Ways to be Unified

Happy Sabbath, everyone! What a wonderful day! The Feast of Pentecost! Here we are, all together, assembled in one room. Sounds vaguely familiar to Acts chapter 1, doesn't it? What a great opportunity to hear beautiful, special music! Thank you so much for that wonderful music, beautiful melody, wonderful words. I really appreciate all the effort that went into the special music today.

It is good to be together and worship and praise God as one. I bring greetings from Cincinnati. Of course, I am the pastor of the Cincinnati Congregations, as well as regional pastor for this area, so it is wonderful to be able to come and visit everyone and get to know you just a little bit.

Cincinnati, of course, our home office is there as well, and it has been a very busy time there, of course, not only with our congregations. In fact, today on the Feast of Pentecost, Cincinnati is also meeting with the Dayton congregation, so much like here, combining various congregations together, because it is good to be together on the Holy Day.

Not only that, we recently finished the school year for Ambassador Bible College. It was the 20th graduating class from ABC. That was quite a mark showing the number of years that we have continued with the training of the next generation.

It is such a vital opportunity to pass on the truths of God to the next generation. We just finished this year's Ambassador Bible College class, and already beginning plans for the next couple of years. We've already got the schedule set for next year, and looking forward to 2021. It is hard to believe already, but the time is moving so fast.

We are taking applications for this coming year, so if you know anyone who would be interested in attending Ambassador Bible College, now is the time to begin getting the applications in. Of course, it is not just for young adults. Certainly those that have graduated from high school and college-age young adults are certainly encouraged to come. It is a great opportunity to substantiate your faith and understand the Bible and God's purpose in His plan, so that you can really be that much more faithful in doing God's will in your life. But it is also for older individuals as well. It doesn't matter what age you are, if you can come and take that nine months out of your life to dedicate to learning the Bible in God's way, Ambassador Bible College is certainly a wonderful opportunity for anyone of any age. In fact, over the years we had a number that have come. I think it was three years ago we had a grandma and grandpa, as well as one of the grandchildren came at the same time to ABC. So we've had fathers and sons, mothers and daughters attend. And so it is a unique opportunity to be able to spend about, well, it is close to 40 hours a week in the Word of God. And so what a wonderful blessing that is to be able to do that. So if you're able to do that, now is the time to begin your application process for this coming year of ABC. We'll start at the end of August for this next school year and then go through about the middle of May or so this next year. So that's with Ambassador Bible College. I might also mention that we've had our new recording studio open since the beginning of this year. We started new recordings in January. We just finished this last Wednesday with a new set of programs. It will probably take about two months before they're actually finished putting them together, and you'll actually see those. But this last week we recorded new programs. One was on the rapture. One was on God's holy days. And we also had a new program on angels. So those will be coming up in a couple of months. They'll be available both online, streaming on lots of different streaming devices, whether it's Roku or Apple TV, a number of different streaming devices, as well as on the web. So you can look for those new programs that will be coming up. We really appreciate your prayers. That word would continue to go out. We're trying to live up to this beautiful new studio. It is really amazing. The intricacy of the new studio with all the latest technology. And so we really appreciate your prayers. That all would go well as we're putting these new programs together. Of course, in the past we were stuck in this little box of a studio with just two cameras, and we weren't able to move around. We weren't able to have an audience at all. But now that's changed entirely.

So we can have about 50 people in an audience in the new studio. And so we can walk away from the lectern, which is kind of nice. We can talk to people more directly. In fact, it's entirely different. In the past, we had a highly scripted program where just about every single word was written out.

We basically read off of a teleprompter. Now it's more like reading off of sermon notes with just little bullet points, and you just talk. And in fact, there's not much editing that goes on at all for these new programs. They're not putting the Scriptures up on the screen like they used to. They used to cover the whole screen when you would read a passage out of the Bible.

Now what they're doing is they're just putting it as a lower third where the Scripture will appear at the bottom of your screen. But they're still showing a live shot, which means we can't mess it up too bad. Because if we really mess it up, then we have no place to go back to. If we messed it up before, then I'll just go back to the last Scripture, and you can start again from there.

Now it's not like that. Now we read the Scripture directly out of the Bible, and there's nowhere to edit it in that sense. And so you've got to try to make any mistakes that you make sound very natural. So the difference between a natural mistake and an unnatural one. So we try to make natural mistakes, so that it just sounds normal as we go along. And so basically we also have the time constrictions.

