Refreshing.
Acts 3:19TPT
Peter preaches this message to his fellow Jews, admonishing them to repent. Turn away from idols, and unbelief—turn to Jesus.
This cleansing, this refreshing, would give every believer a new perspective on life. Because of the Holy Spirit, these believers would carry the potential to change the world. And that’s exactly what they accomplished.
The Holy Spirit of God, Who was prophesied of throughout the OT, has arrived!
Acts 2:1-4AMP When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, 2 and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. 4 And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other [b]tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].
Peter cries out in, Acts 3:19TPT And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.
Again, Acts 3:19AMP So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];
Upon pondering on the word—Refreshing, I thought of some synonyms—Refreshing. Invigorating. Restoring. Reviving.
Upon thinking more about spiritual refreshing, renewal, I thought of several disciplines believers should practice. P.H
1. The first discipline that promotes spiritual refreshing is—Repentance.
Repentance promotes refreshing. That’s the message Peter preached to the early church.
Repentance refreshes, it prepares us for Jesus’ coming. Acts 3:21 say’s, Heaven receives Jesus until He’s ready to come down.
Therefore, Repentances prepares us to be His bride without spot or blemish.
2 Corinthians 4:7NIV We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
Repentance is a part of the very “foundation” of the true Christian faith, so is much too important to be glossed over or neglected to any degree.
Every great move of God begins with repentance.
John the Baptist said this about repentance. Matthew 3:11-12NIV “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Again, Repentances is good. Jesus works best through humility, and or brokenness.
Romans 2:4NKJV or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
You don’t despise the riches of His goodness? Do you?
You don’t despise the riches of His forbearance? Do you?
You don’t despise the riches of His long-suffering? Do you?
2. The second discipline that promotes spiritual refreshing is—Prayers.
Again, Acts 3:19TM “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you,
How do I pray? First, Prayer is an act of faith—
Hebrews 11:6NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.
As I pray, I speak fully aware that I have the Kings attention. I’m aware Im His ambassador.
As you pray—Prayer reveals who you are, but greater than that, prayer reveals who God is. P.H
1 John 5:14NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
If you have confidence in Him you ought to pray boldly, pray in the Spirit.
How about working around this altar?
Jude 20NIV But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
How can I pray in the spirit? I am glad you ask. In you, dwells the Holy Spirit. He’s the One who convicted you of your sins. Presently, you have the ability to ask God for the Holy Spirit’s fullness—Fruit and gifts combo!
3. The third discipline that promote spiritual refreshing is—worship.
Psalm 96:9NIV Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Worship manifest God’s presence. Why? Because Jesus lives where He’s lifted up.
The Holy Spirit will give times of refreshing! Heartfelt worship is never a waste of time.
Christianity Today Worship writes—Worship is not the slow song that the choir sings. Worship is not the amount you place in the offering basket. Worship is not volunteering in children's church. Yes, these may be acts or expressions of worship, but they do not define what true worship really is. There are numerous definitions of the word worship. Yet, one in particular encapsulates the priority we should give to worship as a spiritual discipline: Worship is to honor the I AM, with extravagant love and extreme submission. True worship, in other words, is defined by the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of priorities.
Acts 16:16-31NIV Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Thinking of worship, upon looking at the gospels, we can read on two occasions Jesus asked the question. “What do you want Me to do?”
Mark 10:51TPT Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man replied, “My Master, please, let me see again!”
John 1:38TPT Jesus turned around and saw they were following him and asked, “What do you want?” They responded, “Rabbi (which means, Master Teacher), where are you staying?
What if Jesus were to ask you, “What do you want Me to do?”
How would you respond? How would you answer. I think your answer will come through worship.
4. The fourth discipline that promote spiritual refreshing is—God’s word.
Psalm 1:1-6TM How well God must like you—you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls. 2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.?You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust—?Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 God charts the road you take. The road they take leads to nowhere.
There is no doubt about it, God’s word promotes spiritual refreshing.
1 Peter 1:24-25NKJV because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Benediction—It’s time that you are refreshed—Through repentance, prayer, worship and God’s word.
