Spirit empowered mission – autumn 2014 sermon series at the 6.30 congregation

Throughout the Autumn term, at the 6:30pm service, we will be working our way through the exciting first few chapters of the book of Acts.

Acts begins by Jesus, as he ascends back to heaven, commissioning his disciples to continue His mission, promising that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit who will equip, guide and empower them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. On the day of Pentecost the disciples are filled with the Spirit and transformed into bold evangelists who see the church grow dramatically through their witness as the Spirit empowers them to speak fearlessly and perform healings and other miraculous signs. The journey is not at all easy – they often face suffering and persecution, jail and stoning – but despite this, their commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly only gets stronger and the church continues to grow in both size and influence.

It is an amazing story of God at work in a bunch of ‘unschooled, ordinary men’ (Acts 4:13), but it is not a story which is simply limited to 2000 years ago. It is a story which continues, with you and me, here in Shrewsbury. Jesus calls asks us also to ‘continue his mission’ here, on our different frontlines. But he does not ask us to do it alone. He promises to empower us with the same spirit that filled and directed those early followers – with the same Spirit who empowered and directed Jesus – so that we too can be used to speak boldly and be signs and witnesses of the kingdom in Meole Brace, in Shropshire and to the ends of the earth.

So do come along and join us at the evening service as we open up the scriptures and open up ourselves to be empowered by the Spirit for the individual missions God has called us to.

All the talks will also be recorded and available to listen again here