telling the story

Good evening friends,
I hope you're doing well. I apologize for the gap in readings. We've been following the story of Pentecost, when God sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen the disciples for their ministry of witness to the world. When the Spirit first came it gave the disciples the ability to speak in other languages. When they started praising God, a crowd gathered because they heard the good news in their own language. Some mocked, but Peter told the story of Jesus and his death and resurrection. It's a simple sermon, but as we see in today's reading, it is effective. How can we tell the story today?

God bless,
Sam

Acts 2:37-47

³⁷Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” ³⁸Peter said to them, “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. ³⁹For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” ⁴⁰And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

On the road

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is another Easter story of two disciples walking to a nearby village and meeting Jesus on the road. Notice how they tell the story of Jesus as they know it so far. How would you tell the story of Jesus in your life?

God bless,
Sam

Luke 24:13-24

¹³Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, ¹⁶but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 

¹⁷And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” ¹⁹He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.

²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. ²²Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”

testifying to rulers

Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
I hope you have a chance to enjoy this incredible afternoon that God has given us today. Today's reading continues the story from yesterday. Paul and John healed a disabled man in the temple, then testified to the gathering crowd that Jesus was actually responsible for the healing. Hearing the story of Jesus made a difference for many people in the crowd, but they weren't the only ones to notice. The religious leaders noticed what Peter and John were up to as well, and they didn't like it one bit. It's exciting to see how Peter, who ran and lied when Jesus was arrested, is able to testify to Jesus now with boldness when he is arrested himself. The Spirit will give us the strength we need to be Jesus disciples, no matter what situation we're in.

 
God bless,
Sam

Acts 4:1-10

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, ²much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. ³So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand. 

⁵The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, ⁶with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.