Fly High - Acts Part 2 Series

Acts – part 2

“Fly High (cont.)”

On the lighter side of life:

On Fire!

During a recent city wide church meeting, a secretary rushed in shouting, "The building is on fire!"

The Methodists gathered in the corner and prayed.

The Baptists cried, "Where is the water?"

The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings that fire brings.

The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring the fire was evil.

The Roman Catholics passed the plate to cover the damage.

The Jews posted symbols on the door hoping the fire would pass.

The Congregationalists shouted, "Every man for himself!"

The Fundamentalists proclaimed, "It’s the vengeance of God - Repent!"

The Episcopalians formed a procession and marched out.

The Christian Scientists concluded that there was no fire.

The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson who was to appoint a committee to look into the matter and submit a written report for appropriate action.

The Pentecostals cried, “It’s Pentecost all over again -- Praise the Lord!”

The secretary grabbed the fire extinguisher and put the fire out.

Scripture Text:

Acts 2:38 – 47: “The Message”

Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”

That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers

Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Acts 2: 42-47: “NIV”

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Word on the Street:

They’re totally committed: hang on every word the team teaches, into community big time, never miss the symbolic bread-and-wine meal, spend hours talking to God. All of them are stunned by the supernatural stuff the team trigger off. They live in community, everything under common ownership; they sell their stuff and donate crazy amounts to the poor. Every day they’re at God’s HQ, re-enacting Jesus’ symbolic meal. Praying together, doing each other good, celebrating God. And the locals love it! No awkward neighbors hassling over parking rights-they think it’s great. Gods upping the numbers daily, as people are having their lives sorted.

Thesis: The book of Acts was written to show what God can do with people who are filled with the Holy Spirit and devoted to following and serving the Lord Jesus.

Introduction:

The book of acts demonstrates what happens to a person when they are filled with the Holy Spirit. If you recall prior to Pentecost the disciples had frequently got into trouble and seemed to be powerless in their witness role for Jesus. At the time of Jesus arrest one tried to stop the arrest by the power of the sword. The others ran like mice running from a cat. Others scattered and hid for cover. The church of Acts was not represented well before the Day of Pentecost. It seemed as if the church was in big trouble because of its future leaders but Jesus went to the cross and then rose again on the third day and commanded his followers to go to Jerusalem to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Then if you read the life of the apostles before the Day of Pentecost and then read about their lives after this day you must admit the group changes dramatically. Something happened!