Category: Encounter Christ

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day seven)

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. vs 1

Pentecost was a Jewish feast held 50 days after Passover. It celebrated the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Jewish tradition also taught that Pentecost marked the day when the Law was given to Israel. Was this a coincidence or was God planning this all along? Was He really putting all those pieces together to bring the nations to Jerusalem for this very moment for His Spirit to be outpoured and put on display? He gave us the Law to point us to Jesus. He gave us Jesus to fulfill the Law and point us to the Holy Spirit. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us understand that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament.

Today we encounter that Same God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What will we see today? Will we see tongues of fire? Will we see baptism with the Holy Spirit? Will we see God move in our midst? We will! Because He is the Same God! How will you respond to the Holy Spirit today?

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day six)

The disciples may have been waiting for the Holy Spirit, but they had no control over when or how He would come. They couldn’t have predicted a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire, or that people from every nation would hear the praises of God in their own languages, culminating in 3,000 coming to faith in Jesus as Messiah.

It makes me wonder: do we sometimes limit God, not by lack of faith, but by lack of imagination and anticipation? Have we lost the wonder of what He can do through His Spirit at work in His Church?

The story of Pentecost reminds us: the Spirit moves in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, for the sake of God’s glory. May we recover our awe, open our hearts, and trust that He still moves with power today.

 

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day five) In the blink of an eye what was a group of one hundred twenty becomes a group of three thousand one hundred and twenty. Scriptures say they were “added.”  And what seems to be one of their first rhythms is to gather to learn and hear God’s Word. Not for the sake of gathering, but to listen to and study the scriptures. There was a hunger and desire to know and understand God’s Word. It was fervent. It was prominent. It was continual. What were the Apostles teaching?  The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms as well as the words of Jesus. What became quickly clear and true for those first believers still remains true for us today. Being filled with the Spirit and being filled with God’s Word go together.

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day four)

”For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

At Pentecost, we celebrate that the promise of God – the good news of salvation – was made available to all. When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, he ignited the flame that allowed the gospel to go beyond their small corner of the world in Israel and into every heart across the world and across space and time. God made himself available to all the world through the power of the Spirit and through the testimony of the apostles. Peter makes it clear that this good news is for everybody, their children, and then some.

This truth should impact how we move through the world. Who do you imagine to be “far off?” Those in another part of the world where the gospel has not been preached? Pray for them and pray the Spirit would move among them. Consider whether God is calling you to them. Or what about people in our life who seem “far off” spiritually? Pentecost reminds us that there is hope for them. The Spirit speaks in such a way that their hearts cannot ignore, and no matter how far off they seem, the gospel is for them. Consider how you might minister to those near you who are far off this week.

Let Pentecost reignite your confidence that the good news is for all.

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day three)

“And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?”

“Tongues of fire” is right: the words the apostles spoke burned through the cultural, linguistic, idiomatic barriers that always plague societies as people try to find hope and safety and acceptance and wholeness but end up clashing each other and feeling more alone than ever. The voices of these disciples rose above all the noise of everyday living with the clarity that immediately grabbed the hearers’ attention. The audience was thunderstruck. It was if somebody actually knew how they used to talk at the old home place or around the campfire – the way they used to wonder about the world with their friends before drifting off to sleep. This was good news spoken like a native. God’s word had their attention.

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 (day two)

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. v. 1

All together. This has become our theme over the past several years as we celebrate Pentecost. We are a diverse congregation, meeting all over the campus in several different gatherings with different expressions of worship. These differences are a good thing, and yet we are all united by our desire to follow our Lord Jesus Christ and to lead all others to a joyful life with him. There are days, like Pentecost, when we combine our services, our resources, and our languages together to express our worship as one body. These days are a glorious expression of the church, and a reminder of the beautiful tapestry that God has assembled here at FBCSA. Aren’t you grateful? When Pentecost comes let’s gather together in one place and celebrate God’s goodness.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day seven)

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. vs 45

Before they could go and preach the Gospel, Jesus helped them remove the barriers that were clouding their understanding. All of a sudden, Scripture came alive. They were remembering and understanding all that Jesus had taught and done. It was an “aha!” moment. Should it be a surprise that what followed was joy and obedience? Should it be a surprise that they began worshipping with boldness?

Yes, encountering the risen Christ and watching Him ascend into heaven had a big part to play in these things, but when Scripture comes alive in our hearts and minds we truly begin to change.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

We were not present to see Him ascend into heaven, but we all have had those “aha!” moments where Scripture comes alive and we encounter the risen Christ through His word, with His Spirit. When we do, we cannot help but begin to change. Through Scripture we can find joy. Through His Word, we will become more obedient. With His Spirit we will worship with boldness.

Holy Spirit Come!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day six)

One of the most beautiful things about the gospel is that it never stands still—it always faces two directions.

Inwardly, it transforms who we are, not just as individuals, but as a community. Through the forgiveness won at the cross, we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Our identity changes. Our lives begin to reflect new characteristics—grace, humility, joy, and love—that make God’s Kingdom visible in the world.

Outwardly, the gospel moves. It cannot help but travel—from person to person, community to community—blessing, proclaiming, inviting.

So let’s ask:

What direction is the gospel facing in your life today?

In our church family?

May it shape us deeply—and send us boldly.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:45-53 (day five)

What an amazing passage!  The disciples receive much needed clarity and are commissioned to take the gospel to the nations beginning with Jerusalem. I think I would have immediately run down the hill and started immediately sharing, teaching, and preaching. Yet, Jesus tells them to wait. Almost counter intuitive. READY! SET! WAIT!
Here’s the incredible thing- that’s exactly what they do. There is that must trust and submission in their hearts. So what we see is obedience from the disciples. They do exactly what Jesus tells them to do. Our trust and submission to the Lord, should always lead to obedience because His plan, His promises, and His timing are always perfect.