Sermon by John Wesley
Preached on August 24, 1744, at St. Mary's Oxford
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
(Acts 4:31, NIV)
The Bible tells us in Ezekiel 33:4, "Whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head." Likewise, Acts 4:31 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."
1. This phrase, "filled with the Holy Spirit," first appears in Acts 2, where the apostles, along with the women, Jesus' mother, and his brothers, were together. A sound like a strong wind came from heaven, and tongues of fire appeared, resting on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in different languages, so that people from various nations heard the wonders of God in their own tongues.
2. In Acts 4, after the apostles had prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and again, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. But here, no miraculous signs like speaking in tongues are mentioned. Instead, they were given the more essential gifts of the Spirit, such as faith, gentleness, and love, which are vital for all Christians in every era.
3. Some may wonder if the miraculous gifts of the Spirit (such as healing, prophecy, and speaking in tongues) were meant to last forever or if they will return before Christ comes again. But this isn’t the central issue. The more important question is: were these gifts even common among early Christians? It seems not. Even in the early church, not everyone was a prophet or performed miracles. These gifts were rare and were given primarily to leaders in the church, and only some of them.
4. What’s truly important is the transformation of heart and character that the Holy Spirit brings—the "fruit of the Spirit," such as love, joy, and peace. These are the marks of true Christianity, not miraculous signs. The Spirit fills believers with the mindset of Christ, enabling them to live holy lives, walking in faith, hope, and love.
1. Imagine someone listening to the apostle Peter preach about repentance and forgiveness through Jesus. This person is moved, feels convicted, and repents of their sins. Through faith, they receive the Holy Spirit and are adopted into God’s family, calling Him "Father." They experience a profound inner transformation, knowing deep down that they are now a child of God. They can confidently say, "Christ lives in me, and the life I now live, I live by faith in Him."
2. This faith is not just intellectual. It is a deep, personal conviction of God's love, demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Being justified by faith, this person finds peace with God—a peace that surpasses all understanding, freeing them from fear and doubt. They no longer fear death, knowing that Christ has conquered it. Their hope is set on eternal life with Him.
3. This believer’s joy is now rooted in God, their Savior. They rejoice in the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of God’s love. They live in hope, looking forward to being fully restored in God’s image and receiving the inheritance promised to all God’s children.
4. The Holy Spirit fills their heart with love—both love for God and for others. They see every person as someone made in God’s image and loved by Him, even those who wrong or persecute them. Following Christ’s example, they love their enemies, praying for them and showing kindness, just as Christ loved them when they were still sinners.
5. This love humbles them. They don’t seek praise from others but care only about pleasing God. They are gentle, patient, and faithful, showing temperance in all things, as they strive to live a life free from the desires of the flesh. Their heart is crucified to the world, and the world to them, living above materialism, pride, and selfish ambition.
6. This inner transformation naturally leads to outward holiness. They do no harm to others, avoid all forms of injustice or unkindness, and speak only what is true and helpful. They watch their words carefully, avoiding lies, slander, or gossip. Their words are marked by grace and kindness.
7. Knowing their dependence on God, they continue faithfully in spiritual practices like prayer, study, and communion with other believers. This allows them to grow daily in grace, becoming more like Christ in both heart and action.
8. Yet, this new Christian isn’t content merely to avoid sin. Their heart burns with a desire to do good, following Jesus’ example of serving others. They care for the hungry, the poor, the sick, and those in prison. Their life becomes one of self-sacrifice, seeking to help others, no matter the personal cost. They understand that whatever they do for the least among them, they do for Christ.
9. This is what Christianity looked like in its early days. The love of Christ united believers, so they were of "one heart and soul." They held their possessions loosely, sharing everything so that no one lacked anything.
1. When the early Christians saw the world filled with wickedness, they couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Their hearts were moved with compassion for those lost in sin, and they worked tirelessly to bring others to Christ. They warned people of the coming judgment and called them to repentance.
2. They didn’t just speak generally about sin; they addressed the specific sins of their time, encouraging people to pursue righteousness, justice, and self-control. They reminded others that a day of judgment was coming, urging them to turn from their evil ways.
3. Their message wasn’t limited to words. Their lives bore witness to the truth they preached. Their love for others, even their enemies, set them apart. And as they spread this message, people were drawn to their example, and Christianity grew.
4. Yet, as Christianity spread, opposition grew. People were offended by their message, particularly those who loved wealth, pleasure, or power. The Christian call to humility and service threatened the status quo, and many saw it as a threat to their way of life.
5. Still, the Christians pressed on, enduring persecution with patience and love. Their suffering became a powerful testimony to the truth of their faith, and through it, the church grew even more.
1. But what of the future? The Bible tells us that a day will come when Christianity will spread across the whole world. Isaiah prophesies that in the last days, "the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established," and all nations will flow to it. There will be peace on earth, and war will be no more.
2. Paul also writes in Romans that although Israel has been partially blinded, there will come a time when "all Israel will be saved," and the Gentiles will fully come into the kingdom. When that day comes, Christianity will prevail over all, and the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
3. In this future world, there will be no violence, no injustice, and no oppression. Righteousness and peace will flourish, and people will live in harmony, united in their love for God and one another.
1. As we consider this vision of Christianity, we must ask ourselves: where do we see this today? Is there a country, a city, or even a community where people live with the love of God filling their hearts, united in faith and love for one another? Sadly, we must admit that such a place does not yet exist.
2. I urge you, therefore, to examine your hearts and lives. Do you see the fruits of the Spirit in your own life? Is your community marked by love, peace, and righteousness? Are you living as people "filled with the Holy Spirit"? If not, I beseech you to seek the Lord while there is still time.
3. Let us not grow complacent, thinking that because we live in a Christian nation, we are truly following Christ. True Christianity is not just about outward appearances or religious practices but about the transformation of the heart, leading to lives of love and service.
4. In the end, each of us will stand before God and give an account of our lives. I urge you to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ, showing love, humility, and faithfulness in all things.
It is my prayer that we will strive to live as the early Christians did—filled with the Holy Spirit, united in love, and committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Only then can we hope to see the day when Christianity will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Let us not delay but seek God with all our hearts, trusting in His grace to lead us into true and lasting righteousness.
