Acts 9:1-31 ESV

Acts 21:15 26:32

Today is Pentecost Sunday! Pentecost is a pivotal event in the life of the Christian Church. This is where God Empowers his people and sends them into the world filled with His Spirit. Today we remember and celebrate Pentecost and we will also look at Barnabas, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Today on this first Sunday following Ascension Day we will continue our series Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Movement. We will discover that the Jesus Way cuts through the facades and gets right to the heart.

1. The false gospel of selfish desires 2. The false gospel of hysteria

3. The false gospel of "the deal"

Indicators of a Heart of Bitterness

Do you have imaginary conversations in your mind with someone who wronged you?

Do you feel the need to slander someone to other people?

Do you replay a conversation or experience over and over in your mind?

Are you happy when this person doesnt do their best?

Do you feel anger every time you hear a particular persons name?

Does that persons presence around you make you behave other than you would otherwise?

Do you feel some dark satisfaction when you criticize that person?

The Slide Towards Bitterness

Transgression Perception Emotion Rumination Bitterness

The Pathway to Freedom from Bitterness

Recall the hurt Empathize with the inflictor Altruistic offer of grace Commitment to one another Hold onto forgiveness

1. Mentoring Starts with Relationship a. 2 Timothy 3:10-14

2. Mentoring Involves Spiritual Formation b. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

3. Mentoring Calls out Potential, and Provides Opportunities and Responsibilities

c. 2 Timothy 1:6

4. Mentoring Involves Encouragement and Correction d. 1 Timothy 4:12

5. Mentoring Looks Towards Multiplication e. 2 Timothy 2:2

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Cor 11:1

Who have been some of your mentors, either formally or informally, and how have they shaped your faith? Who do you have thats speaking into your life in this season? If there isnt someone, can you think of someone that you could ask?

How might God be inviting you to create some space to love and mentor someone? Is there someone God is putting on your heart? Whats holding you back from being that for someone?

Acts 16:11-15 ESV

Peter, a simple fisherman from Galilee, heard two words from Jesus that would change his life: follow me. In responding to that call, he became part of an extraordinary movement and played a key role in the early church. But Peters story isnt one of a perfect disciple. Its the story of an imperfect follower just like us who responds to Jesus and learns to fulfil his calling.

The arc of Peters life is a long one, but as we survey it, here is the question that will guide us this morning: What did Peter embrace that allowed him to fulfil his calling well? And Scripture reveals that...

1. Peter Embraced Jesus as his Source (Acts 1-4; Luke 5:1-11; Jn 21:15-19)

Two implications for us:

i. We fulfil our calling not out of fear - trying to measure up - but out of love

ii. Forgiveness frees us to forgive ourselves and move forward

2. Peter Embraced Jesus as Lord (Mt 16:15-23; Acts 10:9-15, 34-35)

Two implications for us:

i. Jesus is not joining our journey we are stepping into His

ii. Prayer is a great starting point where, with open hearts, we invite

Him to shape us

3. Peter Embraced Jesus, Giver of the Spirit (Acts 1:3-8; Acts 2:32-33)

Two implications for us:

i. We need the Spirit to fulfil our calling we are not alone ii. We will have a Spirit-filled boldness

Discussion Questions

1. How has Jesus as your source of grace empowered you through difficult times to fulfil your calling? Has there been a moment in your life, as a follower, when grace hit you anew?

2. Where in your life right now are you tempted to say, No way, Lord? What does it mean to you that Jesus is not joining our journey we are stepping into His'?

3. What might a Spirit-filled boldness look like in your circles? What could be holding you back from living that out?

4. Where do you sense God might be nudging you to move forward in your calling this summer? This year?

Today we are launching a new sermon series that will have us become far more acquainted with some ordinary people in the Acts of the Apostles who became key in an extraordinary movement.

Romans 6:4-11 ESV;1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV By faith, the weight of sin is gone when we die with Christ.

By faith, the grave is beaten when we rise with Christ.

By faith, our new life begins when we live with Christ.

Good Friday