In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Isaiah 6:1-4
Entering a church is meant to be a comforting experience. But imagine that one Sunday, you approach a church and see that the entire building seems to be shaking as if it were experiencing an earthquake. Hesitantly you open the front door and are immediately enveloped in clouds of smoke. At the front of the church, you see God himself seated on a lofty throne. The train of his robe fills the entire sanctuary. Around him fly six-winged angels, who themselves are so overcome by God’s greatness that they’re using one pair of wings to cover their faces and another to cover their feet. And in your ears resounds this chorus from the angels: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
How would you feel if you experienced something like this? When the prophet Isaiah had this experience, he felt completely overwhelmed. He was overwhelmed by God’s holiness.
To be holy means to be completely set apart. It means to be transcendent. As we witness God’s revelation of himself to Isaiah, we can’t help but see his holiness. God is on a level all his own in every possible way. No one comes close to matching his power. No one can ever begin to approach his glory. Everything about him is perfect. Even the angels, as glorious as they are, reverently avert their eyes when confronted with the holy God.
All this leads us to approach our holy God with similar reverence. We may not see our holy God with our physical eyes each time we enter a church. But he still is seated on his high and lofty throne. He still is transcendent and set apart. The angels in heaven still are shouting his praises. And we join our voices to theirs, exalting our holy God.
Prayer:
O holy triune God, I praise you for your greatness. Amen.
Battlefield bravery—a soldier gives up his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. We hear of medals being awarded for such behavior. The soldier is part of a team, bonded by common goals and motivated by respect and love for his comrades. Such acts are rare events in our world.
The soldiers whose lives were saved remember the heroic deed the rest of their lives. Wouldn’t we do the same?
Someone did die to save our lives—someone by the name of Jesus Christ! In our case, though, there were two significant differences that take the sacrifice far beyond anything else that has taken place here on earth. Jesus died for all the people who ever lived on earth. Everyone was a sinner; all had broken God’s commands. Each of us by our nature was not a friend of Jesus. We were the enemy. What kind of love is it that would have Jesus die for his enemies?
And what about the effect of Jesus’ death for us? He did not die to lengthen our life here on earth. By his death, Jesus gave us eternal life. He turned us from enemies into friends. Jesus took our sins on himself so that we can spend eternity with him in heaven. To that end, we look forward. For here and now, we hear his command: Love each other as I have loved you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me this day to be willing to selflessly love the people in my life the way you selflessly loved me when you paid for my sins on the cross. Amen.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. So goes the saying. And so it went with King David. One day his heart turned in lust to the wife of another man, and David fell hard. Not only did he commit adultery, but he also tried to cover up his sin with another sin—murder. Then he carried on as though nothing had happened, which also added to his guilt.
Looking back on his state of impenitence, David later wrote: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3,4).
The knowledge of his sin and punishment deserved from God weighed heavily on David’s spirit. But God was merciful to him and broke his heart of stone. The Lord sent his prophet Nathan to call David to repentance, and through that call, he changed David’s heart again.
Like David, we need to have our sin-hardened hearts broken each day as we repent of our sins. And we flee to God for his mercy, his unfailing love, and his great compassion. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God loves us and forgives us daily.
Prayer:
Let us pray with David: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen. (Psalm 51:10,12)
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
OPENING HYMN CW 195, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
† T H E C O M M O N S E R V I C E †
Please stand.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
M: Beloved in the Lord; let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C:Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
Kyrie
C: Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
GLORY BE TO GOD
Gloria in Excelsis
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Let us pray.
Almighty God and Father, dwelling in majesty and mystery, filling and renewing all creation by your eternal Spirit, and manifesting your saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ: in mercy cleanse our hearts and lips that, free from doubt and fear, we may ever worship you, one true immortal God, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, living and reigning, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings.
† T H E W O R D †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 6:1-8
Summary: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty”
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
PSALM 150
* Sing refrains and verses in unison.
