MINISTRY NOTES

Hi Everyone,

I though I would share with you how Ministry Notes were birthed. A few weeks ago, as good parents, Barbara and I were in New York for Mark and Eva's graduations. On Saturday evening, I started seeking where we might worship God on Sunday morning. Although I discovered a Church, where I had previously some contact with the Pastor, God was encouraging me to head towards a Church less than a half hour away, walking from our hotel. My understanding was that we would find the Church God wanted us to go to on the way. As we walked from our hotel, I kept looking and there was nothing that even resembled a Church, until finally God used Barbara to spot it across the street. A beautiful old building nestled between tall buildings, with a group of super nice, friendly people about the size of our home Church. It was part of a denomination we had never attended previously but it was a beautiful service. We were blessed and as we hurried to our next scheduled activity, we were wondering if there was any other reason God had us go there. Two days later, at home, I received a standard new visitor email response to our visit, surprised that they would send it to someone in Tulsa. The next day I received another email that appeared to be a weekly communication. Then God encouraged me that I could do a similar email, with people in Jesus Center, and Ministry Notes was birthed.

Then God encouraged me share it with a few other special people I know. Although I was obedient to God, I was uncertain how they might respond. I would like to share with you a few responses. A focused young woman I attended school with recently wrote, "Thank you for including me in the email below. It was very inspirational!" A very helpful neighbor wrote, "I'm glad you added me to the Friends list of Jesus Center. I've enjoyed your brief lessons and notes. I pray God will continue to bless you, your family, and your ministry." A Pastor from Pakistan wrote, "I got very encouragements, riveval spiritually Ministry notes and email. I hope you will continue send me ministry notes and emails."

Thank you God, I am blessed!

Message Notes:

As I have shared how Jesus teaches us to pray to God and not to the Holy Spirit, perhaps it would be helpful to share about the Holy Spirit. Prior to the coming of our messiah, we find the Spirit being used individually1. When Jesus came, He received the Holy Spirit at the start of His ministry, after His baptism2. It is awesome to realize that apparently the Son of God needed the Holy Spirit in order to carry out His ministry. Near the conclusion of His ministry, Jesus promised to ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to everyone3. God had previously expressed His intent to pour out His Spirit on everyone through the prophet Joel4. (we are reminded by this, that Jesus said He only said what the Father told Him to say4.5) After Jesus returned to His Father in heaven, many of the believers (about 120) were celebrating the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which was called Pentecost in the Greek version translated about 200 years before our Messiah came5. During this celebration, God poured out His Holy Spirit on everyone6. Today, we think of Pentecost as a Christian celebration, which many western Christian Churches commemorated a week ago.

After saying that God would send the Holy Spirit, Jesus shares some of what the Holy Spirit will do. For example, He tells us the Holy Spirit, "…will be in you." Jn 14:17 (IC); "…will teach you everything…" Jn 14:26 (IC); "…will tell about Me." Jn 15:26 (IC); "... will convince the world of its sin…" Jn 16:8 (TL); "… will guide you into all truth…" Jn 16:13 (NI). As I copy the words of Jesus that the Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, I just received a phone call from a man who told me he and his wife to be had been "together 10 years, living in sin". Only the Holy Spirit could convict them after 10 years. Some of the attributes Paul ascribes to the Holy Spirit are reflected in Jesus' statements that "Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in My name; they will speak in strange tongues; … they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well"7. Perhaps the most descriptive statement Jesus makes about the Holy Spirit, that describes a result of many of the attributes is when Jesus says, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses ...to the ends of the earth"8. As the Holy Spirit guides you, remember that God guides the Holy Spirit9. My prayer for you is that as God empowers you and guides you that you will be a more effective witness for Him.

1. Nu 24:

2; Jdg 6:34; 1Sa 16:13; Eze 11:5 2. Luke 3:21-22

3. John 14:15-17

4. Joel 2:28 4.5 John 12:49

5. Tobit 2:1

6. Acts 2:1-4

7. Mark 16:17-18 (TE)

8. Acts 1:8 (NI)

9. John 16:13