The Pathway To Spiritual Maturity

THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Acts 2:1 - 42

1. Have you ever wondered about the purpose of something?

ILL Notebook: Purpose (wooden spoons)

One day during cooking class, the teacher, Mrs. Pritchard, was extolling her secrets for preparing perfect sauces. When she ordered the class to the stoves to prepare their assignments, she said, "Don’t forget to use wooden spoons."

As Richard stirred his sauce, he contemplated the physics behind the mystery of the wooden spoon and decided it must have something to do with heat conduction. He approached Mrs. Pritchard to test his theory.

"Why wooden spoons?" he asked. "Because," she replied, "if I have to sit here listening to all your metal spoons banging against metal pots, I’ll go nuts!"

Well, sometimes there are reasons for the way things are.

And often they are good reasons.

I think it is human nature to enjoy being a part of something that is thought out and purposeful.

The church that Jesus built is one of the most purposed and thought out living organism on earth.

The 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts is one of the most dynamic chapters in the entire Bible. In fact the book of Acts is the only inspired history of the church that we have. It is truly a rags to riches story. From a defeated to total victory.

It started in defeat and discouragement. Jesus was dead but now he is alive. There is still no joy, no power. They had received the commission but could not carry it out.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus had told them, "Don’t leave Jerusalem until you are endued with power.

Then the day of Pentecost came. (Explain the day)

As a results of this great infusion of power – Acts 2:41,42 was recorded.

Acts 2:41,42 Give us the pathway to spiritual maturity. It is the pattern for every child of God in ever age. It worked for them then and it will work for you today. If fact you will never be a grown up, mature child of God apart from following the pattern given in these 2 verses.

1. Gladly receive His Word.

What word? Primarily the word of the message that Peter was preaching:

I heard a preacher not to long ago who was saying that he preached "A real, on fire, Pentecostal messages" and what these other denominations was afraid to preach A REAL, ON FILE PENTECOSTAL MESSAGE.

Pentecost will never happen again. I’m not talking about any bodies denomination now. I am talking about a historical event. The disciples all preached on the Day of Pentecost but Peter’s message is the only one that is recorded - so I assume that is the one God wants you and I to know.

What was the content of the Word of God that Peter preached that all those people believe and was saved? You will never be spiritually mature (Or even be a child of God without believing the truths preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost.

THIS IS A REAL PENTECOSTAL MESSAGE:

A. IT WAS A PROPHETIC MESSAGE: V-16-21

Acts 2:16-21 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

It is a message about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ coming in the person of the Holy Paracleatos.

B. IT IS A MESSAGE ABOUT THE APPROVAL OF CHRIST JESUS BY GOD THE FATHER. V-22

Acts 2:22 - Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

C. God approved of what His Son had done. You must believe Jesus was who he said he was and he did was he claimed to do.

C. IT IS A MESSAGE ABOUT THE SACRIFICIAL DEATH OF CHRIST. V-23

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

A. It tell of God’s part in the crucifixions.

B. It tell of Man part in the crucifixion.

D. IT IS A MESSAGE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. V-24

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

A. Peter quotes from Psalm 16

E. IT IS A MESSAGE OF THE LORDSHIP AND MESSIAHSHIP OF JESUS. V-36