A word from the pastor
Each week one of the pastors writes an editorial for the weekly notice sheet.
Here are some recent "Editos".
The Spirit of Pentecost
The first Christian Pentecost took place in Jerusalem, fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. This Pentecost had its effect in the radical change in the behaviour of the disciples of Jesus Christ who until then lacked the strength to complete the task that Jesus had entrusted to them. They hid in an upper room, waiting for the fulfilment of a promise made by Jesus just before His Ascension: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” (Acts 1v8). The disciples didn’t know what this power would look like when it came, but they were sure that something would happen. In chapter 2 of Acts, we find the details of the coming of the Spirit. A few remarks are worth making to help us to understand why and how the Holy Spirit came:
The disciples had faith in the promise of Jesus:do we believe that the promise of Acts 1v8 is for us as well? If yes, we’re going to wait eagerly for Jesus to give us his Spirit of strength.
The disciples were well aware of their need for the Holy Spirit:in the Gospels, we see that the disciples overestimated their capabilities (Matt. 26v35). Some of them said that they were ready to die and declared that they would never abandon Jesus. And yet we know that they all fled, except John. Let’s not overestimate our strength, but rather be aware of the desperate need for the Spirit of God in our lives.
The unity of the disciples was a fundamental criterion in the coming of the Spirit:“All together in the same place.” (Acts 2v1). When the Church is united in her march forward, we can be sure that the Master won’t hesitate to visit her and give her gifts!
Everyone can have a personal experience:be it well know Apostles who were authority figures within the Church, or simple believers: both were filled (Acts 2.4). All the members of the Church need the power of God!
The point of this experience was that each believer could become a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the experience of the fullness of the Spirit is not granted to us like some trophy for us to be proud of. It’s a strength which animates us, indispensable to live out our vocation here on Earth. So don’t seek the Spirit just to be like others, but with the true desire of being a witness in the world.
For 2000 years, during different eras and in different places, the same expectancy has existed in the Church of Jesus Christ. Every time believers take stock of their spiritual poverty and feel the need for divine strength, the Lord doesn’t fail to respond and to fill them with power. At this time of Pentecost, let’s not forget that this first outpouring of the Spirit carried the promise of all the outpourings that the Church and all her believes would need until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. With humility, and in a spirit of unity, let’s seek from Jesus the fullness of his Spirit!
Robert Héris
The first Christian Pentecost took place in Jerusalem, fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. This Pentecost had its effect in the radical change in the behaviour of the disciples of Jesus Christ who until then lacked the strength to complete the task that Jesus had entrusted to them. They hid in an upper room, waiting for the fulfilment of a promise made by Jesus just before His Ascension: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” (Acts 1v8). The disciples didn’t know what this power would look like when it came, but they were sure that something would happen. In chapter 2 of Acts, we find the details of the coming of the Spirit. A few remarks are worth making to help us to understand why and how the Holy Spirit came:
The disciples had faith in the promise of Jesus:do we believe that the promise of Acts 1v8 is for us as well? If yes, we’re going to wait eagerly for Jesus to give us his Spirit of strength.
The disciples were well aware of their need for the Holy Spirit:in the Gospels, we see that the disciples overestimated their capabilities (Matt. 26v35). Some of them said that they were ready to die and declared that they would never abandon Jesus. And yet we know that they all fled, except John. Let’s not overestimate our strength, but rather be aware of the desperate need for the Spirit of God in our lives.
The unity of the disciples was a fundamental criterion in the coming of the Spirit:“All together in the same place.” (Acts 2v1). When the Church is united in her march forward, we can be sure that the Master won’t hesitate to visit her and give her gifts!
Everyone can have a personal experience:be it well know Apostles who were authority figures within the Church, or simple believers: both were filled (Acts 2.4). All the members of the Church need the power of God!
The point of this experience was that each believer could become a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the experience of the fullness of the Spirit is not granted to us like some trophy for us to be proud of. It’s a strength which animates us, indispensable to live out our vocation here on Earth. So don’t seek the Spirit just to be like others, but with the true desire of being a witness in the world.
