After removing all the Christmas décor from our home and packing it away for another year, I sighed with relief. Christmas decorating has become a big event, requiring a lot of time, and in some cases, a lot of money. The Christmas season consumes much energy.

As we came closer to Resurrection Day (Easter), I noticed few, if any, decorations were up. I decided to look for a few things to commemorate the glorious, life-changing event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I went to a few stores and found little, except for bunnies, chicks, eggs, and candy. I mulled this over and over in my head. Why do we celebrate the baby over the top, but not much fanfare over the powerful resurrection that brought victory for us all? I asked for the opinion of a few people, and no one really had an answer.

This past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. It is a day largely ignored by much of the Christian church, and to be frank, it shows. While we make much out of the birth of Jesus, and there is much said about the resurrection, little is said about Pentecost. Let me emphatically say, one cannot over-emphasize the importance of the birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus. Our Christian walk is based on those things. Pentecost deserves the same close attention and emphasis in the Church.

What Is Pentecost?

Pentecost is a Church celebration that occurs fifty days after Resurrection Day. Pentecost commemorates the birth of the Church and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who baptizes the disciples.

Pentecost Is Extraordinarily Important.

Jesus thought it was essential. “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” – John 16:7 AMP

Jesus told His followers it was better for them if He were to go away. Think about that. Jesus is the One who healed the sick, fed the multitudes, cast out demons, calmed the storm, made the blind see and the lame walk, and even raised the dead. And Jesus said it was good if He went away?

I imagine those followers scratched their heads or made a facial expression showing their reaction at what Jesus said. They had to be wondering, “How is it possible that Jesus not being around is a good thing?”

Jesus answered that question. He said if He did not go away, the Holy Spirit would not come, but if He went away, He would send the Holy Spirit to us. Gaining the Holy Spirit was so good for us that it was worth Jesus leaving Earth in physical form to ensure it happened. Pentecost is extraordinarily important!

Pentecost is not the beginning of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God was at work throughout the whole Bible, beginning in the first chapter of Genesis. In scripture, we find that the Spirit would “come upon” individuals at special times for special reasons to accomplish a task or work God had for them.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to believers in a different fashion. Instead of the Holy Spirit coming upon someone, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within someone. Instead of the Spirit being at work for a specific time and function, now, the Holy Spirit would be as “rivers of living water flowing from your innermost being.”  This would be life-transforming for those who believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

Yes, the Church was birthed that day, but much more happened. Those who were filled with the Holy Spirit were empowered and emboldened. The effect was holiness of heart and life, and power to boldly do Christian service.

The impact of the Holy Spirit dwelling within a person is that the person has a resource which enables them to live a transformed life exhibiting the character of Jesus. In addition, we are empowered to walk through a murky world, bringing changes as Jesus did when walking the earth. Pentecost turned the timid, frightened, unconfident followers of Jesus into the Church, the Body of Christ, impacting the world for the glory of God.

As believers, we need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our leader, encourager, comforter, and teacher. He gives us boldness and strength to live in this world, and to share the Gospel. A guy named Peter had denied even knowing Jesus, and later in the book of Acts, we see him empowered and emboldened to preach to thousands, and to be used by the Holy Spirit to bring miracles into the lives of others.

There are a lot of complaints and much concern about how dark our world has become. It is time to celebrate Pentecost in our lives. Today, ask Holy Spirit to give you that same boldness…just be prepared because Scripture says if you ask you will receive.

Do you want to be empowered by God?  Lay your hand on your chest right now, and pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, I need You.”

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.” – Charles Spurgeon. Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” – Corrie Ten Boom. “The Holy Spirit’s main ministry is not to give thrills but to create in us Christlike character.” – J.I. Packer