Good day dear friends.
Our text for today is from Acts 10:44 No sooner were these words out of Peter's mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. 45The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on "outsider" Gentiles, 46 but there it was - they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God. 47 "Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did." 48 Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days. (The Message)
Can you imagine "outsiders" receiving the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine outsiders coming into our churches? Can you imagine outsiders leading our churches? Such was the reaction on the "believing Jews" who came with Peter to visit the Gentile (non-Jews) Chrisitans when they experienced hearing these outsiders speaking and praising God in other tongues. Is your church ready for that? I will never forget one Sunday in one of the churches I served when one Sunday morning we sang one of the eighteen Spanish hymns in our UM Hymnal. It is one of my favorite bymns and I was truly blessed . At the receiving line after worship a man so angry she was shaking said, "This is America! Why are we singing in a foreign language? Are we going to sing in Polish next Sunday?". I replied, "Yak se mas!" ( or however you spell it) and she stormed off to write a letter to the S.P.R.C. Which I turn became an item at our next meeting. Not every one is ready for outsiders nor the tongues spoken by outsiders but still they wonder why our churches are dying?
Peter, as well as Paul, knew the future of the Christian Church lay in reaching the outsiders. Actually, God knew that and used these to begin the move towards that goal. Today as our neighborhoods shift and as outsiders come in, will you be open to their presence?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people and languages, open my eyes and the eyes and hearts of all who call themselves Christian to become open to Yournwork among and through "outsiders.". In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen,
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
