I have undertaken a sermon series on the fruit of the spirit. This is based primarily on Galatians 5:22-23: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” As a congregation we are full of the Holy Spirit, so we are blessed with these fruits. I see it every day in many ways.
In Acts 11:24 it is written: “24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” By our example we can lead many to find Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit radiate from you for others to see. In Luke 11:33, also in Matthew and Mark, Jesus explains that 33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
”Since its inception, God’s Spirit has enlivened the Methodist movement. As Methodists we are called to make disciples of the world. We cannot do this individually, but only as a church in unity with all churches. Wesley said, “there is no holiness but social.” By referring to “social holiness,” Wesley meant that the road to holiness was one that we could not travel by ourselves, but rather involved the community of faith at every step along the way. Both lifelong Christians and new members need the support of others.
We are called the Lighthouse Church because we aspire to be a beacon of hope and salvation. What that really means is that each of us is a beacon and we can individually bring others to Christ and to worship with us. The Vision of this congregation is to grow in numbers. This cannot happen without the efforts of all. Friends and relatives can be told of what we have in the Holy Spirit, and it is free for the asking. Invite them to our church.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:23-25: “23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Let us be the runners and spread the Good News of Salvation through Faith in Jesus. Our light is lit for all to see when we testify about Him.
God Bless,
Pastor Eric and Debbie
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