Fear, Holy Spirit, Bearing Witness, Refuel

Reflections-06-04-17

“Have you failed to launch?”

John 20:19-23

1. The disciples were “stuck” in their fear after Jesus’ death. The resurrected Jesus comes at a critical time (Easter evening) to launch them into the world. What did Jesus do? Do you ever have times when you feel spiritual stuck? If yes, what helps to get you going?

2. The resurrected Jesus comes to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you”. The disciples are asked to fill Jesus’ shoes …. to go back out in the world and bear witness to love that God has for them. Do you see this agenda in your life? If yes, what does it look like?

3. The resurrected Jesus breaths on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” Martin Luther writes in the third article of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.” According to Martin Luther, we are powerless without the Holy Spirit. How do you know when the Holy Spirit is using you? Where he you soak in the Holy Spirit’s juices?

4. Pastor Glen shared a new concept, he called, “Constipated Spirituality”. How would you explain this concept to another Christian? Do you think this concept is real in the Christian Church?

5. Pastor Glen used the balloon as an example of being “full of it”. If the balloon is tied off, trapping the air inside, they is no life. When the balloon in empty, there is no movement. The only time movement occurs is when the balloon is full and it uses the air inside of it to propel it forward. Have you ever felt like the Holy Spirit has filled you … but you struggle to allow the energy to assist you in witnessing for Christ?

6. Pastor Glen demonstrated with the released balloon that when it loses its air, there is no more moment until the air is replaced and released again. The balloon needs to be refueled if it’s going to have energy and move. How are you refueled? How different is your life when you feel full?

19 John 20:19-23

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’