Series: Action [#2]
WHEN GOD MOVES…
Acts 2:1-13
Introduction:
Last Sunday, I did several things that I normally don’t do. Instead of Sunday School, we had a 1 hour Worship Service with a 20 minute sermon. Then, I did it again- Another short Worship Service. Karen and I attended both of the Spanish Churches’ Worship Services. At each service, I talked about our congregations’ plans for House Church. We were preparing for a way to meet together in smaller groups while we wait for this COVID-19 situation to end. On Monday, all of those plans were changed; and Karen and I began to work on Plan C- Online Church.
While, some of you are still working at your job; others of you are not. There are many people who are talking about how lucky the teachers are that school is over; but most teachers don’t really feel that way. They feel like they have lost their purpose. Since I have a wife who is a teacher, let me give you a couple of do’s and don’ts for those who 1 person is still going to the job; and the other 1 is not.
Don’t…
^ Tell them how easy they have it.
^ Tell them how unfair your life is.
^ Give them a to-do-list. (Trust me- Don’t do this.)
Do…
^ Remind them that they still have a purpose.
^ Encourage them to discover new ways of fulfilling that purpose.
^ Allow them to make their own schedule.
Last week, I admitted to you that I hate to have to wait and there are times, (like now) that God makes us wait; but what do you do when God moves? Often times, God moves; and you miss out on it. Right now, God is moving. Are you noticing it, or are you too busy feeling bad for yourself? I want us to look at what can happen when God moves.
Acts 2:1
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
God…
1. Moves on His time schedule.
God had everyone where He wanted them; and when He wanted them to be there. Pentecost was a festival held 50 days after Passover to celebrate the harvest. The Feast of Weeks, as it was also called, was 1 of 3 festivals that all Jewish men had to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate.
Many people are asking God, “Why now? Why are you allowing this virus to run rampant through the world?” While, I don’t know why this is happening now; I do know that this is not a surprise to God. God knows what is happening with each person. God knows what we are struggling with.
God is moving in this situation. God is not still or uninvolved. God can take the terrible and use it for good. There are people receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ right now that have never been receptive in the past. There are people who are having to depend upon God for their food and shelter. There are people who are having to depend upon God for their spiritual guidance instead of a preacher or teacher. This is a time that Christian men should stand up and spiritually lead their families. This is a time that the Church should be the Church.
Acts 2:2-12
God…
2. Enables us through the Holy Spirit.
On our own we can do nothing, but through the Holy Spirit we are enabled to do great things. We need to be reminded that Jesus said we would do greater things than He did through the power of the Holy Spirit. Notice that they were filled with the Spirit. There is a battle between your flesh and the Holy Spirit within you. Who is winning?
When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit of God comes into their life. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts that are to be used for the edification of the Church. That means that God can stir up gifts and talents within you for His purpose. That which you cannot do on your own, God can do through you because of the Holy Spirit.
As we go through these difficult times, allow God to use and grow your spiritual gifts. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say and the actions to go with it. Let’s stop telling God what we think He should be doing and allow Him to use us in His power and glory. Mighty things happened on that Day of Pentecost. Mighty things can continue to happen through the power of God.
Acts 2:13
God…
3. Changes some lives.
Many people were moved and drawn to Jesus through the witnessing of the power of the Holy Spirit. Notice that I said “some”. We need to notice verse 13 very carefully. There were some people that saw only the physical and assumed that these people were drunk. They saw nothing spiritual about this. They missed it.
Conclusion:
God is moving. Are you where you are supposed to be and are you ready to watch Him work? The Church must lift up Jesus Christ during these times so that people are saved, healed, and renewed.
I can’t wait to get back into our building, not because it is comfortable or easier; but because I believe people will want to be there to worship God with one another. I pray that we don’t forget all that happens and how our awesome, mighty God is working.
