When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
~ Acts 2:2-4
I want to draw your attention to two words in the Scripture verses above: all and gave. These are simple words, but you notice that there weren’t just a few gathered … all were gathered “together in one place.” You’ll also notice that the Holy Spirit didn’t just fill one or two people, or even certain select people, but “a tongue rested on each of them” and “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” And it is the Spirit who gave the ability to all.
I make these points because, as much as we talk about grace in the church, people still feel as though there is a hierarchy that God pays attention to. Whether we say it or not, some people believe that God loves or reveals Himself or gives generously to those who are higher in the hierarchy, while those who are lower in the hierarchy receive little, if anything. This view is not biblical! The Bible is full of stories of those who were weak, lowly, and even inappropriate through whom God worked. The Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55 is clear that “[God] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”
We worship a God of grace. We understand grace as “love beyond what we deserve.”
We are about to enter a season in the church’s life that is a bit more relaxed and slower paced because of summer. My hope is that we would all gather “together in one place” for worship to encourage one another this summer. I know many people travel, but I hope summer is not a time to “take time off from church.” The life of the church does not have to be governed by the life of the school system. God is still pouring out His Holy Spirit on each of us. Regardless of where we are or what season of the year, God is fully present with us. God is still working in our lives comforting us where we need to be comforted, and stirring and unsettling us where we have become complacent or apathetic. Church attendance is not required for salvation and God does not base His love for us on how many times we attend. Church attendance does help us to keep God in the forefront of our minds. It helps us show that God is worth our time simply by our presence (the word “worship” is derived from worth-ship). It helps us remain connected with people and their stories.
Wherever you travel this summer, and whatever activities you are involved with, may God bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit. I also pray that God would stir in you a desire to do things this summer that feed your soul.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
Epicurious Lutheran 