Refrain: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God in his sanctuary;*
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;*
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Refrain
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,*
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,*
praise him with strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,*
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Refrain
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.*
Praise the LORD.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
EPISTLE LESSON Romans 8:14-17
Summary: The Spirit makes us God’s children and co-heirs with Christ
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs– heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
VERSE OF THE DAY Isaiah 6:3b
M: Alleluia. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Alleluia.
C: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Please stand.
C: Glory be to you, O Lord!
GOSPEL LESSON John 3:1-17 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: The Father gave us his Son and gives us the Spirit that we might have life
After Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven– the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
C: Praise be to you, O Christ!
Please be seated.
THE ATHANASIAN CREED
This creed is named after St. Athanasius, a staunch defender of the Christian faith in the fourth century. It was prepared to assist the Church in combating two errors that undermined Bible teaching. One error denied that God ’s Son and the Holy Spirit are of one being or Godhead with the Father. The other error denied that Jesus Christ is true God and true man in one person. The Athanasian Creed continues to serve the Christian Church as a standard of the truth. It declares that whoever rejects the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of Christ is without the saving faith.
C: Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all else, hold to the true Christian faith. Whoever does not keep this faith pure in all points will certainly perish forever.
Now this is the true Christian faith:
We worship one God in three persons and three persons in one God, without mixing the persons or dividing the divine being. For each person—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is distinct, but the deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory and coeternal in majesty. What the Father is, so is the Son, and so is the Holy Spirit. The Father is uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated; the Father is infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite; the Father is eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal; yet they are not three who are eternal, but there is one who is eternal, just as they are not three who are uncreated, nor three who are infinite, but there is one who is uncreated and one who is infinite. In the same way the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty; yet they are not three who are almighty, but there is one who is almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God; yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord; yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord. For just as Christian truth compels us to confess each person individually to be God and Lord ,so the true Christian faith forbids us to speak of three Gods or three Lords. The Father is neither made nor created nor begotten of anyone. The Son is neither made nor created, but is begotten of the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeds from the Father and the Son. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. And within this Trinity none comes before or after; none is greater or inferior, but all three persons are coequal and coeternal, so that in every way, as stated before, all three persons are to be worshiped as one God and one God worshiped as three persons. Whoever wishes to be saved must have this conviction of the Trinity. It is furthermore necessary for eternal salvation truly to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ also took on human flesh.
Now this is the true Christian faith: We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is both God and man. He is God, eternally begotten from the nature of the Father, and he is man, born in time from the nature of his mother, fully God, fully man, with rational soul and human flesh, equal to the Father as to his deity, less than the Father as to his humanity; and though he is both God and man, Christ is not two persons but one, one, not by changing the deity into flesh, but by taking the humanity into God; one, indeed, not by mixture of the natures, but by unity in one person; for just as the rational soul and flesh are one human being, so God and man are one Christ. He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, and from there will come to judge the living and the dead. At his coming all people will rise with their own bodies to answer for their personal deeds. Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire.
This is the true Christian faith. Whoever does not faithfully and firmly believe this cannot be saved.
Be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CW 391, God Loved the World So that He Gave
SERMON John 3:1-7
“The Triune God Saves”
The Spirit gives us new birth
The Father gives us his love
The Son gives us new life
Please stand.
Please be seated.
† O F F E R I N G S O F G I F T S & P R A Y E R S †
THE OFFERING
Members of this congregation show their thanks to God for all he has done for them by returning a portion of their income to the Lord. Through these free will offerings, this congregation and its ministries are maintained. Guests need not feel obligated to contribute. The plate is located in the church entryway.
Please stand.
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer, Trinity Prayer and Intercessory Prayers are spoken by pastor. Please see announcement details of today’s Intercessory Prayers.
LORD’S PRAYER
All:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Be seated.
HYMN CW 239, Glory Be to God the Father
Please stand.
M: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
M: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and † give you peace.
