Resurrection Lutheran Church of Dublin

In our time we face the same issues without ever having had the privilege of hearing or following Jesus in his earthly ministry. How do we know the difference between really following Jesus, and doing what we think is best and asking God to bless it. If all we had to guide us were the memories of events two thousand years ago, or the pages of Scripture as God inspired and wonderful as it is we would be lost. But Jesus told us that he would not leave us as orphans, to wander aimlessly trying to find our own way. He promised that even as he ascended God would send us a comforter, the Holy Spirit to walk alongside us as a guide. I think Jesus knew that we were not really prepared for what was to come. For the disciples then this concern was focused on their immediate future, but how could the next generation of disciples be prepared to meet their changing world? Jesus must have been aware of this great need in the developing people of God. He told his first disciples; “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:12-13

The time we celebrate between Easter and Pentecost represents a major transition in the relationship between God and humanity. The problem from the very beginning has been how we as human beings can communicate with God well enough to allow God to lead us through the transition from the old creation where we were separated from God and essentially did what we thought was best. What usually resulted was the strong taking power over the weak for their own advantage. These Kingdoms and empires will continue to rise and fall, the rich get richer the poor get poorer but the kingdom of God continues to drift, coming close where ever a community comes together to truly seek the will of God and seek the guidance and companionship of God the Holy Spirit. IT can drift away almost as easily as it is created but it leaves a mark on the heart of anyone who has ever experienced it.

My own experience of this Spirit led community has enabled me to understand that it is not one leader that creates it; rather it is created by a community of believers who are led by the Spirit in a tangible way. It is always Christ, who is the head and we are the willing body who are enabled to know and do the will of God. For us this is a growing and learning process. We begin as children and grow into maturity as our ability to hear and obey the will of God increases. It is a dynamic process enabled by the Holy Spirit. As Saint Paul tells us; all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:14-16

I have experienced this kind of community rarely in my past, and each time I was separated from that community there was a passing grief. But there was an even stronger drive to be a part of such a community once again. I hope I am not too bold when I say that I feel that kind of a community forming around us again. I hope it is an exciting time for you as well as we seek together the will of God and the presence of the Spirit that accompanies it. Easter is past but Pentecost approaches quickly.

Do you have a question regarding a ministry taking place at Resurrection or would you like to volunteer in a particular area? The Committee spokesperson in that area would be glad to hear from you: