The Easter Season is over, and we are headed for Pentecost. That doesn’t mean our job as Easter people is done. As Easter people, we believe in the Risen Christ and all that means for those who believe.

I recently said in one of my messages that I believe all those who witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus probably told everyone they saw, in the days after that, what they had witnessed. I can’t imagine what was going through their mind at the time. We are lucky we have years of Bible commentary and discussions to help us sort things out.

One thing we do have in common with those who witnessed it first-hand is the need to tell others. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must make it a point to tell others what Jesus did for us and what a relationship with him means to all who believe.

When we get to Pentecost, the last Sunday of the month, the paraments will change to red the color of fire, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is the day in which the Holy Spirit came upon all those gathered together and spoke to them in languages they understood.

As we come closer to Pentecost we need to understand we are all at different places on our Christian journey just as those gathered on the first Day of Pentecost. That means some of us might have a different understanding of the grace of God, forgiveness of sins, and what life after death means.

That doesn’t mean any one of us is right or wrong. It just means we are at different places in our Christian journey. We must remember that United Methodists aren’t told how or what to think. We think and let think. As long as we all believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we can worship together and advance the Kingdom of God.

Sometimes being at different stages in our journey is advantageous. It gives us the opportunity to have discussions with others about our religious beliefs and affords us different points of view. This allows us more chances to see things from another’s perspective.

We are who we are and believe what we believe because of past experiences and conversations. The more conversations we have with others about God the stronger our beliefs will be and the greater understanding we will have concerning the Kingdom of God. This will help us explain to others the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ their Savior.

Never miss an opportunity to discuss religion but avoid a debate about religion because none of us know for sure.

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Steve