Acts of the Spirit: Message of the Spirit

SERMON TITLE:   “Acts of the Spirit:  Message of the Spirit”
SERMON TEXT:    Acts 4:1-22
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           June 13, 2021, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                This is sermon number five in a series of the “Acts of the Spirit.”  If this were a TV drama, right now I’d show you some clips of past episodes to help you be ready for today’s installment.  Or if today’s sermon were a movie, this is where the screen would flash back to two years or 60 days or three days earlier to provide the needed back story. 
                Those preparatory scenes would show Jesus healing and teaching.  Then you’d see the Jewish authorities challenging his right to do those things.  You’d see Jesus arrested, crucified, resurrected, and ascending.  The screen would provide images of the Holy Spirit coming with Pentecost wind, flames, and languages.  Then you’d see Peter preaching, followed by 3000 Jewish people repenting, being baptized, and participating in Christian gatherings for faith development.  And then, just prior to today’s story, you’d see the Apostles Peter and John going to the temple to pray, encountering a lame man at the temple gate, and healing him in the name of Jesus.  Because that amazing miracle drew a large audience, the apostles were able to use that wondrous event as a means to teach and preach.  God’s Holy Spirit was speaking through them to share the good news about Jesus.
                That’s what was happening in Acts 4:1 when today’s scripture reading begins.  As we dig into these verses, let’s see what we can learn about this message of the Spirit.  

Continue reading