September 8, 2024 -- Acts 2:5-13 -- The Spirit equips you to shine for Jesus

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Acts 2:5-13 ESV

Dearly loved people of God, you probably recognize this text. It is from the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church. About 120 men and women received the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is to lead the people of God to Jesus Christ and His work accomplished at the cross. The Holy Spirit seals this work to the heart of believers so that they are kept in the merciful-love of God which was so beautifully demonstrated in the life, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

A few things to note here. Jesus when He was engaged in His public ministry sent His followers ahead into various towns and villages so that they’d be prepared for His coming. At Pentecost, men and women from fifteen different regions, cities, islands and nations heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached in their own language. The gift of tongues was given so that Jewish foreigners could hear the Good News of Jesus in their own language. When they went back to Cyrene and Rome, Crete and Egypt, and the other eleven nations, cities and territories they’d be like the disciples in Jesus’ earthly ministry days that is, they'd be sent out for the purpose of preparing their region for the arrival of the preachers of Jesus.

The implication for you today is, I believe, that as you go to church and hear the Good News preached, the Spirit of God is equipping you in the salvific work of Jesus so that you too can go in Jesus’s Name. As you live among the various people in your circle of family, co-workers, and friends you make Jesus known to them.

Someone, a visitor to our home, recently said to me, “I could never do what you do”. (By this she meant going into prisons and leading Bible Studies). I thought to myself, you don’t have to do this. You were never called to do this. However, this same woman had a difficult neighbour who for nine years made being a neighbour a miserable thing. So, our visitor friend explained she’d determined to make things right and win her neighbour over. After nine years this was accomplished. Think about it, over those nine years the mercy of Jesus was revealed by the Spirit’s persistent work in the life of this faithful woman. The Spirit has a task for each and every believer so that Jesus will be preached and your lives will be exactly the preparation an evangelist or preacher can use so that the Gospel of Jesus will take hold in the life of the hearer.

Go to church. Read your bible. Prepare to be equipped. Then go, share Jesus, wherever it you are, in whatever situation you are. Trust that the Spirit has uniquely prepared you for holy service.

Our Father in heaven thank You for Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Redeemer-King. Blessed Father and Holy Son, thank You for the magnificent Spirit through Whom believers see Jesus with the eyes of faith and understand Who He is through the gift of the Bible. Send us, Spirit, to the places where You have prepared people to hear of Jesus. Give us boldness, Spirit of God, and confident assurance that You have put us as witnesses for Jesus in exactly the right places so that He will be made known. Thank You, Triune God, for all those who spoke to us and demonstrated to us the love of Jesus; now, work in us so that our lives shine with the glory of Jesus so that many others will believe in Him. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Atc3AHLNp-0?si=BoQU96ccs7JDTz0g Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.