Liberty in Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Church services have been restricted since mid-March 2020, due to corona.  Some brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone have been participating in the online YouTube services across the country. Feed backs are seen in many social-media church groups.

The online Pentecost service conducted by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider on the 31st May 2020 at 8 am local time was not an exception.

The Chief Apostle read a text word out of 2nd Corinthians 3:17 ‘Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty’

In his introduction, Chief Apostle expressed concern over lack of fellowship. We remain to trust our Heavenly Father to be blessed through Christ. Plans of many have changed (loss of income, lives etc.), but God’s plan has not changed.

The special reading was from Acts 2:1-4 and 12-21, a recap of Pentecost. It decisive for Jesus Christ to come and tell the world about His Father, gather the flock and lead them to His kingdom.
The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is to proclaim His will, lead in all things, gather the incorporated body of Christ’s nature and prepare the bride. The Holy Spirit acts as power in man / woman to be tools in God’s hand.

On Pentecost the disciples proclaimed God’s will without fear. Peter’s sermon, the faith of Steven and Philip to declare God’s will in any circumstance. The Chief Apostle cautioned against looking for miracle, changing the gospel for business. The true gospel of Jesus has to be proclaimed.
Corona has change lot of things - life situation. Our mission remains to propagate the valid sermon of the mountain and the golden rules. The spiritual life is more than the earthly. We have to provide good education for children, the gift to place Jesus in their heart. Our resources are to be used in the love for God and our neighbor.

The task of gathering the flock of Christ, the baptism of water and Holy Spirit repose on unity. There could be gaps in social background or culture, age, gender/sexual orientation etc., but the gospel is for all - Jews or gentiles. Saul was accepted to become Apostle Paul by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is possible even today.

Corona virus impacts solidarity of mankind. If the rules/measures are not respected by one, the others are in danger. Also, in the body of Christ, if one part suffers the whole body is sick. We have to overcome self-interest for the well-being of all. There are many parts of the body, gifts, tasks... but of the same value to Christ. The Holy Spirit is powerful but do not change situation. It helps to deal with it and to change us.

Let us change in the future to another good person in the congregation. Jesus is the focus and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

District Apostle Rainer Storck, made reference to Peter`s denying Jesus because of fear but the Holy Spirit transformed him. He told the authorities that it was urged to obey God than man - his liberation from fear. There is no inner circle in the body of Christ but salvation was meant for the whole world. In revelation it is recorded that the bride and the Spirit say to the Lord come - preparing and waiting always for His return.