Memorial Day

While most will be enjoying a day off of work tomorrow gathering with friends and family for cookouts, we want to take time to remember the true reason for this holiday.  At this time, we’re going to take a moment of silence to remember those who gave their all for our great nation followed by a time of prayer for those they left behind.

Of course, we’re incredibly thankful for the civil freedoms that those who gave all earned us, but we’re also going to take time this morning to remember another who gave their all for our total freedom, Jesus Christ.

Communion

Acts 1:3-5

3 After his suffering, Jesus presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

About this baptism, John said:

Matthew 3:11

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

We learned about the fulfillment of this promise last week at Pentecost Sunday.  There is no experience that can compare to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, being refined by His fire, being filled to overflowing with His very Presence!

Reading through the Old and New Testaments, there is sometimes confusion when it comes to us encountering the Presence of God. 

In the Old Testament, it was something to be done once a year at a specific place by only one person and they had to wear bells so that it was known when they would enter and exit it.  Approaching the Presence of God was done in fear and trembling and with great preparation and caution.  Most people wanted nothing to do with it and even asked God to go away when they were near Him.

In the New Testament, people are getting personally filled with the Presence of God and everyone wants more of it!

The truth is that there is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament nor is there any difference with His Presence.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Jesus even said that to see Him was to see the Father, however, many people in the Old Testament said that to see the face of God meant certain death.

What changed is simply our relationship with Him when Jesus spoke those last words, “It is finished.”  The law had been fulfilled and the punishment for sin paid in full.  It was that sin that separated God’s Presence from His people.  That is why when Jesus died, the veil that separated mankind from the Presence of God in the temple was torn! 

There is now a new covenant between God and mankind.  Paul reminds us of this and explains this reality a bit more to us recalling God’s interactions with His people in the Old Testament.  Although our relationship has changed, our view of God should still be in reverence and awe always in mind that there is only one reason that we can boldly come before His throne, the blood shed by Jesus to cover our sin!

It’s kind of like walking into a blazing furnace that would turn you to ash in a second if it weren’t for the protective clothing that you are wearing.  Or perhaps the difference between gathering wood and making a fire in the middle of your living room on the floor versus making a fire in the middle of your living room in the fireplace.

Though we eagerly and joyfully enjoy the Presence of God, it is only because of Jesus that it is possible and that is something that we should always be mindful of and so incredibly thankful for.

Hebrews 12:18-29

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a