Pentecost

Today Fred Buechner’s quote centres on the Spirit in terms of Fire. “Fire has no shape or substance. You can’t taste it or smell it or hear it. You can’t touch it except at great risk. You can’t weigh it or measure it or examine it with instruments. You can never grasp it in its fullness because it never stands still. Yet there is no mistaking its extraordinary power. God the Spirit is the fire that dances within us and consumes us and cannot be contained. It is fire that purifies, refines, and sanctifies.”  Frederick Buechner

When you stop and consider the work of the Holy Spirit—and that’s what Pentecost is all about—there are three direct dimensions:

First, the Holy Spirit does an INWARD work in us. He is the One who administers justification, regeneration, and the new birth in our lives. He is the One who cleanses us within, who comforts us, and bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

Second, the Holy Spirit does an UPWARD work in us. Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit is ever pointing us heavenward, to glorify Jesus and the Father.

Third, the Holy Spirit does an OUTWARD work in us. The empowerment that took place on the day of Pentecost resulted in a powerful gospel witness and 3,000 people from a variety of background were radically saved!

It was William Booth who wrote the hymn.

O God of burning, cleansing flame, 

send the fire!

Your blood-bought gift today we claim: 

send the fire today! 

Look down and see this waiting host,

And send the promised Holy Ghost;

We need another Pentecost,

Send the fire today,

send the fire today!

God of Elijah, hear our cry: 

send the fire! 

And make us fit to live or die: 

send the fire today! 

To burn up every trace of sin,

To bring the light and glory in,

The revolution now begin!

Send the fire today,

send the fire today!

It’s fire we want, for fire we plead: 

send the fire! 

The fire will meet our every need: 

send the fire today! 

For strength to always do what’s right,

For grace to conquer in the fight,

For power to walk the world in white:

send the fire today,

send the fire today!

To make our weak heart strong and brave, 

send the fire! 

To live, a dying world to save: 

send the fire today!

O see us on Your altar lay,

We give our lives to You today,

So crown the offering now, we pray:

send the fire today, send the fire today,

send the fire today! Amen