What's Going On? Hanging Out With the Holy Spirit
After Easter we are going to spend some time wondering about the Holy Spirit and finding ways to connect with the Spirit’s work. There will be a sermon series and a Wednesday evening class.
The sermon series will be starting in the Gospel of John but most of our time will be spent in the book of Acts. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit in John 14, 15 and 16. Prayer seems essential to the movement of the Spirit as seen in Acts 1 and 2 as well as in Acts 4. On the Sunday on which we install office-bearers we will consider how the Spirit inspires mission and ministry in Acts 6. There are amazing stories of Spirit-guided travel in Acts 8, 9, and 16. Finally, at least to this point in the planning process, the Holy Spirit is connected to conversion and baptism in Acts 10, 11, and 19. In the midst of these messages we will celebrate Ascension and Pentecost, the start of the story of Acts.
Along with the sermon series, I am planning a course on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. A course allows for more information and more interaction. The ideas for this course come from Alpha as well as Dunamis, two courses I have led and taught many times in the past. Both emphasize that you don’t simply learn about the Holy Spirit but also open yourself to being engaged with the Holy Spirit.
The themes for the course so far include 1) a biblical spiritual worldview, 2) survey of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, 3) the main roles of the Holy Spirit, 4) gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and 5) guidance.
The scheduled dates are Wednesdays April 15, 22, and 29 as well as May 13 and 20. Mark your calendar!
I have regularly heard people say that we have been taught a lot about God and Jesus, but not much about the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is at work among us in wonderful ways. There is much to learn and plenty of mystery when it comes to connecting with the Spirit that “blows where it will” (John 3) I encourage you to enter this dance with the Spirit at fully as you can.
Pastor Erick Schuringa