Week 10 (2 - 8 Mar): The Divine Exchange

The book of Acts connects the life of Jesus in the Gospels to the letters written to the churches. Without Acts, we would not know how the church was birthed nor how it spread to various cities. Acts is essentially the chain that links the entire New Testament. We believe that as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, the teachings in Acts apply to us and the gifts given to the church are also given to us. Hence we all should take a special interest to study this book.

Last Saturday, Ps Jeff preached simultaneously in English and Chinese. While he wasn’t speaking in tongues, we could all sense that he was speaking under the unction of the Holy Spirit. He reminded us that the first chapter of Acts records that after Jesus’ ascension, his followers waited for the fulfilment of his promise of empowerment through the coming of the Holy Spirit.  

He asked us to reflect of our pattern of prayer. Often, our prayers list what we want, and we complain when requests go unanswered. Do we ever stop to ask God what he wants for us?  Do we even stop to allow God to speak? There is so much that God can cultivate in us through waiting on Him. But will we allow ourselves to wait on God? 

God has so much that He wants to offer us but with our minds and hearts filled with our own desires, do we have space to embrace what He has for us?  God loves humanity.  He created in his image and likeness. He is our Father and we are his children. He invites to receive his Holy Spirit so that He can dwell with us. He doesn’t ask us to be perfect by own strength.  Rather He invites us to give him our sins, shame, burdens and brokenness. Jesus willingly took those things on himself so that God could offer forgiveness, reconciliation and righteousness – a new life in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We didn’t earn God’s salvation but it is a gift from God. God’s invitation of this divine exchange is for everyone. We have to lay down what we carry (earthly things) and embrace God’s gift.

Acts 1:8 clearly states that His disciples will be empowered when the Holy Spirit comes on you. We should pray and wait on God for this gift because the Holy Spirit is the best counsellor, guide, comforter – the source of everything good and necessary to life a live that glorifies our Father.  

Ps Jeff’s analogy of a chef was very fitting. Imagine a chef who has been given the finest ingredients, yet makes no effort to cook them and simply leaves them untouched. In time, the ingredients spoil, and no one gets to enjoy what could have been a wonderful meal.

In the same way, believers have been given the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. If they do not partner with the Holy Spirit and put this gift into action, the blessings meant to build others up remain unused. But when believers work with the Holy Spirit, they can strengthen others through teaching, serving, sharing their testimonies, showing love, and encouraging others in faith. As Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Why are we still holding on to things of this world that cannot compare to what God has planned for us? We want the Holy Spirit and pray that each follower of Christ will eagerly yearn to receive the Holy Spirit. 

On behalf of Chinese HF

Sandie and Ben