C: Amen, Amen, Amen.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN CW 334, Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
† A N N O U N C E M E N T S †
May 30 – June 5
Sun.
8:00a.m.
Emmanuel Worship
10:00a.m.
St. John’s Worship
Mon.
MEMORIAL DAY
Tues.
8:30 a.m.
Faculty meeting
9:00a.m.
Elders meeting at St. John’s
Wed.
Thurs.
Fri.
8:00a.m. 4:00p.m.
Church Garage Sale
Sat.
8:00a.m.12:00p.m.
Church Garage Sale
4:30p.m.
St. John’s Worship
Next week’s theme:-June 6, 2021 The Second Sunday after Pentecost: Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Worship
CHURCH NEWS
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS (read by pastor)
– For those hospitalized, ill, shut-in and facing trials: Jim & Caryl Bassett, Cheri Borzick, Ed Buchholz, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Sharon Crook, Roberta Davison (Beth John’s daughter), Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken & Sally Elmer, Mike Farrell, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Louise Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Thomas Marcelain (Dawn’s son), Luanne Mittlesteadt, Shelley Myers, Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Kathy North, Rhett Petersen (Dan Finger’s friend), Al Pompa (Pete & Lucy Laun’s brother-in-law), Karen Radke, LuAnn Reber, Jeff Reimer & son Tim, Don & Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Tom Stempniak (Carol’s husband), Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Linda Lou Wacholtz, Dixie Wagner, Kathy Weinfurter (Ken Pabelick’s mother-in-law), John Wildt, Harold & brother Paul Wuerch, Bill Zamzow (Kay Maass’ brother-in-law ) – (added this week: Ellie Kendall, Shelley Myers, Kathy Weinfurter, Bill Zamzow (Kay Maass’ brother-in-law )
-For Memorial Day
ART FOR DINNER If you ordered a cookbook, Megan and Ciara will be set up in Emmanuel parish hall after church today (Sunday) from 9:00-9:30am and at St. John’s conference room from 9:30am-10:00am. If you still owe, please bring your cash or check payment. Thank you for supporting our school! Totals to follow soon.
ATTENTION ST. JOHN’S AND EMMANUEL MEMBERS:
Starting Sunday, May 16 @ 6:30pm, there will be adult softball on the baseball diamond behind
St. John’s. This is open to men and women who have graduated high school (recently or a long time ago!). We are not preparing for a future event, just gathering in fellowship and activity during the warmer months of the year. Come out and enjoy the season and meeting together!
CONFIRMATION GOWNS If you have a confirmation gown that you, or someone you know, is not using and want to donate it to church for future confirmands, please drop by the office. Thanks!
CROSSES Located in the link way of St. John’s and parish hall of Emmanuel are interactive wooden crosses made by our Emmanuel member Gene Crook. Thank you, Gene! If you would like one to take home, please help yourself. Pentecost season scarves and descriptive cards are available for pickup! We would also like to thank LuAnn Zieman, our St. John’s member, and a few other ladies who took the time to put these crosses together.
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s church and school that you can choose from:
Church General, School General, House/Parking Lot, Family Easter Festival, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, School Technology, Church Video/Audio System, Security System, Tuition Assistance, Athletic Fund, Outreach Events, School Server Upgrade, School HVAC/Purifying System
SCHOOL NEWS
ART FOR DINNER If you ordered a cookbook, Megan and Ciara will be set up in Emmanuel parish hall after church today (Sunday) from 9:00-9:30am and at St. John’s conference room from 9:30am-10:00am. If you still owe, please bring your cash or check payment. Thank you for supporting our school! Totals to follow soon.
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION OPEN We are currently accepting registrations for St. John’s Little Lambs 2021-2022. Forms are available from the school office, church Information Room or from Director Lynn Sellnow.
FREE MEAL SIGNUP FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES See the sign up link on our school Facebook page. While school is in session, St. John’s meals will be dropped off at school on Wednesdays and available for you to pick up when you pick up your child at the end of the school day.
