When the Spirit Speaks
A
Bilingual Celebration of Unity, Mission, and the Voice of God
This past Sunday, Christ Church and
Iglesia de Cristo gathered together for a beautiful bilingual service centered
on one powerful idea: When the Spirit speaks, the Church moves together.
Drawing from Acts 13:1–5, we
reflected on the moment when the church at Antioch worshiped, fasted, prayed,
and listened together—and the Holy Spirit spoke clearly:
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
It was a reminder that the Spirit of
God still speaks today. He still leads, comforts, convicts, sends, and
transforms.
A
Church Together
One of the most beautiful parts of
the morning was simply seeing the Kingdom of God on display: different
languages, different backgrounds, different stories—all worshiping Jesus
together.
As was shared during the service:
“Different backgrounds, different
stories, different languages gathered together worshiping our God.”
The church at Antioch looked a lot
like what we experienced together on Sunday: diversity united by the Holy
Spirit and centered on Jesus Christ.
Yeni’s
Story: Waiting on God
We also had the privilege of hearing
from Yeni, who recently arrived from Colombia after an eight-year process of
waiting, praying, and trusting God.
Her testimony reminded us that God’s
promises often unfold through seasons of perseverance and formation. Even in
difficulty, God is faithful.
One line especially stood out:
“We’re not with God because of His
benefits. We’re with Him because of who He is.”
Four Encouragements from Acts 13
The message unfolded around four
prophetic encouragements from Acts 13.
1.
Start with Surrender
The believers in Antioch were
worshiping, fasting, praying, and waiting on God.
Before mission came surrender.
The Spirit often speaks beneath the
noise and volume of our lives. Many world-changing moments are not loud—they
are formed quietly in prayer, humility, and obedience.
A powerful reminder was given:
“Celebrate obedience, not results.”
Our responsibility is obedience. The
results belong to God.
2.
Prioritize Presence
The church in Antioch stayed
together long enough to hear the Spirit together.
God’s presence changes us, but so
does the presence of His people.
If we want to see the power of God in our lives, we must first earnestly seek the presence of God in our lives.
We were reminded that:
- The way God made you is revolutionary.
- You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- Failure is not final.
- God’s mercies are new every morning.
In a culture of isolation and
exhaustion, the Church becomes a place where people stay connected, encourage
one another, and keep growing together.
3.
Work Like You’re Not Alone
Acts 13 shows gifted leaders
gathering together to listen to God together. Prophecy is not about building
platforms, but building up the body.
The Christian life was never meant
to be lived independently.
One challenge from the message cut
deeply:
“If you believe that you do not need
God to do it, you do not pray.”
Prayer is an act of dependence.
We were encouraged to leave room for
the Holy Spirit—not only in church services, but in our thoughts, our work, our
homes, and our everyday lives.
4.
Embrace Something New
When the Holy Spirit spoke, the
church responded. They prayed, fasted again, laid hands on Barnabas and Saul,
and sent them out.
The Spirit moves the Church forward.
Sometimes obedience requires
sacrifice. Sometimes God asks us to release comfort, familiarity, or control so
His Kingdom can expand.
The encouragement was simple:
“Embrace something new.”
New friendships.
New people.
New cultures.
New mission.
New steps of faith.
The
Spirit Still Speaks
The message concluded with a
reminder that the Holy Spirit is still active today.
He still speaks:
- Peace to anxious hearts
- Courage to fearful people
- Purpose to wandering lives
- Conviction to sinners
- Hope to the exhausted
And above all, the Spirit still
points people to Jesus Christ.
As Jesus said in John 16:
“He will glorify Me, because He will
take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”
It’s all about Jesus
1. Start with surrender - “Father,
if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but
yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
2. Prioritize presence - "I
came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10)
3. Work like you’re not alone - May
they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be[e]
in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. (John 17:21)
4. Embrace something new -
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you" (Luke 22:20)
One Family in Christ
The morning ended not just with a
sermon, but with a shared meal—a reflection of the early church’s fellowship
and unity.
Different languages. Different
foods. Different stories.
One Savior.
One Spirit.
One family.
Let’s eat.