Power for a Purpose: Part 3 - For the Sake of the World

This Sunday, Philippa Marsh brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC Online services. Once you have watched the video, we encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

To listen to the talk click here.
 
Readings:

Acts chapter 2 verses 1 - 21 (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 blown away.
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?

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.”
 
That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency:
“Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
 
“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit
    on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
    also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
    your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
    I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
    and they’ll prophesy



 

Prayer & Reflection

God,
The Spirit came and your Church was born, in wind and fire and words of power.
The Spirit came blowing fear aside, and in its place weak hearts were stronger.
The Spirit came as your word foretold, with dreams and signs, visions and wonders.
The Spirit came and is here today, to feed the hearts of a world that hungers.
So we ask, Come Holy Spirit. Fill us anew and send us out.
 
Amen




Questions to Consider

1. When you look back at your life, what do you want to be able to say about how you followed God?
2. What habits do you want to be able to continue that might help you draw closer to God?
3. God ‘doesn’t wait until it’s convenient, comfortable or safe’ before asking us to do things. How might this change the ways in which we listen to Him?
4. Is there anything that you think God is asking you to do in the immediate future? What is it, and what are you going to do about it?