―He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.‘" Luke 24:46–49 (NIV)

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Among the great and many needs of the church, two things qualify as outstanding: (1) More workers; and (2) More funds.

In our scripture we see something very curious. You would think after setting before the disciples the worldwide mission and tremendous needs of the new church that Christ would have immediately set up a fund-raising committee. And throw in a recruiting group as well. Instead, He tells them to wait until the Father‘s gift is received. That of course, was the Holy Spirit.

The most important need for the church today is not more committees, program or research, but rather the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Christ was teaching the disciples to depend on Heaven for the resources that really matter.

Appeal: Our offering today is for the special work and needs or our Conference. These funds are secondary to the need for our prayers and requests for God‘s special blessing upon the work needed on our area.