There is the story of the congregation’s elder who paid the annual visit to a man who never attended church.  The gentleman welcomed the elder in and served him up a beer.  They chatted about the weather, fishing, and those things an elder and a member like to talk about.  Then the member changed the subject as he said, “I know you are here as you do each year, to see me about attending church.  I’m a good Christian and my faith is in Jesus.  I just enjoy sitting here by myself and contemplating on that.”

 

            The elder sat and nodded.  He looked over into the fireplace, took a burning coal out by the tongs and laid it on the stone.  The coal gradually cooled down and took on that dull gray appearance.  The elder then placed the coal back into the fire and it quickly turned bright red and burst into flame.  The elder smiled at the gentleman, picked up his hat and started for the door.

            “I see what you mean,” the gentleman said.  “I’ll see you in church.”

 

Acts 4:31

            After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

 

            Today is confirmation day.  Sometime in the past each of these young people received God’s gifts in baptism.  Each one was baptized.  That was a very individual thing.  Each one is saved through his own faith.  It is an individual thing.  But this year, as in all other years, these individuals come together as a class.  We talk about the exciting and unexciting things that happen at school and other activities in their lives.  We eat popcorn together.  We laugh together and study serious things about God’s love to all of us together. 

 

            Each one is responsible for certain things by himself or herself.  But we did an interesting thing on questioning night.  They all responded together to the questions set before them.  There was an enthusiasm and together they had the ability to chime in o all of the questions.  During these weeks before the questioning night, they studied together, quizzed each other and double checked answers together.  They gave each other strength and confidence.  Each one alone this would not have happened quite as it did.

 

            In today’s account from Acts is a prayer that is today’s prayer for you Adam, Melanie, Adrianna, Kelli, and Samantha.  The prayer begins, “Sovereign Lord.”  The Lord, our God is sovereign in that he is above all things.  He commands us to have no other gods because he is the one and only, true and triune God.  He is the source of all we have, and continues to provide for us in all of our needs day in and day out.  We praise and honor him by calling him what he is, sovereign.

 

            “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant…”  All of Scripture is God’s word and God’s word alone.  God speaks to us through Moses, David, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke John, Paul and all of the others.  They did not phrase it is they thought God said it, but spoke his word as the Holy Spirit caused them to write.  They wrote these things and God has preserved them for all times so we all know that this one true God never changes.  He is always the same so we know we can always come to him, listen to him, and trust in him.

 

            “Why do the nations rage…?”  There is no peace on this earth and it upsets us.  There is no peace so often in each one of our hearts, and it upsets us.  Without true peace, we know how important it is that we go out together to bring God’s word of peace in Christ Jesus to others and to strengthen each other as we do.

 

            “They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”  From the Garden of Eden on, God promised to send his right hand, his holy arm, his suffering servant to bear the burden of all of our sins because God is our redeemer as he purchases us back from death, sin and the power of the devil with his own precious blood.  Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion were no accident and not really a thing done by men, but by God who gave himself up for us, who emptied himself on our behalf so we could be made one with him again.  Jesus “atoned” for us as he made us “at one” with the father again.  When we are burdened that we caused Christ to suffer and die, we are refreshed that God is the one who did this all just for us.

 

            “Now Lord…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  The disciples and this early gathering of believers knew that no person can on his own, declare the wonderful love and gifts that God lavishes on each one.  “But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the one true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”  Both individually and collectively, it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability and power to speak God’s word to others.  It is the Holy Spirit, through these words, who works the miracle of faith in the hearts of those who hear.

 

            These disciples knew that each one would be called upon to witness Christ to another.  These early disciples also knew that God had placed them together to be a convincing witness in numbers to many who would see, hear and believe.

 

            “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  Jesus has taught us to ask all things in his name and the Father will give them to us.  Praying in Jesus’ name is praying that all things be done to God’s glory through Jesus.  Nothing is accomplished except through the power of God’s word, that word who became flesh and made his dwelling with us, Jesus Christ.  That word created all things and holds all things in his hand as all power and authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him by the Father.

 

 

            After they had prayed together, and together in faith, they were all “filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”  As convincing and Peter and John spoke in the temple just before this, God does not let us leave the job of witnessing his love up to a select few.  Each one of us is to speak his word boldly.  And, as we did on questioning night, we have each other for support whether we are together as we were then, or separated by the things that do that in this world.  One thing, nothing can separate us from the love of a God who is sovereign, almighty, omniscient, holy, and nothing but goodness and love to those who fear him.

 

Samantha Gervens:

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

Kelly Cerri

John 8:12

…"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

 

Adam Leitzau

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

 

Adriana Aviles

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 

Melanie Pace

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

 

            Remember Acts 4 and this prayer that is for all five of you together today, that is for this congregation today, for all believers in Christ Jesus for today and for all times.

 

            To all of you:  The Lord is our Shepherd.  Amen.

 

            And this peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.