This week, is important in the life of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Delegates are elected, Resolutions discussed, reports including a finance report impacting our apportionments, recognition of pastoral appointments and going from eighteen districts to sixteen.

 All of this is important but…

 But, today we remember and celebrate Pentecost.

 Acts 2:1-13 (The Message) When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

 

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

 

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs!

 

“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

 

Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”

 

Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”

 The disciples are in hiding, surrounded by a festival filled with thousands of Jews from all over the world. God’s Holy Spirit fills the room and nothing will ever be the same again. They all begin praising God in the native language of those visiting from other lands.

 

Verse 14: That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency:

 

Peter spoke a message that changed forever the lives of thousands. Almost immediately they began meeting together.

 

Verse 42: They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.” 

  1.  Disciples, once fearful are filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
  2.  With renewed energy they praise God in the language of those around them.
  3.  Backed by the others Peter speaks a bold message about Jesus.
  4.  Thousands commit their lives to Jesus Christ.
  5. They begin meeting together.
  6. Commit to: Teaching, Life Together, Common Meal, Prayer

 Pentecost is a reminder of what is critical. What we do day after day, week after week, year after year is vitally important in the life of our community and the future of our world.

 

  1. We are disciples, once fearful now filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
  2. With renewed energy we praise God in the language of those around us.
  3. Backed by all, one will speak a bold message about Jesus.
  4. There is always the possibility others will commit their lives to Jesus Christ.
  5. We continue meeting together.
  6. We continually commit to: Teaching, Life Together, Common Meal and Prayer.

This is what it really means to be the church.

 So, today, pray as you celebrate Pentecost.

 

  •         May you be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
  •         May you praise God in the language of those around you.
  •         May you speak or hear a bold message about Jesus.
  •         May others commit their lives to Jesus Christ.
  •         May you continue meeting together.
  •         May you commit to: Teaching Life Together, Common Meal and Prayer.

 

May God bless us all on this special day.