In the past, if we were a minute or two long, or whatever it might be, they could edit that program and make it to length. Now what happens is they count down 5, 4, 3, 2, go, and we talk for 27 minutes. And when that clock gets to zero, you better be done, because we've got about a 10-second window now in order to make that program fit. So it's a little bit more pressure on us to try to get it right. If we're going a little too fast for our notes, you better slow down. If you're going a little too slow, then you better speed it up and get right into that window.

So it's a little bit of a challenge that way. But I think it definitely adds a different flavor, a different feel to the program, and one that we're a little bit more direct with the audience, which hopefully then translates as you watch the new program on your streaming devices, on the computer or on the television as well, so that it makes it a little bit more personal, strikes home a little bit more, and hopefully will be that much more motivating for people.

So appreciate your prayers for the new program and the new studio, and that all would continue to go well in that regard. So appreciate your prayers for the home office. And of course, all that's been going on there. I know a number of the ministers that are in Cincinnati are out on the road over this weekend. I know many are traveling and helping out in the various church areas across the nation. So remember those that are traveling in your prayers as well. So many people, members and ministers traveling in order to worship and praise God on this weekend. So certainly appreciate your prayers in that regard.

Of course, here we are on the day of Pentecost. And as we consider this fantastic celebration that we have of God's Holy Days, this is a unique Holy Day. The word Pentecost means what? Well, sometimes we think it means count 50, because we count 50 days from that Sabbath, or from that Sunday during the days of Unleavened Bread when the wave sheep would have taken place.

We count 50 days to get to this day. But Pentecost literally just means 50th, because this is the 50th day. We count seven weeks, so sometimes Pentecost is also known as the Feast of Weeks. We count seven weeks, and then the next day, which is today, we meet together and we worship and we honor God.

Sometimes it's called the Feast of the Harvest. A lie in the world would be called as a Harvest Feast. Isn't that just that Feast of Tabernacles? Well, this is the first harvest, the initial harvest, what we would call in the Northern Hemisphere, the Spring Harvest. And that's where in Palestine they would harvest barley, and they would harvest wheat at this time of the year.

So this is the early harvest, the first harvest, the harvest sometimes known as the harvest of first fruits. So that's one of the cool things about this Feast of Pentecost. It has, I think it's got the most names for any feast of God's holy days, the Feast of Pentecost as well. Of course, Pentecost is the name we find in the New Testament, and it's marking that ending of the barley and the wheat harvest at this time. And so we recognize that representation of a harvest physically with wheat and barley is representing a great spiritual harvest that's taking place as well.

And that's what's happening with us. We're the first ones that God has called. And so we're like that early harvest. There aren't too many of us. We're a smaller harvest. Later on, there'll be a big harvest. So the Feast of Tabernacles represents this huge harvest in the fall where we have fruit and we have corn and we have all kinds of things that are being harvested at that time.

But here we are representing that initial harvest that God is working harvesting, not barley or wheat, He's harvesting people. He's harvesting people. And so we have this beautiful representation on the Feast of Pentecost representing that initial harvest, that harvest of first fruits, that harvest that we have this opportunity to be a part of. And of course, when we think of these different connections biblically to Pentecost, you can't help but go all the way back to the Old Testament when at Mount Sinai, God rang out His law.

And that most likely took place on this very day, on the day of Pentecost. We fast forward to the New Testament and God poured out His Spirit on this very same day. God gave us His Holy Spirit. And of course, when we recognize that very fact, we already heard about the number of miracles that took place on this day.

Miraculously, God gave His law. Miraculously, God also poured out His Spirit where people spoke in various languages. And also there was a miracle in the hearing that people heard in their own languages. God also showed miraculous signs of the sound of something that was like a hurricane, like a windstorm that took place on that Pentecost of the New Testament.

There was also something that looked like fire that took place on that first Pentecost that began the New Testament Church. Now, can we duplicate those things today?

Now, I don't see any fire dancing around on anyone's head today.

I hear the air conditioner's going, but that's not much of a windstorm that's actually taking place or anything like that.

When we think about something that we could duplicate, we can't duplicate the thunder and the lightnings that were at Mount Sinai. We can't do that. We can't go into the upper room. God's Spirit's already been poured out. We can't duplicate the miracles of that day. But is there anything we can duplicate?

In fact, is there anything that we are expected to duplicate from that feast of Pentecost in days gone by?

You guessed it. There absolutely is something that we must duplicate. In fact, if you want to turn to the beginning of the book of Acts, we read part of this just a little bit earlier.

But let's notice a couple of other things that are connected to an important aspect of Pentecost that by the power of God's Spirit we must duplicate.

