LEFTOVERS!

Why did Jesus leave this earth and return to His Father? Why didn’t He choose to remain here and continue His earthly ministry? He made it clear that it was to our advantage for Him to “go away” but was it also advantageous for Him? I think so—

For one thing, had He chosen to remain here, the gospel would have been left unfinished, incomplete.

Furthermore, His physical presence limited His ministry because He could only be in one place at the time.

In addition, our ability to know Him would have been limited by His physical presence.

Finally, our witness would have been entirely powerless.

How, then, was His “going away” advantageous for those of us He would leave behind?

First, His return to His Father meant that He would send us the Holy Spirit, who would live in us and without whom we could not live the Christian life!

Second, because He sent us the Holy Spirit, we have eternal life.

Third, because He sent us the Holy Spirit, we can know the Truth.

Fourth, because we can know the Truth, we can also live in freedom.

Fifth, because He sent us the Holy Spirit, we are all gifted with valuable, spiritual gifts, gifts that enable the Body to effectively function as one.

NOW FOR THE LEFTOVERS

What would have been left unfinished about the gospel, had Jesus not returned to His Father?

How does His “living in us” enhance our ability to know Him?

When truth is mentioned within the context of theology, why do our minds tend to turn to dogma or doctrine, rather than to the person of Jesus?

How does our knowing truth enable us to live in freedom?

What is meant by “when the Holy Spirit comes upon you?”

What is meant by “you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit?”

Looking forward to Wednesday night!

Your Pastor