(B) Sunday before Pentecost- Dedicating Our Talents-The seventh Sunday of Eastertide is Ascension Sunday when we celebrate Christ’s return to heaven. When Christ finished giving His disciples their assignment, He ascended into heaven, leaving them to carry on the work until He returns (Acts1:7-11). In the parable of the talents (Math. 25:14-30) Jesus makes it clear that He was leaving His disciples and entrusting them to carry on His work. He indicates that He has given everyone talents to help build His kingdom. Some have many talents, some have very few. He indicated that one day He is coming back and those who are in Christ will stand before Him to give an account of how we used the talents He gave us. How we use those talents will determine our eventual reward. If we use those talents abundantly, He will reward us abundantly but if we squander them, we will receive little or no reward when He returns. Eastertide should have been a time when members sought their talents and the church sought ways to use those talents. If so, Ascension Sunday should be a time when they commit themselves to the summer evangelistic work so that Pentecost can be a fruitful time of winning souls.
Archive for the ‘Eastertide’ Category
Fifth Sunday of Eastertide-May 25
Develop new ministries Our society glorifies personal accomplishments, but we are limited as we try to accomplish things alone. The church needs to take this time to help members discover where they can use their gifts in current ministries and survey the community to discover the needs around it so it can develop new ways to minister to those in need and use the gifts of those who don’t fit in current ministries. Many churches continue to put their effort into the same old ministries it has always carried out and fail to take advantage of newly discovered gifts and the changing needs around it. The church also needs to introduce its members to Christian Social Service agencies that may have need of their talents.
Fourth Sunday of Eastertide-May 18
Seek Gifts Eastertide is a time of preparation for ministry. The disciples prayed together for the power (Holy Spirit) Jesus had promised. The church should be united in prayer as we seek the gifts that God has given us and where God would have us use our gifts. Although it is a personal search, it should be undertaken together with the church, seeking guidance and feedback from our fellow believers. We need the support and direction of the body of Christ to help us locate our individual gifts because we often confuse where we want to serve (because of the prestige) with where we are gifted to serve and would enjoy serving. Those who know us can help us explore various areas of service to see where we can contribute our gifts. Too often the church pressures people to serve where there is an opening even when the person does not enjoy it or have the needed gifts. (See “The Important I” which I wrote to help those seeking God’s will for their life).
Third Sunday of Eastertide-May 11
You shall receive power-Acts 1:4-12-Jesus’ appears to the disciples in Jerusalem-Jesus promised He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit. He promised that the Holy Spirit would be with them until He returned and would guide them and strengthen them. He then commanded them to stay in the city until they received the Holy Spirit. We are not to set out to be His witnesses until we receive the Spirit for we cannot do it effectively without the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Seciond Sunday of Eastertide-May 4
Of One Accord As the discipled prayed for power, they were united in one purpose. They concentrated on the job ahead and focused their attention on what was needed. This should also be a time when the church concentrates on what needs to be done and what the church will need to carry it out. Summer is a good time for the church to concentrate its resources on reaching the lost while children are out of school, younger workers have the time, and weather is at its best. It should begin gathering what it will need to carry out its mission during Eastertide to be ready when summer begins. However, many churches have lost interest in Pentecost and no longer focus on reaching the lost during the summer. As a result, they do not do anything during the rest of the year when people are often busy with school and other activities.
First Sunday of Eastertide-April 27
He is Alive Jesus appears on road to Emmaus-Luke 24:13-35 When Jesus met two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus, they were discouraged because Jesus had been crucified. They had seen all their hopes and dreams of Jesus being the Messiah destroyed when they saw Jesus die on the cross. As Jesus walked with them, He opened up the Scriptures and revealed God’s purpose for His death and resurrection, but they did not recognize Him. As He sat down to eat with them, He broke bread and instantly they recognized Him. In the same way, we recognize the Lord and are drawn together as we celebrate communion. We see the world closing in on us and feel powerless like the disciples did when they saw Christ crucified. We often look at the task before us and feel it is too big for us. However, we can draw hope from the fact that Christ is alive. He conquered death when He died on the Cross for our sins and arose again. There is no greater foe than death and if Jesus defeated death, there is nothing we can’t conquer with His help.
Ascension Sunday-May 12
Sunday before Pentecost- Focus on mission-Ascension Sunday reminds us of Christ’s ascent to heaven and is the prelude to Pentecost when the church should be launching its summer evangelistic efforts. Before it starts, the church should be clear on it’s mission. After Jesus rose from the dead and showed Himself to His disciples, He appeared to them in Galilee-Matt. 28: 16-20 He gathered them and told them to go and make disciples of all nations, and to teach them all that He commanded them. During Pentecost, we concentrate on winning the lost. We are to seek the lost and lead them to the Lord. Once they receive Christ, we are to baptize them, symbolically illustrating their death and resurrection in Christ. During Kingdomtide we will focus on making disciples when we seek to teach them to do all that Christ has commanded us. That involves active training, not the passive attendance which is common in many churches today. Now is a good time to finalize plans for a summer campaign to reach those who do not know Christ. Every church board should open every meeting with the questions “What can we do to win souls?”.
Sixth Sunday of Eastertide-May 5
Fellowship-The Bible says the disciples were in one place, of one accord and were in prayer, seeking power from the Lord. The last Sunday before Ascension Day could be a time of fellowship over a potluck meal followed by a time of prayer that the church would be of one accord and that divisions and disagreements could be put aside to devote the church fully to demonstrating the love of God and that the members would be an example of God’s love that would attract unchurched people to the church so that the church could be able to reach those around it with the Gospel. It can be a time when it finalizes plans for its summer outreach.