This week, we will complete our sermon series, “Embrace the Weirdness,” where we have been looking at the fact that sometimes God calls us to do things that are out of the ordinary. In truth, simple obedience to Scripture causes the world around us to take notice. Obedience to God in the world’s eyes is just plain weird! As expected, when we follow Christ, we are going to stick out.

This week, we zero in on the early church as God started it in Jerusalem. Throughout the life of the church, the Holy Spirit has been the key to spreading the gospel. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” But what does this mean?

This Sunday, we focus on the life of Stephen, in Acts 6 and 7, as an example of how someone received power to be Christ’s witness in Jerusalem. Here we see something really weird. Stephen, full of God’s Holy Spirit, did some amazing things! Wait, what? God’s Spirit inside of a believer? The world would see this as weird! The Bible shows how the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ and gives us power to do His will. This lifestyle isn’t just for a select few, but for all Christians. God’s word tell us in Ephesians 5:18-23, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

So, let us embrace the weirdness and with God’s power spread the good news of Jesus Christ!