Filled with the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Acts 2:1-6

The day of Pentecost is one of great excitement for the church because it is the day Jesus’ twelve apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. And it is the day they begin to preach the gospel to all people, in their native languages. They proclaimed Christ crucified, risen and ascended into heaven—in order that people can be restored to a right relationship with God

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." Acts 2:38-39

The ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ, the promise of the resurrection, is for everyone—and those who are, are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ are charged to go and proclaim the Gospel, so that, all people come to believe, have their sins forgiven and are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit!’

When we are gathered, ‘all together in one place,’ at worship, we intentionally step into the presence of the living God and become ‘filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Gathered together in Christian fellowship, around God’s Word and Sacrament, we receive affirmation of our calling and receive the gifts of God’s amazing grace. We are nourished and strengthened in faith and, ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ we are then sent back out into the world to love as God loves—as changed people—as disciples of Jesus Christ.

To be ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ is transformational. God intends for it to change us—in ways that are apparent to others. When we truly encounter God—we can’t help but be changed.
But whether one actually does encounter God in worship, is up to each individual. We can be ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ or we can resist what God is trying to do in us.

Be open to the awe and wonder, the awesomeness, and the mystery of God truly present in Word and Sacrament, the preaching, the prayers and the music. Worship, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of eagerness for an encounter with the Divine. Expect to encounter God in worship and to be changed into a disciple of Jesus Christ. Then go out into the world and spread God’s love around—and invite others to come with you to experience the Divine in worship.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. …And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42, Acts 2:47b

Pastor Roy+