Our May 19 Scripture Intro

Week Of: May 13, 2024
Speaker: Pastor Will Hagenbuch
Scripture: Acts 8:1-12
May 19, 2024
The title of our scripture this Pentecost Sunday gives us great insight into the timeless action of the Holy Spirit. Before we even get into the text, we read "The Holy Spirit Comes." 
 
Notice the verb tense. It is not "The Holy Spirit came." It's also not "The Holy Spirit will come," as if this will be some far into the future event. No, the headline (or header) reads, "The Holy Spirit Comes."
 
This means the Holy Spirit is here. This means the Holy Spirit is in the now! As in right now!
 
Of course, the Holy Spirit was present in the ancient New Testament scripture we read. What is exciting today is that the Holy Spirit changed the lives of those in worship then just as the same Holy Spirit is changing our lives here in 2024. 
 
What is exciting about these powerful words from the Book of Acts speaks directly to our current sermon series, "Open Our Eyes." This month, we have been speaking about barrier breaking. Another way to say this is inclusion, which is the title of this Sunday's sermon. Notice as you read this text that divisions disappear. The Holy Spirit could have come at any time and place, but what is important for us to not only remember but also practice is that in a place of diversity, the Holy Spirit brought unity. 
 
An exciting worship awaits us this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you then.
 
 
Acts 2:1-11, New Living Translation
 

The Holy Spirit Comes

2 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”

 

Dear Lord, 

God we trust that You are continuing to do such new and wonderful things in our lives and in the lives of this church. Today, we pray for all churches. Infuse us with Your Holy Spirit through such a powerful windstorm of awakening that we realize You are our God of inclusion, unity, blessings and love. It is in Your name that we pray,

Amen.