True Thanksgiving and the Blessing of the Holy Spirit (Deut 16:9-12) 7/5/2020
The Answers of the 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
True Thanksgiving and the Blessing of the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 16:9-12) 7/5/2020
The Lord told all the Israelites to remember the three seasons (Passover, Pentecost, Ingathering) every year while passing through the wilderness.
Passover commemorates the freedom from 400 years of slavery that the Israelites gained after applying the blood of the lamb. What does that represent? It is a reminder to never forget the fact that we were eternally freed from our sin, curses, and hell through the blood of Christ, who is the lamb of God, and became the ones to save this world. We are within Christ, who is our eternal answer.
Now, God desires to save the world through us. However, it cannot be done with our own strength. That is why God promised us the blessing of the Holy Spirit. He gave us the Feast of Harvest, which is also known as the Pentecost, meaning 50 days after Passover. The reason why the same day has two different names is that each title entails its unique covenant.
- The name Feast of Harvest focuses on being grateful for the first fruit and all blessings.
Verse 10 says, “Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you.”
1) God has given us so many blessings.
We have received the eternal blessing of salvation and the identity of being His child. That blessing is incomparable to anything else. Regardless of the problems, calamities, and failures we face on earth, God will never let go of us.
2) “Giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you” does not simply mean give offering.
① It is asking us if we truly have thanksgiving in our hearts for everything in our lives. Faith is not simply hoping and desiring for what we want. That may be mere greed. True faith is trusting in God’s faithfulness(covenant), being thankful for all our blessings, and entrusting all of our future to Him. Therefore, faith without thanksgiving is not faith (Psalm 50: 23).
② The Greek word for “I believe” (πιστεύω, pistévo) contains those three things. Faith without being faithful about Him, having gratitude toward Him, and having full trust in Him is not real faith. Rather, you will have complaints, resentment, discouragement, and despair. Restore the faith that gives thanks for all your past, present, and future. God will take care of everything (Psalm 50:14-15). 2. The name Pentecost focuses on the blessing of the Holy Spirit that we must enjoy while we live in this world. As Jesus ascended to heaven, His promised Holy Spirit came upon this day of Pentecost (John 14:16, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:1). There are three blessings we must enjoy through the work of the Holy Spirit. That will save ourselves, and the world.1) True freedomThere are five types of freedom (internal freedom, moral freedom, political freedom, financial freedom, religious freedom). The Bible says that all of mankind is bound and oppressed by those things. ① What was the start of such things? It was when the first Man Adam was deceived by Satan and became separated from God. All life became bound by sin, curses, the world, Satan, fate, and hell. ② To put it simply, what is the reason Jesus Christ came? It was to free us from all our shackles (Acts 10:38, John 8:32, Galatians 5:1). That is salvation (Colossians 1:13-14). Israel in the Old Testament has a history of being oppressed by seven superpowers (Egypt, Philistia, Aram, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Rome). God had allowed it to show what it means to be oppressed, and what it means to receive salvation from it. ③ The Holy Spirit allows us to enjoy this freedom that Christ gave. “The law of spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.”(Romans8:2). If it were not for this Holy Spirit, we are far from the five freedoms we mentioned. Even after salvation, we live under oppression. When the Holy Spirit leads us, our families, and this nation and the world, we find true freedom. This is why we must spread the gospel of Christ and pray with the authority of His name. 2) Absolute powerWithout the Holy Spirit, how will be save this world full of scars, problems, suffering and disasters? ① Joseph, who was sold as a slave by his brothers, enjoyed this blessing. The King acknowledged him (Genesis 41:38). Wherever you are, you can enjoy this blessing when you yearn for the filling of the Holy Spirit and pray. That is the blessing of spiritual summit. David enjoyed this by praying and praising the Lord while he tended the sheep. That is why remnant training is so important. After being anointed by Samuel, David became a different person (1Samuel 16:13). That time schedule will come. ② The 120 people of Mark’s Upper Room who were uneducated, failures, powerless, and persecuted enjoyed this blessing. When the Holy Spirit like fire and wind came, they were not themselves. There is no need to try and discard or change yourself. Nothing can be done by your own strength or efforts. Pray for only the filling of the Holy Spirit. That is the best prayer topic (2 King 2:9, Luke 11:13). When the Holy Spirit works inside you (with), in your field (Immanuel), and in the church (oneness), everything will open up. That is the work of Acts 2 (lips, eyes, doors, 3000 disciples, every day). ③ Do you see yourself in weakness, disease, and powerlessness? That is the opportunity to experience the power of the Holy Spirit deeply (2Corinthians 12:9). Later, you will be able to see the work that God fulfills regardless of your own standards and levels. One day, you will confess that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 3) Blessing of onenessWhat is the result of freedom and spiritual strength? We can unite the world in Christ (Verse 14). ① This is the last prayer that Christ prayed for his beloved disciples (Prayer of the Priest of John 17).
“…Just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” You must enjoy this with your family, at your workplace, at church, and all your fields. This is called a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9).
② Who tries to take this away? Who creates conflicts, quarrels, violence, and war? It is Satan. This is why the Bible tells us not to sin in our anger or let the sun go down while you are angry (Ephesians 4:26-27). ③ Who is the one that truly unites us in our families, our workplace, and the church?
It is the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”). Pray for this work of the Holy Spirit to take place within you. The Holy Spirit will help you become united with God, your families, other church members, your disciples, and remnants.
Conclusion – On this day of Feast of Harvest and Pentecost, may you enjoy true thanksgiving and the blessing of the Holy Spirit that will be the evidence of your faith.