Discovering God (Communities)

Something amazing happened, a group of persecuted and repressed people found a new voice, a new confidence to speak up for what they have experienced. The gospel of Jesus Christ transforms individuals. When we look again we see that it is individuals that God uses to transform communities. Something happened in first century Jerusalem that brought about a new and trusting community. It was the coming of the Holy Spirit. This breath of God breathed from the cross now touches not only individuals but grouped of people. The cross, eventually becomes the symbol of discipleship. Its an empty cross which speaks of resurrection and new beginnings. Church is founded out of the experience of an empty tomb and the physical experience of the purifying presence the Holy Spirit. The transition continues today it is still the same Holy Spirit who now is at work in the church helping this transforming community to begin to have a confidence to talk of the purposes of God for the world . We are called to begin to transform our relationships and our world structures into a colony of the coming Kingdom. The church through the transforming power of the Spirit at work in all of us can begin to make and bring about changes in our world. We need to be modelling better ways to live, developing ethical economies, sustainable pattern for living. We need to be looking to see how we can be at the vanguard of equality and justice in the world. We are called to be bringing the Kingdom into our everyday world. Exploring the power and significance of the Holy Spirit in the church is the key to renewal and blessing. I believe that many come to faith when they encounter the life of the Holy Spirit not simply lived out in the life of an individual but in a whole community. This month we will also begin to look for the transformational Communities, where are they in Scotland.