Written by Joel Deacon - Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Wollongong

WIND & FIRE

Wind and Fire are beautiful images that describe the character of God. Our God is an inviting God who draws us near. Like a warm fire he draws us close and like a gentle breeze he refreshes us. But do not forget that Wind and Fire are also terrifying. A bushfire is uncontrollable. A cyclone is unstoppable. Our God is gentle and inviting but also mighty, holy and someone we should revere.

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came with Wind and Fire. Pentecost was a new beginning. And filled with the presence and power of God, the disciples launched a movement that changed the world. And Pentecost happened when the disciples were surrounded by people in a city, not alone on a mountain, because the Spirit of God was given to the people of God to fulfil the mission of God. When you read Acts 2, you will see it. When the Spirit fills the disciples, there is Wind and Fire, and then what do they do? They speak in tongues for one clear purpose: to preach the gospel and build the church.

In Acts 1:8 (ESV) Jesus says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”

From the very beginning, the church was born through the Holy Spirit empowered proclamation of the gospel. In the New Testament we see that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts for the common good of the church and for the mission of Jesus. And today, Christians and churches are meant to do ministry by the power and gifts of the Spirit, but unfortunately this is not always the case.

The pastor and author Derek Prince once observed that “church history is full of attempts to create systems so safe we no longer need to rely on the Holy Spirit”.

Our hope for this series is that we would learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the mission of God. Our prayer for this series is that we would be filled with the Spirit, filled with fresh Wind and Fire, like the disciples at Pentecost.

With our hands open, our eyes fixed on Jesus, and our hearts full of love, we are going to study the Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us with fresh gifts and abilities, not for our glory, but for the church's good and for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.

The question is:

• Are you ready for this journey?
• Are you ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit in a fresh way?
• Are you ready to rely on the Spirit when it comes to the mission of God?
• Are you ready for fresh Wind and Fire?

QUESTIONS:

1. What spiritual gifts come to mind when you think about the Holy Spirit empowering the early church?
2. In ministry do you rely on your own strength or the power of the Holy Spirit?
3. What do you think is the first step in discerning the gifts you have?

CHALLENGE:
With hands open repeat this ancient prayer "Come Holy Spirit Come".