Welcome Home everyone
We left off with the outpouring of the Spirit with fire and tongues. Everyone is taking notice and Peter is about to address the crowd.
My big idea for today is the Holy Spirit is trying to draw your attention. My prayer for us today is that we would hear his voice and ask, “what must we do?”
If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter2, verse 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:
Acts 2:14-21
17 “‘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.’
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 2 sections or points.
God Continues to Call His People to Repentance
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:
Acts 2:14-16
This portion of the passage may seem a bit innocuous, but it is actually the set up for a sharp correction and a call to repentance. Peter begins by addressing their mockery. The manner in which he speaks sets the tone to grab the attention of those who were present. God had orchestrated this entire scenario to bring them together in one place to expose their sin. The Holy Spirit Intention is to make a spectacle of their sin. He was shedding light on the dark places of their hearts. Many of you may be at a place where you don’t recognize your own sin. And the Holy Spirit needs to make a spectacle of the situation just so that the light comes on in your heart. The light comes on and then you may find yourselves like these people. Suddenly aware of your wrongdoing. Suddenly desperate for cleansing. This is the only reasonable response.
I’m reminded of times that I made a joke or a comment to be funny… And It sounded really witty or cleaver in my mind but, as soon as the words cleared my lips, I knew that what I said or did was terribly wrong. The Holy Spirit/the Spirit of truth has made a spectacle in my heart and revealed my transgression. At that moment, it weighed so heavy on my heart that it consumed my thoughts and I was compelled to make amends.
This is the spectacle that the Holy Spirit was using to illuminate the sins of the people. Here is the application…
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:12-13
It is probably not a case of if the Holy Spirit draws your attention to your sin but rather, when He draws your attention. It becomes about our response. God is calling us all to repentance.
I’ll move on to my next point.
God Continues to Keep His Promises
No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
Acts 2:16-20
“‘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.
The quotation here from Joel chapter 2 assumes a repentance and then a time of a great healing and restoration of the land. Then it begins, “after this” or “In the last days” God will pour out His Spirit. I love how God is always demonstrating His divine faithfulness in keeping/fulfilling His promises. Here is the thing that really gives me hope/assurance … He is faithful to His word even when I’m not. Even when I blow it, He Is steady keeping His promises. When I fail, He does not. When I stumble, He is the Rock of my salvation. He is immutable/ He never changes, and He never forgets.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
I can appreciate that about Him because I know that this is an area where we humans are not complete/we struggle. Sometimes My wife will tell me something and then reference that conversation at a later time and I Have completely forgotten that conversation. Although, many of you ladies out feel the your husband has selective hearing. I always try to hear her but, sometimes the information just escapes me. And It’s frustrating for her. But, God never forgets. Nothing escapes Him. Nothing slips through the cracks. And nothing gets past Him. He doesn’t change His mind about His love you or me. He remains faithful in all things and in all realms.
There should be nothing about God that triggers a response that is not wholly consistent with trust and confidence. It should draw us into a deeper intimacy with God. So that when we encounter the deep and important mysteries of God, our response should be that of belief and reassurance in His character.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
You have given God every reason to change His mind about you and His commitment to you, yet he never will. God has never given you a reason to not trust and believe in Him.
I’ll close with this.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Acts 2:21
He is actually providing an opportunity to for righteousness. Through your faith in Him He has made you righteous. He has reconciled you back to God. Regardless of anything you have done. No matter your situation. Jesus Christ is in the Redemption Business. He wants you. He wants your children. He even wants your neighbor.
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today.
Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here.
Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’