On this, Pentecost Sunday, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit makes all the difference to the church and to every believer. Without the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, we are nothing. Yet we also acknowledge the importance of community. 120 believers gathered together in that upper room, waiting for the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, as commanded by Jesus. (Acts 1:4-5,8, Acts 2:1-4) They knew the importance of fellowship and corporate prayer.
We too need both the Holy Spirit and each other. We need God to empower and envision us, to give us boldness in our witness, to fill us with both understanding and love as He leads us into truth, reminding us of all that Jesus has taught. We need His fire and His wind in our lives, directing us, leading us, empowering us, refining us. We also need the encouragement and help of other people. The apostles may have been the ‘spokespeople’ for the gospel in those early days, but they were supported by the prayers and personal witness of those other faithful friends of Jesus.
May the Holy Spirit fill us afresh as we gather together as one today at 10.30 a.m. As was prayed shortly after Pentecost, ‘enable Your servants to speak with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.’ (Acts 4:30) May our experience of God’s grace shape us into a community of grace and graciousness and may the power of the Holy Spirit rest on us all.