The Connection Spring 2021

The Connection

SPRING 2021

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EVANGELICAL METHODIST CHURCH

My Hope is in t he Resurrect ion!

Contents 3

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General Notes Rev. Max Edwards International General Superintendent

Rev. Nathan Williamson

Interceding for One Another

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Ecce Homo Rev. José Macías Flores

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A Surprising Gift

The Passion of Jesus Christ:

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Living a Truly Abundant Life

Mrs. Judy Edwards

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Book Review: The Calvary Road

Let Your Weary Heart Rejoice Rev. Dori Halbert

God’s Supreme Act of Love

Rev. Rick Stackhouse

Rev. Max Edwards

Rev. Tad Stinson

The Connection The Connection is a publication of the Evangelical Methodist Church.

International offices are located at the Hamblen-Bruner Headquarters Building 6838 South Gray Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46237 Telephone: [317] 780-8017 Fax: [317] 780-8078 www.emchurch.org publications@emchurch.org

MAGAZINE STAFF

Editor-in-Chief: Rev. Max Edwards Pre-Production Editor: Ms. Deborah Mitchem Graphic Design: Rev. Nathan Williamson Editor: Rev. Elias P. Stinson, Jr. Editor: Mrs. Nancy Utt HQ Executive Secretary: Mrs. Karen Parsons Department of Prayer: Mrs. Judy Edwards Translator: Rev. José Macías Flores, Spanish

SUBMISSIONS Send articles to: Ms. Deborah Mitchem

dmitchem@frontier.com

ADVERTISING SALES publications@emchurch.org All quoted Scripture is from the NIV Bible, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

MISSION MISSION Connecting Connectingpeople peopleof ofall allcultures culturesand andpromoting promotingthe thework workof ofthe theKingdom Kingdomby bycommunicating communicatingour ourstories storiesof ofchanged changedlives. lives.

General Notes Dying to Live “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 1 John 3:14 Wait, did I read that wrong?

We speak of folks who have “passed,” meaning that they have gone from life to death, right?

So, what is meant by passing from death to life?

And how is it that John speaks about us “remaining” in death? Aren’t we alive?

It can be confusing, until we grapple with the real truth about life and death.

Jesus said this to Martha, one of Lazarus’ sisters: 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:21-26)?

So, in listening carefully to Jesus, we learn that there is a difference between death, and real death;

and there is a difference between life, and real life.

Before we surrender to Jesus, the body may be alive; but in reality, in the spirit, we are dead. And after we surrender to Jesus, we come into true life; a life that not even the death of the body can squelch.

And Jesus doesn’t just hold the secret password to life - - HE IS LIFE. True life.

Those who have never surrendered to Christ are not truly alive, they are dead. Dead, dead.

“1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ... 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:1,4-6).

So, the notion of “passing from death to life” only seems backwards to those whose existence is already backwards, and needs to be turned frontwards! Indeed, “passing into life” is the most frontwards thing a human being can do; the most sensible; the most amazing!

Some people use the phrase, “I’m dying to …”

“I’m dying to go to the mall.”

“I’m dying for some ice cream.”

“I’m dying for a day off.”

How about we forsake all the dead stuff that we have valued in this life, and get to real living?

The only way to get there is to get busy dying.

Dying to being self-driven, placing Christ in charge.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

Rev. Max Edwards

International General Superintendent

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Interceding I

ntercessory prayer has been defined as “holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God’s intervention.” What a blessing to be the beneficiary of intercessory prayer. We may not even haven been aware that we were being prayed for, but God spoke our name to someone and called them to lift us in prayer.

Jesus is The Great Intercessor. He stands between God and sinful man as a bridge to bring them together through His sacrificial death. “For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5).

“Therefore he is able, once and forever to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf ” (Hebrews 7:25).

And Jesus was our model of intercessory prayer during His ministry on earth. He prayed for the sick, for the demon-possessed, for His disciples and others. In John 17:20, we see that He prayed for us – “…I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one…” He continues to be our intercessor in Heaven. “Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:34).

God also calls us to intercede in prayer for one another, to plead with God for His will for others.