For 2000 years, during different eras and in different places, the same expectancy has existed in the Church of Jesus Christ. Every time believers take stock of their spiritual poverty and feel the need for divine strength, the Lord doesn’t fail to respond and to fill them with power. At this time of Pentecost, let’s not forget that this first outpouring of the Spirit carried the promise of all the outpourings that the Church and all her believes would need until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. With humility, and in a spirit of unity, let’s seek from Jesus the fullness of his Spirit!
Robert Héris
Believer for a day or forever…
We deceive ourselves when we believe that it’s the intensity of the trial that leads to the abandoning of the faith. That would mean that at each powerful assault of the enemy in the lives of the believers, the devil would be sure to obtain their surrender. It’s not here that we should see the reason for the abandonment of the faith; rather, it’s in the type of relationship that the believer keeps up with the Lord.
If there’s a Biblical example that can settle the question, it’s that of Job. Job was a fulfilled believer, a faithful intercessor and he was soon to pass through trials. Satan asked for permission to test him deeply and God gave it to him. Here is the mystery of Divine sovereignty which is exercised over and about our logic… Job loses everything, nearly: his property, his children, and his health. He is left with nothing but a body wracked by illness and friends who bring him explanations, each more spiritual than the last, to add to his distress. Job is firmly attached to God and God knows it; at the start of the book, God himself declares to Satan: “he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1.8) In his case, it’s exactly the type of attachment that Job cultivates with God that allows him to hold fast. The ordeals that he goes through are dramatic, and he triumphs over them!
We come across the same type of behaviour with Abraham when the Lord asks him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham sets off, climbs Mount Moriah and when his son asks him, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Gen 22.7) Abraham replies, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (v8). Whether it’s Job, Abraham or any of the many other Biblical figures, it’s the quality of their relationship with God that makes the difference.
In the history of the martyrs of the first century we have a beautiful text that concerns Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp had had the Apostle John as his spiritual father. Needless to say, he must have been well taught about the person of Jesus because John was the closest apostle to the Lord. It was John who, during the meal, was nearest to Jesus. His Gospel, his epistles and the book of Revelation, which he wrote, demonstrate to us his proximity to the Master. Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor of the time, set off a new persecution against the Christians. Polycarp was lead before the proconsul who commanded him to recant his faith: “Have respect to your old age, curse Christ and you will be set free!” the proconsul told him. Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years I have served Him and He never did me any injury; How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?” Polycarp died at the stake. Despite his advanced age he didn’t falter. His whole life and up to his death he remained attached to Jesus.
All these examples call out to us and push us to question ourselves about the solidity of our attachment to the Lord. Are we the man of but a moment (Matt 13.21) that’s to say the man without roots, who trips up when difficulty comes along? Or are we the believer for every instance, like a tree planted by streams of water? (Ps 1.3)
Robert Héris
We deceive ourselves when we believe that it’s the intensity of the trial that leads to the abandoning of the faith. That would mean that at each powerful assault of the enemy in the lives of the believers, the devil would be sure to obtain their surrender. It’s not here that we should see the reason for the abandonment of the faith; rather, it’s in the type of relationship that the believer keeps up with the Lord.
If there’s a Biblical example that can settle the question, it’s that of Job. Job was a fulfilled believer, a faithful intercessor and he was soon to pass through trials. Satan asked for permission to test him deeply and God gave it to him. Here is the mystery of Divine sovereignty which is exercised over and about our logic… Job loses everything, nearly: his property, his children, and his health. He is left with nothing but a body wracked by illness and friends who bring him explanations, each more spiritual than the last, to add to his distress. Job is firmly attached to God and God knows it; at the start of the book, God himself declares to Satan: “he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1.8) In his case, it’s exactly the type of attachment that Job cultivates with God that allows him to hold fast. The ordeals that he goes through are dramatic, and he triumphs over them!
