Pentecost • 1

Introduction to Pentecost Season

The Season of Pentecost, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, marks a pivotal moment for Christians worldwide. Pentecost, originally a Jewish feast known as Shavuot, celebrated the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It occurs fifty days after Passover, symbolizing the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot, which highlights both agricultural and spiritual harvests in Jewish life.

Just as God gave the Law at Sinai to His ancient Israelite people at Pentecost back then, after Christ’s ascension, God poured out His Holy Spirit to empower a new people of God, to obey the Law of Christ, and to continue His work in the world. Hence, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2), not only fulfilled Jesus' promise to send a helper and comforter after His ascension, it also signified the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel. The Presence and Power of Christ through the baptism and the filling of Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the message of Jesus Christ with boldness, crossing language and cultural barriers, and uniting diverse peoples (both Jews and non-Jews) under the lordship of Christ.

Particularly for the members of the Centre of New Life, as we enter the Season of Pentecost, we enter a new season with a call to “Grow Stronger”, to live out the Gospel in our daily lives, exercising the gifts He has given us, as members of Christ's mystical Body, the Church, and particularly within our Kampongs and Life Groups. It is a time to embrace the Holy Spirit's power, continue the mission of the early Church, and embody the teachings of Christ in our interactions and service to Him, at home, work and play. This Pentecost season, let us step-up to be active participants in God's ongoing work in the world, so that as God’s serving sons and daughters, we might grow in friendship and together, we continue to spread His love, grace, and truth in all that we do.

reading for: Tuesday Night, 21 May

John 3:1-17

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    Scripture Reading: John 3:1-17

    1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

    Commentary

    Today passage is set in a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was one of the most prominent teachers of the law in his time, he was very well regarded by the Jews of his day. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to have a conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus praised Jesus as a teacher come from God as no one could do those signs unless God is with him.

    Jesus answered Nicodemus that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was puzzled by this, he wondered how can someone be born when he is old. Surely one cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb. Jesus doubles down and said that unless one is born of the water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. For what is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Jesus makes it clear to Nicodemus that he must be born again by the Spirit. What Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus is that one must be born of the Spirit in order to be in God’s kingdom. We are all born one time in the flesh, but we must also at the same time be born again by the power of the Spirit.

    Nicodemus does not get it and he asks Jesus how can this be? Jesus rebukes Nicodemus but proceeds to tell Nicodemus how can this be? Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one has ascended into heaven, except the Son of Man that descended from heaven. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes in the Son of Man may have eternal life. Jesus is saying that to believe in him as the one who is lifted up on the cross is to have eternal life. That is the way to enter and see the kingdom of God.

  • REFLECT

John 3 is a very popular passage that we have much to learn from and reflect from.  It speaks of the importance of knowing and believing in Christ.

Reflect on the following questions:

1.    John 3 portrays a picture of Christ as the crucified and risen one. Reflect on what is your picture of Christ? How do you see Christ? Who is Christ to you?

2.    Do you believe in Christ? Are you willing to put your trust in Christ?

3.    Faith in Christ is not just a verbal faith, but it requires action. What are some things that you can do to demonstrate your faith and belief in Christ?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 22 may

Isaiah 6:1-8

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Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Commentary

Isaiah 6:1-8 presents a vivid and transformative encounter between the prophet Isaiah and the Holy God of Israel. As Isaiah stands in the temple vision, he witnesses the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, with seraphim calling out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." This overwhelming vision of divine holiness immediately exposes Isaiah's own inadequacy and sinfulness. He cries out, "“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

In this moment, Isaiah's reaction reflects a universal truth: a genuine encounter with the Holy God reveals our deepest imperfections. When we come face to face with God's perfect holiness, our sins and shortcomings become glaringly evident. Isaiah’s confession of his unclean lips symbolizes the impurity and sinfulness that he recognizes in himself and his people.

Yet, the narrative does not end with Isaiah’s despair. In a profound act of grace, one of the seraphim flies to Isaiah with a live coal from the altar, touching it to his lips and declaring, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." This divine act of cleansing signifies that it is God who initiates and accomplishes our purification.

Isaiah is not left in his state of unworthiness; instead, God acts to cleanse and sanctify him, preparing him for his prophetic mission.

Isaiah’s response to this loving and sanctifying action is immediate and wholehearted. When the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah responds, "Here am I. Send me!" His willingness to serve underscores the transformative power of God’s cleansing. It is out of gratitude and recognition of God’s mercy that Isaiah eagerly accepts his commission.

This passage reminds us that while an encounter with God reveals our sinfulness, it also demonstrates His grace and power to cleanse us. Our response to God's sanctifying work should be one of humble service, offering ourselves willingly to His call, just as Isaiah did.

  • REFLECT

    1.     How has an encounter with God revealed your own sinfulness and need for repentance? Reflect on moments in your life when you felt convicted of your sins in the presence of God’s holiness. How did this realization impact your relationship with God and your understanding of His grace?

     

    2.     In what ways have you experienced God’s cleansing and sanctifying work in your life? Consider specific instances where you felt God’s forgiveness and transformative power at work within you. How did this change your perspective on your identity and calling as a Christian?

