What happens when we believe in Christ for salvation?

Seven realities that mark conversion to Christ:

1. You have been convicted of sin

2. You have repented of your rebellion

3. You have committed to Christ

4. You have forgiveness of your sins

5. You have the Holy Spirit

6. You have been called by God

7. You are saved from judgment

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. What was something encouraging you received from the sermon?

2. Calvin said, “Whereas there was a great multitude converted unto Christ with one sermon, a hundred sermons can scarce move a few of us.” Why do you think there was such a great response to Peter’s sermon? How can we prepare ourselves to be better recipients of the Word?

3. Read Luke 18:9-14. Consider: a. Why was only one of these men cut to the heart? b. How is the Pharisee a demonstration of avoiding Jesus by avoiding sin? c. Why does the “good person” still need to repent to be justified?

4. From Acts 2:37-41, how would you define the faith that makes one a convert?

5. Imagine a conversation with someone who believes they are too sinful to be forgiven. What might you say to persuade them that Jesus can and will forgive all of their sins?

6. Read John 6:37 – How does our converting to Christ reveal we are called by God? How does this knowledge give you assurance of faith?

In our world, is there anything we can be certain about? What about faith? Can we know for certain Jesus is Lord? 

Three convincing evidences that Jesus is Lord:

1. The evidence of historical verification (vv. 2:22-24, 32)

2. The evidence of prophetic fulfillment (vv. 23-31)

3. The evidence of the Holy Spirit (vv. 33-36)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Where are you encountering uncertainty from the world? How is it affecting you?

2. Indiana Jones had to take a “leap of faith” (stepping where he could not see a place for his foot). Is this the kind of faith believing the gospel requires? Why or why not.

3. Which of the three evidences – historical verification, Scriptural fulfillment, and the Holy Spirit – did you find most compelling?

4. If a friend were to share they have serious doubts about the historical reliability of the gospels, what would you suggest to address those doubts?

5. Pastor Nathan said: “The reason many lack certainty that Jesus is Lord is that we don’t want certainty.” How can it be personally beneficial to have uncertainty about Jesus’ lordship? Has there been a time where you have used doubt/uncertainty about Jesus or his teaching to make following Him easier for you?

6. What evidence do you see for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today?

7. If willing, share how the Holy Spirit has changed/is changing you.

The giving of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God's promise to make us unconditionally His.

Sermon Outline: 3 Truths the Holy Spirit declares to us. 

1. The Holy Spirit declares God's faithfulness

2. The Holy Spirit declares God's generosity

3. The Holy Spirit declares God's mercy

Is this darkness in this world overwhelming you? Look to the sunrise of Pentecost.

Outline: Pentecost makes four announcements that it is sunrise for Christ’s Kingdom

1. A new beginning (2:1-2)

2. A close to the chasm (2:3)

3. A flood of redemptive power (2:4)

4. A gathering of those far and away (2:5-11)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. How do seeing “Scripture Wormholes” (bridges between Old and New Testaments) help your trust and appreciation of Scripture?

2. Imagine a conversation with someone overwhelmed with sin or despair from our broken world. What would you share about the gift of the Holy Spirit to offer hope to that person?

3. Read John 7:39. How can knowing, by the fact of Pentecost, that Jesus is currently glorified and enthroned help you face the darkness in the world today?

4. “The gospel is the only thing that kills the power of the past.” How have you seen this proven true in your own life?

5. Read Hebrews 10:22. What are some reasons we still struggle drawing near to God? How can we use the truth that the Holy Spirit has been given to us battle our fear of coming to God?

6. Read Romans 12:6-8. How does knowing that you have been specially gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry encourage you? How does it challenge you? What might be the next step for your use of your gifts for ministry?

Do you wait passively and act without preparation? Acts 1:12-26 shows a better way.

Outline: Preparing for the Spirit’s Power

1. United in prayer

2. Committed to Scripture

3. Grounded in the Resurrection

4. Supported by leaders

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. Imagine you’re one of the 120. Almost all (notable exception: Jesus’s brothers) of you had been following Jesus before he died. You saw him die and you feel despair as the whole movement seems to be crumbling. But then he resurrects! And you spend weeks around him, but then you watch him ascend, which has to be confusing. What are you thinking or feeling as you walk back to Jerusalem in verse 12?

2. What would it look like for Renew to be “continually united in prayer” (v. 14...or as the ESV puts it, “with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer”)? Have you experienced seasons of this here or in a previous church or ministry?

3. Peter, apparently, has been scouring the Old Testament (the only “Scriptures” he would have at this point) since Jesus has been gone. And he finds life and direction in them! One thinks of Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Have you or are you experiencing God’s word in this way? If not (and that’s honestly true of me, the preacher, currently), what is hindering you? Basic understanding of how the Bible fits together? Motivation? Discipline or accountability? Good resources?

4. We are just one Sunday past “Resurrection Sunday.” In the last week, have you had any new insights into the importance of Jesus’ Resurrection or its impact on your daily life?

