Podcasts about holy spirit acts

The Three “R's” - John 3:1-15The 3 Rs in school. Helps us to remember. Many preachers like to use the same alliterative method in their preaching to help folks remember their sermons. I have found that it does not really work like that. If you want folks to remember something, it has to be short and really memorable, (like “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”) or you need to repeat it so often that at least the preacher can remember it. Usually, what people remember is how you made them feel, not what you said. The proof is not in specific words, but in what is printed in your heart! What you experience. Selwyn Hughes: l knowing the Psalm (23] is one thing – hearsay – but knowing the Shepherd is quite another – heart-say.Read textLet's look at the three Rs in this passage: Selwyn Hughes: “make no mistake about it – the image of God that you carry in your heart is the one that you will relate to in a moment of crisis.”   Repentance Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38David Pawson: “Do you realize if you are ever going to start on the road to the kingdom of heaven you have got to repent of your good deeds as well as your bad deeds, if you've been putting your trust in them?”Rebirth Titus 3:5 NIVRevelationFlesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. Matt. 16The picture of the snake Numbers 21:4-9 and Jesus quotes this now.The discussion with NicodemusTroubled by what he sees and knows and is honest enough to seek out answers  despite the perceived opposition, he takes a risk to seek out Jesus.As a teacher in Israel, he knows the laws that govern and how they are interpreted.  Do good deeds, do the religious things and then you will be acceptable in God's sight. But he obviously doesn't know about the assurance of salvation, and the actions of Jesus, disturb him, even though he can see how those deeds were contrary to what they believed. But it was going to affect his as well as their income, lifestyle, teaching, and their way of life that they had become accustomed to. Was it worth it? Is what Jesus brings worth the price of every one else's wrath? Isn't what we do, perhaps with some alterations here or there enough? Why this dramatic confrontation and change? Aren't we all the children of Abraham? Are we not on the right path? We are doing what we are supposed to do with the offering, sacrifices and the religious zeal for the Words of the law and prophets? We memorize it, we teach our children, we do our best to be kind and good people. Okay we mess up sometimes, but we all do it, but at least we belong to the right family!Jesus cuts right through all his questions and his dilemmas and comes straight to the point: “You must be born again.”This means, Jesus is saying you are not in the right family at all. Being a descendent of Abraham does not make you righteous. Keeping the laws to the best of your ability does not make you righteous. Your basic problem is: You have the wrong nature. Your good deeds are like filthy rags to God. He is not pleased with you because you try harder to please him. There is only one thing you can do with your nature, and that is it must die. If you want live, you must be born again.Nicodemus: What do you mean? What are you talking about? How can you be a teacher in Israel and not know this? Abraham lived by faith in God! Jacob lived by faith in God. Joseph lived by faith in God. Moses lived by faith in God! All of them lived in faith before the law came! They understood their nature was the nature of sin, death, darkness and evil.  It is not about religious activities; it is a matter of a transformed heart. A birth where God Almighty is your father.Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, as a matter of fact, if you are not born again of the spirit of God you cannot even see the kingdom. Worshipping God is not about religious activities, it is something we do in Spirit and in truth! The breakthrough comes when God enters you like the wind and directs you in your faith and your life.Wow. Jesus must have loved him a lot to confront him so directly.Now the matter of being born of water and the Spirit: Some think it means the passage of water when you are born the first time. Birth of the Spirit comes when you believe in Jesus.Most say it can be a dual understanding.  You see John has just spent time with John the Baptist and following this encounter Jesus and the disciples go baptizing as well.  The focus really is on what happens in Baptism:The First R is Repentance. Repenting from bad deeds and good deeds as well if they are what you are depending on for God's pleasure and acceptance. The focus on repentance is critical for a spiritual life. It is the forerunner of moving into God's Kingdom. Learning to be humble and repent before God. Being able to see when we do wrong to others and apologize to them. Letting the Holy Spirit show us just how frail we are and how vital and eternal the Kingdom of God is. It shows us that it is not about us, it is all about him!The second R is Rebirth: That is when the Holy Spirit enters our lives to take up residence within us. We become Children of God. Our nature changes from sinner to sons and daughters of the Most High God! Make a confession: I am a child of God because I believe Jesus, I trust Jesus, and I will follow Jesus. The third R is Revelation: The snakes on a pole did not save the people, it was their obedience in Number 29.Nicodemus remembered his discussion with Jesus when he came to take him down from the cross with Joseph of Arimathea. 

