This past Sunday, I outlined how Jesus gave many convincing proofs that he was alive (Acts 1:3).  How challenging it must have been for Jesus to have to prove that he was brought back to life!  How stretching it must have been for his followers to be pulled out of their skepticism! Yet, by the time Jesus left to return to heaven, his disciples were fully convinced that he was alive! 

Then what?  I’m sure in the forty days following his resurrection, Jesus prepared his disciples for what was to come. The first thing he mentioned was to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit to come upon them (Acts 1:4).  He said that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would bring both personal power and the ability to witness boldly, and both happened on the Day of Pentecost. 

After the disciples had gathered and prayed for ten days, at 9 am on the day of Pentecost the promise of the Father finally came. The Holy Spirit filled the place where they were meeting and rested upon each one of the 120 followers!  They began to speak in other tongues which drew a crowd of curious people.  Peter took advantage of the situation to explain what was happening. As he unfolded the truth about Jesus from the scriptures, 3000 of those listening accepted Jesus as Lord.  What a day of growth for the church! 

Suddenly, his followers were not only convinced that Jesus was alive but they also were filled with the power to personally proclaim the message with boldness to all who would listen. What was next?  It was now time for them to live out their new faith in a way they never had before.  Acts 2:42 tells us how the early church lived. 

This coming Sunday, I want to unpack how the early church lived and compare it to how we are living out being the church today!  First, they were given a command to wait for the gift of the Father that would empower them for ministry (Acts 1:4).  The coming of the Holy Spirit actually caused the crowd to listen to Peter’s message that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and has risen from the dead.   The church grew that day from 120 to 3000. 

Next, Acts 2:42-47 details four characteristics of Jesus' followers that caused those around them to see a distinction that set them apart from Judaism.  The question that we should be asking now is does the church today have the same distinction as the early church did?  Are we set apart enough from denominationalism, culturalism, and secularism? If not, it's time to recapture the four components listed in this passage so we can be the presence of Jesus on the earth today.   

This Sunday, I plan to take bring a message entitled: From Proof to Power. Next Sunday: From Power to Presence.  

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Bev Q. – Praise God Carrie Ann is walking and not weary, continue to pray for her full healing in the future.

Dawn B. – Continued prayers for my son, Brandon. He had kidney stone removed but has more stones that need to be addressed. Praying for stones to be dissolved. He has a traumatic brain injury.

Mamie A. – Favor for federal employees in vaccine mandate limbo. Pray for deliverance from myself and my daughter.

Sandra D. – Pray for Bob Miller’s family as he went home to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Robert & Kathi H. – Prayers for supernatural healing for Dree who is in the ICU with a brain aneurysm.

Apr 22 - Pray Winchester 8am

Apr 22 - Seniors with a Purpose Shared Lunch 11am

Apr 23 - Men of Action | Men's Meeting 7:30-9:00 am

Apr 23 - SIA - Walk and Brunch 9:00 am

Apr 25 - Prayer for the Nation 12pm

Apr 27 - Intercessory Prayer 12pm

May 10 - SIA Coffee & Conversation

For more information on upcoming events click below 

Monday: 9:00 - 4:00
Tuesday: 9:00 - 4:00
Wednesday: 9:00 - 4:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 4:00
 
Phone: 540.722.4035
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