HOW MUCH MORE?
This photograph is of the inside of the door into the office here at Christ Church.
When a former staff member left she stencilled the bible verse on the wall as a gift to us and reminder of the Gospel. The picture on the door is a reminder that our new photocopier resets itself and loses information if turned off.
What is missing is the out of date risk assessment that was on the door below the photocopier sign.
What could a blog possibly say about this photo?
Well, lets start with the absent risk assessment. These are very important to church life, or to any organisation. They are a legal requirement under health and safety law and practice. And in a public building and workplace they are essential.
But the kingdom of God works differently to the earthly life.
Consider Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
We know that verse to be the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But did you know what comes next?
Against such things there is no law.
The fruits are the outward changes in behaviour we see when the Holy Spirit is guiding and empowering us to act in a Christ-like manner. There is no risk assessment needed – for there is no risk when these break out – other than the risk of more love, more kindness, more patience, more faithfulness, more joy and more gentleness – the risk of a self-controlled body of Christ shining out our Christ-likeness!
That is a risk worth taking.
And it begins by taking another risk. Trusting in the Lord and asking for more of what he has to offer.
Which brings me to Chloe’s wish for us, in the stencil she left.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
The “more of Christ” we seek means stepping into more of his Holy Spirit who is the one who is Jesus’ presence here on earth through which we may know peace and strength and comfort and the gifts of the Spirit (Greek – charisma – from which we get the word Charismatic).
Luke closes his Gospel with a clue to this as Jesus instructed the disciples just before he returned to his Father:
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Its all here.
Minds open to the Scriptures.
Repentance and forgiveness.
The Misseo Dei – God’s mission to the whole world. Appointment as witnesses – an apostolic succession passed on to all believers.
And the Father’s promise – the Holy Spirit – poured out so that we and all believers might be clothed in power.
Far from not turning the power off – we want to turn the power UP!
And that is the essence of our new mini-series – How much more? Starting 26th October. It stems from a verse in Luke 11:13
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Jesus’ parables of generosity are not just about material things such as food but about how the Father lavishes the Holy Spirit of power on the believers.
In it we will explore the elements of Spirit Filled Worship that stem from Jesus’ claim that “24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
What does it mean to worship in Spirit and Truth? What does it mean to receive gifts of prophecy, words of knowledge, healings and to intercede with words given us by the Spirit as incense rising to God in heaven?
Come along with your questions. Lean in to hear from God. Pray fervently for your preachers.
Come Holy Spirit!
Holy, Holy, Holy and Amen and Amen…..
Many blessings
Doug
THERE IS NO “I” IN TEAM…