Verse by verse study through the book of Song of Songs Chapter Four and Verse Eight

Pentecost A Sermon by Brenard Rowe, Elder at Victory Church in Providence, RI.   Introduction and Opening Remarks Expression of gratitude for the opportunity to minister. Acknowledgement and prayer for the pastor's recovery. Personal anecdote about being asked to preach on short notice. Setting the Context: Pentecost Sunday Explanation that Pentecost is recognized as the birth of the church and a pivotal event in Christian doctrine. Emphasis on the empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit and the ongoing relevance of Pentecost. The Role and Power of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit transforms believers from fearful followers to bold witnesses. The Holy Spirit provides strength, peace, wisdom, unity, and equips believers for service. Biblical Foundation Reference to Acts 2:1-4 describing the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus' instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8). Importance of receiving the Holy Spirit before undertaking ministry. The Experience of the Early Church Disciples' state of confusion and despair after Jesus' death. Fulfillment of Jesus' promise through the coming of the Holy Spirit. The supernatural signs accompanying the Spirit's arrival (wind, tongues of fire, speaking in tongues). Speaking in Tongues Definition: A supernatural language for worship and communication with God. Old Testament examples of the Spirit coming upon individuals (e.g., Moses' elders, Gideon, Samson, Saul's messengers). New Testament affirmation of speaking in tongues as evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. Instances of Holy Spirit Baptism in the New Testament Jerusalem (Acts 2:4): Disciples receive the Holy Spirit. Samaria (Acts 8:14-17): Believers receive the Spirit through the apostles' laying on of hands. Saul/Paul (Acts 9:17): Receives the Spirit after Ananias lays hands on him. Cornelius' house (Acts 10:44-48): Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit while Peter preaches. Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6): Believers receive the Holy Spirit through Paul. Benefits of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit Power for ministry (Acts 1:8). Spiritual refreshing (Isaiah 28:11). Ability to witness and reveal Christ (John 16:13-14). Inner strength and comfort (John 15:26). Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Spiritual quickening (Romans 8:11). Who Can Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? Everyone: Rich, poor, young, old, sinners, saints, children, etc. Reference to Psalm 81:10 as encouragement to receive. Who Cannot Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? Those satisfied with mere salvation and unwilling to serve. Disobedient and unyielding Christians. Those who do not believe or are closed off to the Holy Spirit. Conditions for Receiving the Holy Spirit Repentance and baptism (Acts 2:28). Asking God with faith (Luke 11:13). Deep conviction, consecration, and willingness to live for God (John 7:37-39). The Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit in Believers Teaches and makes believers teachable. Enables true worship and confession. Guides prayer and leads by God's word. Conclusion The Holy Spirit is the comforter and helper sent by God. Encouragement to be open to the Holy Spirit's work and to fulfill commitments in service to God and the church.  

