"Counting it all joy" is no trite or glib phrase meant to paper over painful trials, but is a gift to the children of God who can know for certain that even in the most difficult circumstances, God is working to strengthen and mature their faith.

Text: Acts 2:1-21. Part of the significance of Pentecost is that God's people are now empowered to practice a prophetic ministry.

The payers, presence, and power of Christ provide great comfort and courage to His people even in their most difficult trials and most acute suffering.

A Christian community shaped by the wisdom of God will practice mature Christian works and words flowing out of mature hearts.

Text: Colossians 2:20-3:4. Union with Christ in His death means death to life-seeking through self-improvement, while union with Christ in His life means a clean slate and new power to walk in newness of life, to live the resurrection life.

Solomon's historic downfall is instructive to us all. The temptations that drew his heart away from the Lord are the same sorts of temptations we face today.