Montello Public School plan for summer school feeding is as follows: Breakfast and lunch is free to anyone in the community Monday -Thursday while summer school is going on, located in the high school cafeteria. The Mondays that there is no summer school, a 5-day meal pick up for anyone in the community will be available. The link to sign up will be the same one that has been used and can be found on our St. John’s school Facebook page. The pickup will be at high school door 23.
Summer School runs: June 14- June 24, July 5th – 15th and August 9-12 Monday through Thursday.
We will serve breakfast from 8:00-8:30 and lunch at 11:30 in the high school cafeteria. The canopy doors are where the kids can enter school.
The Monday bulk food pick up dates:
June 7th, 28th
July 19th, 26th
August 2nd, 16th, 23rd
CONFIRMATION GOWNS If you have a confirmation gown that you, or someone you know, is not using and want to donate it to church for future confirmands, please drop by the office. Thanks!
LIST OF DEDICICATED ACCOUNTS Want to donate and know exactly where your money is going?! Here is a list of accounts between St. John’s church and school that you can choose from:
Church General, School General, House/Parking Lot, Family Easter Festival, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School
School Technology, Church Video/Audio System, Security System, Tuition Assistance, Athletic Fund, Outreach Events
School Server Upgrade, School HVAC/Purifying System
The Holy Triune God Works Together For Us!
Trinity – B
God’s Word for Today
On this Sunday we celebrate the reveled description of the Triune God who works on our behalf. Isaiah trembled at God’s holiness. . But to Nicodemus Jesus explains the greatest revelation of the Three-in-One God. The Father’s love plowed through the offence of sin and sent the Son to died in our behalf. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts to believe and gives us a new life as his gift.
First Lesson (Isaiah 6:1-8)
1. What did Isaiah have the unique privilege of seeing?
2. What was his initial reaction (would be yours)?
3. What amazing thing happened to Isaiah?
Second Lesson (Romans 8:14-17)
4. What relationship does the Holy Spirit create between God and us?
5. What change does make in our perception of God?
Gospel (John 3:1-17)
6. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus was the only way “to see the kingdom of God?
7. What is this “new birth all about?”
Answers:
1. He was given a view of heaven. Magnificent angels were singing the holiness of the Almighty God in whose presence he had been brought. The ultimate authority and superiority of God was evident as the high ranks of angels stood before God with great reverence covering their faces and feet. They sang “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty” – like the hymn that has become a favorite in Christian worship too.
2. Isaiah was petrified in the presence of a holy God. God’s pure holiness only made his sinfulness stand out even more (like dirt on a pure white shirt). The sense of unworthiness was mixed with the fear of condemnation.
3. God purified him with touching of a coal to his lips. He removed the guilt of sin because they were atoned for by the Christ whom Isaiah would soon describe in amazing prophetic accuracy.
4. Those whom the Holy Spirit leads to faith begin to see another side of God. The relationship of a son and a Father begins to unfold.
5. We are able to come boldly and confidently before the powerful, holy, mighty God and call him “Dad.” Not only can we feel comfortable and without fear in his presence, but we can see ourselves as ones sharing the inheritance with our brother Jesus.
6. Unless a man is born again…born of water and the Spirit…he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Without this new birth we have no part in the ruling activity of God nor do we share in the victory of Christ. Coming into this saving environment is not a decision we’ve come upon after some logical principles or prayers. No, it is fully the activity of God working in our sinful (fleshly) hearts and aligning them spiritual with him through Jesus.
7. It is all about believing in what God has done to save us by sending his Son to live, die and rise for us.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
5-22
11
5-23
110
St. John’s Altar Committee for May 2021:Kay Maass&Jennie Utke
The Bible tells us about a very special day shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven called Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Spirit of God gave Jesus’ followers the ability to speak in languages they had never learned so that they could tell the thousands of visitors in Jerusalem all about Jesus and what he had done. When they did, the Bible says that the people who heard them speaking were amazed. They asked, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?” These were not college-educated, multi-lingual, highly-skilled orators. They were blue-collar, callous-handed, working-class men. They were fishermen, like James and John. They were tax collectors, like Matthew. They were quick to talk and act but sometimes slow to think, like Peter. They were normal people. They had flaws and fears just like you and me.
