It was still the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had descended upon and entered into all of the disciples. They were spiritually on fire! Speaking in various unknown languages but understood by those who were there. Then Peter, the apostle, gives a passionate, heart-felt, and convicting sermon, explaining the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
And what we see happen next, in this episode of the sequel, is the effect of properly preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel. Transformation!
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Acts 2:37
The power of the Holy Spirit who had transformed the hearts of the disciples just moments ago, was still in operation. Everyone in the area was touched somehow. How could one not be affected by such an experience?
These men were cut to the heart. That’s what the Word does:
Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit,
joints from marrow; it is able to judge the
thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If you’ve ever had surgery, you were committed to what the doctor thought was best. Whether in- or outpatient surgery, general or local anesthesia, you submitted to their plans. After all, they’re the experts, right? Well, whenever the Word of God is preached or taught, the Great Physician goes into surgery – on us!
The Word goes out like a surgeon’s scalpel, piercing the soul and judging our hearts, cutting out what is contrary to the Word, and stitching us up. The Holy Spirit gives us the anesthesia, bringing things to our remembrance, guarding our minds, encouraging and strengthening us so that we don’t lose hope in the process.
After the hearts of these men were strangely warmed, after they felt the soft and tender call of Jesus, and after they had had their own convincing experience of the Holy Spirit, they cried out, “what should we do?” And really, there was only one thing left to do…commit!
Join us this Sunday for the next episode in the series: Holy Spirit – the Sequel: Totally Committed. You can worship in-house at 10:00am (masks optional), or you can also join us online. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Friday Food Truck Night! This Friday, 6-8:00pm. The Community Band will provide the music, along with food trucks and other activities.
Breakthrough Prayer is moving forward! Every time I pull my card out, I feel the power of others praying along with me, a church united in prayer! I encourage you to pray it not only at 11:24 am, but for every meeting and small group you do, and whenever you’d like. Let’s saturate the church with prayer!
July Sabbatical Don’t forget we’re taking a sabbatical for the month of July (except for the Friday Food Truck Night). It’s not a month off, but it’s a month of planning and visioning for the rest of the year. So keep praying, keep reading, keep meditating on the Word. Remember, you’re called, convinced, and committed!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”
Colossians 3:23
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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