In intercessory prayer we follow the Old Testament priestly example and the New Testament example of Jesus – standing before God and interceding for others. Before we can truly intercede for others, we

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for One Another

by Mrs. Judy Edwards

must first stand before God for ourselves and be a Christ-follower. We must allow Him to work in us, developing a personal intimacy with Him, giving ourselves to Him as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Out of that intimacy with God, we are then able to receive direction and wisdom from Him and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit as He calls us to prayer and instructs us in how to pray His will for others.

Intimacy with God is also important because intercession is spiritual warfare, doing battle in the spiritual realm. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” This is a battle we cannot fight ourselves. We must put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) for this spiritual battle.

We have many biblical examples of intercessory prayer – Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Paul, just to name a few. As believers, we are called to intercede in prayer for our nation, our government and church leaders (even those we disagree with), pastors, friends and even for those who persecute us!

(Matthew 5:44) God may call us to intercession for unbelievers or for fellow believers.

As an intercessor, we must rely on God for wisdom and direction as to how to pray and we must pray for God’s will, not our own. Remember how meaningful it was to have someone intercede for you? As you hear the call of the Spirit, be that person for someone else.

Judy Edwards is the Chairman of the Evangelical Methodist Department of Prayer

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E v a n g e l i c a l M e t h o d i s t B o a r d o f Wo r l d M i s s i o n s

Resurrection Offering During this pandemic our EMC international pastors are in need of relief in Africa, Mexico and southeast Asia.

We have an opportunity to help meet their personal needs and help alleviate some of their burdens.

Here is how:

1) Pray for our international pastors The impossible is always possible through prayer.

and churches.

2) Give up a convenience for Lent.

Give to this offering what you would spend on that convenience.

3) Give a love offering.

Our government has provided us with multiple stimulus checks to meet our needs. Has God abundantly blessed you so that you can bless others?

In This Season of Resurrection, you can give encouragment and new life around the world.

EccE Homo

By Reverend José Macías Flores Painting by Antonio Ciseri Ecce Homo! Public Domain PD-1923

The sun began to shine, the crowd was gathering and everyone wanted to see the fate of this man. His life was in the balance. From here he could go free or he could be sentenced.

Pontius considered the evidence, the false witnesses shouting against him and the people demanding to crucify him, his wife asking him not to have anything to do with his sentence, and his political interests at stake. Unable to make a decision, he took Jesus and presented him to the crowd raising his voice and saying: “Behold the man!” People turned to see Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees shouted, celebrating their victory; at last their staunch enemy had been defeated.

Countless times they had been exposed, they had lost their reputation as spiritual leaders. They carried a heavy load of shame. When Pilate apparently left him in the hands of the crowd, the joy and expectation of the Scribes and Pharisees was enormous, they were looking at a defeated man, a finished enemy. With his death, they looked to victory and possible reinstatement to their leadership. Their arrogance knew no bounds. What a joy it was to see him on his feet, bloody, beaten and in shame. Also a group of pious women turned to see him and saw the compassionate man, full of love and concern for the sick and needy. Older women looked at him as their son and the love of mothers overflowed in them. Unable to do anything, they raised their cries to the sky begging for him. They looked at the innocent, who would never harm anyone.

Another group, hiding and watching in the distance, was confused. They watched the hope of a new kingdom fading before their eyes. What had happened? They had everything ready… who would sit on the right and who would sit on the left. When faced with such confusion,

the only thing they managed to do was escape, hide, because of the dangerous closeness they had had with that man. His whole world was in tatters. Their possibilities of being important, of having power and authority, and why not- of having riches. Three years of dangers, threats and suffering, all for what? There was their leader, a very brave man, who never showed fear of anyone, and there he was beaten, humiliated like a criminal. Another group turned to see him, those who were full of curiosity, to see with their own eyes someone being tortured and killed. They were the indifferent who neither knew him nor had any interest except to see him die. And among all of them, they also turned to see those who, despite everything, still believed in him. With heavy hearts, and with a faint glimmer of hope, they waited for one last miracle; that suddenly, at the last moment, he would come down from the cross and defeat all his enemies. All hope was ended when he expired, giving up the spirit.

