Happy Birthday!: Acts 2.1-13

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,

as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2.4

The Gifts God gives...

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

1 Peter 4

The Fruit God gives...

Galatians 5.22-25

All come from God, and are for our edification.

But...

1. We need to be in tune with God to receive the gift. v. 1

2. We need to be open to God to receive the gift. v. 3

3. We need to take action to receive the gift. v. 4

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, we want your gift. We want all that you have for us.

Fill us. Renew us.

Gift us. Use us.

Amen.

Whatever It Takes: Acts 6.1-7

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6.7

The Leadership Cycle-

Four-fold ministers are to

Equip the saints.

Saints are to

Do works of service.

Works of service

Equip the body of Christ.

The equipped body of Christ

Creates more four-fold ministers.

Philip serves as a great example-

1. He became a deacon. Acts 6.5

2. He became an evangelist. Acts 8.5-8

3. He preached everywhere. Acts 8.40

4. He ministered to his family. Acts 21.8-9

Take Away Point-

The Kingdom of God deserves our attention.

The gospel of Jesus Christ should be our value.

The work of the Kingdom should be our objective.

The 4 Most Important Things: Acts 2.41-47

Praising God and having favor with all the people,

the Lord added to the church daily

those who were being saved. Acts 2.47

The 4 Things-

They are not the only things,

Only the most important.

You can survive as a Christian without these things.

But you cannot flourish and grow without them.

1. Bible Study.

They continued steadfastly in the

apostles’ doctrine… v. 42

2. Fellowship.

They continued… in fellowship, [and] in the breaking of bread. v. 42

3. Prayer.

They continued… in prayers. v. 42

4. Ministry.

Many wonders and signs were done… v. 43

Divided them among all,

as anyone had need. V. 45

Take Away Point-

The Christian life is not static.

I need to grow in faith.

Beginning today I will

Read my Bible,

Spend time with other Christians,

Pray,

And get into ministry.

The 4 Most Important Things: Acts 4.23-37

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4.33

There are four things that are essential for the growth and development of all Christians. All these are in this passage, and all must be worked at by us. None of these is more important than any others. They appear in no particular order.

1. Prayer. (v. 24) There are several things to note about the prayer of these Christians. First of all, it was their response to the great adversity that they were facing. God was their first thought. In addition, the content of their prayer should be very instructive to us. They did not pray against their enemies, or even that the persecutions would stop. They prayed that the gospel would go forward and that they would have boldness, even in the face of difficulties. 
2. Fellowship. (v.32) One of the most important things that you can do for your Christian life is to spend it with other Christians. Other Christians will give you different perspectives on your faith. They will encourage you to grow in faith, live a more holy life and be closer to God. Additionally, they will help you to avoid temptation and sin. Remember that these earliest Christians were fellowshipping and worshiping daily.
3. Bible Study. (v. 33) Although this passage does not specifically exhort us to read and study the Bible, the precedent is definitely here. The Christians all listened to, paid attention to, devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles. The apostles eventually wrote those teachings which were compiled into what we now call the Bible.
4. Ministry. (v. 34) The culmination of the Christian experience was- and still is- service to others. This manifests itself in many ways. The examples in the Bible include feeding the hungry, ministering healing to the sick, visiting prisoners and sharing with the poor. All of these are essential for us to be obedient to God. But not only that, when we serve Christ through ministry, our Christian experience is accelerated. We grow more quickly than ever.

Light on Pagan Traditions: Acts 10.9-16

“What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10.15

It is Advent once again. Advent is the season of four weeks, particularly Sundays, that lead up to the celebration of Christmas. We spend those weeks in a time of spiritual contemplation and preparation for the coming, the Advent, of Christ on Christmas day. Often people celebrate Advent beginning on the first day of December. In traditional, liturgical church settings Advent is observed for the four Sundays immediately before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year, the first Sunday in Advent is November 30.

Christians often lose sight of the significance of Advent, and specifically the Christmas event, because of the secular, cultural event that Christmas has become over the years. We can get caught up in the atmosphere of the 'season' and lose sight of our spiritual underpinnings.

In recent years many Christians have rebelled against the secularization of Christmas. They draw back from celebrating parts of the holiday because it is pagan. I would like to look at some of the 'secular' or 'pagan' aspects of Christmas and view them in light of the overwhelming nature of God's love and grace.

• The Christmas Tree. The Christmas tree is borrowed from the ancient winter celebrations of the druids who worshiped the evergreen tree. It was adopted, however, as a sign of a Christian holiday. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to decorate a Christmas tree. The always green nature of the tree remind us of the eternal life that God has made available for all people. The needles point to heaven. This is a reminder to always focus our lives and our prayers toward God.
• The Wreath. The wreath, often made of evergreen boughs- reminds us again of everlasting life in Christ, is formed in a circle. This circle ought to remind us that God's love is eternal. There is no beginning and no end to God's love for us.
• Santa Claus. The very nature of the Santa Claus character is one of giving, love, caring and grace. This is very similar to the nature of God. Secular people have a great longing for a "God-figure." Santa fills that need. Christians ought to see the veneration of Santa in America as a good sign, not a threat to the Christian message.
• Gift Giving. Although we often point to the gifts given by the Wise Men in the Christmas story, the current traditions about gift-giving have gotten a little out of control. When giving this Christmas, do it in the spirit of John 3.16. God gave his Son...
• Bells. There are silver bells, sleigh bells, Salvation Army bells and other bells on Christmas Day. Remember that the bell was a tool of the shepherd who would use a bell to summon his sheep. Our Christmas bells should remind us of God calling us home.
• Candles. Candles are lovely and create a charming atmosphere for the holidays, but we should allow them to represent for us the light of Christ coming into the world.
• Decorations. Although some people go overboard in their decorating, decorating for the birth of Jesus should remind us to always give our best to the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is...: Acts 2.1-13

There came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing, mighty wind, it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
Acts 2.2-3

The picture that we are given in the Bible of the Holy Spirit is many-layered. There are many aspects to the Holy Spirit's work and ministry. Some of the pictures that we get of Him are as follows.

The Holy Spirit is a Fire…

• Fire Warms. Just like a fire, the Holy Spirit keeps us warm and secure.
• Fire Purifies. It is heat, fire that is used to refine metals and to kill germs. The Holy Spirit purifies our lives as well.
• Fire Punishes. The Holy Spirit burns away all that is bad, all that is sin in our lives.
• Fire Illuminates. We use a candle or torch to light our way in the darkness. The Holy Spirit lightens the darkness of our lives and our world.
• Fire Breaks out and Spreads. The work of the Holy Spirit can be uncontrollable, if we allow Him to do His will.

The Holy Spirit is Wind…

• Wind is a Mystery. We do not know where the Holy Spirit comes from or how He works.
• Wind Hovers and Creates (Ge 1.2). The Holy Spirit will stay with you and create new things in your life.
• Wind is pneuma/ ruach. The biblical words for Holy Spirit are the same ones that are used to describe the wind.

The Holy Spirit is Oil…

• Oil is always present (does not evaporate). The Holy Spirit never goes away.
• Oil is used for healing (James 5.14). The Holy Spirit longs for the healing of His people.
• Oil is used for consecrating (1 Sa 16.13). To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be set apart for the work of God.
• Oil is fuel. Without the fuel of the Holy Spirit our work in ministry is severely hampered.
• Oil fills every crevice. There is nowhere that the Holy Spirit cannot penetrate.