In this dynamic Pentecost sermon, Fr. John Wallace unpacks the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the early disciples and continues to work in believers today. He explains how the Holy Spirit isn't something weird or distant, but rather God Himself coming to dwell within us - and Jesus said this would be even better than His physical presence! Through the dramatic events of Acts 2, Fr. Wallace shows how the Spirit filled those first followers with four essential qualities: Boldness to proclaim the Gospel even unto death, Power to heal and forgive, Understanding that reversed the curse of Babel and made the Gospel accessible to all people, and Devotion to God's Word, fellowship, communion, and prayer.
The sermon builds to a powerful conclusion with a reminder that Peter's promise still stands today: "The promise is for YOU!" Fr. Wallace emphasizes that the same Holy Spirit who empowered fishermen and tax collectors to change the world wants to fill each believer with that same boldness, power, understanding, and devotion. Just as those Spirit-filled disciples turned the world upside down despite facing persecution and martyrdom, God wants to work through Spirit-filled believers today. The message culminates with an invitation to open our hearts afresh to receive the Holy Spirit's transforming presence, because what God did with those first disciples, He can do with us.
