1. Jesus at the centre See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare Isaiah 42:9 (NIV)

2. so, our relationship with God – Father, Son and Spirit – must be at the heart of our Christian faith WORSHIP FELLOWSHIP OUTREACH Jesus’ relationship with His Father determined everything that He did

3. Today is Pentecost. The Church remembers when Jesus’ promise to the disciples was fulfilled: He said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses … to the Ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 We understand God’s promise that the Holy Spirit would be “poured out on all flesh”, and Paul’s writings in Ephesians and elsewhere, means that the gifts are for every believer, and for all time.

4. Pentecost Ordinary men and women Isolated community Leaderless followers Powerless missionaries AND Almighty, loving God Faithful, purposeful Jesus Empowering Holy Spirit

5. Pentecost and the People of God 49 days after Passover is the Jewish Pentecost, or festival of Weeks. It commemorates when, after the exodus from slavery in Egypt, God gave Moses the Torah – the Law 49 days after Easter, we reflect on when, after Jesus our Passover lamb, freed us from sin and death, the Holy Spirit came to write the Law on people’s hearts and bring power and spiritual gifts for the Church

6. “So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11

7. For Kingdom House Ministries this means that we: develop our God-given gifts – whatever they are; use our gifts for the building-up of the church; promote unity and belonging in the church; grow in the knowledge and love of God; and become everything we can be in Jesus Christ. The spiritual gifts are foundational for ministry.

8. The gifts are not PEOPLE – the Prophet, the Apostle, the Evangelist The gifts are not OFFICES - he is the Pastor of our church, he is the Teacher They are GIFTS – distributed amongst us to strengthen and grow the Church