The Energy of the Holy Spirit to Open Blind Eyes

The arrival of spring alerts all types of recent beginnings. Crops which were dormant “spring” into life, and birdsong, lengthy silent, beckons us to a brand new day. The clocks change, and Easter arrives, bringing us as soon as once more to the cross, the empty tomb, after which to the ascension and Pentecost. At Pentecost, we’re reminded of the indispensable work of the Holy Spirit within the believer’s life.

Jesus promised His disciples, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will ship in my identify, he’ll educate you all issues and convey to your remembrance all that I’ve mentioned to you” (John 14:26). He went on to inform them that His departure would show to be a plus. The Holy Spirit would come and convict the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment. Certainly the disciples should have puzzled simply how that might occur. Maybe nobody was extra stunned than Peter when the response to his first post-Pentecost sermon was that his listeners had been “reduce to the guts” and requested, “What lets do?”

The apostles realized the reality we should embrace: Solely the Holy Spirit opens blind eyes and softens onerous hearts. That is our confidence in chatting with others about Jesus. Let’s encourage each other to be proactive this Easter by inviting pals and colleagues to be taught extra in regards to the risen Savior who now reigns as Lord and King. And let’s not be remiss to wish for the Holy Spirit to work savingly of their lives.

We’re providing assets this month that might be useful on this endeavor. Is Easter Unbelievable? 4 Questions Everybody Ought to Ask Concerning the Resurrection Story is a brief, informative e book that addresses questions generally requested by these unfamiliar with the Gospels. We’ll ship you three copies to offer away, maybe together with an invite to your church’s Easter Sunday service. You may additionally need to embrace a duplicate of the small booklet The Story. Additionally, starting April 22, we’ll discover Paul’s ultimate missionary journey as recorded in Acts on our each day program. Please encourage your mates to obtain the app and pay attention together with you. Nancy Guthrie’s new e book Saved: Experiencing the Promise of the Ebook of Acts is a useful companion to the educating.

Thanks in your variety greetings and assurances of prayer as I step away from the Parkside pulpit. On the identical time, be assured that I’m not going away however relatively might be ramping up my involvement at Reality For Life. Your prayers and monetary help are much more important as we glance to succeed in the world with the best story ever instructed: that “Christ additionally suffered as soon as for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he would possibly carry us to God.”

As ever, with my love within the Lord Jesus,

Alistair

PS: Let me additionally suggest watching the symphonic occasion, From the Backyard to Glory: A Musical Journey By the Story of Redemption at truthforlife.org/backyard.