How is the Holy Spirit revealed in the New Testament? I have the suspicion most of us tend to jump to Acts or to the epistles of Paul to examine the work and role of the Holy Spirit. But recently a new Christian in our church asked me, “So who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do?” He said he started reading the New Testament to see what he could discover. For him, this meant starting with the first books of the New Testament: the Gospels.

The biblical stories of ordinary, feeble human beings who carry out divinely appointed tasks have captured the attention, imagination, and hope of the people of God for millennia. However, these stories do not intend to exalt heroic exploits or to focus upon superhuman strength.

Interwoven throughout the Old Testament is the deep conviction that the Lord Himself calls His people to participate with Him in carrying out the divine mission on earth.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

May 6, 2018, was a special day at the Sparta Church of the Nazarene in Sparta, Tennessee. It was the first Sunday of a new church year, and it was also “Baby Day.” Decorations of pink and blue were distributed all over the church. Baby quilts, stuffed animals, toys, and more dotted the stage. As I stood to preach the morning message, I made my way to a baby stroller at the corner of the platform. Pushing the stroller, I began to share the importance of supporting families that might soon be having children.

All eyes were fixed on me as I made my way down each aisle.

Growing up in the Church of the Nazarene and now raising the third generation of Nazarenes in our family is not a unique story; at least not at first glance. But a closer look reveals some distinct elements that have shaped my journey.

What can God do with a soccer ball, a basketball, a Haitian Creole community, a Spanish speaking community, an African American community, a bunch of bikers, and the Apopka Calvary Church of the Nazarene? When you trust in Him, He can do far more than you can imagine!