ACTS 2

Read Chapter 2

Acts 2 is loaded with many principles and truths that we can learn from and apply.  To be the church that God has called us to be is going to take some incredible death to our own wills and desires.  I read a quote last night that stated: Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.

Think about that for a moment.  Truly stop and think about what that means to you personally!

We see in verse 1 the beginning of change that involves risk: they were all together in one place.

The implications of that one phrase meant not only were they all "Christians" but they were all together physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, relationally and we see in verse 42 they were even all together financially.

And it all began there, the willingness to lay down their own lives, following the example of Christ being all about the Father's business.

Can we imagine for a moment what would not have taken place if these men and women did  not come together:

• they would have missed out on the promise of the Holy Spirit
• The crowds from all over the world that were there would not of experienced the power of God in their lives bringing salvation
• And because salvation would not have taken place, the gospel would not have spread through out the world
• which means you and I would not have experienced salvation
• which the world not know God
• we would not have the example of how to be the church

Now for some that may seem extreme, but allow the reality to sink in that God does not and will not force Himself upon His people but that He gives us free will to choose Him or to choose ourselves.

But because they chose Him lets revisit history:

• the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon the 120
• they were all filled w the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues
• The crowds that were there for the week of feasts now heard the good news in there own native tongue
• a miracle that goes beyond natural to super natural blows the people away
• peter now receives boldness as never before and lays out the best talk of his life
• 3000 people came to know Christ's salvation
• the gospel spread throughout the world
• we now have the example of what the church should be as they devoted themselves to truth
• we have heard and experienced the good news
• we are now in position to walk out the same walk in our own community
• with possibility to see 50,000 people come to know Christ
• we can pass the experience of truth to the next generation so that they can see the power of God as relevant & real today
• on and on and on

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.

Are we willing to step out from the known to the unknown?  

Are we willing to take the risk for change?

Are we willing to change to Grow?

Are we willing to GROW to live as God purposed?

For such a time as this were we placed here upon this earth to continue the purposes of God; reaching the lost & building the found!!