Winter Warm-Up Sample

Often when the topic of ‘speaking in tongues’ comes up, people have different opinions on what that means to us today. We can so easily get caught up on little details and miss the point of what a move of the Holy Spirit looks like. Yes, a move of God often defies human logic, but more importantly, it always points people back to His love and salvation.

See, the whole reason Jesus came was to destroy the barriers between God and all people. I think this could be one of the reasons why the Holy Spirit decided to rush in in such an abrupt manner: to get the attention of ALL people, whether inside the meeting place or outside.

It says in Acts 2 verse 5-7 & 11: “At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers... “how can this be?” they exclaimed... “we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about thewonderful things God has done!””

Whatever your perspective of speaking in tongues is, it is undeniable that God used this moment to bring His people together in unity. The early church simply waited on God, and when He moved, they were united in their message: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit didn’t divide them, it united them and they shared the good news of Jesus with the world.

Just as the Holy Spirit broke down language barriers in Acts 2, He still calls us to break down barriers in our culture and society — whether that’s racial, cultural, political or economic divides.

The Gospel is meant for all people, and as the Church, we are called to be messengers of that unity, not to be distracted by division or bickering, but to allow the Holy Spirit to move and to break down the walls between God and His people.

How can you be a witness of the Spirit’s unifying power in your world? Why don’t you pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with people from different backgrounds or who may not have the same worldview as you. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you as the unifier.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for the outpouring of Your Holy Spirit which unites us as one body in Christ. On my own, I can let division and separation creep into my relationships, church, and community, but today, I’m reminded that the Holy Spirit’s presence is a call to unity.

Holy Spirit, help me break down the walls that divide me from others and build bridges of peace, understanding, and grace. Empower me to live out the unity You’ve called me to and to be a witness of the Gospel to all people. I want my life to reflect the unity Jesus paid for. Help me bring glory to Your name through my love for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.