Seeking a Life-Giving Spirit* (04/21/'24) -Message

Seeking a Life-Giving Spirit In a world bustling with ideas, questions, and endless discussions, many of us feel a deep hunger. It's not a hunger for more information or more debates—it's a hunger for something more profound. We are hungry for a life-giving spirit. Amidst the rigid and distant interactions, we long for a spirit that can truly touch us, reach inside, and awaken us to a fuller existence. This spirit is not about accumulating more things or staying busy. It's about igniting a transformative energy within. As echoed in the scriptures, "The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit" (1Co 15.45b). Our spiritual pursuit isn't just about knowing more—it's about truly experiencing a connection that revives us. Yet, as we lose sight of this deeper faith, as described in the gospel, we find ourselves lost in "vain flowers"—attractive yet fruitless endeavors that fail to satisfy our deeper yearnings (Jas 3:17; Ro 11:33; Mt 7:7, 6:33; Jn 14:6, 8:32, etc.). The wisdom of the world often leads to folly, disconnected from the life-giving essence of genuine faith (Mt 7:24, 11:27; Lk 1:37; Ro 3:11, etc.). As faith diminishes, the spirit wavers, entrapped in these "vain flowers" and incapable of bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Ga 5:22-26; Jn 15:1-8; Mt 12:33, etc.). Let us reconnect with the true source of life—a spirit that not only informs but transforms. We invite you to join us in this journey towards spiritual rejuvenation and genuine connection. Pastor Steven G. Lee (April 22, 2024)