Consolation Communication Confirmation Conformation

Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Pentecost

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The Feast of Weeks or Harvest—Shavuot (Pentecost) is a feast of jubilee—a celebration of the glory of God.  It marks the time God’s law was given to Moses. As the disciples were celebrating this feast, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as the LORD had promised. It truly marked His glorification, and glory of the power of God in their midst.

RELEVANCE

The LORD called the Holy Spirit the Comforter, promising He “will guide you into all truth.” The disciples learned quickly that it was by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit that the community of believers grew and maintained its vitality.

In appreciating the value of the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit, Paul encouraged believers to understand the nature of the Holy Spirit, and how He communicates with us. He, therefore, shed light on Isaiah’s comment in 64:4—“Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You”—by explaining…

It is to us, however, that God has revealed these things. How? Through the Spirit. For the Spirit probes all things, even the profoundest depths of God. 11 For who knows the inner workings of a person except the person’s own spirit inside him? So too no one knows the inner workings of God except God’s Spirit. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God, so that we might understand the things God has so freely given us.     (1 Corinthians 2:10-12 JNT)

Paul encouraged all believers to grow and mature into the fullness of the measure of the stature of the LORD’s likeness. (Ephesians 4:13) Such growth promises real value in God’s eyes: “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV) 

As we truly value the LORD’s gifts and nature, we will have the opportunity to respond to the beckoning of the Holy Spirit, working to enlighten and empower us and transform our minds and nature.

Real transformation happens in time through God’s process as we yield to the Holy Spirit and grow in the liberty of the Spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NKJV) 

The result of God’s process yields good fruits.  The more we submit to the Spirit, the more we reflect the fruits of the Spirit. “Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.”  (Galatians 5:25 JNT) 

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

In what ways can you value the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life?

How do you think you can recognize the working of the Holy Spirit?

How does He speak to you?

How might you confirm what the Holy Spirit reveals to you?

How do you think you can be transformed into the fullness of the LORD’s nature?

REFERENCES

John 14-16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18; Galatians 5; Romans 14

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Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.