It’s Go Time

 

Matthew 28:19a, “Go”.

 

This last Pentecost Sunday in the Christian church, Pastor Willie preached on how Pentecost fits into God’s plan of redemption. 

 

Pentecost is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and subsequent giving of the Holy Spirit to permanently indwell all born-again Believers thereafter as a Comforter, a Helper, a Teacher, a Counselor, a Reminder, an Equipper, a Defender, an Encourager and Guide in life. 

 

The term Pentecost comes from the Greek (Pentēkostē), meaning "fiftieth". It refers to the Jewish festival of Shavuot celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. This “first-fruits offering to the Lord” from the Spring harvest was instituted by God in Leviticus 23:15-22. Passover, (in Hebrew “Pesach”) which was instituted by God in Exodus 12:14, starts on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year. This Jewish pilgrimage festive commemorates God (Yahweh) commanding Moses to tell the Israelites to mark a lamb's blood above their doors in order that the Angel of Death would pass over them (that they would not be touched by the tenth plague, death of the firstborn) and leading to their escape from slavery in Egypt. God is with His people and the mercy of God passes over the sins of the people because of a sacrifice – sound familiar? God always has a plan. 

 

Jesus Christ fulfilled God’s Law and died as the perfect Lamb of God on Passover; the first fruit and final sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” God acts with intent and purpose because God cares, and God’s activity is history. From the moment of the fall of man, God initiated His plan of Salvation (the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15) for our redemption and restoration; Jesus came to seek and save the lost and it is finished. We were created by our Creator to enjoy His creation. 

 

So, for the Church (the body of redeemed Believers in Christ as Savior worldwide) and the church (the Followers of Jesus as Lord worldwide), it’s Go time. In John 14:15-18, Jesus promised the sending of the Holy Spirit who love Him and kept His commandments. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus proclaimed, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. In Acts 1:4-8, before His ascension to Heaven, Jesus commanded his followers to wait for the Promise of the Father which they heard from Him, then in Acts 2:1-4, the giving Holy Spirit is fulfilled.

 

The  went from wait to be equipped, to go make disciples. God has provided the Word, the presence, the people and the purpose. The waiting is over. So, what are you waiting for Christian? The Christian church is the hope of the world. It’s go time! 

 

In Christ, Brian