What Shall We Do?

What does it take to understand the Christian faith? On Pentecost Sunday, Peter stood among the crowd of 3,000 people and gave a moving sermon that brought the people to their knees. Then the Holy Spirit began to work among them. In this week’s sermon, we will discuss what it takes to bring us to our knees so the Holy Spirit can work in our lives.

Scripture: Acts 2
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?”
Some made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.
“’In the last day, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Hymns
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
“Rock of Ages”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will bless your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “But Who Is the Holy Spirit?“ delivered on Christian Crusaders May 27, 2007.
It was a wonder when God, on Pentecost Sunday, brought 3,000 people into the fold. Those of us who are children of God by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, are the ones to carry that message and through whom the Holy Spirit will do his work. It will bring enlightenment to your church, new joy to your home, peace and comfort to your own life.

Christian Crusaders Blog
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On the Light Side
Mrs. Jones was in labor with the couple’s first child. Things were going pretty well when suddenly she began to shout, “Shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t, didn’t, can’t!”
“Doctor, what’s wrong with my wife?” asks Mr. Jones.
“Nothing,” replied the doctor. “She’s just having contractions.”