In fact, as we think about it, how is it possible to have God move among us today? How is it possible to demonstrate His power? To demonstrate the glory of God? How is it possible for us to become more Christ-like? To put on the character of Jesus Christ?

Well, when we read all the way back at the beginning of Acts, Acts 1, we notice in verse 14 something that was important that was actually taking place here as God's people, as the disciples were coming together at the beginning of the book of Acts, and as they were anticipating the Feast of Pentecost, what was their attitude? What was their mindset? Well, in verse 14, Acts 1, it says, All the disciples, these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.

In fact, when we fast forward to verse 1 of chapter 2, we see that same aspect emphasized. It says in chapter 2, When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Now, this isn't talking about a Honda, that they were all jammed into one little vehicle, an accord, right? In fact, somebody told me another one today that, did you know that Jesus owned an accord, but he didn't like to talk about it? Yes, he said that, I don't speak of my own accord.

Oh boy, that's bad, isn't it? Alright, when we're talking about this kind of an accord, we're not talking about a vehicle. We're talking about being of one mind, the same mindset. And this word literally means that, to be together of the same mindset. And here they are, in that same way of thinking. They had God's way of thinking on their minds. And what did it bring? They were united.

There was this unity that was there among God's people. And with the power of God's people and the spirit that he poured out, you can say, that was the delineating factor that offset them from the world. And the fact that by the power of God's spirit, these people who were from all over the place, remember, as they were keeping the feast in Jerusalem, it was a pilgrimage feast. And people would come from all over.

Why was it necessary for them to speak in different languages? Because there were so many different people there from all over. And they came to Jerusalem, to the temple, to worship God and to praise him. And so this miracle of languages was critical so that all could hear in their own language, in their own tongue, in their own dialect.

And so the gospel could be preached to all. And so this miracle of hearing and speaking was one that was evident on the feast of Pentecost. And in fact, one that contributed to something that you could say, this marks the spot. This marked the beginning of the church, and almost like putting a big X, X marks the spot.

We've heard that before, right? That's where the treasure is, where the X is. And this is where God's treasure is. It marked the beginning of the church. It marked the pouring out of God's Spirit. And it marked the beginning of the New Testament church, where God would then share his Spirit with those that he would call, not just individuals here and there, as he worked through the Old Testament.

But now he would pour it out on all that he would call. And so you could say, X marks the spot. And it was the sign of a special kind of unity. In fact, I heard a odd little story about X marking the spot. It was about two fellows that didn't have a whole lot on the ball. Perhaps you've heard about these guys. They were fishing one day. They weren't catching too many fish.

So they decided, hey, you know what we ought to do? We ought to go over to that little marina over there and rent a boat. We could get out there where the fish are really biting. And so they rented this little boat. They got in it. They paddled out. And sure enough, they were catching fish like crazy. And so as they're catching all these fish, they thought, how are we going to remember this spot?

Because this is an amazing spot. All the fish are right here. So one of the guys said, I got it. Reached in his tackle box, he pulled out a marker. And he put a big X right on the bottom of the boat. He said, look, we'll remember exactly where this spot is. His friend looked at him. He said, you idiot. How stupid can you be? We might not rent the same boat next time.

Okay, I told you they didn't have a lot on the ball. Well, hopefully X marks the spot a little bit better for us when it comes to what God is doing spiritually. Because that X that's marking the spot, I think it points to the unity that God's Spirit brings.

Let's think about that for just a moment. There are many ways that not only should we emulate when it comes to being in one accord, but I think God's given us a commission by the power of the Spirit that we must be a church that is unified. And unity does mark the spot. So let's think about a number of ways that God has said we must be united. Not just in name only. We are the United Church of God. But more than that, to begin with, are we truly united in purpose?

The Feast of Pentecost points us in that direction. When we look at Acts chapter 1 right here, these disciples were united as they waited on God, as they looked to God, they were of one accord, of one mind. And more than that, they were in one sense of fellowship as well.

If you turn over to Philippians chapter 1, we see how this trait of purpose must mark the church. It must be one of those factors that unify us. Because God has given us a purpose. And as we consider Philippians chapter 1, verse 27 is a powerful reminder that we must be united when it comes to heart and mind as well. So he says to us here in Philippians 1.27, Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so whether I come and see you or I'm absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Because there is one gospel. There is one set of good news that we preach and we teach and we live by. And so we have to behave as citizens of the kingdom of God in our conduct, how we act, what we do. We have to be representatives of that kingdom that's coming. And so we have to ask ourselves, do our lives demonstrate the value that we place on the gospel of the kingdom of God?

