PENTECOSTAL LITURGIES
Pastor Josh Weisbrod – May 31, 2020
KEY IDEA: The nation needs the healing and peace that comes through the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit that indwells us as Christians.
KEY PASSAGE: Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-13)
SUMMARY: We have to do something with what we feel—the anger, the pain, the injustice, etc. When we pray, we have assurance, in the face of evil, that heaven has come to set us free, is here to dwell with us, and will come to bring final, complete justice one day.
BACKGROUND: Praying “Your kingdom come” is a prayer of assurance. Assurance is confidence in God’s ultimate power. The kingdom of heaven is His rule, reign, and authority. Heaven touches earth when the kingdom comes—through visions, angels, God sending His son to the earth, God sending His Holy Spirit to the earth, and the future second coming of Jesus Christ. The coming of His kingdom is an establishment of his reign and authority on earth, as it is in heaven.
Assurance 1 – Jesus came to bring salvation and reign in the hearts of man
• When we pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” we are remembering the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is one of the clearest moments of the kingdom of God coming to earth. (Matt. 3:1-2)
• The fulfillment of the gospel is a coming of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1: 14-15)
• If you think what Jesus said was apolitical, you’ve got to go back and read the gospels. What he said had direct political consequences. We will be political as it pertains to Christ and His authority.
• When we pray, what we are praying is: “God, would you reign over my heart and life, and over all hearts and all lives?”
Assurance 2 – The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost to dwell within us
· When Jesus ascended to heaven he didn’t leave us alone. (John 14:16; Acts 1:4-8)
· The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the kingdom.
· Pentecost – The day the Holy Spirit fell on believers in the fulfillment of a prophecy that Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to them. Heaven touched earth in a mighty way. (Acts 2:1-13)
· This is powerful for us. When the Spirit of God reigns within us He will produce within us the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit – character and power of the kingdom.
· Gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (as He wills) and 1 Corinthians 12:27 – 31.
· Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22 (love, joy, etc.) He works in and through us and He also produces within us the fruit of the Spirit.
· In the face of evil, we can have assurance through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
· How can this nation be healed? Healing is a gift of the Spirit.
How can there be peace? Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Holy Spirit is the key.
· Pray: May we be filled with your Spirit. Let us overflow with Your Presence. Let it be evident in our lives that we recognize Your kingdom.
· May there be peace, healing, and unity - on earth as it is in heaven
Assurance 3 – The second coming of Jesus Christ brings about perfect justice.
· The second coming is literally heaven coming to earth.
· The power of Communion is that we look back at the sacrifice of Jesus, we look inward at our heart, and we look ahead to his return. (1 Corinthians 11:26; Matt. 24:29-31; Matt. 25:31)
· Why is the second coming of Christ an assurance? Because it restores creation and it brings justice. (Acts 17:31)
· You cannot believe in true social justice without eternity and a 2nd coming. Only through God is there perfect justice.
· In the face of evil, there must be justice. But there is not enough justice on the earth for the evil that has been committed. We pray for justice on earth and have the assurance of justice in eternity.
· God will have perfect justice in judgement of the world. (Revelation 21:1-8) There might not be justice now, but there will be justice. He is a good and faithful God.
· We need to advocate for justice, but there will not be enough justice to make this feel better.
Pray:
Jesus would you reign in every life – your character, love, virtue. Create in us a new heart where you reign by your will. Holy Spirt fill us, renew us, and may we overflow with your presence. May your presence be evident in us as we recognize your kingdom. Come Lord and bring justice for your people. Wipe away every hurt and pain. May it be so here on earth as it is in heaven—in this country, in each state, in each city, in my family, and in my life.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.
1) How is the current situation regarding the heart-cry for justice—in our city, in our state, and in our country—impacting you personally?
2) How can Christians educate themselves on issues of injustice in the world around us?
3) We are taught by Jesus to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven there is justice, which means we pray for justice on earth, as it is in heaven. What role can or should the body of Christ play in helping to bring justice and compassion to the community we live in and to the larger world?
4) How can we individually and corporately let God’s presence overflow to those around us? In other words, what opportunities are there for each of us to bring healing and peace to those who are hurting around us in the present context?
5) “The power of communion is that we look back at the sacrifice of Jesus, we look inward at our heart, and we look ahead to his return.” This is a good moment to look inward at our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to show us how we have contributed to the pain and injustice our brothers and sisters of color experience every moment of their lives—knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, actively or by silence.
Full Podcast Episode: http://banner.church/podcast/2020/9/10/pentecostal-liturgies-liturgy-for-pentecost-53120
Link To Liturgy: http://banner.church/pentecost