Looking at the book of Acts Building a church that…

Looking at the book of Acts Building a church that… waits is spirit filled: Pentecost heals is focussed on Jesus serves Father’s Day has integrity is empowered

Acts 1: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit

enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God- fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of

Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs - we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said,

“They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

It was an amazing time for the church

Jesus is very clear. Wait for the gift my father promised… the Holy Spirit. Acts 1: 4; 8 He points them to the Holy Spirit before he leaves.

The Holy Spirit is the star of Acts. Not Peter, Paul or the disciples. People lived and ministered in the power of the spirit. A global movement was born! As people discover the Holy Spirit and allow him to be the star in their own lives and churches – things change!

Luke shows us Jesus as a Holy Spirit saturated man. Luke 4: v1: Led by the spirit into wilderness. v14: Came back in the power of the spirit. v18-19: Dramatic moment in the synagogue The spirit of the lord is upon me…

Final activity – pour out his spirit upon people. Jesus Christ Greek: Christos Hebrew: Messiah Means anointed one. Bearer of the Holy Spirit When we become Christians Jesus pours out his spirit on us – we become bearers of his spirit.

Without the Spirit…We are nothing; Have nothing; Can do nothing Coming to faith; Growth Unity; Feeding the poor Evangelism is empowered by the Spirit Healing; casting out demons Restoring marriage & family Servanthood; Character Our life is life in the spirit

The Holy Sprit has always been with us. Gen 1:2: the spirit was hovering over the waters. Gift of the spirit was limited to a number of people In Acts the restrictions are lifted. He comes to us all; universality.

The Holy Spirit is not racist, not sexist, not ageist, not elitist. Barriers are broken down. I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days… v17-18 This is the sort of church we are building. This is what we want for our community.

So what actually happened? The Holy Spirit is not simply doctrine but an experienced presence. Like meeting a person! Christianity is not a list of beliefs to be believed – with no change of life. There is someone to receive; someone to experience and encounter.

v 1-2: They were all together in one place. Suddenly… They were just sitting there; then the holy spirit blew in. The spirit is not subject to human control. He’s unexpected. He surprises us. Much of our life is about control. But …where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17

v2: …like the blowing of a violent wind… Old Testament: ruach Elohim – breath of God God’s breath brings life to the dead. Eg Ezekiel When the spirit comes it’s a regenerating, empowering, life giving experience. When we feel burned out we need the Spirit.

Tongues of fire v3

We are set on fire by God’s spirit. How does a church grow? Through people who are on fire with passion & purpose. The spirit is alive & vital. We know we are changed. We feel different.

v3-4: came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.

We are made for touch. Mostly we need God’s touch.

The touch of God’s love is poured into our heart by the Holy Spirit. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Rom 5:5 God reassuring us. Reaching down from heaven.

We face opposition & temptation. We face failure, loneliness, despair. We find ourselves needing something stronger than ourselves. We need the touch of God’s love through his presence.

Personal salvation – and then for everyone else. What is our Jerusalem & Judea? Those close to us. What is our Samaria? Those despised and rejected. The ends of the earth? Those far away.

This becomes a way of life rather than a single Pentecost moment. We leak! We need to continue to return. Ready for: God to break in To be regenerated To be empowered To know we are loved

Whether dramatic experience or a slow filling the Holy Spirit is God’s precious gift to us.

Looking at the book of Acts together Building a church that… Waits Is spirit filled: Pentecost Heals Is focussed on Jesus That serves Father’s Day Has integrity Is empowered