SUMMER IN THE SPIRIT: DEVOTION

Sunday, June 8^th is Pentecost Sunday.  It is the day in which the Holy Spirit filled the Upper Room in the city of Jerusalem.   The Holy Spirit filled not just the room, but also the disciples who were gathered there in prayer.  It is a moment that gave birth to the Church!  We often separate this dramatic moment from everyday living.  Instead, it is hard for us to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives or even in the church.  Our new sermon series is Summer in the Spirit.  When we think of summer we may be more focused on beach days and vacation rather than the Holy Spirit!  The Christian Year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost) has a sense of strategy to strengthen us as believers.  It was intended by the early church to help us focus on the possibilities of growth and truth found in each day that we live. It can help us become stronger believers and find the abundant life that Jesus intended for us.  The season of the Holy Spirit is the longest season because as believers we live everyday in and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The first sermon is Devotion and it is based on Acts 2:37-47.  These words give us some great direction for finding a greater sense of the Spirit and its power in our lives.  Luke recorded these events not simply to inform us but also to inspire us to find that ordinary things become extraordinary because God’s Spirit is at work!   We pray that you will sense the power of the Holy Spirit working in your heart and mind as you read Acts 2:37-47.

Acts 2:37-47: When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter 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. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off– for all whom the Lord our God will call.” ⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)