The great big spiritual space between Easter and Pentecost

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7) Something was not quite right, and Paul noticed it. Were they missing a spark in their eyes? Was there a frown on their faces? Were there words without works? Was something just a bit dull? I don’t know the exact answer, but it seems quite clear that Paul noted something was missing. The obvious observation led to the more obvious question: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The trouble with so many of us is that we are on the right side of Easter, but the wrong side of Pentecost. So many of us are on the right side of pardon, but the wrong side of power. If there was ever a time to be certain we’re on the right side of power it’s during Pentecost. How about us? Everything Ho-hum? Glass just a bit too half-empty? Living a non-victorious life in Christ? Maybe we’re doing fine with our pardon, but need (or perhaps, need again) the power that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters, this is the week! There's a lot of spiritual space for the believer between Easter and Pentecost... it’s time to stop living between them, and move mightily into the power of God's Holy Spirit. God's People + Pentecost = POWER — Pastor Terry