At Bethany, We are God's People who are: Gathered! Connected! Sent!We want to connect with you through this Podcast! Leave us a comment! Tell us where you are at! Leave a Review to help our audience grow!--June 8, 2025 -- Pr. Kevin Kritzer -- "Holy Spirit" -- Acts 2:1-21(2) When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. 4 All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Devout Jewish men from every nation were living in Jerusalem. 6 They gathered when they heard the wind. Each person was startled to recognize his own dialect when the disciples spoke.7 Stunned and amazed, the people in the crowd said, “All of these men who are speaking are Galileans. 8 Why do we hear them speaking in our native dialects? 9 We're Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We're people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the country near Cyrene in Libya. We're Jewish people, converts to Judaism, and visitors from Rome, 11 Crete, and Arabia. We hear these men in our own languages as they tell about the miracles that God has done.” 12 All of these devout men were stunned and puzzled. They asked each other, “What can this mean?” 13 Others said jokingly, “They're drunk on sweet wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the eleven apostles. In a loud voice he said to them, “Men of Judea and everyone living in Jerusalem! You must understand this, so pay attention to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning. 16 Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will speak what God has revealed. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour my Spirit on my servants, on both men and women. They will speak what God has revealed. 19 I will work miracles in the sky and give signs on the earth: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will become as red as blood before the terrifying day of the Lord comes. 21 Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'http://www.bethanylutheran.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/BethanyLutheranLongBeach

On the first day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit swept down upon the Apostles, empowering them to share the good news of Jesus Christ raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sins. Who is this Spirit? What is he doing? And why does he come down upon the Apostles and all those who believe in Jesus? Harrison Northey answers these questions and leads us to know the Holy Spirit more deeply.Image: Veni, Dator Munerum, phtoto by Lawrence OP, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/5807014763/in/photostream/

By PASTOR CLEMENT ADU AMOAKO link to the presentation used in the sermon : https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dErmyGVuG4XZhXLuD_bMxZ4MtvWu5mHe/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100185705728851520046&rtpof=true&sd=true 

ONE June 1, 2025 Elwyn Johnston John 17 Verse of the Week: “that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me” John 17:23 1. The diversity of oneness “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You” John 17:21 2. The purpose of oneness “Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]” John 17:17 AMP To know Christ “though the world does not know You, I know You” John 17:25 “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 “I count everything as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8 To make Christ known “I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known” John 17:26 “Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them into the world.” John 17:18 “I pray that they may be united with Us so that the world will believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21 3. The power of oneness “The people are one, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” Gen. 11:6 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:1, 2, 4 “whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” John 14:12 4. The foundation of oneness - Jesus “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

