Acts 5:12-42

Lessons from Ananias and Sapphira

What we pray for and how we pray reveals what we believe about God.

If we believe in a BIG, ALMIGHTY God…we will pray BOLD, AUDACIOUS prayers.

Peter & John come face to face with the first great challenge of the early church ... RELIGION.

How Can We Live Sent & Carry The Gospel where we live, work, and play?

Acts 2:42-47 presents a captivating snapshot of the vibrant and devoted community that emerged in the early Church. It outlines key principles that guided their lives and encouraged their spiritual development.

In Acts 2:37-41, we see the power of God's Word and the transformative effect it has on people. When the people in Jerusalem heard the Gospel message preached by Peter, they were deeply convicted of their sin and their role in crucifying Jesus. This conviction was the work of the Holy Spirit, convicting them of their need for a Savior. The people's response to the Gospel message was to cry out, asking what they should do. This demonstrates their recognition of their need for Jesus and their desire to respond to the transformative power of God's Word.

During the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and spoke to the crowd, providing an explanation of the remarkable events taking place before them. He proceeded to declare Jesus as the awaited Messiah, highlighting His miracles, death, and resurrection. Peter's sermon is considered one of the greatest sermons ever preached.

In Acts 2:1-13, Luke describes the remarkable events that took place on the Day of Pentecost. 120 believers had gathered together in one place when, suddenly, the Holy Spirit came upon them. This momentous event was marked by three supernatural signs that Luke highlights: something was heard, something was seen, and something was said. The disciples heard a sound like a rushing wind, and they saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that rested on each of them. Then, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What is actually happening in this passage? What does this mean for the Holy Spirit’s role in the church? What is the meaning of the sound of a rushing mighty wind? What is the significance of the divided tongues, as of fire, that appeared to the disciples? Why were the disciples speaking in tongues in Acts 2:4, and what languages were they speaking? These questions and many others are what we are going to be covering this weekend.

Waiting on the Lord is not passive or idle, but an active and intentional choice to trust in God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It involves seeking God's guidance, studying God's Word, praying for wisdom and discernment, and being willing to obey His will even when it is difficult or goes against our own desires.

Ultimately, waiting on the Lord is an expression of faith, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways and that His timing is perfect. As the psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"