The Holy Spirit. with us, in us and upon us

November 21, 2014
Dear City Calvary,

During the Last Supper, in the Upper Room, Jesus taught His disciples many things and one of the topics He shared with them was concerning the promise of the Holy Spirit.  In John 14:17, Jesus used two prepositions for the Spirit and how He relates to people.  "But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you."  Two Sundays ago, we talked about the Holy Spirit "with" as we looked at who the He is.  Last Sunday, we discussed the "in" of the Holy Spirit as we looked at what He does.  (Get the CDs or listen online if you missed.)  

This Sunday, we will talk about another preposition that Jesus uses - "upon".  In Acts 1:8 Jesus said to His disciples "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you..."  What did He mean by that?  Is He referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  The Bible doesn't actually us the words "baptism of the Holy Spirit".  Is it the same as being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?  Does the word speak of a second blessing after conversion?  This is a much debated topic so it is important that we see what God's word says.  No matter what, we all need Him and His power in our lives, if we are to effectively live for Jesus.  Pray for our church that we would truly experience all that the Holy Spirit has for us.  Be sure to invite a friend.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John

A Person, Not a Power

November 13, 2014

Dear City Calvary,

I have received many encouraging comments about the re-directing of our Sunday teaching time, from our verse by verse study in 1st John, to focus on learning about the Holy Spirit.  We will get back to our journey through 1st John but for the time, the Spirit is leading us in a different direction. 

In our study this past Sunday, we talked about who the Holy Spirit is.  He is a person and not a power.  Though He does empower us with His presence, He is a person - complete with His own will, desires, thoughts, emotions, etc.  One doesn't have a relationship with power but rather experiences it.  One does, on the other hand, have a relationship with a person and our relationship with the Holy Spirit allows us to know God at the most intimate of levels.  Our bodies are His temple and He inhabits our very being.  The Holy Spirit is God.  He is the third person of the Trinity, equal to the Father and the Son.  He is called "God" by name and is seen as God in the Old and New Testaments.  He has the attributes of God, being all present, all knowing, all powerful, and eternal.  (Get the CD or listen on line if you weren't at the service.) 

This coming Sunday, we will talk about what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives.  It is sooo exciting!!!  Be sure to be there and invite a friend.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John

Fall Fresh on Me

November 5, 2014

Dear City Calvary,

John 3:8 "Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."

I believe that The Holy Spirit is working in a fresh way at our church.  He certainly is in my life.  His wind is blowing anew and I want to let Him do what He desires.  I believe that He is leading us to suspend our verse by verse study of 1st John and focus on the Holy Spirit, who He is, what He does, what His baptism is, what happens to the church when He empowers us for the work of the ministry.  He's calling us to a greater walk, a deeper love for Jesus, a more fruitful life.  We need the Holy Spirit and His power, otherwise we are only going through the motions and producing works of the flesh. Will you please pray for me and our church, that God would do ALL He desires at CCC.  I'm excited to see what He will do as we welcome the Holy Spirit to move among us!!!

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John

P.S. Russ DeVos gave another great message this past Sunday.  If you haven't had a chance to listen, click here and be blessed.