Party Bag
Image: https://pinchasers.net/blog/birthday-party-goodie-bag-ideas-kids-love/
When our kids were young, celebrating their birthdays was a big deal. This included getting the right presents, wrapped in the appropriate paper, and organising the party!
Anyone who has had children will know what I mean. There were a variety of games, including pass the parcel, where everyone got a prize. Then there was the party food: a good mix of healthy and sweet treats all cut into bitesize portions, with no crusts on the bread.
We had themed tablecloth, napkins, plates and cups. Grandma would create an amazing ‘made to order’ cake, and to end things off, each child got a party bag full of treats.
I must confess, that when our kids grew older, part of me was glad when parties like this stopped!
Last Sunday was a big day for the church worldwide – it was its birthday, also known as Pentecost. It’s recorded in the early part of the book of Acts in the Bible.
Before the resurrected Jesus returned to heaven, he told his followers to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. They did, and on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came on all of them and they were transformed.
This was the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy in the Old Testament from a man called Joel. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, was aware of this and quoted it to the many onlookers…
“In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.”
This was a remarkable moment, as the Holy Spirit had not been unleashed in this way ever before. The Old Testament is full of stories where the Holy Spirit came upon individuals for specific tasks.
That all changed at Pentecost, and things have never been the same again. God the Holy Spirit has continued to fill all people, all over the world, with no regard for age, gender, or ethnicity!
Last Sunday we celebrated this wonderful inclusive lavishness from God as we prayed for everyone to be filled (again) with the Holy Spirit.
And what is really cool is that you don’t have to wait another year to be filled again, you can pray that prayer every day!
It’s like the best party bag ever, as it never runs out!
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader