Fly High – Acts part 1
On The Lighter Side of Life: Funny Cartoons
Thesis: The book of Acts is about how we as followers of the Lord need the power and the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we receive the promise and allow Him to guide us then the church grows daily.
Scripture Texts: Acts 1:1-26
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms,
“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’
and,
“‘May another take his place of leadership.’
21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Video Illustration:
A Soldier shares why we must rely on a higher power in our lives. From Blue Fish T.V. Volume – “Celebrations.”
Introduction:
Jesus ascended into Heaven to paint a picture for us today. We are told in Ephesians 5:1 that we are imitate Jesus and I believe the best way to fly high in the Spirit for Jesus is to learn from the Acts New Testament Church about how to fly high in the way of the Spirit. We fly high by allowing the Holy Spirit to live in us and to direct us in the things of the Lord. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to empower us for the work of the ministry, and to be witnesses for Jesus Christ all over this world.
Horton notes:
The book of Acts begins by drawing attention to the fact that the work of Jesus was continued by the Spirit first through the apostles. But the apostles are not really dominant in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is. Jesus dominates the Gospels, and in comparison, little is said about the Spirit. But in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is indeed another Comforter, Helper, and Teacher. Everything in the lives and preaching of the apostles and early believers still centered in Jesus as their living Savior and exalted Lord. The program to extend the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth is Christ’s program (1:8). The power to do it is the power of the Spirit, and this is not different from the power of Christ. Yet, there is running throughout the Book a new awareness of the Holy Spirit. It came, not only from their initial Pentecostal experience, but from daily consciousness of the presence, guidance, and fellowship of the Spirit and from many special manifestations of His power. Their baptism in the spirit never became a mere memory of something that happened in the distant past. It was an ever-present reality (135)…
From the Day of Pentecost on we see the Holy Spirit active in the life of the church-in teaching, in miracles, in further fillings, and new baptizings, but above all in the work of spreading the gospel and establishing the Church (148).
The Holy Spirit’s ministry and His work in the believer is as follows according to Scripture and according to Holdcroft’s book The Holy Spirit (pages 74-89):
A. He makes the repentant sinner spiritually alive by the power of regeneration.
a. John 3:5, 6
b. Ephesians 2:1
c. Romans 8:11
B. He then indwells the believer as His temple
a. 1 Corinthians 6:19
b. 1 Corinthians 3:16
c. Galatians 4:6
d. John 14:16, 17
C. He grants assurance to the believer that all is well in there soul.
a. Romans 8:16
b. 1 John 5:6
c. Ephesians 4:30
D. He sanctifies the believer and shows them how to hold onto their holiness
a. Galatians 5:22, 23
b. 1 Peter 1:22
c. Ephesians 3:16
d. 1 Corinthians 1:30
e. Romans 8:2
f. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
E. He empowers the believer spiritually and works miraculously through their lives.
a. Acts 1:8
b. Luke 10:10
c. 1 Thessalonians 1:5
d. Ephesians 3:16
e. 1 Peter 1:12
F. He leads and guides the believer into truth
a. Romans 8:14
b. John 16:13
c. Galatians 5:25
d. Acts 16: 6, 7
e. John 14:26
f. 1 Corinthians 2:11
G. He assists the believer so that they can connect through worship with God and in prayer.
a. 2 Corinthians 3:17
b. Ephesians 6:18
c. Romans 8:26
d. Ephesians 5:18, 19
H. He implements adoption
a. Romans 8:15,16
I. He communes and fellowships with the believer
a. Philippians 2:1
b. 2 Corinthians 13:14
J. He anoints the believer for service to God the Father
a. 1 John 2:20, 27
b. 2 Corinthians 1:21
K. He seals the believer with the signature of God
a. Ephesians 1:13
b. 2 Corinthians 1:22
L. He teaches the believer and reminds them of the truth for application into their daily lives
a. John 14:26
b. John 16:13
c. 1 John 2:27
The Book of Acts is really not about what the Apostles did but what the Holy Spirit accomplished through the Apostles and the followers of Jesus Christ’s lives. The dominant focus of Acts is not the Acts of mankind but the working and empowering of the Holy Spirit to build the church of Jesus Christ.
T.S. – The Holy Spirit seeks to enable the Christian to fly high in their service to God and in their commitment to Jesus Christ and His glorification. The Holy Spirit is the power that will enable us to go to higher heights spiritually in our walk with the Lord.