In fact, he says here, we're not doing this separately. This isn't just an individual effort.

Now, of course, we have individual responsibilities and God tells us we have to take personal responsibility as individuals. I mean, there's no doubt about it. But at the same time, here he tells us, strive together. So it's not like I'm all alone doing this. We're to be brothers and sisters in Christ.

That's made possible by the unifying sense of what God's Spirit can accomplish in us. When we strive together, literally that means working side by side, working together. And so collectively, as God's people, we work together honoring God, glorifying God, carrying out His will in the world. Now, as we think about that, is that just something Cincinnati does? Is that something that just some television program does? Is that something that some booklet that's printed does this preaching of the Gospel? I don't think so. He's talking about all of us carrying out His will in the world. We all have a part to play.

Yesterday we spoke a little bit in Queens about 1 Corinthians 12. If you want to look over there for just a moment. 1 Corinthians 12, we find this beautiful representation of striving together, working together, illustrated with the concept of the body.

The body works together. We are the spiritual body of Christ. And when the body doesn't function properly together, what happens?

Well, if I'm the elbow and I don't do my job, what happens? Well, the hand can do some things, but it's going to be pretty tough to reach out and grab something and stand fast and hold tight because that elbow is not doing its job. But boy, it seems like the hand would be very important to be able to grasp and to hold, but without the other parts working, it's not going to function properly. So here at 1 Corinthians 12, we see very clearly we all have to do our part. All of us, all the body, doing its design function. And God's called us all in various ways to do the things that He would have us do. And so here in chapter 12, we see very clearly. Look at verse 17. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? You've got to see, you've got to hear, you've got to have everything. Yep, and we even need noses. Not to be nosy, but we've got to be able to smell. We've got to have our senses about us, don't we? All the senses, so that the body's functioning properly. And so there are many parts that go into the body. But we see, verse 12, as the body is one and has many members, it says, but all the members of that one body are one. What's one? Unity. We are unified together. We're not just all the bits and pieces and parts. Together, we're in one accord. We see that Pentecost unity that comes together by the power of God's Spirit. And in fact, as we see this, it's not just that, well, this part's important and that part isn't so important. It's not that at all. When it comes to the body, every part is important. So if we skip back to, all the way back to verse 4, it says, there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries but the same Lord. There are diversities of activities, but it's the same God who works all in all. Every one of us has been given a gift. And if we don't use that gift and utilize that gift, what's going to happen to the body?

Well, it won't function in the way that God expects us to function. Or to think of it in a different way. Will the Gospel be preached in the most effective way if each of us aren't doing our part? If we're not united in purpose, in preaching, in teaching, and living that Gospel, it's not going to be accomplished in the way that God would have it.

And so, when you look at these passages here, if you were to read this in the Message Translation, it says it this way. Look back at verse 4 again. It says, God's various gifts are handed out everywhere, but they all originate in the Spirit of God. And they are carried out everywhere, but they all originate in God's Spirit. Various expressions of power in action everywhere, throughout the body, in other words. But God Himself is behind it all. And I think this is a critical understanding when we recognize each and every one of us has a part to play in God's purpose and His plan.

And we all have to have the same goal, the same purpose. We have to strive together, strive together. And it all happens by the unity of the Spirit. Because we know who the divider is, who would love to divide us and separate us.

But we know we're fighting spiritual wickedness in high places. And we know Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He is the one who divides. But Pentecost reminds us, we're to be united together in purpose. And let's think about that a little bit. What helps unite us?

Well, certainly when we have the same goal, the same purpose, we have the same mission, don't we? We are to preach the Gospel in all the world. That is the mission of the Church. We know that commission was given the end of Matthew 28. That we're to go everywhere and preach and teach. Well, who does that take in order to accomplish that? It takes all of us. It takes every one of us. So as we consider that, we are united in purpose.

But it certainly doesn't stop there, does it? Because what else were the disciples about at that first Pentecost? When the Church began, 31 A.D., what were they doing in that upper room? Yes, they were united together, but they were also praying together. We must be a praying people, because they were united in prayer, and we must also be unified as we praise and honor God. They prayed and worshiped and honored God the Father and Jesus Christ. But they also prayed for each other. And of course, when you think about it, what is it that builds unity in the Church?

More than petitioning God, drawing closer to Him, in fact, praying for one another, bearing one another's burdens. We certainly must be about our Father's business as we pray, we draw closer to Him, and we pray for each other as well. There's a wonderful section of Scripture over in Colossians 1 that is a great reminder of this very fact, that Pentecost reminds us we are to be united in prayer. Colossians 1 tells us that Paul writes to God's Church in Colossae, and he writes to us by extension as well. And notice how much this needs to take place. Colossians 1, verse 3 is where we'll start.