The declaration of Pontius Pilate still stands: “Behold the man!” Even to this day, the men keep turning to see him. The indifferent who pass by. Those who rejoice every time they see him defeated in the life and testimony of one of his followers. The pious who see him as a great moral teacher but who is dead after all. Those who are hungry for power and authority or seeking to enrich themselves turn to see it. And turn to see him those who in spite of everything continue to believe in him. When you see him, what do you see? The humbled, defeated Christ? Or do you see the Son of God paying the price of redemption?

Reverend José Macías Flores currently pastors unreached tribal groups in Sonora, Mexico.

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The Passion of Jesus Christ; God’s Supreme Act of Love

by Rev. Tad Stanson

In these difficult times where it seems God’s

light is fading from our world, we must hold to the truths found in the most sacred and important book ever written, the Bible. Within its sacred pages are the answers to life’s deepest questions, among its words we find hope and ultimate truth. The Bible tells of a God who loved His supreme act of creation so much that when they sinned against Him, He sent His only begotten Son into a dark and fallen world to save them.

God’s love for a fallen humanity was perhaps most profoundly demonstrated in the events of a single week nearly two thousand years ago.

We will begin that Holy Week this year on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 and will celebrate its triumphant culmination on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. Between these two glorious Sundays, we with solemn hearts will contemplate the great and important events of Jesus’ Passion.

Passion is derived from the Latin patior which means to suffer. These sufferings of our Lord began in the Garden of Gethsemane and ended on the Cross of Golgotha with His horrible yet triumphant death.

After Jesus ate for the last time with His disciples, before His crucifixion, He went to pray in a garden on the Mount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem. He withdrew a few feet from His disciples who accompanied Him, and began to pray, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). When our Lord finished this prayer, Luke tells us, an angel came and strengthened Him. Jesus then prayed even more earnestly and His agony was so great that His sweat became as great drops of blood. Jesus fully understood what horrors were to come and what terrors He was soon to suffer.

The Jewish authorities feared the favor Jesus had with the common people, and they saw Him as a political threat to their authority and power; thus,

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while he was still in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was then taken by force to face trial before the Sanhedrin. The ruling religious authorities, lead by the High Priest Caiaphas, tried to bring false testimonies against Jesus in an attempt to condemn Him to death. When faced with false accusations, Jesus remained silent. Finally, the high priest asked Jesus a direct question, ‘“I put You under oath by the living God; Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said.

Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven”’ (Matthew 26:63-64). With that affirmation, the high priest tore his clothes and proclaimed that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. The crowed that was present shouted that Jesus deserved death and began beating our Lord.

Although the Jewish religious authorities could charge Jesus with an offense deserving in their minds of the penalty of death, they could not actually execute him. Execution of prisoners was the exclusive domain of the supreme ruling authority in Judea at that time, Rome. “When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor” (Matthew 27:1-2).

As Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman official was deeply impressed with this man who was so hated and reviled by the Jewish religious ruling class. While the priests and elders had condemned Jesus of blasphemy within their own religious community, they now charged Jesus with the political crime of claiming to be the king of Judea which would be a very serious offense in the minds of the Romans. “Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you say’” (Matthew 27:1).

From the Gospel accounts, it is clear Pontius Pilate did not want to execute Jesus, so he employed a local custom of releasing one prisoner to the people during the Passover Feast. “Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ’” (Matthew 27:17)?

Much to Pilate’s dismay, the people chose Barabbas to be freed and called for the crucifixion of Jesus.

Pilate then “released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

After Pilate washed his hands of Him, the passion of our Lord continued with ever increasing levels of humiliation and pain. The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and the entire garrison gathered around Jesus to witness the humiliation and abuse. They stripped Him of his clothes and in mockery placed a scarlet robe over His bleeding shoulders. They gathered thorns and twisted them into a makeshift crown, pushing it down upon his tortured brow, piercing His sacred flesh. A reed was placed in His right hand as a scepter and the soldiers bent down on one knee, proclaiming, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

When Jesus left the Praetorium, His own cross was placed upon His bleeding and bruised body to be carried by Him. Eventually Jesus became so weak and exhausted on His torturous journey to Golgotha that the Roman soldiers compelled an onlooker, Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ instrument of torture and death. When they finally arrived at the site of the crucifixion, Jesus was stripped of His clothes, His body placed upon the cross and his hands and feet nailed into the wood.