I. To be able to fly high in the Spirit we must obey the words of Jesus (Acts 1:4; 2:4).
a. We need listen.
b. We need do what Jesus says to do.
c. We need too pray about what He tells us to do.
d. We need to be patient and not quit praying but be persistent in our communication with Jesus.
e. We need be ready when His Spirit comes to minister to us and when he says it’s time to “Go!” we must go.
f. Video Illustration: From Blue Fish TV the story of a couple who was called to go to India and how they listened and went.
T.S. – Obedience is the first step in being able to fly high in the spiritual realm then we must be open to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Text Acts 2:1-47:
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14Then 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. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
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 heaven 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.’
22“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’
36“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
II. To be able to fly high in the Spirit we must be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41).
a. He will touch us in a supernatural way that confirms that He has filled us.
i. The Wind blowing in – Job spoke in typical Old Testament parallelism: “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4). Jesus said: “The wind bloweth where it listeh…so is everyone that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). The dry bones of Ezekiel’s vision were made alive by the Spirit as wind: “Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live” (Ezekiel 37:9). The operation and mode of functioning of the Spirit is thus aptly symbolized as wind or breath” (Holdcroft, page 27).
1. The Holy Spirit rushed into the upper room with this type of force and symbolism.
ii. The Fire in the air - John the Baptist prophesied; ‘He shall baptize with the Holy Ghost, and with fire’ (Matthew 3:11). At Pentecost: ‘there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them’ (Acts 2:3). Since He is the Spirit of burning, fire is indeed an appropriate symbol. Men use fire to warm, illumine, purify, test, release energy, and generate power…Fire speaks of divine endorsement and authority: Elijah’s sacrifice was designated by this means (I Kings 18:39), and so was Elisha’s divine calling before his intended captors (2 Kings 1:10). God’s role as judge is set forth under the figure of ‘a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29) (Holdcroft, page 28).
1. Horton states, “The Old Testament records a progressive development with regard to worship. First, it was simply at an altar, as with Abraham. Then God commanded His people to build a sanctuary in the wilderness, the tabernacle. Fire from heaven came down on the sacrifice there to indicate God’s acceptance of this new sanctuary. But it happened only once. The next change came when Solomon built a temple. Again, fire came down and consumed the sacrifice, indicating God’s acceptance of the sanctuary. But it happened only once. The temples build by Zerubbabel and by Herod were just rebuildings of the same temple, so the sign was not repeated. Now the old temple was about to be destroyed. (God allowed a 40 year overlap until A.D. 70). The believers, united together as the Body, were living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) as well as priests and living stones for the Temple (I Peter 2:5)…In addition, the bodies of the individual believers are each a temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19). The appearance of fire came over the whole group to indicate God’s acceptance of the whole Body as a temple. Then it broke up with the single tongue on the head of each to show God’s acceptance of the body of each as the temple of the Spirit” (141, What The Bible says about the Holy Spirit).
b. The Holy Spirit will also empower us to do ministry.
i. How? By giving the Body the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11: 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
2. Jesus told the disciples to wait to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. This empowerment was not a human empowerment but it was Spirit empowerment. They were to go out and do ministry after their infilling not be human ingenuity but by being led by the Spirit.
a. The Holy Spirit empowerment is associated with being led by His direction.
c. He will equip us to be witnesses for Jesus.
i. He will light the eternal – glowing light of Jesus in our life as a witness to the world.
ii. He will give us testimonies to share with others to be a witness.
iii. The fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in the believer and this will make them a testimony to the world.
1. Galatians 5: 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
d. He will open our eyes to the truths of God’s Word and this will keep us from being deceived.
i. The Holy Spirit is the real teacher through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
1. He is the one who enlightens people.
2. He is the one who convicts people.
3. He is the one that helps people see the truth.
ii. Through the act of studying and reading the Bible the Holy Spirit will teach us the way of the Lord.
iii. Through the circumstances of life the Holy Spirit will teach us, direct us and use us.
T.S. – The Lord Jesus told His followers to wait so that they could receive the promise of the Holy Spirit which will enable to fly high in the Spirit and be able to do the work of the Spirit.
Scripture Text: Acts 2: 42-47:
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.
III. When we fly high in the Spirit then the church and Jesus will become irresistible to the lost world (Acts 2:42-47).
a. Flying high for Jesus means we are devoted to the teaching of God’s Word.
i. The opposite of this would to not be devoted to the authority of Scripture and to its teachings.