Here Paul says, we give thanks to God the Father, or God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So here Paul, beginning his letter, right at the very beginning, says, we're thanking God, we're praying to God. In fact, he says at the end of verse 3, praying always for you. Praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of your love for all the saints. Well, how is that love expressed? Certainly by prayer, and in action as well.

Verse 5, Because of the hope that's laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you, since the day you heard, and knew the grace of God in truth, as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is your faithful minister of Christ on your behalf.

Now, that's kind of interesting. It wasn't just Paul traveling around and preaching and teaching. Others were as well. Here by name we have Epaphras as one of the ministers that are mentioned. But was it just the ministry? I don't think so. Verse 9. It says, For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Boy, that's something we can be praying about, isn't it? That we and others be filled with the knowledge of God's will. We can pray and petition God that his people would be filled with his knowledge. In fact, he doesn't pray just for a little bit of knowledge, not just a little bit of wisdom, not just a little bit of understanding. How much does he pray for? You see what it says here?

That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We need that spiritual understanding. We need the wisdom of God. We need that knowledge in our life so that we can put it into action. And so we can pray about that. We can pray for God's guidance and his direction in our life, but also be praying for others. And of course, verse 10, that you may walk worthy of the Lord. We can pray that we might be living, breathing examples of God's way of life.

That's what that's saying there in verse 10, that we may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Of course, we can pray that. We can grow in grace and knowledge, grow in conversion, that we're growing more and more Christ-like every single day. And we're praying for each other, that we together would grow. And as a church, what happens when we accomplish that very thing? Well, the church grows.

The church grows. Verse 11, it says, strengthen with all might according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy. Now we're talking about growing in the Spirit, that the fruit of the Spirit would be evident. Doesn't that sound like the fruit of God's Spirit? Strengthen in might, patience, long suffering, that it's evidenced in our life. And so we can ask God to help us and guide us, deepen our understanding to what really is necessary, how Your Word can go out in more power, in more strength, that we may see ourselves even more thoroughly so that we can grow and be more Christ-like.

And we can pray for others, that their spiritual understanding would deepen. And in a sense, that Gospel would go out more effectively. You see, part of what was happening on Pentecost is that people came together, and they heard the Gospel in their own language. And they could go out and be that living, breathing example of what God's way was all about. That's part of our commission, is individuals. Because, can a television program go to where you work? Yeah, I doubt it. You always hand out booklets on your job, or in your neighborhood? Well, maybe not.

But you're there. And how you live your life, and how you work, and how you act, and how you react, is to be a shining light of God's way. We should stand out like a sore thumb, where we live, where we work, where we shop, how we act. We should be...if we don't stand out... Wow, are we really doing what God has commissioned us to do? Because we're different. We don't have the same standards of this world. We don't have the same morality of this world.

We've been given God's way, and His will, and His law. And that should cause us to stand out as someone different. Different because of what we believe, because of our faith, because God's given us His Spirit. And so we should be that light that is shining on that hill, that can't be hidden. So that at some point, people are going to say, What's the deal?

Why are you different? How can you put up with that? How can you act this way? Why aren't you worried about life? Why? Which would give you an opportunity to talk about the hope that lies within. Prayer is a powerful thing that can help bring this very fact about. And we pray, and we ask God to give us the strength, and the courage, and the guidance to live His way.

And to be that personal representative of Jesus Christ. And we pray for others that they may do the same. And that gets the focus off me, on others. And so it's about all of us together. And when I'm praying for others, boy, it makes it really difficult to focus on my own problems, my own worries, my own needs. Because now I'm thinking about others. In fact, Philippians chapter 2 reminds us of it. You can just write that down. Because it talks about the kind of individual Christ is and was as He walked the earth.

He focused on others. And so when we consider that very fact, that's the kind of thinking we're to have. To have His mind. And as we pray and draw close to Him, we can be united with that right perspective that comes through Jesus Christ. Now, of course, as we think about it, there were miraculous things that happened as the Church began.

These miraculous things that showed it was evident there was something special going on here. And it wasn't just, you know, a thing that wasn't very impressive. You know, as you read through those miraculous things that were going on, God showed a fantastic power that was demonstrated through the giving of His Spirit. Should it be any different today? I believe we should be united not only in this great calling that we've been given.

