ASLC Devotions - Friday

Acts 4:1-4  While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.  

I wanted to give you this whole passage because I think it helps illustrate where we (the church) have come from, as a people. And it illustrates the power that is in us - that's right, I said it in the present tense.

Peter and John annoyed powerful people by their words about God - they were saying that in Jesus there's resurrection of the dead. This annoyed the powerful people so much, they were arrested. We come from a tradition of people so strong in their faith that they'll speak the truth and risk prison for it.

And, we are formed by a message that's powerful. Even when they were put in prison, "many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand." Did you catch that? 5,000 people believed. 5,000 people became convinced of who Jesus is by the words of these prophets Peter and John. The power of their words (which we call the Holy Spirit) is still at work today. New people come to learn the story because of you and what you say. People come to believe it in new ways because of your story. Your words have power. Alleluia!

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for news and updates. Worship with us Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. This Sunday afternoon, our Director of Music, Doug Williams, will be providing an organ recital at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1218 W Addison) in Chicago at 3 pm. Holy Trinity is near Wrigley Field but there's no Cubs game, and street parking is available, especially on Addison.