While suffocating and bleeding to death upon the Cross, Jesus was mocked and ridiculed by many of the onlookers. Yet, in the midst of such suffering and humiliation, Jesus showed kindness, compassion and love. To those who mocked Him and placed Him upon the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). To a thief who was crucified with him and who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus comforted him by saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). And, caring even while in His own terrible

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agony, Jesus showed concern when, “He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the Disciple, ‘behold your mother”’(John 19:26-27)!

After enduring such horrible suffering and humiliation, and carrying upon Himself the sins of the whole world, the Passion of Jesus Christ ended when He said “It is finished” (John 19:30). And bowing His head, he gave up His spirit.

The quintessential attribute of the one true God is love.

For the Christian, his or her supreme qualities of character are charity, compassion, empathy and kindness. These were the personality traits so evident in Jesus when He dwelt among us, and they are the significant signs which make the Christian different from so many who live in darkness in our world. If we are to truly follow Jesus Christ, we must understand what love truly is and how we must live in its light. We must be willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others, and even suffer for the cause of Christ.

Perhaps no other passage in Scripture so clearly defines the true nature of love than the 13th chapter of First Corinthians. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul shares in great detail love’s many facets. The great leader of the early church wrote, “love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

Oh how our world would be heaven on earth if only love were allowed to reign supreme in the hearts of men and women. During this time when we remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ who endured such horrible pain for you and me, may each of us live in the eternal hope of God’s love; His love for us, our love for Him and our love for each other.

Before He died that we might have eternal life, Our Savior, Jesus Christ gave his disciples and us a new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). May each of us love one another as Jesus Christ loves us in this holy time when we remember the passion of our Lord. By doing so, we and our world will become a much brighter place, full of hope and the sweet joy of God’s holy presence made possible by the sufferings of Jesus.

Rev. Tad Stinson is pastor in Moses Lake, Washington.

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CALVARYROAD Book Review

an a book 70 years old be the exact message the church needs to hear in 2021? That is the question I pondered as I picked up my copy of Roy Hession’s 70 page book “Calvary Road.” What I quickly discovered was a concise treasure trove of truth that cuts to the heart of the confusion of our generation.

Chapter one reveals that the beginning of revival is our brokenness. Our primary problem is not a pandemic, the failures of our national leaders or any outside force. Our primary problem is our own irritable, envious, resentful, critical and worried selfish nature that refuses to take responsibility and bow the knee to God. The book continues to explain what revival is: an overflow of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives. Once we surrender to God and allow Him to break us, there is a room in our hearts and lives for the Holy Spirit to come in and overflow to others. Breaking and the filling of

the Holy Spirit is a perpetual need and ongoing process.

Each chapter builds off the previous, helping the reader to understand that revival is not in the dramatic experience, but in a daily reality of life with Jesus. Roy Hession speaks in a very direct manner that is not difficult to understand and makes sense to a heart searching for hope in Jesus.

In a world that pressures us to do something to change our world, Roy Hession reminds us that Jesus calls us to be with him. And that lasting world change begins in me. His book brings us back to the cross, puts us back on our knees as we are lovingly invited to crawl up that road of selfsacrifice with Jesus. This is our intimate journey of life and victory: the calvary road.

Rev. Nathan Williamson is the senior pastor of Covenant in Morgantown, WV.

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olitical struggle, relational pain, and uncertainty over what the future holds creates a constant need for hope. Though it may feel like hope is merely a distant wish that we will somehow survive the storm, 1 Peter 1:3 tells us that we have been born again to a “living hope.”

Jesus gave his life to end the bondage of our sin and brokenness, and his resurrection gives us hope that our current circumstances will be transformed—in him, our future takes on new meaning! No matter the struggle, our hope is a living one based on a relationship with a loving God that enables us to endure.

