Description

In the second chapter of Acts, Luke records the amazing events of Pentecost. The day began with the outpouring of the Spirit on the Apostles and the larger group of 120 Jesus followers. The sound of rushing wind, tongues of fire, and tongues of language engaged the imaginations of thousands gathered in Jerusalem, prompting the question, “What does this mean?” or “What will become of this?” In response, the Holy Spirit gave Peter boldness to engage their minds through a sermon showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; He is the Messiah. Finally, the Holy Spirit convicted and engaged their hearts, provoking the question, “What do we do?” And leading to the birth of the church when 3000 repented and were baptized. The question “What will become of this?” is still in play as Jesus continues to build His Kingdom and the Spirit continues to move in and through His people. What is our response? What is the Spirit continuing to do in our midst? How are we positioned to bring the Gospel in the languages of the nations? The culture? The campus?

Scripture

ACTS 2:1-41

Description

Many people in the world feel conflicted about Christianity and the Church: is it real? is it relevant to our lives? is it oppressive or offensive? In Acts 2:42-47, we see that from the start the Church was multicultural men and women together who, as part of a new community established by Jesus, found favor in the eyes of their wider society because they were attractively different. What makes the Church attractively different? And how can the Church today become attractively different again? In short, the answer is “radical unselfishness.” In this sermon we’ll see that the church was attractively different because they were busy but not rushed, powerful but not arrogant, diverse but unified, self-giving but exceedingly glad. And we’ll see that the power to become attractively different comes from having a radically unselfish God.

Scripture

Acts 2:5, 40-41; 4:4; 5:13;
Mark 12:30-31;
Philippians 2:1-11;
James 2:14-17;
Exodus 3:20; 7:3; 11:9-10; 15:11.

Description

Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now no longer here. So how exactly is he still ministering to people with gracious words and kind actions? How is he saving the people of earth when he’s not even on the planet? The answer to these questions starts with the apostles. The book of Acts is all about how the apostles carry on the ministry of Jesus by carrying out the mission Jesus gave them. But before they were empowered by the Spirit and sent on their mission, it became clear to them that they had to find a replacement for the apostle Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. Acts 1:12-26 reveals how Judas’ replacement was chosen and leads us to understand what an apostle is, why there must be twelve, and how the twelve apostles are significant for us today.

Scripture

Acts 1:12-26
Psalm 33:12, 105:6, 26, 43; 106:23
Isaiah 41-43; 45:20-22
Matthew 10:2-4
Mark 3:13-19
Luke 1:1-3; 6:12-16; 22:28-30; 24:44-48
John 6:70-71; 15:16
Acts 1:1-11; 2:1-4, 32; 4:33
Ephesians 2:13, 18-22
Colossians 3:12
1 Thessalonians 1:4
1 Peter 2:4
Revelation 17:14

Description

We are quick to judge the daftness of the apostles and their inability to grasp what Jesus meant by the restoration of the Kingdom, but we experience the same yearning; a longing for the renovation to be completed - both of our own hearts and of the world we live in. The reality of the Resurrection and the promise of Restoration keep us engaged in the present Renovation project, empowered and resourced by the Holy Spirit for the glory of the resurrected and ascended King Jesus.

Scripture

Acts 1:1-11

Description

Scripture

Description

Scripture

Description

Scripture

Description

Scripture

Description

Scripture

Description

Scripture