In this final part of Tony’s three part series about the newborn church, he points out the results that this church experienced because of their deep devotion to God and each other. It might not be what you would think. Luke tells us that they were filled with awe, there was a fear of God that was born in them as a result of being devoted to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers.

When it gets right down to it, Luke tells us that the newborn church that started on the Day of Pentecost, was deeply devoted to God and each other. But it was not just lip service to them. They showed their devotion every day, loving the apostle's teaching, to fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. They ordered their lives around these things. And you know what? That is the Christian life!

What Luke wants us to know immediately about this new community that was formed after Pentecost is that they were a “devoted” people. So in this sermon Tony wants us to see their devotion and how they became devoted. He leads us to considering if we are “dabblers” rather than “devoted.” 

The aim in Gospel teaching and and in making disciples is that people would grow to be people of love. This sermon looks at the conscience and how a good one produces love. 

Parenting can feel exhilarating and overwhelming. Being a grandparent can bring joy and desperation. How do we handle this day to day? We make our home in Jesus and watch our homes magnify Jesus. Then, we do all of this together as His church.

Pain and suffering are universal to humanity and all of creation. Christians are promised suffering. So, the question is, how do we keep going?

“Repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” That is what Peter told the crowd gathered on the day of Pentecost. What he was really doing was inviting them into a covenantal relationship with the Lord and sharing the conditions of the covenant. 

Just before Peter started his sermon on Pentecost the crowd asked him a question, “what does this mean?” And at the conclusion of his sermon the same crowd asked another question, “what shall we do?” They were taken from curiosity to conviction. In this sermon Tony shows us what happened to this crowd that took them from wondering and confused to feeling guilt and shame.

Peter says “this Jesus” three times in his message on Pentecost. He is defiantly wanting to make a point and he does it. Jesus was executed, raised to life, and exalted by His Father!

Thomas gets a difficult nickname in our world. Doubting that someone can rise from the dead is reasonable. What do you do when you doubt? Is God ok with our questions? Are we able to trust without understanding? Praise God Jesus is patient with us and will love us while we wait and question.