A Chance For Change | Hume Anglican Grammar

Dear Friends and Families,

I wonder if you are someone who is quick to notice an external change in other people. Perhaps a good friend has changed his hairstyle or had her ears pierced, or has lost weight, and you are quick to notice something different about them? Why are we curious about change?

Some words from the Scriptures: ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ [Acts 2:1-4].

A number of years ago, our television screens were saturated with change shows (often of the extreme type!), where otherwise ordinary citizens underwent remarkable physical bodily changes; so much so, that the “before and after” images were nothing short of extraordinary.

Last Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost - the Sunday (50 days after Easter), when the counsellor promised by the Lord Jesus Christ was given to his people. This was a day all about change.

And what a remarkable change it was! On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit enabled the first disciples to speak the gospel in other languages, which they previously had not learned. No longer timid, they were now bold, confident and fired with a zeal for taking the good news of Christ to the nations.

Such is the power of the Holy Spirit to affect change in a person.

Today, while the Holy Spirit may or may not grant us the gift of instantaneous understanding of a foreign language, he now works to remold people from the inside - people who have hardened hearts can now be softened, so as to pursue gentleness (a fruit of the Spirit); addictions can be broken; one’s outlook on life can be renewed; broken lives can be mended.

And how does the Holy Spirit come to live inside a person?

The apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Ephesus (part of modern-day Turkey), gives the answer with beautiful simplicity and clarity: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” [Ephesians 1:13].

The Spirit is the presence of Jesus in a person, and when he takes hold, that person is transformed from within, so that he or she now reflects the peace, the love, the kindness and the gentleness of Christ.

Change is possible. Our communities and wider world desperately need a change for the better. The Spirit can change!

If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact me at: [email protected]

I also encourage you to pray the Pentecost prayer for the week below.

If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday services.

St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10.30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar – 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)

Locum: Father Charles Potter

Mobile: 0468 331 549 / 03 9308 2452

Email: [email protected]

http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au

https://www.facebook.com/humeparishcraigieburn/

Redemption Anglican Church (meeting at 4.00pm on Sundays at the Hume Tennis & Community Centre - 225 Marathon Blvd, Craigieburn)

Pastor: Rev. Akhil Gardner