CCF Weekly Services Podcast

The Apostle people concludes his message at Pentecost with a simple answer to an even simpler question. Now what? His audience first understood the conviction of the Holy Spirit through His Word. They were willing to begin a life of repentance by turning in their minds and hearts from sin to who God really was. And they even followed through on that gift of salvation through a changed life dedicated to God through baptism. From this example, we all can know the answer to the same question ourselves.

1. Before deep healing takes place in your relationship with God, a deep hurt needs to be acknowledged.
2. Salvation is impossible by any means apart from or in addition to the finished work of Jesus Christ.
3. Repentance is a daily change of mind, resulting in a change of heart, resulting in a change of life.

The New Jerusalem is described as best as John is capable. Points of comparison are made to things already described in the book of Revelation and outside of it as well. The most important and significant part of it is the fact that Jesus is there.

1. The Kingdom of God is where God is King. Today, it's in the hearts of His people.
2. The Bible describes the New Creation as having distinctions between nations united by the Book of Life.
3. The presence of God is what makes anything Heaven.

The Apostle Peter's first message at Pentecost gives us the model for what the proper attitude of evangelism is. We need to be motivated by love, informed by God's Word, and available to be used by the Holy Spirit as He sees fit.

1. Love should motivate us in the Christian life.
2. If you have something better to share with people than God's word, you need to share it. Til then, stick to His Word.
3. If you want to understand the New Testament, understand the Old.

With the introduction of the New Heavens and New Earth, Jesus repeats the offer He made during His earthly ministry as well as to the seven churches at the beginning of the book. Those who want fellowship with Him forever can take it freely. Those who don't want it will be respected enough to be given what they want.

1. A Heavenly Mindset does the most earthly good for those who actually know what Heaven is.
2. Water is a deliberate picture Jesus uses of the peace and satisfaction that only comes through fellowship with Him.
3. People who reject Jesus for things that come from Him will lose both Him and what they try to replace Him with.

The first major work of the Holy Spirit following Jesus' Ascension is the gift of tongues during the festival of Pentecost. It wasn't random noise, but specific languages and dialects of those listening of what they were specifically worshiping God for. As is the case today, some wanted to know more and others wanted to know less. Peter answered both with common sense and the Word of God. We would do well to follow the model the Spirit demonstrated through the early church.

1. Unless God works through us, any work we do “for” God will fail.
2. Following Salvation, we have the daily opportunity to have the Holy Spirit work in and through us for His glory.
3. If we have something better to share with people than God's Word, we need to share it. Until then, stick to the Word.

The definition of Heaven is “With Jesus.” Everything else is details.

1. With the removal of the Old Universe and Jerusalem, a New one will take its place fulfilling their original purpose.
2. The presence of Jesus doesn't just remove the effects of sin, but introduces the things we were created to enjoy.
3. The promises of God are trustworthy because He's proven Himself worthy of trust.

Judgment Day is a sobering reminder for all of us. It puts into perspective our understanding of how we live, who we live for, and where this life is ultimately taking us. The more we understand that reality, the more thankful we will be that God's infinite mercy is and continues to be what will make us rejoice on that day rather than recoil in horror.

1. Everything we have done in rebellion against God will be answered for.
2. The Book of Life includes all of those who have a saving relationship with God through Jesus' sacrifice.
3. Hell is eternal separation from God.

The Apostles were told by Jesus to wait on the Lord. Instead of sitting around doing nothing, they first fell back on what they already knew to do from Jesus. They were in God's Word, with God's people, and living according to everything they gained from the pursuit of God as He spoke.

1. Waiting on the Lord isn't a passive act.
2. Never isolate yourself from fellow believers.
3. If you don't know what to do next, fall back on what you do know.

After the Millennium, one last rebellion is permitted to take place. Those who freely chose to reject Jesus in spite of living 1,000 years under His rule and knowing God's goodness personally are judged accordingly. Those who chose to receive Jesus throughout history are defended by Him personally for the last time.

1. People who accuse God of setting us up for failure don't know God or what's He's said and done.
2. Gog and Magog is a reference to the Old Testament to an uncountable army.
3. God delays judgment for as long as possible, but won't refuse it when every last chance has been rejected.