Week Five - Promise of the Spirit
For some reason this did not post last Friday - here it is today.
Friday — A Devoted Community
New Testament Scripture - Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
Old Testament Scripture - Deuteronomy 6:4–7
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God… Keep these words… Recite them… talk about them…”
From Event to Formation
I don't know about you but wind and fire frighten me. Wind and fire are dramatic.
But I love how the author Luke - moves quickly with a renewed rhythm. There is a quickened cadence here.
They devoted themselves.
Teaching anchors truth.
Fellowship guards unity.
Breaking bread enacts reconciliation.
Prayer sustains dependence.
What you might miss is that this new endowment of the Holy Spirit does not create chaos.
He creates order rooted in devotion. (Maybe that's why we go Hmm - I pondered that question yesterday).
A Covenant Pattern Renewed
Deuteronomy called Israel to embed God’s words into daily life — in home, in conversation, in memory. Pentecost forms a community that lives that rhythm together. (Paull uses Ephesians to describe what that world looks like).
The Holy Spirit fulfills the covenant promise not by abolishing formation, but by empowering it. Here is the untold story - His presence produces practice. Read that until you understand.
It's like Heaven taking shape inside us. We can even take a quick inventory of our new world...
The throne is occupied.
The Spirit has come.
A community forms.
This is heaven’s life beginning on earth. (On Earth as it is in Heaven- heard that anywhere?)
However, It's not going to be spectacular every day. But it is steady - Devoted - Unified.
And wow is it Alive.
Prayer
Lord,
Make us devoted to what forms us.
Root us in truth.
Bind us in fellowship.
Keep us at the table.
And let our shared life reveal that You dwell among us.
Amen.
Week 5 — Closing Reflection
The breath has come. The fire has rested. The nations have heard. Hearts have awakened.
And a community has started to form. Happy Birthday to us!
What does this mean? - Resurrection began new creation.
If you wish - you can rewatch my sermon on the sunday after Easter! It's all about that.
(And, I just published a new booklet on this topic. First Steps after the Resurrection! Amazon.com)
Reconciliation formed one humanity.
Ascension established the throne.
Pentecost fills the people.
The King reigns.
The Spirit dwells.
The church is in an infancy - and needing food and soon a diaper change.
Next week, heaven touches earth in visible, embodied community.
Friday — A Devoted Community
New Testament Scripture - Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
Old Testament Scripture - Deuteronomy 6:4–7
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God… Keep these words… Recite them… talk about them…”
From Event to Formation
I don't know about you but wind and fire frighten me. Wind and fire are dramatic.
But I love how the author Luke - moves quickly with a renewed rhythm. There is a quickened cadence here.
They devoted themselves.
Teaching anchors truth.
Fellowship guards unity.
Breaking bread enacts reconciliation.
Prayer sustains dependence.
What you might miss is that this new endowment of the Holy Spirit does not create chaos.
He creates order rooted in devotion. (Maybe that's why we go Hmm - I pondered that question yesterday).
A Covenant Pattern Renewed
Deuteronomy called Israel to embed God’s words into daily life — in home, in conversation, in memory. Pentecost forms a community that lives that rhythm together. (Paull uses Ephesians to describe what that world looks like).
The Holy Spirit fulfills the covenant promise not by abolishing formation, but by empowering it. Here is the untold story - His presence produces practice. Read that until you understand.
It's like Heaven taking shape inside us. We can even take a quick inventory of our new world...
The throne is occupied.
The Spirit has come.
A community forms.
This is heaven’s life beginning on earth. (On Earth as it is in Heaven- heard that anywhere?)
However, It's not going to be spectacular every day. But it is steady - Devoted - Unified.
And wow is it Alive.
Prayer
Lord,
Make us devoted to what forms us.
Root us in truth.
Bind us in fellowship.
Keep us at the table.
And let our shared life reveal that You dwell among us.
Amen.
Week 5 — Closing Reflection
The breath has come. The fire has rested. The nations have heard. Hearts have awakened.
And a community has started to form. Happy Birthday to us!
What does this mean? - Resurrection began new creation.
If you wish - you can rewatch my sermon on the sunday after Easter! It's all about that.
(And, I just published a new booklet on this topic. First Steps after the Resurrection! Amazon.com)
Reconciliation formed one humanity.
Ascension established the throne.
Pentecost fills the people.
The King reigns.
The Spirit dwells.
The church is in an infancy - and needing food and soon a diaper change.
Next week, heaven touches earth in visible, embodied community.
Posted in Easter Season 2026
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