The church has continued to increase all these years and is filled and surrounded by similar people. People who were Stubbornly confused. People who were willingly gracious and people who were encouragingly strong. You're one of those, or your circle may be large enough and diverse enough that you have the potential to be all of those. If you're stubbornly curious about the truth of God, chase that curiosity. If you are prompted by grace, don't let it be reluctant grace but willing grace. And if you have the clout to be an encouraging strength for someone, move and prop them up.

We know stress, and many of us have lived out the damaging way that stress can affect us. But with the Holy Spirit’s strength, presence, and power, we can weather the storms and be resilient. And God can even use those moments to keep us on mission with him.

Physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally, Jesus was put through it for you and me. He went through it. He didn’t run from it or cheat his way around. This sounds weird to say, but he weathered the storm of death to save you and me.

What we see on display in Acts 2 and 4 as Luke pauses to describe the common activity of the church is special. When the followers participate with the Holy Spirit, we see a Learning Church, a Worshipping Church, a Sharing Church, and a Praying Church, and the result is a Happy Church. They are happy to participate in what’s happening all around them.

Happiness is attractive. Together, they were happy— and people wanted in.

The Holy Spirit gives us discernment and wisdom and allows us to be boldly limitless when it comes to Jesus. We’ve seen it right here at FCC. When we trust in God, stay connected to God, and trust the Holy Spirit, he exceeds what we think is possible. We will be “filled with the Holy Spirit” when we dare to do what could never be accomplished on our own strength, insight, skills, or boldness. He can do immeasurably more than all we hope or imagine. His name is limitless. So be bold!

It all comes back to Jesus. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. And now that the Holy Spirit is part of it, He helps us witness for Jesus, respond like Jesus, and point to Jesus. The unexpected, remarkable, and surprising happen through the Holy Spirit. He still works the same way in your life, relationships, and moments. Sometimes, it is noticeable and recognizable. Sometimes, it’s common and ordinary.

The new part of the story as we enter the book of Acts is the Holy Spirit. He blends with the personalities and passions of disciples to do the extraordinary. The Holy Spirit was Promised, then Present and Powerful through the church. He is exactly that today. So when we talk about serving, sharing, inviting, teaching, greeting, or worshiping, it’s not just what you can do on your own. You are not just you. You, as a follower of Jesus, you are you and the promised, present, and powerful Holy Spirit. If we can get this, it will change how we live.

The Bible is God inspired, true, sufficient, brilliantly written, and trusted by Jesus, and it keeps and moves us forward on the path closer to Jesus. The Bible is also a miracle. One book was written by multiple authors of varied backgrounds and ethnicities over hundreds of years, yet it tells one story without error or contradiction. That alone is a miracle.

Being a parent means your role is always changing. When your kids are small, you’re in the Discipline Years, teaching right and wrong and consequences. As they age and begin school, you move into the Training Years, explaining the why behind all those rules you taught. Then the teen years become the Coaching Years where you seek to connect more than you correct so that when you enter the Friendship Years (18+), you are consulted for input and advice.