This week’s reflections are written by Rev. Brian Johnson, one of our Associate Pastors here at St. Matthew’s

Rooted 2019 – Week Fourteen Day Four

Today’s reading is Acts 2: 14-36

Peter baptized by the Holy Spirit gives a very important sermon to those in the crowd that were doubting what they just witnessed.  As we read yesterday, the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost like a big violent wind and filled the believers with something like looked like flames of tongues.  The believers spoke in all of the native languages of the gathered Jewish crowd to tell them of the good things God did through Jesus Christ. It was the handoff between Jesus and the Holy Spirit…the birthday of our church.  However, the devil can cloud people’s minds just as we see here. Many of the Jewish people present thought these believers were drunk. When Peter saw this, he was lead to give a sermon. This fisherman from a town on the Sea of Galilee is now weaving together a convincing message using words from the prophet Joel and Psalms written by David.  Peter with the help of the Holy Spirit reveals how Jesus Christ is the Messiah that God promised. How our salvation is found in the resurrected Christ. Peter gives a very convincing message. Tomorrow we will read about the response from this community. However, today let’s focus on what the Holy Spirit can do for those who believe. The Holy Spirit can drive you to do things that you would think to be impossible for yourself.  However, if you feel something move inside of you and it is pushing you outside of your comfort zone, then pay attention. Could that moment be the Holy Spirit giving you the energy to do something that could help spread the love and grace of Jesus? Are you being pushed to swim in deeper waters for Christ? Don’t ignore those moments where it could be the Holy Spirit talking to you. This part of the Trinity has moved people to do great things.  Just like it has moved and equipped Peter in our passage today to give an awesome sermon to the crowd that desperately needed to hear it!

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