We have to be united when it comes to prayer. But we also must be united in power. Power. When we think of why there was unity, the reason there was unity is they were all filled with the power of the Spirit of God. That's what Acts chapter 2 points to. They were all filled with power together. Together they could accomplish things that no one individual could do. And it was all by the power of God's Holy Spirit. Can we be like that? We need to be like that. I mean, what were the results of that power?

What did that power of the Spirit of God produce? It produced something that not one of them could do individually. I was reminded of this when I saw an old Peanuts cartoon. Anybody? Peanuts fans? Charlie Brown? Linus? All those crazy characters. I remember seeing one. It was kind of interesting. Linus and Lucy were sitting there watching TV, your brother and sister, right?

You don't mess with Lucy. Lucy walks in, just changes the channel on Linus. He says, hey, what makes you think you can just walk right in here and take over? Lucy says, these five fingers make it possible. Linus says, what do you mean? It says, individually, they're nothing. But when I start curling them all together, I can put whatever channel I want on. Of course, the final little glimpse is Linus looking at his fingers going, why can't you guys get together like that?

Well, that's it. Together, together, by the unity of the Spirit, God can produce amazing things through us. We see here, they, by the power of the Spirit, could preach the Gospel, and it produced amazing things. They could preach, and they could teach. They could be unified together so that they could care for one another.

We see the care of the Church come up. They could carry the burdens of one another. They loved one another, and it was demonstrated among them. And so, by being filled with the Spirit, that made all the difference of the world. And that's a challenge for us today, because we are different. We come from different backgrounds. We are different ages.

We're different races. We're just different. But what is it that brings us together and binds us with a unity that mankind really cannot understand? That's the unity of God's Spirit. And that's what can make us complete and move forward in power. It's not by might. It's not by strength. But we move forward on our knees in the power of the Spirit of God. And Pentecost gives us that opportunity as God's poured out His Spirit on us and called for us. He wills us, not just to submit once in a while to God's Spirit, just to be sort of dedicated to God.

Not just in this aspect of my life. I'll try to be strong. No, every aspect, every area. I can't have this work life over here and then this church life over in this other area. No, it's all one. We are one individual. And God wants every aspect of our life all working and pulling in that same direction. And that same aspect as the body, as His church, as His people, we're to be called together so that we can accomplish His will and His work.

Which I think moves us to another, maybe you've seen so far, these are all P words. Another way that we need to be united. Another way, not only in purpose, not only in prayer, not only by His power, but we're to be united in performance.

What do I mean by that? What we saw in this first century when the church began, God poured out His Spirit, all were filled and wham! Something happened. They just couldn't stagnate. They weren't just to say, wow, I've got the Spirit of God. Isn't this great? No, they were moved to speak. They were moved to action. Each one of them had a part to play. God's called all to serve. In fact, there's a beautiful passage in Ephesians, chapter 2.

Let's notice Ephesians, chapter 2.

Oftentimes, the religious world looks at verse 8 of chapter 2, and it says something very powerful. It says, by grace you've been saved through faith. There's no doubt about that. Because God favors us, we can have the opportunity for salvation.

We know we're not there yet. We're in that saving process. Ultimately, when Jesus Christ returns, His kingdom will be established, and we can have that opportunity to be given eternal life. But we recognize that's not where it stops. In verse 10, it says, we are His workmanship. Because He's called us, because He's given us His Spirit, now we better get to work.