Through the lens of hope, we trust God will hear and respond to our cries. When we express lament, sorrow, and even regret over a relationship that is fractured, a medical prognosis that looks grim, or a future that is in question, hope strengthens and sustains us. Even when things seem impossible, we look forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear that comes from the pain of death and suffering.1 Hope is more than just a state of mind or longing for a different future; it is an action-oriented character strength or virtue. Research tells us that raising one’s level of hope is the single best predictor of well-being in people. This idea completely supports what scripture has already revealed— that hope leads us toward strength. Consider the words of Paul to the church of Rome: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT).

Consider the Hebrew word for hope as an illustration of this Biblical truth. Hope (Tikvah)2 has a double meaning. It often means expectation, but it also means cord or rope. So, hope is literally

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by Rev. Dori Halbert

a rope we can hang onto when everything around us is falling apart. In the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho, the spies encounter Rahab, who protects them from harm and then asks them to protect her family when Israel marches against the city. She is in a place of hopelessness.

The spies respond to Rahab’s request by saying, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives— must be here inside the house” (Joshua 2:17-18).

The spies keep their word and spared Rahab and her family. The scarlet cord, or Tikvah, was Rahab’s lifeline. She and her family clung to the “hope” of salvation and as a result, were not only saved physically, but she becomes a part or the lineage of Jesus, the Savior of the world. She found hope in a rope!3 As Christ followers celebrate the resurrection this year, perhaps, like me, you sense the need to increase your level of hope. Not only does Easter give us an eternal hope, we know that because Jesus conquered death, we can learn to celebrate, even in the midst of our struggle. You might feel like you’re at the end of your rope, but even so, that very rope is a reminder that God is for you and will restore you. Let your weary heart rejoice!

Dori Halbert DTL, LCPC Director of Refuge Counseling and Wellness Center 1 Neff, M.A. & McMinn, M.R. (2020. Embodying integration: A fresh look at christianity in the therapy room. Downers Grove Illinois: IVP Academic.

2 Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 3 Halbert, D.L. The office with two doors: A resource for faith-based counselors and churches focused on holistic healing. (2020).

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A Surprising The resurrection and the Spirit within.

There is a paragraph in the Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology that speaks of resurrection in the eyes of Jesus. “The concept plays little part in Jesus’ teaching, though He asserts it emphatically against the Sadducees on the ground that a relationship once set up between God and humanity cannot be temporary.”

The Sadducees argued against a resurrection and considered the idea, that if one lived a good life, they would possibly be remembered by God. I can imagine a lot of people threw their hands in the air and said what’s the use?

Pharisees on the other hand believed there was a resurrection, accomplished through law. Again, I can imagine people throwing their hands in the air and saying what’s the use?

The blessed part about resurrection is that it is the power of God established in Genesis 1 and the truth of God satisfied in Revelation 21.

Jesus said as is recorded in John 14, “I must go away so that I can send the Comforter, the Counselor, the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, resurrection is justified for the salvation all humanity in the moment when Jesus rose, the curtain was torn, and our sins were forgiven. Resurrection is sanctified in humanity when the Spirit of Pentecost harvested our souls and God’s people are promised eternal relationships.

The not so idle relationship with God.

Since I have been married, sitting on the couch, watching the grass grow and ordering fresh squeezed lemonade has not happened. Relationship has everything to do with interaction, appreciation, and accomplishment. The same is with the resurrection power revealed at Pentecost, its active Holy Living.

Holy Living may be painted with a broad-brush stroke, although the sermon on the mount has a lot to say that helps us to pin point what is important to the Author of resurrection, Christ Jesus. Holy

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Living is a gift given to every believer at Pentecost.

Like every gift it needs to be unwrapped, learned about in the owner’s manual (Bible), and then put into use.

One of the books I read and enjoyed during seminary was titled Practical Divinity. It was a culmination of theological insights and practical insights. John Wesley learned from his mother Suzanna, that God is working in all believers at the right time, revealing the power of resurrection and Pentecost at the same time. It is Trinity at its best.

God spoke, Jesus fulfilled, and the Spirit equipped.

