Fareham United Reformed Church

Dear Friends,

On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter went out into the streets of Jerusalem and preached the first sermon ever. After hearing what he had to say, THREE THOUSAND people became Christians. Not bad for a first sermon attempt! And this is Peter; Peter the fisherman. We don’t hear of him speaking much in the Gospels, and when we do it’s often because he got things wrong. What changed? Had he taken a theology degree or a course in public speaking? No. This is what had happened; Peter and the other apostles had been filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s what made his words electrifying.

But it didn’t stop there. Peter told the three thousand new converts:

“You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children and for .... everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him”.

The promise is for all Christians, for you and me.

The Holy Spirit is God’s transforming power at work in our lives, affecting every aspect of life; our attitudes, our priorities, our actions – enabling us to serve God in new and exciting ways.

Within our own church community there is a wealth of skills and talents; but perhaps we don’t always make the most of these. At this time of Pentecost, let’s all think and pray about what God is inviting us to do – in the church and beyond. And be ready to be surprised!

If Peter the fisherman had been asked to list his talents and skills would he have said “orator and evangelist”?

Would the physically weak Paul have seen himself as a great traveller and man of action?

Would Moses, comfortably settled in the land of Midian with his Midianite wife and young family, have recognised his calling as leader and liberator of the Israelites?

The Holy Spirit inspires us to make the most of our natural God given talents AND to be ready to be used in new and unexpected ways by the God of surprises.

Sue Brown