     

    3.     How are you responding to God’s call in your life today?

    Reflect on the ways God might be calling you to serve Him and others. Are you responding with the same willingness and readiness as Isaiah? What steps can you take to better align your actions with God’s purposes for you?

     

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 23 may

romans 8:12-17

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    Scripture Reading: Romans 8:12-17

     12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

    Commentary

    Paul’s letter to the Romans, written around 57 CE, addresses a Christian community situated in the heart of the Roman Empire—a city renowned for its opulence, wealth, and emperor-worshipping cult. Rome's moral landscape was often characterized by indulgence and excess, making it deeply countercultural for Christians to live out their faith with a stronger sense of their belonging to God above all other loyalties. This letter encourages believers to live a life distinctly different from the prevailing norms of Roman society.

    In Romans 8:12-17, Paul builds on his argument about living a life in the Spirit, contrasting it with the life dominated by the flesh. He urges the Roman Christians, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it" (Romans 8:12NIV). Here, Paul emphasizes that Christians are not bound to their old, sinful nature but are called to live by the Spirit, which leads to life and peace.

    Paul's message is particularly poignant against the backdrop of Rome’s hedonistic culture. By living according to the Spirit, Christians reject the corrupting influences of their environment and embrace their true identity as children of God. This new identity is confirmed by the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are indeed God's children. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14NV).

    Paul reassures the Roman believers of their adoption into God’s family, calling them "children of God" and "co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). This status carries profound implications: as God's children, Christians have an eternal inheritance and a new purpose. Yet, Paul also acknowledges the reality of suffering, stating that believers are co-heirs with Christ "if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:17).

    This passage serves as a powerful affirmation of the Holy Spirit’s role in guaranteeing their sonship and inheritance. It calls Christians to persevere in their faith and live courageously for Christ, secure in the knowledge that their ultimate loyalty is to God, who has adopted them and made them heirs with His Son. Through the Spirit, they are empowered to live out this countercultural calling with confidence and hope.

  • REFLECT

    Today, Christians face trials and temptations remarkably similar to those of the early Roman believers. In a world filled with materialism, self-indulgence, and conflicting loyalties, the challenge remains to live distinctively as God’s children. The cultural pressures to conform, pursue personal gain, and prioritize temporal pleasures can easily lead one away from a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life. Yet, just as Paul encouraged the Roman Christians, believers today are called to resist these influences and live according to the Spirit. This countercultural lifestyle, marked by holiness and commitment to God, sets Christians apart and points others to the transformative power of the gospel.

    The Holy Spirit continues to empower Christians today, just as He did in Paul’s time. The Spirit affirms our identity as God’s children, providing the assurance and strength needed to navigate the complexities of modern life. By living in the Spirit, we are reminded of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ and are equipped to endure suffering and hardship with hope. The Spirit’s presence within us testifies to our adoption into God’s family and motivates us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. Through the Spirit, we find the courage to stand firm in our faith, embrace our divine purpose, and witness boldly to the world around us.

    1.     In what areas of your life do you feel the most pressure to conform to worldly standards, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you resist these temptations?

     

    2.     How does the assurance of being a child of God and a co-heir with Christ impact your daily decisions and interactions with others?

     

    3.     Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced the Holy Spirit's guidance or empowerment. How did this experience strengthen your faith and resolve to live for Christ?

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 24 may

psalm 29

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 29

    29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

    29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.

    29:3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.

    29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

    29:5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

    29:6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

    29:7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.

    29:8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

    29:9 The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"

    29:10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

    29:11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

    Commentary

    Who is this God who sits enthroned in the heavens and rules over all creation? Who is this who heavenly beings worship and give glory and honour? (V. 1-2)

    He is the LORD, God Almighty, the One who spoke and created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1). He is the LORD who's voice is powerful and majestic (v. 4). Whose voice reigns and determines the waters and thunder (v.3), who can make the strongest cedars snap in an instant (v. 5).

    Even mighty countries like Lebanon and Sirion move according to His voice (v.6). Fires, wilderness and oaks (v. 7-9) aren't exempt.

    For the LORD God Almighty sits enthroned, He rules and reigns as King over all (v.10).

    This God, is also the One who heard the cries of his children in Egypt and was moved to deliver them (Exodus). He is the One who gave His very Words in the form of laws for His children. And He ultimately choose to dwell amongst them through the tabernacle.

    This LORD God Almighty gives strength to His people! He grants to them a peace, a shalom that,

    “is a social and political condition, a state of just and right relationships between people, and with God—a community united in the solidarity of love. The God who sits majestically enthroned above the flood (v. 10) turns all that glory, all that holiness, toward the human race.”

  • REFLECT

    Who is the God that you worship and have given your life to? What is He doing in your life and heart?

    Psalm 29 paints and reveals God as the Lord who is much larger that most of us have. He isn't confined just to our prayer requests of the week nor the areas of needs we think we have. He is bringing forth a new creation in us and all around us for His glory.

    As God's children we are therefor invited to catch a glimpse of His glory, His desires and His work.

    Would you take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to open your heart and eyes to see Him for who He truly is? Would you commit to spending time to allow Him to expand your vision?

Season of LentCNL