The Gift in Genesis:

Genesis 3:22-24: “And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So, the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.’”

The text gives us insight that eternal life was in the Garden. It cannot be gained through sin; the Way is through faith and trust in God as revealed in Christ Jesus.

The Gift in Revelation:

Revelation 21:3-4: “‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.’” Revelation 3:20

The Gift of Pentecost:

Gift

by Rev. Rick Stackhouse

Acts 2:1-4: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” The Holy Spirit takes over.

The Holy Spirit says, “Let Me have them.”

The resurrection opened the curtain for the work of the Holy Spirit to come and reside within all believers, then and now. The Holy Spirit is not an idle presence, who waits for the useful person to show up. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Holy Living. We do not stand a chance when it comes to arguing with the HOLY SPIRIT. The Spirit of God is the God Who was, Who is, and Who is to come.

Current Stuff:

I serve as a pastor with a group of seasoned Christians, who desire to make disciples of Jesus through love (Agape). I work as a Chaplain who sees the rubber meet the road in faith often. And I have to confess that if the power of the Pentecost resurrection were not with me in these tense and precious moments, many souls would perish. The tough part is why didn’t they enjoy Jesus sooner?

Some of my answers will come in my time with Jesus. I want every pastor and every EMC member to remember there are many hungry souls, looking for the real Jesus and Holy Living.

Rev. Rick Stackhouse is Pastor of the Whole New Life Christian Church, Venice, FL

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Living a Truly A “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

In elementary school we learned the “state of being” verbs in English: Is, am, are, was, were. Be, being, been. Has, have, had.

Do, does, did. Shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could.

What is YOUR state of being? How are you?

A standard response might be, “I’m alive and well.” But are you REALLY alive?

In John 10, Jesus speaks about our present reality, noting that our enemy is a shameless thief, and murderer. Death is the devil’s context. He exists, but he does not dwell in true life because life is communion with God. True death, therefore, is separation from God. Satan chose a path of darkness and divorce, severing his connection to the only source of life.

Because of the fall of mankind, that is our context as well.

Because of sin, we are separated from life. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit says: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you …” (Isaiah 59:2).

Hundreds of years after Isaiah penned those words, the same Spirit moved Paul to write: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Interesting to hear the Spirit say that we used to “live” as dead folks.

Our state of being was death!

But the Resurrected Christ offers a different reality. Jesus offers abundant life, but note that He says we MAY have it.

There’s another one of those state of being verbs. “May.” It

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Abundant Life

by Rev. Max Edwards

infers an optional reality that is accessible upon the fulfilment of certain conditions.

The key that unlocks this wonderful reality is the rejection of sin and self. It’s somewhat ironic that the doorway to life is death. Death to the death we’ve been living in. Death to selfish ambition. Death to worshipping the idols we’ve surrounded ourselves with. Death to separation from God. Death to sin.

Someone once said that God doesn’t ask much of a man; just all of him.

When we acknowledge that without Him, we are dead, and we willingly choose to surrender our will to His will, the same power that raised Christ from the dead flows into our spiritual reality, and we come alive!

The Scripture is clear that this life-giving power “… is the same as the mighty strength [God] exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

This amazing news means that the commemoration of Easter is not only a memorial celebration of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it is a declaration that we too have been raised to life by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. All of us were dead. But all of us who are redeemed by grace are now alive!

The bottom line is this: we can either choose to live once and die twice, or we can choose to die once (accepting Jesus’ sacrifice) and live twice. Let’s choose life!

LIFE. TRUE LIFE. ABUNDANT LIFE has been made available to us through Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!

And the life that we experience in Christ is beyond imagination. We are free to experience all of the joy, with none of the guilt. Fellowship with God is not a boring, black-and-white existence. It is full of vibrant color and richly satisfying experiences. It is neither hollow, nor one-dimensional. It is jam-packed with creative and robust opportunities.

The incredible offer that Christ makes is a trade. We have the option to trade away our dead, empty existence, and when we do, we receive an amazing and fruit-filled life.

And aren’t you just dying to live? Me too!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Rev. Max Edwards the International General Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church.

The Connection

SPRING 2021

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