10, 2021 PENTECOST • 40
- Aug 17, 2021 PENTECOST • 41
- Aug 24, 2021 PENTECOST • 42
- Sep 1, 2021 PENTECOST • 43
- Sep 7, 2021 PENTECOST • 44
- Sep 14, 2021 PENTECOST • 45
- Sep 21, 2021 PENTECOST • 46
- Sep 28, 2021 PENTECOST • 47
- Oct 4, 2021 PENTECOST • 48
- Oct 12, 2021 PENTECOST • 49
- Oct 19, 2021 PENTECOST • 50
- Oct 26, 2021 PENTECOST • 51
- Nov 2, 2021 PENTECOST • 52
- Nov 16, 2021 PENTECOST • 53
- Nov 16, 2021 PENTECOST • 54
- May 31, 2022 PENTECOST • 1
- Jun 6, 2022 PENTECOST • 2
- Jun 13, 2022 PENTECOST • 3
- Jun 21, 2022 PENTECOST • 4
- Jun 28, 2022 PENTECOST • 5
- Jul 6, 2022 PENTECOST • 6
- Jul 12, 2022 PENTECOST • 7
- Jul 18, 2022 PENTECOST • 8
- Jul 26, 2022 PENTECOST • 9
- Aug 2, 2022 PENTECOST • 10
- Aug 8, 2022 PENTECOST • 11
- Aug 15, 2022 PENTECOST • 12
- Aug 23, 2022 PENTECOST • 13
- Aug 29, 2022 PENTECOST • 14
- Sep 5, 2022 PENTECOST • 15
- Sep 12, 2022 PENTECOST • 16
- Sep 20, 2022 PENTECOST • 17
- Sep 26, 2022 PENTECOST • 18
- Oct 4, 2022 PENTECOST • 19
- Oct 11, 2022 PENTECOST • 20
- Oct 18, 2022 PENTECOST • 21
- Oct 25, 2022 PENTECOST • 22
- Nov 1, 2022 PENTECOST • 23
- Nov 8, 2022 PENTECOST • 24
- Nov 16, 2022 PENTECOST • 25
- May 29, 2023 PENTECOST • 1
- Jun 6, 2023 PENTECOST • 2
- Jun 13, 2023 PENTECOST • 3
- Jun 17, 2023 PENTECOST • 4
- Jun 26, 2023 PENTECOST • 5
- Jul 4, 2023 PENTECOST • 6
- Jul 13, 2023 PENTECOST • 7
- Jul 18, 2023 PENTECOST • 8
- Jul 25, 2023 PENTECOST • 9
- Jul 31, 2023 PENTECOST • 10
- Aug 7, 2023 PENTECOST • 11
- Aug 21, 2023 PENTECOST • 13
- Aug 29, 2023 PENTECOST • 14
- Sep 5, 2023 PENTECOST • 15
- Sep 12, 2023 PENTECOST • 16
- Sep 19, 2023 PENTECOST • 17
- Sep 25, 2023 PENTECOST • 18
- Oct 3, 2023 PENTECOST • 19
- Oct 10, 2023 PENTECOST • 20
- Oct 17, 2023 PENTECOST • 21
- Oct 24, 2023 PENTECOST • 22
- Oct 31, 2023 PENTECOST • 23
- Nov 6, 2023 PENTECOST • 24
- Nov 14, 2023 PENTECOST • 25
- Nov 20, 2023 PENTECOST • 26