Happy birthday, Christians.
1,989 years ago, give or take a few years, you were born. And the events of your birthday give you a living, active, beautiful faith.
About seven weeks before this momentous anniversary, God’s plan of redemption was taking place. The son of God died as a sacrifice to reconcile humans with God. In a cosmic scandal, at the death of Jesus the justice of God was satisfied, and everyone who trusts in him is exonerated and cleansed of all offenses against God.
But that wasn’t enough to start the people of God, the church.
Then Jesus came back to life. There were witnesses; a lot of them. It was terrifying, and exhilarating. It served to not only prove that what Jesus had sent out to do had been accomplished, but that he was who he said he was (God), and that he had authority over death. The hope given to everyone who trusts in Jesus was amplified. Not only do we have peace with God, but we have hope for future life, and that death itself would be put to death.
“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” The Bible triumphantly declares, speaking of the implications of the resurrection. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:26, 55
But that wasn’t’ enough for the church to begin.
And Jesus had already said as much. Because in order for the church to be official, effective, and to see God at work among them, they needed God’s spirit. So Jesus told them:
“It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
50 days after Jesus rose from the grave and 10 days after he returned to heaven as our representative and advocate before God, he sent God’s spirit to those that trusted in Jesus and were praying together. The Christian faith, and the Church, was born.
The spirit of God given to the church breathes life into the Christian faith. In the past God’s commands were unable to be kept, even if he wanted to. With the gift of the spirit, anyone who trusts in Jesus are given new hearts that are able to follow after God. Ezekiel 36:25-27
The spirit of God confirms our adoption by God (Romans 8:15) and guarantees our inheritance from God (Ephesians 1:14). The spirit works in the church to do the miracles of Jesus through the members of the church living with purpose in their communities. John 14:12
The spirit of God continues to breathe life into the individual and corporate faith of all those who trust Jesus for their salvation. 1989 years later, the church is growing, diverse, active, and a witness of the continued works of God.
And God is at work in your life too, Christian.
Happy Birthday. Or Happy Pentecost.
Gavin Jarvis is lead pastor at Living Stones Church.