We've been called to be His workmanship. It says, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We've been made a spiritual creation to do good works. And part of those good works is obeying God, keeping His Sabbath, remembering the Holy Days, and observing them. But also being that example of God's way of life, living as a first fruit, showing the results of what it's like to have the Spirit of God and grow in grace and knowledge. We are a part of those first fruits, and we know we have to demonstrate that. Remember, James said, it's not just the fact that, oh, I'm a part of the church, and now that's all that's expected of me. No, it's not. Faith without works is dead. And that's basically what Ephesians is saying here as well. We have been called as first fruits of God right now in this early harvest to demonstrate that God's way works. It works in this messed up world, that when you're dedicated to God's way, and you allow God's Spirit to work in you and through you, you can be different. You can be a spiritual creation, and He's called us to be just that. And so united together, like Lucy's five fingers, not for punching your brother, but for preaching the gospel, it changes everything. It changes everything. And so we see at this first Pentecost, they were moved, moved to be that demonstration of what God was accomplishing, what He was performing, what His actions were expected of us. So we can't just lie around thinking there's nothing for me to do, and somebody else will do it. Well, it's not just for someone else. We're the body. It's all of us working together. And so we can't be sluggish. In fact, I heard a story that I believe is a true story. Way back when the United States was building the Panama Canal. The story goes that they were hiring Panamanians to help, but for some reason it seemed like there was just something lacking. Was it the fact that they just weren't very good workers, that they seemed kind of sluggish? You know, sometimes the Americans in their self-righteousness thought, well, we're so much better workers than they are. I don't know what's wrong with them. But that wasn't the case at all. They did some studies, and they found something interesting. That there was a lack of certain vitamins in their diet. And as they studied these things, they found a lot of the plant life, a lot of the foods that they ate, lacked vitamin B. And without vitamin B, it kind of caused them to be more sluggish. And so as they studied this, they found they needed a more varied type of nutrition. And when they added this vitamin to their diet, it changed everything. It changed everything. And of course, as they were put to work with this new diet, things were accomplished. And as I read about that story, it's like, wow, that's really strange. But that could change. But you know, think about that spiritually for a moment. We better not suffer from a spiritual vitamin deficiency. And it's not just vitamin...we better have some vitamin A. That we put God's way into action. We better make sure vitamin D is something we're taking in all the time. So that we're doers of the Word and not just here. So that we are performing those spiritual good works that God would have us do. And vitamin C better not be lacking because we better have the commitment that it takes to do God's will no matter what. And maybe throw in a little vitamin Z while we're at it. I don't think there is a vitamin Z. Well, I made that up.

There's a vitamin Z. We better have some zeal to accomplish that task. Because without it, we're not going to be able to fulfill the vision that God has for us as His people, as His church. The vision of the church is spelled out here in the book of Ephesians. If you just turn over to chapter 4. Ephesians chapter 4 explains the vision of the church. In fact, the United Church of God has formulated this as our vision statement. Taking Ephesians chapter 4, verse 14, 15, and 16, and combining it all together so that we can see what God's expectations are for us. It says we shouldn't be tossed around like little children anymore. We've been given the Spirit of God. And by the Spirit of God, it changes everything. Now it's time to grow up. It's time to grow up individually and collectively as well. And so he says, verse 16, We grow up to the head, Christ, from whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies. What every member supplies. Because there's something you can supply that I can't. There's something you can supply that someone else, because God has worked with you. And you're where you're at. And you are a unique individual who's been given at least a special gift in order to shine forth the truth of God's way. And so as we look here in Ephesians chapter 4, every joint has something to supply. And then it says, according to the effective working by which every part does its share. So it's not just about the home office. It's not just about a booklet or a program or a video or the web. It's about each of us taking personal responsibility and collectively then preaching the gospel in our life. Now we're not talking about banging on somebody's door or going around, you know, door to door. No, we're talking about living it! Shining forth His truth. And when someone asks you, why are you different? Why do you do what you do? Where are you going on Saturday anyway? We're able to verbalize, like they did on that first Pentecost, the truth of the Word. In a way that draws people to the truth. We don't turn them off. We don't put them down. But who knows if God might use you as an instrument to call others where you live, where you work. That's a powerful thing. That we need to be united in performance. And when that happens, what's the result? What's the result when we submit our lives to God's Spirit and allow Him to work in us and through us? Well, here we see very clearly. Look at the end of verse 16. When we're joined and knit together, when we're united in our purpose and prayer and our performance, every one of us are doing our part and then it says, it causes growth of the body. How many of us have ever said, boy, I wish the church would grow?

