Reflections on the Spirit

The Sending of the Spirit

Acts 2 and Pentecost

Reflections on the Spirit

Discerning the Character of the Spirit

• God’s Spirit is creative• It brings life and freedom• It is the deep essence of God (and of us)• It never leaves us• God’s Spirit entwines with our spirit so that we

relate directly to God• It gives gifts to EVERYONE

Reflections on the Spirit

Three Great Festivals of Judaim

• Passover or Pesach (Barley)• Pentecost or Shavuot (Wheat)• Tabernacles or Sukkot (Everything else)

Reflections on the Spirit

Pentecost/Shavuot

• Giving of the Law• A sound of trumpet

and fireBUT• The Israelites are told

not to come near

• Giving of the Spirit• Wind and tongues

of fireBUTThe message is proclaimed for everyone

Reflections on the Spirit

Discerning the Character of the Spirit

• God’s Spirit is creative• It brings life and freedom• It is the deep essence of God (and of us)• It never leaves us• God’s Spirit entwines with our spirit so that we

relate directly to God• It gives gifts to EVERYONE• It is for everyone

Reflections on the Spirit

Tower of Babel

• Purpose of the tower was to get close to God and to celebrate their power

• God scattered them and made them unable to understand each other

• God came down to earth so that we could be filled with his power

• And helped us to speak so that everyone can understand

Reflections on the Spirit

How do we know that something is of

the Spirit?

Reflections on the Spirit

Discerning the Character of the Spirit

• God’s Spirit is creative• It brings life and freedom• It is the deep essence of God (and of us)• It never leaves us• God’s Spirit entwines with our spirit so that we

relate directly to God• It gives gifts to EVERYONE• It is for everyone and bring us all together

Reflections on the Spirit

Today we feel the wind beneath our wingsToday the hidden fountain flows and playsToday the church draws breath at last and singsAs every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.This is the feast of fire, air, and waterPoured out and breathed and kindled into earth.The earth herself awakens to her makerAnd is translated out of death to birth.The right words come today in their right orderAnd every word spells freedom and releaseToday the gospel crosses every borderAll tongues are loosened by the Prince of PeaceToday the lost are found in His translation.Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation.

Malcolm Guite