We come across the same type of behaviour with Abraham when the Lord asks him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham sets off, climbs Mount Moriah and when his son asks him, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Gen 22.7) Abraham replies, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (v8). Whether it’s Job, Abraham or any of the many other Biblical figures, it’s the quality of their relationship with God that makes the difference.
In the history of the martyrs of the first century we have a beautiful text that concerns Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp had had the Apostle John as his spiritual father. Needless to say, he must have been well taught about the person of Jesus because John was the closest apostle to the Lord. It was John who, during the meal, was nearest to Jesus. His Gospel, his epistles and the book of Revelation, which he wrote, demonstrate to us his proximity to the Master. Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor of the time, set off a new persecution against the Christians. Polycarp was lead before the proconsul who commanded him to recant his faith: “Have respect to your old age, curse Christ and you will be set free!” the proconsul told him. Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years I have served Him and He never did me any injury; How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?” Polycarp died at the stake. Despite his advanced age he didn’t falter. His whole life and up to his death he remained attached to Jesus.
All these examples call out to us and push us to question ourselves about the solidity of our attachment to the Lord. Are we the man of but a moment (Matt 13.21) that’s to say the man without roots, who trips up when difficulty comes along? Or are we the believer for every instance, like a tree planted by streams of water? (Ps 1.3)
Robert Héris
The true treasure...
What would you do if one night the Lord himself appeared to you in a dream and said to you: “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” Try to imagine your response, and those of the people you know! This situation is reminiscent of those eastern tales of magic lamps which, when rubbed, release a genie who grants three wishes to the hero of the story. But this scenario isn’t impossible. A very famous king from the Old Testament experienced such an encounter. It was king Solomon. God meets him in a dream and asks him exactly this question: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3.5. Solomon’s response is an example to us all. He could have asked for long life, riches, the death of his enemies and so many other things for himself. But no, Solomon realises that he need help if he’s going to be a king who will rule his people well. Here is his reply to God: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3.9. The Lord is pleased with his attitude, and so promises not only to make him a wise man, but also to give him all he did not ask for as long as Solomon should “walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did” 1 Kings 3v10-13. Where did Solomon’s success come from then as he walked with the Lord an obeyed his voice?
1. First of all by God’s will: it’s not Solomon who went to meet God, it’s God who came to Solomon. We must all know that if God doesn’t reveal himsefl we cannot encounter Him. The Good News is that God was in Christ as he reconciled the world with Himself. God took the initiative to come to us, and everyone can truly encounter him by walking with Jesus.
2. Secondly, it’s Solomon’s response which led him to success: Some people constantly differ the reply to God. We don’t understand that when we don’t say ‘yes’ to the Lord, we’re saying ‘no’. This thought brings to mind the parable of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son (Mat.22v1-14). Those who had been invited didn’t bother to reply and accept the invitation. And so others were invited and the first lot were no longer able to entre the room where the wedding was taking place. God desires to share each moment with us: may our lives be a continual response to this divine aspiration!
3. Finally it’s the ability to show divine wisdom when faced with a challenge: Everyone knows the “judgement of Solomon” 1 Kings 3v16-28. In this wonderful passage, which relates the story of two prostitutes who both claim a child, each one saying that it’s her son, Solomon delivers this sentence: “Bring me a sword!”. Here Scripture shows us what happens when a man is faced with a difficult case. The real mother prefers to save her child rather than to have it cut in two as the other woman who claimed to be the child’s mother would have liked… And so, throughout our lives, it’s in the heart of our trials that the evidence of our communion with God will spring up. Let’s make a priority of asking God for his wisdom. James, (1v5) teaches us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”.
