Words are powerful. We see this truth throughout the Bible. James says the tongue is like a small rudder that directs the ships, our words direct the path we take. They can bring huge destruction like a match can set a forest on fire, but in Acts 2 we see how words can restore a multitude of people to faith in God. It's interesting to me that God acted in judgment at the tower of babble by confusing language, now as the first act of Grace - he gives a new ability to communicate his purpose and truth to a crowd of diverse people. And today as I write this, Google Translate can put these words into an innumerable amount of languages. Truly wonderful.
AIM: God gives the power to communicate the life-changing good news
Acts 2, Simple truth of the Gospel:
A) Believers receive power from the Holy Spirit to speak to foreign neighbors
2:1-4) Pentecost, believers, windstorm, Holy Spirit, flaming tongues settled on them, speaking other languages
- Festival of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover (when Jesus was crucified)
5-6) devout Jews, every nation living in Jerusalem, heard them in own languages
7-12) amazed, languages spoke: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Cretans, and Arabs
13) others ridiculed them as drunk
Principle: Speaking in tongues is for the benefit of the hearer. Application: This means we communicate with people in their native languages. When a minister is able to communicate the good news to another in a way they understand, turn to God and are healed. That's the mark of one sent by God as Jesus said (Mark 16:17).
B) Peter preaches the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus resurrection and sending Holy Spirit
14-16) Peter spoke with other 11 apostles "Listen carefully, not drunk, what you see was predicted by Joel"Joel 2:28-32
17-21) God: I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL people, wonders in heaven and earth, before the day of the LORD, but everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved
22-24) God publicly endorsed Jesus with miracles, wonders, signs - resurrection from dead
25-28) as David said, "LORD is with me, not among the dead, way of life, joy of your presence" Ps 16:8-11
29-31) David not referring to himself, he's still buried among us, as a prophet spoke of Messiah's resurrection
32-34) God raised Jesus from the dead, we witnessed his exaltation to the highest honor in heaven
- 35) "until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet" Ps 110:1
36-37) Let everyone know Jesus is Lord and Messiah, "people responded what should we do?"
38) Repent of sins, turn to God, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
39-40) Promise is for you, all called by the Lord our God. He preached a long time "save yourselves from this crooked generation"
Principle: The Bible is harmonized by the Holy Spirit. Application: Do you begin your Bible Study with prayer each morning or find yourself avoiding it until the last minute? Will you ask God even right now to help you make sense of his word? Will you ask your group members to prayer with you this week to gain the understanding that Peter a mere fisherman had?
41) Those who believed were baptized, added to the church 3,000 in all.
C) Believers devotion results in a vibrant, welcoming community
42) Believers devoted themselves to apostles teaching, fellowship, sharing meals and prayer
AIM: God gives the power to communicate the life-changing good news
Acts 2, Simple truth of the Gospel:
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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| https://www.conformingtojesus.com/charts-maps/en/nations_at_pentecost_acts_2_map.htm |
2:1-4) Pentecost, believers, windstorm, Holy Spirit, flaming tongues settled on them, speaking other languages
- Festival of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover (when Jesus was crucified)
5-6) devout Jews, every nation living in Jerusalem, heard them in own languages
7-12) amazed, languages spoke: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Cretans, and Arabs
13) others ridiculed them as drunk
Principle: Speaking in tongues is for the benefit of the hearer. Application: This means we communicate with people in their native languages. When a minister is able to communicate the good news to another in a way they understand, turn to God and are healed. That's the mark of one sent by God as Jesus said (Mark 16:17).
B) Peter preaches the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus resurrection and sending Holy Spirit
14-16) Peter spoke with other 11 apostles "Listen carefully, not drunk, what you see was predicted by Joel"Joel 2:28-32
17-21) God: I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL people, wonders in heaven and earth, before the day of the LORD, but everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved
22-24) God publicly endorsed Jesus with miracles, wonders, signs - resurrection from dead
25-28) as David said, "LORD is with me, not among the dead, way of life, joy of your presence" Ps 16:8-11
29-31) David not referring to himself, he's still buried among us, as a prophet spoke of Messiah's resurrection
32-34) God raised Jesus from the dead, we witnessed his exaltation to the highest honor in heaven
- 35) "until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet" Ps 110:1
36-37) Let everyone know Jesus is Lord and Messiah, "people responded what should we do?"
38) Repent of sins, turn to God, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
39-40) Promise is for you, all called by the Lord our God. He preached a long time "save yourselves from this crooked generation"
Principle: The Bible is harmonized by the Holy Spirit. Application: Do you begin your Bible Study with prayer each morning or find yourself avoiding it until the last minute? Will you ask God even right now to help you make sense of his word? Will you ask your group members to prayer with you this week to gain the understanding that Peter a mere fisherman had?
41) Those who believed were baptized, added to the church 3,000 in all.
C) Believers devotion results in a vibrant, welcoming community
42) Believers devoted themselves to apostles teaching, fellowship, sharing meals and prayer
43-47) Deep sense of awe, miraculous signs, and wonders, shared in everything with those in need, worshiped daily, enjoyed goodwill with all as more added to fellowship daily
Principle: Personal devotion to Jesus is shown in our relationships. Application: How are we modeling this behavior in our groups? As a group member, how will you reach out to the person missing tonight and welcome them back next week?
Principle: Personal devotion to Jesus is shown in our relationships. Application: How are we modeling this behavior in our groups? As a group member, how will you reach out to the person missing tonight and welcome them back next week?
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