Isn’t this comforting to know? God can do amazing things through ordinary people. People like you. It may not be speaking in a language you have never studied. But it might be speaking a word of encouragement to a co-worker, or a word of warning to a wayward teenager, or a word of comfort to a friend.
Why would God use someone like you to do something so important? Certainly not because you are such a deserving messenger. Just like Jesus’ disciples, you are sinful and flawed. But, just like Jesus’ disciples, you have a God who loves you and sent his Son to save you from your sins. That same God can now use you to serve him and the people he has brought into your life. Aren’t you utterly amazed?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, give me a heart that loves all people, as you love all people. Use me, an ordinary person, to serve the people you have brought into my life. Amen.
The operator answers: 9-1-1, What’s your emergency? When people dial 9-1-1, they are calling for help. “Someone broke into my home! My house is on fire! There’s a bad accident on the freeway! I don’t know what to do. I can’t fix this. Please, come and help!”
But, whom do you call when you need spiritual help? When you are thinking, “I can’t do this alone, Lord. My guilt is too big. I’ve made a mess of my life. I’ve made so many mistakes—how can I possibly stand before you, O Lord, when my life is over? I need you, Lord. Please, come and help!”
There is only one person you need to call on when you need spiritual help—only one person who can help when you need spiritual help. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, your guilt is overwhelming but remember, Jesus paid for your every sin on the cross.
Yes, you’ve made a mess of things, at nearly every turn; but remember, Jesus was perfect at every turn and in every moment of his life. He did that for you.
No, you can’t possibly stand before the Lord when your life draws to a close, not in the filthy rags of your own accomplishments or morality; but remember, Jesus paid your debt! He canceled your sin! He made you right with God!
When you next find yourself struggling spiritually, when you know you need help, remember today’s Bible reading, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, come to me with your Word of comfort. Help me to see Jesus as my only Savior and to love him with all my heart. Amen.
[Jesus said] “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26
The Bible teaches that there is only one God but that he exists as three separate persons. It is a profound mystery we can never fully comprehend. The Bible calls these three persons the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In our Bible reading for today, God the Son promised that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to bless his people. So just what would the Holy Spirit do?
He wouldn’t die on the cross; Jesus had already done that. Instead, the Holy Spirit would use that cross to convict the hearts of men, women, and children—this is what your sins have done! And he would use that same cross to console and comfort—this is what the Son has done for you! He’s paid your debt!
The Holy Spirit wouldn’t go from town-to-town preaching and baptizing; Jesus had already commissioned his disciples to do that. Instead, the Holy Spirit would be the power behind every word of truth the disciples would speak and write. The Holy Spirit would work through and in every baptism and every sermon.
The Holy Spirit wouldn’t change water into wine or feed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fish. Jesus had done that. The Holy Spirit would instead perform different kinds of miracles. He would give new life to those dead in sin. He’d supply trust and faith where there had previously been unbelief and doubt. He would impart comfort and hope where there had been shame and despair.
What would the Holy Spirit do? Exactly what he does today. Whenever and wherever God’s Word is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit is regularly and repeatedly delivering love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit does exactly what Jesus said he would—he is reminding us of everything Jesus has said and done.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, keep my eyes focused on Jesus; help me to know him better. Amen.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. . . . All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2,4
In the hours after Jesus’ death, his closest followers were laying low, hiding behind locked doors. They were afraid, doubting, discouraged, and defeated. Then Jesus appeared to them. They were overjoyed but still not understanding everything completely. They needed extra teaching and tutoring. So Jesus promised to send a teacher, the Holy Spirit. That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.
