After Jesus ascended, his followers gathered and prayed while waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit to be given. They were not passive while waiting, but actively gathered together to pray and discern how to be fully ready for when the Spirit came. The 120 who gathered had not just been close to Jesus, they were committed to following Him.
Power and Purpose, Acts Series #3
Jesus promised to his followers before he ascended they would soon be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit they would not have the power to accomplish the purpose Jesus had, not just for them, but for all of His disciples. All disciples are commissioned by Jesus as witnesses of him. Witnesses (of Jesus) simply testify about what they have seen and heard about Jesus. Without the Holy Spirit Jesus said we can’t be effective witnesses. So how can we rely on the Spirit of Jesus?
Kingdom Talk, Acts series #2
During the 40 days between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus talked to his followers about the nature of His Kingdom. One key reason for this was that Jesus’ kingdom is far different in how it works than the kingdoms his followers or we today are used to. They had all sorts of wrong ideas about when it would come, who it was for, and how those within the kingdom were to live. This morning we’ll look at some of the things Jesus said about his ‘upside-down’ kingdom.
If Grace is One Way, Why Obey? Grace Series #9
Since how we live is irrelevant to our being loved by God or earning His rescue of us, why obey? That question may seem strange, but not if we have wrestled with or experienced the unconditional love (grace) of God. In this final message in the series on grace, we look at Paul’s response to this question. Since we have been rescued from not just an old life and identity that leads only to increasing brokenness, into a new life and identity that leads only to increasing healing and restoration, what possible reason could we have to live according to the old identity any more?
Grace Takes the Initiative, Grace series #7
Within the Bible there are a number of sexually immoral women who end up as trophies of God’s radical one way love (grace). These are a picture for us of our relationship with God and His invitation to restored relationship through His grace. Through a graphic message given through Ezekiel and an scandalous object lesson through the life of Hosea God shows His amazing grace is greater than any and all of our sin. Will we recognize how much we have been forgiven?
Jesus Rescues
When our Christian life becomes boring … Jesus rescues. When the goals of our life are those we can do without God, or we think we can do them without God, our Christian life will stagnate. But Jesus has given every follower of His a goal none of us can do without him – making disciples. We have been given the ministry (calling) of being ambassadors of Christ, ministers of reconciliation. When we live for that goal, life will never be boring.
Grace Hunts Us Down, Grace series #6
God’s grace shows clearly when we see it given to those who no one else would choose to love or invite into relationship. No one would have expected God to choose a pagan woman to be great-grandmother to Israel’s greatest king, nor that king be a murderer and adulterer and still called a man after God’s own heart. Both Ruth and David had the quality of humility and so accepted God’s invitation to relationship. We see in these two individuals that God’s love looks to hunt us down so we will see and invite Him to be the hero of our story too.
Grace in the Midst of Chaos, Grace Series #5
Will God continue to love me even when I have sinned against Him? Most of us ask this question in some way. The history of Israel, particularly in the era of Joshua and the Judges shows God’s overwhelming response to this question. Yes! From Rahab who ran a house of prostitutes, to a nation who continually rejected the God of Abraham for the gods of Canaan, to the judges who were largely morally flawed individuals… God kept loving and inviting His people and all people into personal relationship… all because of His amazing grace.
Grace Goes Camping, Grace series #4
God’s grace continues through the Old Testament in the book of Exodus. From who God uses to bring rescue to Israel, to even rescuing Israel, God’s one way love shines. But what happens when God’s grace to Israel shown in His powerful deliverance and provision is rejected by Israel almost immediately? God goes camping with His people … all because of His incredible one way love (grace).