Daily Readings - Tue May 07 2024

²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:²⁴Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.²⁵And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.²⁶And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.²⁷And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.²⁹Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,³⁰And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.³²And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.³³And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.³⁴And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

John

Chapter 16

⁵But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?⁶But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.⁸And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:⁹Of sin, because they believe not on me;¹⁰Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;¹¹Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. From the Acts of the Apostles, we witness Paul and Silas’s unwavering faith despite imprisonment. Their prayers and hymns of praise precede a miraculous earthquake that frees them. The jailer, faced with despair, finds salvation through Paul’s guidance, leading to the baptism of him and his family. This story underscores the triumph of faith over adversity and the immediate impact of the Holy Spirit’s presence. In the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, promising the Holy Spirit as their Advocate. The Spirit’s role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus’s departure, though sorrowful for the disciples, is necessary for the Spirit’s arrival, bringing truth and guidance. This passage highlights the Holy Spirit’s essential role in revealing truth and transforming hearts. These readings connect through the Holy Spirit’s active presence. In Acts, the Spirit empowers Paul and Silas, leading to conversion. In John, the Spirit is promised to guide and convict. Together, they reveal the Spirit’s mission to bring truth and transformation. In our lives, this means embracing faith, trusting in God’s plan, and remaining open to the Spirit’s guidance. May we live with courage and joy, sharing our faith and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us, bringing light and truth to a world in need.