Now filled with the Holy Spirit, those disciples who once cowered were preaching in public. Those slow-to-understand students had become the teachers and, as a result of their teaching the gospel, 3,000 people believed that day. Those disciples who had haphazardly scattered when Jesus was arrested weeks earlier, now had become the very leaders, who in an organized fashion, scattered missionaries to share the gospel and save countless souls throughout the world.
But here’s a nightmarish thought: Imagine if that wind never blew that day and the Holy Spirit never came to teach and tutor those disciples. Imagine if the disciples stayed huddled in their room. Doubting, discouraged, and defeated. Imagine if those 3,000 people never heard the good news about Jesus and those missionaries were never sent to the far corners of the world.
Thank God that’s not what happened. Thank God the wind did blow, and the Holy Spirit did work powerfully on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit still works powerfully whenever and wherever the Word of God is proclaimed.
When your sins press hard and life’s challenges press even harder, go to where the wind blows. In other words, open up the Bible and read. Attend a worship service and listen to the preaching of the Word. The Holy Spirit will be there too. He’ll be teaching and tutoring you, just as he did the disciples.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, whenever I read your Holy Word, fill me with understanding. Strengthen my faith. Make me strong to do your will. Amen.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. . . . All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2,4
Big, life-changing events can happen in a moment. Most tornadoes, for instance, last less than ten minutes; but in those short moments, a lot can happen. On May 22, 2011, at 5:34 P.M. a tornado touched down just west of Joplin, Missouri. Thirty-eight minutes later 8,000 buildings were destroyed, 1,000 people were injured, and 161 lives were lost.
Some of us know what it’s like to lose just about everything. In a moment, the flames, floods, or fierce winds can take away our possessions. In a moment, a doctor can click on that bright X-ray panel and our life can change. In a moment, that seemingly harmless temptation can snap its jaws around us like a bear trap and before you know it, we’re getting comfortable with attitudes, using words, or walking down paths no child of God ever should.
Bad, destructive things can happen in a moment. Good, beautiful things can happen too. On that first Pentecost, it happened very suddenly. There was a sound of a violent wind and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. They in turn began telling others about the wonders of God and within moments, many other people were also filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has used some special people and special moments in our lives to introduce us to Jesus and enable us to put our trust in him. What a moment it is when the sign of the cross is made on the head and heart when a child or adult is baptized into God’s family. What a moment it is when a youngster sits on grandma’s lap and hears about the Savior’s love. What a moment it is when a weary soul comes to Jesus for rest, when the sin-laden conscience is assured that Jesus has taken away all sin.
Even as you read or listen to this devotion, the Holy Spirit is working in your heart to calm and comfort you. What a wonderful moment!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, as I approach this day, help me to value every moment you give me. Amen.
[Jesus said] “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27
The words of a loved one can cause anxiety. Let’s say someone close to you says something like, “I am leaving soon. I am going to suffer, and I am going to die. Here are some specific things I want you to do.” Do you think you might have a little anxiety?
Jesus said those things to his disciples. He told them he was leaving. He told them he was going to suffer and die. And he told them that they would have a very specific job, repeating the things that he had told them. The disciples had anxiety; their hearts were troubled.
But Jesus did not just cause anxiety. He also relieved it. He told the disciples that after he was gone, the Holy Spirit would prompt them to remember what he told them—with no mistakes. After the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the disciples would be able to preach and teach and write the New Testament of the Bible confidently, knowing that the Holy Spirit was making sure that every word was correct.
Jesus also relieved anxiety by telling his disciples that his suffering and death would bring peace and confidence. He would not remain dead. He would rise from the dead, proving that everything he said was true and showing that God continues to be in charge of this world.
God’s love for you in Christ Jesus gives you peace and takes away fear. You can also speak words that take away anxiety for your loved ones. Because of the peace that you have in Jesus, you are able to speak words of forgiveness to them. Because you know that the Bible is true, you can speak the truth to them in love.
When your heart is troubled, when you feel anxious, Jesus promises you peace.
Prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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