1. Revelation 22:18, 19: 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
b. Flying high for Jesus means we are devoted to fellowshipping with one another.
i. The opposite of this is one who isolates themselves from the Body of Christ.
1. Hebrews 10:25: 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
c. Flying high for Jesus means we are devoted to communion – to remembering Jesus sacrifice.
i. The opposite of this would be to look as communion as meaningless and worthless – just a waste of time.
1. It means people would do it but it would mean nothing to them.
a. I Corinthians 11: 23-32: 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
d. Flying high for Jesus means we are devoted to prayer.
i. The opposite of this would be to think that prayer is meaningless and a waste of time.
1. Ephesians 6:18: 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
e. Flying high in Jesus means we have a holy awe toward God.
i. The opposite would be to treat the Lord with disrespect and a lack of reverence.
1. 2 Peter 2:1-12: 1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
f. Flying high in Jesus means we experience miracles.
i. The opposite of this would be a dead lifeless church which never experiences any miracles from the Lord.
1. No changed and transformed lives. Just hopelessness!
2. No healings – no signs pointing to Jesus presence and power.
3. No one being delivered from addictions.
a. Hebrews 2: 1-4: 1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
g. Flying high in Jesus means we are unified together in the church.
i. The opposite of this kind of church would be one devoured by dissension and division.
1. Romans 13: 13, 14: 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
h. Flying high for Jesus means we focus on our common ground with the Lord.
i. The opposite of this Acts New Testament church is one caught up in the minor differences in other Christians. This church had everything in common they thought like Jesus and acted like Jesus and did not get bent out of shape on the minor details.
ii. 1 Cor. 12: 21- 27: 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
i. Flying high for Jesus means we are willing to sell our possessions and give to the one’s in need.
i. The opposite of this Acts church is one that is greedy and only looks out for itself never helping out those in need.
1. 1 Cor. 5: 11-13: 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
j. Flying high for Jesus means we spend time together as the Body of Christ daily.
i. The opposite of this type of Acts church is one that does not see the need to stay connected to the Body of Christ daily.
1. Luke 9:23-26: 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
k. Flying high for Jesus means our hearts sincerely love the Lord.
i. The opposite of this type of church is one were the people attending do not sincerely love Jesus.
1. Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
2. Matthew 22: 37,38: 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.
l. Flying high for Jesus means we have glad hearts.
i. The opposite of this type of Acts church is one that is not filled with joy but instead is filled with fear, anger, resentment, depression and the like.
1. Acts 2:28: You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
2. Acts 13:52: And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
3. Galatians 1:1-3: 1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 4:15a … 15What has happened to all your joy?...
m. Flying high for Jesus means we praise God.
i. The opposite of this New Testament church is a church that does not praise the Lord.
1. James 3:9-16: 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
n. Flying high for Jesus means we will find favor from the people we come in contact with.
i. The opposite of this kind of Acts New testament church is one that offends everyone they come in contact with.
1. Psalm 139: 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
o. Flying high for Jesus means the church will add to its numbers daily those who getting saved.
i. The opposite of the New Testament church is one that does not lead people to Jesus at all – they never give birth to New Life.
1. Acts 16:31-34: 31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
Conclusion:
Video Illustration: This clip from Blue Fish TV hits the heart and shows it why the church must be the New Testament church because this world will be transformed by the Spirit and by our love.
Can you see why the New Testament Acts church grew daily?
Would you not like to be a part of a church where events like this are happening daily?
Then you must yield yourself to the leading and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Give Him all of you! Let Him refresh your spirit today.
Horton states, “The outpouring of the Spirit following Christ’s death and resurrection can therefore be characterized as latter rain. Palestine has a long rainless summer. In the fall, the former rains come in connection with plowing and planting. In the spring the latter rains come to prepare the crop for harvest. In this sense, God’s coming and pouring out His Spirit beginning with Pentecost is as the latter rain. The harvest began 3,000 converted and it has continued through the church age. The current outpouring of the Spirit and His gifts is bringing many more thousands to Christ all over the world” (77).
How many here will commit to helping create a New Testament Acts type church here at New Life? How many want to be apart of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit in Polk County? Then let’s all pray and invite the Holy Spirit to come in power and to use us as His loyal and faithful servants.
