Letter for June 2025

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Dear Friends

The Day of Pentecost, or Whitsunday as it has been known, is the day Christians celebrate God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon his people. We are thankful that it is the Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual life. We are glad of comfort and courage from the Holy Spirit as we follow Jesus. We are privileged to receive helpful gifts from the Holy Spirit in order to serve the growing church. Some of us also note with approval that the Holy Spirit is rather subversive. Let me elucidate.

When the Holy Spirit was poured upon the people of God in first century Jerusalem, he did not overwhelm the established Jewish or Roman religious leaders with spiritual life and power. The Holy Spirit was poured upon a group of unlikely Christian disciples from the regions.

The established religious leaders might have expected themselves to be the focus of spiritual power and influence, but not so. The people in Jerusalem were drawn to the message of the rather less formally educated disciples of Jesus. The crowds were captivated by the novelty of hearing the powerful message of Christian salvation and transformation from the mouth of an ex-fisherman. But they were not just entertained. Over three thousand of them were saved and started to be changed themselves.

When Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, he said ‘the wind blows where it wills’. That is, we can’t control the direction of the wind, and we can’t control the work of the Holy Spirit. He is not predictable. He is not tameable. The Holy Spirit is not like a pliable person who moves at our bidding. The Holy Spirit is a person of unpredictable activity: sometimes so gentle, sometimes upsetting or overturning our expectations.

The activity of the Holy Spirit on the tumultuous Day of Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection is the measure of the activity of the Holy Spirit ever since. Long predicted and yet unexpected, as thousands wondered what was happening. Shocking and yet delightful, as ordained priests and prophets were bypassed and yet unlikely fishermen and tax collectors were used to spread the word of God. Wonderful and yet disturbing, as the message was given in the many different mother tongues of all who were there, so all would be affected deeply.

Spiritual power and influence would never again be limited to the few. The pouring out of the Spirit would be upon young and old, men and women, Jew and Gentile, those of any and every nation, indeed all who called on the name of the Lord.

Consider the work of the Spirit in the last century. Today the main spiritual vitality of the world church is displayed in the Christians of Africa and Asia. Who would have thought that 150 years ago? The Wind of God blows where it wills. Wouldn’t you like to know the Wind of God in your sails? Are you ready to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’ and expect to be surprised? Any day is a good day to be filled with the Spirit and be transformed. Whitsunday is a good day to remember these things and be inspired.

Come and celebrate Pentecost on Sunday 8th June.

Yours in Christ

Rob