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SPIRIT SERMONS (ACT 2:14-21) LENT DAY 16

REFLECTION
“Spirit sermons” is the theme for our reflection. A sermon is a speech or an exposition based on a selected Scripture or the Word of God. Its purpose is to reveal God’s will to humanity and teach us the nature of God’s relationship with humanity and humanity’s relationship with one another. A sermon can be defined as a God-centered speech presented for the purpose of spiritual formation and moral edification. We shall reflect on two important characteristics or features of Spirit sermons.
1. Spirit sermons are preached boldly without fear because the preacher is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
2. Spirit sermons make reference to Scripture and reveal God’s will to humanity.

Firstly, Spirit sermons are preached boldly without fear because the power at work in the preacher is the Holy Spirit. After the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples and empowered them there was a huge transformation in their lives. Peter who denied Jesus three times and had hitherto run into hiding with other disciples for the fear of arrest and persecution became bold and fearless when He was filled with the Holy Spirit. “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 ” (Acts 2:14). Beloved in the Lord, when the Spirit of God fills our hearts and minds, we have no option but to stand up, raise our voices and address the crowd or preach to anyone God brings our way with the message of the Gospel. It is for this reason Jesus said “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19). Dear friend, we need men and women in the 21st Century who are filled with the Spirit of God to preach Spirit sermons, especially at a time when corruption, sexual immorality, substance abuse and hypocrisy are on the ascendency. God is counting on faithful and Spirit-filled believers like Peter to preach to the world. We must avail ourselves to be used by the Spirit of God to preach His word for the edification of the Church. Paul admonished Timothy when he wrote “I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5) There are many unsaved people out there who are lost and dying in sin. It will take Spirit Sermons from you and me to move their hearts towards the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we avail ourselves to the Lord during this Lent season for the Holy Spirit will dwell in us and use us for His purpose and to the Glory of God.

Secondly, Spirit sermons are Scripture-centred sermons that reveal the will of God for humanity. Peter did not speak his own mind, propounded human theories or rely on human philosophy or wisdom when He was addressing the crowd. Because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he relied on the Word of God when preaching his first evangelistic sermon. He made reference to Joel 2:28-32, ““‘In the last days, 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. ¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. ²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. ²¹ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “(Acts 2:17-21). Prophecy is part of the Word of God which specifically reveals the will or purpose of God to humanity. It is important to make the Word of God the reference point for our sermons if we desire to preach Spirit sermons. Jesus greatly assures us, “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” (John 6:63-64). When we preach our sermons from the Word filled with the Spirit and life, we shall continually experience great transformation by knowing and understanding God’s will for our lives. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). May we develop the habit of feeding on the Word that is made up of Spirit and life even as we journey through the Lent season. Again, may we be empowered to preach Spirit sermons that will move the hearts of those who are lost and dying to God. We are told by Luke that “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, 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. (Acts 2:37-38) Indeed, this is the effect of Spirit sermons, it moves the heart of sinful humanity to repentance, faith and regeneration.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Spirit sermons” We have discovered two features or characteristics of Spirit sermons; Spirit sermons are preached boldly without fear because the preacher is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and secondly, Spirit sermons make reference to Scripture and reveal God will to humanity. Spirit sermons are preached when the preacher preaches from the Word of God boldly and fearlessly and His or her sermon is under the inspiration and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, may we be inspired and empowered by the Word of God to preach Spirit sermons for the total repentance, regeneration, revival and transformation of those who are still walking in the darkness of sin and death. Amen.