Robert Héris
What would you do if one night the Lord himself appeared to you in a dream and said to you: “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” Try to imagine your response, and those of the people you know! This situation is reminiscent of those eastern tales of magic lamps which, when rubbed, release a genie who grants three wishes to the hero of the story. But this scenario isn’t impossible. A very famous king from the Old Testament experienced such an encounter. It was king Solomon. God meets him in a dream and asks him exactly this question: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3.5. Solomon’s response is an example to us all. He could have asked for long life, riches, the death of his enemies and so many other things for himself. But no, Solomon realises that he need help if he’s going to be a king who will rule his people well. Here is his reply to God: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3.9. The Lord is pleased with his attitude, and so promises not only to make him a wise man, but also to give him all he did not ask for as long as Solomon should “walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did” 1 Kings 3v10-13. Where did Solomon’s success come from then as he walked with the Lord an obeyed his voice?
1. First of all by God’s will: it’s not Solomon who went to meet God, it’s God who came to Solomon. We must all know that if God doesn’t reveal himsefl we cannot encounter Him. The Good News is that God was in Christ as he reconciled the world with Himself. God took the initiative to come to us, and everyone can truly encounter him by walking with Jesus.
2. Secondly, it’s Solomon’s response which led him to success: Some people constantly differ the reply to God. We don’t understand that when we don’t say ‘yes’ to the Lord, we’re saying ‘no’. This thought brings to mind the parable of the king who prepared a wedding feast for his son (Mat.22v1-14). Those who had been invited didn’t bother to reply and accept the invitation. And so others were invited and the first lot were no longer able to entre the room where the wedding was taking place. God desires to share each moment with us: may our lives be a continual response to this divine aspiration!
3. Finally it’s the ability to show divine wisdom when faced with a challenge: Everyone knows the “judgement of Solomon” 1 Kings 3v16-28. In this wonderful passage, which relates the story of two prostitutes who both claim a child, each one saying that it’s her son, Solomon delivers this sentence: “Bring me a sword!”. Here Scripture shows us what happens when a man is faced with a difficult case. The real mother prefers to save her child rather than to have it cut in two as the other woman who claimed to be the child’s mother would have liked… And so, throughout our lives, it’s in the heart of our trials that the evidence of our communion with God will spring up. Let’s make a priority of asking God for his wisdom. James, (1v5) teaches us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”.
Robert Héris
Believer or not?
We live in an incredible age where information moves as fast as lightning. Many ideas, good or bad, true or false, are in circulation, particularly on the internet. Every day our email inboxes are flooded with messages which bring us ideas about politics, faith, life, death... The internet is a continent in itself, and in the midst of this infinity of information, there are some pieces which are like pearls. A few days ago I received one which I would like to share with you. The author or the sender of this story is Carlos Payan, a well-known Parisian pastor, whose vocation is the unity of the church in France. Here is the text:
" In their mother's womb, two babies are chatting. One is a believer, the other is not.
Atheist baby (AB): And what about you? Do you believe in life after birth?
Believing baby (BB): Of course. It's obvious that life after birth exists. And we are here to become strong and ready for what awaits us afterwards.
- AB: All that's a load of rubbish. There's nothing after birth. Can you imagine what such a life would be like?
- BB: Well I don't know all the details, but there will be lots of light, lots of joy. And for example, there we'll eat with our mouths.
- AB: What a load of nonsense! We have umbilical cords to feed us. And no-one's ever come back from this so-called other life. Life simply ends with birth.
- BB: No! I don't know exactly this life after birth will be like, but in any case we'll see our mother and she'll take us up in her arms.
- AB: Mother? You believe in mother!? And where exactly is she?
- BB: But she's everywhere! She surrounds us! We live thanks to her and without her we would be nothing. She watches over us every minute of every day.
- AB: That's absurd! Have you ever seen her? I haven't. And anyway, if she really exists, why doesn't she show herself?
- BB: I don't agree. Because sometimes, when everything is calm, you can hear her singing... Feel her when she embraces our world... I'm sure that our real life only begins after birth
I believe in God the Father who takes care of us like a mother! Just a little story to feed our faith."
I hope with all my heart that each and ever reader of this text either is, or will become a believing baby and that they cling fast to Him who watches over each one of hHs children.
Robert Héris