Yeah, I've said that. Well, what am I doing about it? Have I submitted to God in my life, gotten my own selfish ambitions out of the way, my own shortcomings, my own sin, so that I've submitted to God's Spirit, and I grow in the character of Jesus Christ so that He may use me as His instrument? Every one of us need to do that, and then collectively God can do powerful things. And He says the body will grow. It causes the growth of the body. Now, I believe that is, in a sense, yeah, numbers will grow, but it's certainly not all about numbers. Don't get me wrong. It also causes our growth. The body, we, as the body of Christ, the church, will grow spiritually. We will be a stronger spiritual body. And it says, for the edifying of itself in love. And so together we can be edified. We can be encouraged. We can be comforted. We can be strengthened because we submit ourselves to the Spirit of God, that we get ourselves out of the way. And so ultimately that's the goal, and the results, the church grows spiritually. We grow stronger, because let me tell you, tough times are ahead. Difficult challenges are ahead. We know things cannot go on the way they are. And so we better have the strength and the power of God's Spirit, so that we can stick together, and we can accomplish the task that God has in mind. And so when we will submit ourselves, great things can happen. It's like a snowstorm. Because here we are, we're just like individual little snowflakes. But what are the individual little snowflakes like? Well, they hit the ground, they seem to just melt. They're gone. They're fragile little things, aren't they? But put them together? Well, they're kind of like Lucy's fingers. You put those snowflakes together, and suddenly they can stop traffic. But the same thing is true with us. When we're united in performance, great things happen. Which that also means, it leads us, I think, to a final P that I have for you this afternoon. And that is passion. Together we must be united in passion. In fact, it's not only a suggestion, it's a command. When they confronted Christ and tried to trick Him and said, What's the greatest commandment? They thought they could trip Him up. But He was an amazing individual who answered most appropriately. Turn with me over to Mark 12. In Mark 12, notice Christ's response. Faced with that very question, He answers in a wonderful way, in such a great reminder for us as well. Mark 12, we'll pick it up in verse 30. When they asked what's the great commandment, He started out by saying, Love the Lord. Love the Lord. That's what we must do. Verse 30, He says, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength, for this is the first commandment. Then He summarized those ten into two. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Now, if you were to read this first commandment, in some of the other, maybe more contemporary translations, it jumps out a little bit differently. Of course, it says, All heart, all soul, all your mind, all your strength. What's that talking about? That's talking about the fact we better be passionate for God's way. In fact, I think it's a new English translation. It says, Love the Lord with all your passion, all your passion, all your prayer, all your intelligence, all your energy.

And it's so easy to get distracted in the world we live in today. But don't be distracted. Put your zeal, put your obsession, put your enthusiasm, put your excitement, put your devotion and your dedication to loving God first, no matter what. And when we do that, we can be united in passion and accomplish unbelievable things from this world's perspective. We can do just that. And so we have to have this burning desire to accomplish God's will in our life.

And Pentecost is this fantastic reminder of just that. One more illustration for you before we conclude. You may have studied history, and as the Spanish explorer Cortez came to the new world, he was on a mission. He was on a mission for the king, and he was to take this new land that they had found.

And as he came to what we would call today Mexico, this Spanish explorer came with multiple ships. In fact, these many members of his group came to conquer. And they were to settle this new land for their king. But how could just a handful of men accomplish that?

They came with 11 ships, and as they came to the shore, Cortez wanted to make sure there was no turning back. He wanted to make sure they were united in passion and zeal to accomplish their mission. So do you know what Cortez did? He lit the ships on fire. He destroyed the fleet. He wanted to make sure that his men shared the same zeal, that same fire, to accomplish the job for their king.

And so he burned down the boats so there'd be no retreat, no going back. Retreat was not an option. They were forced to move forward. That was their only option. So they'd better be wholeheartedly at that task. And so when you read history, history points to the one thing that contributed to their success was that he led 110 sailors, 500 soldiers, who conquered something like 5 million people. It'd been an amazing task.

And I think whether you worry about the morality of what happened at that time, what I'd like to focus on is the zeal to accomplish the mission. And we've been given so much more important mission. This picture of commitment and wholehearted absolute zeal to accomplish their job. And of course, we're to overcome spiritual darkness. That's the task that we've been called to.

We're to be the light to the world, that light that's shining within us that God's given us. And so we must accomplish that task. Pentecost is certainly a reminder that's our duty, that's our calling. And even though we may be few, we're to take on the ways of this world and demonstrate the power of God's Holy Spirit. And so God's called us not to an impossible task, but to a task that will be and must be accomplished. And so as we read the end of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, it's a powerful chapter that's often referred to as the resurrection chapter.

1 Corinthians chapter 15, at the conclusion of it all, because there will be a resurrection, because God's called us to be His representatives living by the power of His Holy Spirit, He tells us very clearly to be united in this effort to accomplish what God has called each of us individually to do.

1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 58, all the way at the end of this particular chapter, we have this great call to action, call to duty. Paul writes, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, be immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Yet my efforts, that's useless. But when I submit my life to God, He can accomplish great things.

Let's all do that. Pentecost is a call to unity. Let's duplicate the condition of that New Testament church, who were united in purpose. They were united in prayer. They were united in power. They were united in performance and passion by the power of God's Spirit. And it's possible. And it's more than possible. It's a requirement that by the power of God's Spirit, we can be bold.

We can be relentless. We can be uncompromising in our calling. And so let's have this renewed zeal that God wants us to have, a renewed dedication, a deeper commitment to God's way, and a willingness to live as that light that God has called each one of us to be.

And so let's allow this Pentecost to inspire us to a greater enthusiasm that drives us to obedience and faith, all in unity.