Acts Of The Apostles

Acts of the Apostles

Book of Acts selected verses

Introduction-

This week our leaders spent 2 ½ days at District convention.

It was a great time of refreshing.

It was a time to hear God’s Word from someone other than me. That is good for them and good for me.

If we are not careful, even the careful can fall into a rut.

The apostles spent time with Jesus yet they had their problems and they had many times of struggling.

The difference for the apostles is the same that will be a difference for you. Spending time with the Holy Spirit.

Not doing things in your own strength.

I talked last week about Believe, Receive, and Belong. I am continuing that sermon this week. Too many times, we expect people to know what to do to live a life that is effective, productive, and fulfilling.

When we do that by ourselves, most will get one or more of those elements wrong and live below where God wants us.

“Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

I have memorized that verse. I will do what I can to get that scripture down in my Spirit.

I will do whatever I can to live my faith, to receive what God has for me and be a part of something that is bigger than me.

I will live like a child of God. If that doesn’t scare you, you have not grasped unto the truth yet. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I cannot do that without God’s help.

Everything happened for a reason. God did not let anything happen by chance, contrary to those that believe we have what we have by chance. It is impossible that we evolved into man the way we are without a creator God in control of things.

He had to come

He had to die

He had to be resurrected.

He had to be seen by witnesses.

He had to ascend so that the Holy Spirit of God could come.

The power comes from on high, the power comes from outside of yourself.

The power is not your own, it is the power of God working in you, at least that is what has to happen if you want to live a Godly life.

You cannot live a Godly life without God.

He says to follow Him.

The only way to have God’s power is to be God’s child. Many say they want it, but few will take the time to follow God and allow God access to their lives to be empowered by God.

Many talk a good game, but few have the fruit.

Last week 3 words- Believe, Receive, and Belong.

Today, I would like to add 2 more words to your spiritual vocabulary.

The words dwell, and the word empower.

Background

Before Jesus death, He told his followers, his disciples that He must die and he would be resurrected. The same power that resurrected Jesus is the same power that Jesus wants to dwell in you. Three weeks in a row I have given you that phrase. I pray that that sinks deep into your spirit. He says that there is more for a believer than eternal live and that is amazing and complete in itself, but says that we can here and now be empowered by God’s Spirit to live a life that is fulfilled and abundant right now and right here.

In fact, Jesus dare say that we could do more amazing things here on earth than he did Himself if we would only allow God’s Spirit to dwell and occupy our lives and surrender to Him.

Acts 5:27-42 Text we will come back too several times.

What would this community look like if even 5 of you would take him serious on his promises?

God could turn this town upside down and we would see people saved and lives changed by His power. If 5 would take him to heart.

What would this town like if a church caught on fire and allow God into their lives and their families and their church?

My God would be glorified and evil would be horrified.

Wait here until you receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

They are obedient and Jerusalem is never the same.

They took God’s promise of “I will pour out my Spirit” serious.

You will fill me with joy and with your presence!

The people when they heard this and saw them were cut to the heart- What do we do?

Peter easy response is to repent and turn your life over to Jesus.

All who called upon the name of the Lord were saved.

They were empowered.

They were given the promise of His presence.