Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 “…have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27b   We find in our Luke passage a man with demons in him. He wears no clothes and lives in the tombs. What I find interesting in this story is that the demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God, and they beg him not to torment them and send them into the abyss. Secondly Christ asks the demon what its name is. Third, Christ shows mercy both to the man and the demons by sending them into the pigs. Fourth, the reaction of the townspeople. Instead of being awed by the miracle and turning to Christ they turn away asking him to leave. Let’s go through these. The demon recognizing Christ shows that even evil spirits knew who Christ was while most of the Pharisees, supposedly the most righteous, refused to see Jesus as the Messiah – as the Son of God. In other accounts about the demon possessed, Christ silences evil spirits that declare his name not wanting bad witnesses. Then Jesus asks t...

Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17 On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the birthday of the church. Since birthdays are known for having gifts, God gave Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit. In our Acts account we see the miracle of everyone hearing the message in their own language. This shows that the “Good News” is for every nation. It just came to me that God talks to people all over the world in their own language. This pouring out of the Spirit fulfills what was prophesied by the prophet Joel that God will pour out the Holy Spirit on all flesh – even if you are slaves and, on both men, and women. Our Roman passage confirms that those led by the Spirit are children of God. They are not slaves who are ruled by fear but adopted children into a life of love. When we make mistakes, we need not fear, we just confess our sin and God will forgive us. This gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the power to love everyone- even those we consider unlovable. The Spirit gives us comfort during our rou...

  Luke 14: 44-53; Ephesians 1:15-23 In Jesus’ parting words to the disciples in Luke 24, Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He tells them how everything in the law, prophets, and psalms had to be fulfilled. They finally understand God’s plan that the Messiah had to suffer and die and rise on the third day. Due to this, forgiveness of sins is possible to all nations. He promises the Holy Spirit who will come soon clothing them with power on high. Now Paul speaks to the Ephesians in our second passage, the Holy Spirit has come – it is a done deal along with salvation they have the ability to come and know the Father. Paul prays that the eyes of their hearts be enlightened to know the hope to which they are called and the riches of God’s glorious inheritance to all the saints. This includes knowing the greatness of God’s power shown to us in the raising of Christ from the dead. Christ has been seated at the right hand of God and given authority above all in thi...