
1949 was the first time we celebrated Pentecost at a restaurant in Kirchlengern, and this year we were able to celebrate the 75th Pentecost Conference of the Herford Church of God together with many visitors in the church’s own premises on Zimmerstrasse in Herford, Germany.
The theme of this year’s conference was:
“God’s Love Poured into Your Heart”
Many contributions by the orchestra, choir, but especially the sermons by Brother Ron Taron from Steinbach, Manitoba filled this theme with life and warmth.
In the opening sermon, Brother Taron began with the very pivotal word from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
This “everyone” or “all” includes YOU personally. Through the gift of His only Son, God loves you and me to the greatest possible extent. He was given to die for our sins. God gives unconditionally because He loves us. He did not ask whether we are worth it. In John 3:18, it is written: “He who believes in Him is not condemned.” Who is able to grasp this love of God? What do we do with this love of God? What are we prepared to do in return? Does this sacrifice of the Son of God move us? Why are we often only prepared to offer God so little of our lives? Christians often hold on to things that do not please God – examine yourself in the light of this love.
In the second service on Saturday, Bro. Taron explored the definition of love using 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter of practical sanctification. God’s love is the source of love; this alone is the correct definition of love. Verses 1-3 list good gifts such as the language of angels, prophetic inspiration, knowledge of all mysteries, and even faith in the highest degree – all very impressive for us as human beings, but the Word of God says, “If I have all these gifts but do not have love, I am nothing.” Everything includes big talk and much attention, but everything fades away, everything remains the same, simply deceived, nothing genuine for God.
The smallest and most untalented work – yet carried out with love – that’s where God is. That is practical sanctification. So, what is this love like? Verse 4 and onwards list the characteristics of love. Love loves without being reciprocated, it is patient, it gives time and opportunities. It is friendly and benevolent, gentle, and kind. It does not envy – also a very clear sign of practical sanctification. Can I really rejoice when someone is preferred over me? A central question is always: What can I give out of love, not what can I receive? Yes, and this love does not rejoice in injustice; it draws attention to wrong ways. Correcting mistakes, rectifying errors, that makes love glad! Love offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and support, and God’s love leaves no bitterness behind. He waits and He loves; indeed, His love never ends, and He will help you too.
On the second day of the Pentecost conference, Bro. Taron dealt with the question: How does God’s love enter the heart of a person?
Through faith, we attain peace with God and gain access to grace. The person who is cleansed from sin and returns the love of God overflows with the love of God. Yes, it requires a complete surrender to the will of God in order to be sanctified – God wants 100%.
We read in Romans 5:5: “The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” God willingly and freely gives the Holy Spirit and His love to those who ask for it. Why do so many people push this gift aside? There simply is no closer relationship with God than melting into God’s love and will. In such an experience, there is no room for bitterness and hatred. Everything is cleansed and sanctified by God. In Luke 11:13, we read: “How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Therefore, ask God and let your heart be flooded with this love. Live the most beautiful life there is – experience Pentecost!
During the second service on Sunday, God’s incredible offer was the focus of the message: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).
The love of God, poured out through the Holy Spirit, is not just for you personally – it continues to flow outward and will be there for others. It will show itself and take effect. Is this a characteristic of your life?
The final service on Sunday focused on the rich congregation Laodicea in Asia Minor, a city characterized by prosperity with a textile industry and banking. The congregation members were well-to-do, yet God had to say: “neither cold nor hot.” Lukewarm love arouses disgust in God. We too are faced with the question: Is the love in me hot, fed by the constant supply of energy from the living source of God, or has it already cooled down? In Revelation 3:17, the warning is very clear – and often we don’t even notice that it has cooled down; it simply creeps in slowly. We still think we are rich, but there is nothing left – our condition is poor, blind, and naked. God advises us to buy gold, real gold from His source. Here, too, God’s infinite love for us is revealed. He also loves those who have become lukewarm and makes the glorious offer to come to Him with our lukewarmness. He wants to and will help you too. The Bible speaks of TODAY as the day of salvation – we are not guaranteed any other future opportunity.
The end of such a conference is always reached so quickly, and the last service is often something very special. Bro. Taron drew on 1 Corinthians 13 again in his message and highlighted important points in a summary on the subject of love. In art, love as a motif is portrayed in very different ways. We also see the face of love, as it says in verse 12, only as through a dark mirror. When you consider that mirrors in antiquity were not comparable to our mirrors today, the meaning becomes clear. A reflection back then was blurred and indistinct. Nevertheless, the love of God is so glorious! It will be even more glorious when we can actually look into the face of love without the shadow of the mirror. For us, God’s love is the image of His Son on the cross. It is not a beautiful figure, but rather despised and full of suffering, but it is an image full of infinite love. What does this love demand of us? God wants us to love Him back with all of our heart and be willing to consecrate everything to Him. His commandments are not difficult! Give your life back to God and let yourself be filled with love and the Holy Spirit. Then you will fulfill the purpose and meaning of your life – glorifying God in everything you are and do! Refuel again and again in the stream of living water, in the source of love, and remain faithful, because He is faithful and keeps His words. Test your love for Him – He wants a “yes” from us.
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