Posted on June 13, 2011 by theoldadam
Ok.
What’s that all about?
Is that some sort of juice we plug into to make us more like Jesus?
Is this Holy Spirit the catalyst in our becoming more of what we ought to be?
Does the Holy Spirit help us become more holy?
…
Here’s Pastor Mark’s sermon for Pentecost Sunday, 2011:
Any thoughts? We always like to hear from you and get your take on the subject.
Thanks.
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Thanks Pastor Mark.
And thanks to flickr and Waiting For The Word, for the photo.
…..
Filed under: Pastor Mark Anderson, Pentecost | 2 Comments »
Posted on May 6, 2009 by theoldadam
From ‘The Mast’ the monthly publication of Lutheran Church of the Master, Corona del Mar, CA
In John 15 our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “I am the vine, you are the brances. Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Hold that thought.
We are a culture of movers and shakers. We are told constantly that we must make it happen…whatever ‘it’ may be.
This kind of hard- driving individualism is what built this country…and many others. We are not alone in our dedication and hard work and self-reliance.
Then Jesus speaks the words that began this article. ‘Nothing?’ Does He really mean ‘nothing?’ Well, yes. And that brings us to Pentecost.
When Jesus appeared to His disciples, following the resurrection, Luke tells us that he said this; “And behold, I am sending forth with the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high.”
“Stay in the city”, he said. Or, if we may state what was, perhaps our Lord’s intention, ‘Don’t even think of leaving here until you have received power from on high.’
This is a hard word to hear for many within the church who run with the hard chargers on the ladder of success and self-reliance. No, we can do nothing. Salvation is God’s doing – alone. He is the One who empowers, through Word and Sacrament, calling, gathering and enlightening His people into faith.
The work of the Church is not a self-help enterprise depending upon our self-generated efforts to bring about ‘success’. The work of the Church is God’s work being done through us…and frequently through the weakest and, to all appearances, the least effective of us.
Luther put it this way,
‘Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing. Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.’
Without Him we can do nothing.
With Him, everything is done already. Thanks be to God!
– Pastor Mark Anderson
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For me, this has been a “hard word”. Although, the longer I am in Christ, the more I realize the fact of it.
How about you?
Filed under: Pastor Mark Anderson, Pentecost | 26 Comments »
The Old Adam Lives! 