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Acts 2 (New International Version)

Acts 2
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.


The Miracle at Pentecost

When I'm out in the community, and I'm wearing my clergy shirt with the white collar I love being approached by people with their questions. I regularly hear "are you a pastor?", or "could you pray for me?", or "I have this question about God," and I love all of those questions. There's only one question that consistently rubs me the wrong way, which is, "what religion (or kind of Christian) are you?" This question tells me that we The Church (universal, not just the folks who gather in the building I preach at on Sunday mornings), have not done a very good job of looking like The Church as it did here in the book of Acts. They all stood together, united, praying to receive the Holy Spirit. That same Holy Spirit united them in a miracle of speach so that people from all points of the world that they knew heard the Message in terms that they could understand. 3000 people joined The Church on that day. The point is, when people who don't have faith in Jesus see people who do have faith in Jesus standing united, saying the same thing, they listen. I pray for that again.

Questions to Consider
1)How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life?

2)What can you do, in your world, to promote unity in The Church?

3)How have you portrayed the Gospel in your world?

Peace, Grace, & Understanding

John 14:23-27

23. Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25. "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We live in a world that seems consumed with fear, and strife. Today, I will be speaking at Perry County PA's courthouse for our National Day of Prayer. Some of you might know that I'm a self-avowed NPR (national public radio) addict; I love all of the news and topical reports. Recently, I heard a report about a challenge to "constitutionality" of a National Day of Prayer. It seemed that there were atheists who felt "offended and belittled" by the idea of a time of corporate prayer for our nation (even though NDP has no sectarian allegiance, and prayer of all sorts from everyone). I wondered why anyone would be threatened or offended by prayer, and then I thought harder. I realized that their not threatened by prayer itself, as much as what they think that we will be praying for. Jesus' words in this passage convicted me greatly, because 1) If I love Jesus, I'll obey Him (most of His commands were about love and service, not judgment). If I love Him, God's spirit resides in me, and I'll act accordingly 2) Jesus tells me that I have His peace; it's His gift to me. When God gives us a gift, it's never ours to keep for ourselves, it's ours to share with everyone. 3) His peace is the antithesis of worldly peace. Worldly (read secular) peace is fought for, protested for, gained. Our nation fought for it's independence and peace, and gained it at a bargaining table. Christ's peace is simply given, free, no struggle involved. It extends to all, everywhere. It is not the absence of trial or trouble, but the grace that will be a balm to the trouble. It does not oppose, it embraces. So...regardless of what is decided, I will pray. I will pray that God shows me how to be that agent of his peace in the world, that I will extend that peace that comes through knowing Him as father to all, and that no matter what others might do to me, I will act according to the love of Christ that dwells in me.

Questions to Consider

1) How have you honored Christ's teachings on love, and obeyed His commands this week?

2) In times of trial, how well do you remember that the Holy Spirit of God resides always with you, that His peace has already been given to you? How well have you relied on His grace and peace this week?

3) This week find someone to extend the peace of Christ to - the harder the better.

God's Peace, Grace, and Love to you all,

Pastor Trevor