5. In what personal ways is God calling you to be “waiting” right now, and what are some activities and preparations that would be wise to be doing in the meantime?

Jesus' Resurrection means Life Wins

Three differences Jesus is Risen makes to our lives:

Difference 1: The Proposition that directs our hearts - Death Wins or Life Wins (1:1-3)

Difference 2: The Purpose that directs our lives - The Rat Race or Redemption (1:4-8)

Difference 3: The Person that directs our destiny - Us or Christ (1:9-11)

Why we can't save ourselves and why that is good news.

Outline: Babel is a perpetual witness that salvation belongs to the LORD alone.

Babel witnesses that self-salvation comes up short (11:1-4)

Babel witnesses that self-salvation ends in judgment (11:6-9)

Babel witnesses that only God can save (11:5)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Babel shows the potential of human beings to do amazing things but also really bad things. As you look at the world, do you tend more to hope in humanity’s potential or fear it?

2. There are many moral towers used today like a ladder, a staircase, a balance of good and bad, a checklist. Why do you think these images are so popular?

3. How do you sometimes move from a truster to a tower-builder in your faith?

4. How can you sometimes treat Jesus as a brick in your tower, i.e. more as a means to an end (i.e. “I believe in Jesus because I do not want to go to hell”). What is problematic about this kind of faith?

5. Read Mark 10:17-27 a. How do you see the Rich Young Ruler overestimating his goodness? What are some ways we do the same? b. When the man could not give up his wealth, what commandment did he reveal he had not kept? c. Do you think the man knew he was an idolator before this moment? Why is seeing idolatry so difficult?

6. How does the thief on the cross’s salvation give you assurance that faith in Jesus is the only way and all we need for heaven?

God's judgment of the flood reminds us that sin reaches a point of no return. Are we close? Is there any hope?

Outline: Four indicators judgment is near:

1. Judgment is near when God's creational boundaries are rejected (6:1-4)

2. Judgment is near when God's creation is ravaged with violence (6:5a)

3. Judgment is near when God's image bearers are riddled with sin (6:5b)

4. Judgment is near when God's heart regrets His creation (6:7) But there is hope to be found in God's grace (6:8).

Discussion/Personal Reflection Questions:

1. What are some challenges with talking about judgment in the world today?

2. Discuss expressive individualism: Google AI defines, “Expressive individualism is a modern cultural ethos emphasizing that fulfillment comes from discovering one's unique inner feelings and expressing them outwardly to the world.” Core values: self-sufficiency, autonomy, independence, and uniqueness a. Where do you see this ethos in our culture? b. Where do you see it in your life? c. Evaluate it biblically: what is good in it, what is bad?

3. Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4, where do you find the church conforming truth to its own passions/preferences today? What harms come from this?

4. Read Ezekiel 3:18-19: Are we to be watchmen in our world? What are some ways you provide warning to those choosing sin?

5. Read Genesis 6:8: How does this verse offer hope to you?

Are humans basically good or basically bad?

Outline: Noah’s failure offers four proofs mankind is sinful by nature.

Proof 1: We sin without excuse

Proof 2: We sin with ease

Proof 3: We sin with enjoyment

Proof 4: We sin without exception

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Where have you seen the message “I’m basically a good person” taught in the world? Why do you think this message is so pervasive?

2. Make a list of some excuses you hear (or have used) to justify some wrong behavior. How does justification by excuses keep us away from the justification of the gospel?

3. Imagine you are in a situation where a person has some sin in their life exposed:

             a. How can you use the truth of original sin to draw closer to that                  person

              b. How can you use original sin to introduce that person to the                    gospel?

4. Of the four proofs for original sin, that we sin (1) without excuse, (2) with ease, (3) with enjoyment, and (4) without exception, discuss:

              a. Which one spoke to you most directly?

              b. Was one particularly hard to accept?

What makes a grateful life?

Three gifts God gives every person, everyday:

1. Everyday God extends mercy (8:20-22)

2. Everyday God supports life (9:1-7)

3. Everyday God keeps His Word (9:8-17)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. How do you see entitlement shaping people in our world? How do you see it shaping you?

2. Who is someone you know who is shaped by gratitude? What affect do they have on others and on you?

3. Read Psalm 145:8-9. Share where you have received God’s graciousness and mercy in everyday things this week?

4. Read Matthew 5:44-45. What effect should God’s common grace toward all people have upon us as people who reflect Him? What do you think ‘loving your enemy’ might mean for you this week?

5. Babies are a blessing, but they can also bring a lot of hardship. What are some practical ways the church can support the blessing of children?

6. Good laws are grounded in God’s justice. Read Genesis 9:5-6 - what principles for good laws do you see in this command? Where do you see good laws restraining evil today?

7. God gave us the sign of a rainbow to visibly remind us His Word is trustworthy. What other signs confirm God’s faithfulness to you?