We continue our series on ‘Bringing your friends and family to Jesus' by looking at how God moved in an unexpected way in one man's home. When God works, he works fast (Isaiah 60:22).    Acts 10 is where the life changing and world changing good news of Jesus moves from the world of Jewish believers to Gentile or non-Jewish believers, when Christianity broke out from being a sub-culture of Judaism to becoming a world faith. Acts 10 is the tipping point where everything changed in the growth and momentum of the church. And it all starts because of one man and takes place in his home.    This chapter begins by detailing the spiritual hunger of a wealthy military man called Cornelius. He was a Roman centurion, whose responsibilities were more like those of a modern army captain. It ends with him and all his network of family and friends transformed totally by the Holy Spirit and the disciples somewhat shell-shocked by all that had taken place so quickly.    The apostle Peter, who was used so decisively in all that transpired, was at first in ignorance of the spiritual search of Cornelius, in much the same way many Christians today fail to realise what spiritual hunger exists in millions of people outside of church contact, including those closest to us – our neighbours, family and friends. We see from this story how we too can see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends.1. Live right (Acts 10:1-2; Job 1:8; Genesis 6:9). 2. Listen to God (Acts 10:2,4-6,9,19-20; James 5:16 AMP; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2)3. Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-23,34-35; Mark 7:19; Acts 16:9) 4. Let the Holy Spirit work (Acts 10:19-23,27,44-48; 2 Corinthians 6:2) Apply  1. Live right (Acts 10:1-2). It says that Cornelius was a God-fearing man who gave generously to the poor and was doing his best to raise his family in the same righteous ways. Instead of making excuses or hiding behind Roman culture or his military career, Cornelius chose to live right and to live a God-centred lifestyle. God always sees and honours when you live right (Job 1:8; Genesis 6:9). Your faithfulness, your devotion to Him, your generous giving all please Him and are seen by Him and prepare an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can work. However, living right alone is not enough.   2. Listen to God. Both the Roman centurion Cornelius and the apostle Peter were men of prayer. They did not just pray occasionally. They lived a prayer lifestyle (Acts 10:2,9). And that is significant. For when righteous - or right-living - people pray, then great things happen (James 5:16 AMP). It is no use just praying if you are not living right. But when righteous people get serious about prayer, great things happen. The teaching on prayer in the Bible is not on haphazard prayer but continual prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2). To Cornelius, God not only told him his prayers had been answered and his faithful lifestyle noted. He also told him specifically that Peter was the man he needed to meet, who he was staying with, and how to find the house (Acts 10:4-6)! He told Peter three men were looking for him and he had better go and meet them (Acts 10:19-20). Both men had a vision from God, and both had to listen to it. If you are serious about seeing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends, will you give yourself to prayer and to praying specifically for each of them? Make no mistake. God always listens when righteous people pray. But God also speaks, and we must listen to Him. Prayer is a two-way conversation, and we can miss so much if we simply download what we want to say and then go off in a rush. If you will take time to pray and really listen to God, in one way or another through a vision, the Holy Spirit within you, and of course always the Scriptures, He will stir you to move out of your comfort zone into new territory.    3. Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit. At every age and stage of life and ministry we each must decide whether or not to take a step of faith to see what lies on the other side of a door that God may be opening up to you. In this story, God was up to something, and both Peter and Cornelius had to pay attention and respond. God was working supernaturally: He spoke to both Cornelius and Peter through visions (Acts 10:1-16). The visions were specific and detailed. God was at work. God was working simultaneously (Acts 10:17-23). Without either of them knowing it, God was putting people together from very different backgrounds who had never even heard of each other. And you may not see what God is doing and all the ways He is at work in your life and in the lives of your friends and family, but you can be sure that God is working in them for your good. Just go where the Holy Spirit is leading you. It was the apostle Peter, the committed disciple, who needed to change rather than Cornelius. Peter was locked into his own tradition and upbringing more than he realised. And he needed unlocking pretty quickly. When Peter was told to kill and eat the animals he saw in the vision, he resisted (Acts 10:14-15). As a good Jewish boy Peter would have been steeped in Old Testament teaching that certain foods were unfit for eating and prohibited. But Jesus had declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). Jesus abolished distinction between clean and unclean food and clean and unclean people. Peter knew in his head that the kingdom of God was not about special rules and religious practices, yet he instinctively responded in a traditional way. To follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he had to quickly lose his old ideas and prejudices, which thankfully he did (Acts 10:34-35). When Peter changed, everything changed and it opened a way for many to come to know Jesus personally. Change starts in the church, not in the world. In each one of us. Like Peter you must really follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, which means you may need to think and act differently towards others if you're going to reach people you haven't reached before and see things you haven't seen before. The big question that we all face, and which Peter faced, is whether we are going to be fixed and stuck in our old ways or flexible and obedient in following the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must be sensitive to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that you know His leading and direction. Maybe He's been leading you to share encouragement with someone or to invite them into your home or life group - don't miss the opportunity. God is setting us up more than we know, but we must be spiritually awake to step in and share our faith with them. God wants us to be quick to respond to what He is saying and doing. The responsiveness of Paul was key to the gospel coming to mainland Europe (Acts 16:9). We too must go where God is leading us, whether it is down the street, across the corridor in the office, 30 miles like Peter to Cornelius, or across the world. God has gone ahead of you.    4. Let the Holy Spirit work. Cornelius decided to send a group to meet a man that he had never met before who was staying at an address he had only just learned of. And Peter decided to welcome this group and go with them to the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:19-23). Neither Cornelius nor Peter knew all that was about to unfold but from the moment that they decided to act in faith and obedience and to let the Holy Spirit work, they opened a greater door for change than they could have ever imagined. And the same thing will happen for you when you decide to let the Holy Spirit work. Stop playing safe. Launch out into the new. When Cornelius took the risk of contacting Peter and Peter stepped out to go where he had never gone before, everything moved to another level. There was a new group of people to minister to, family and friends of Cornelius, who were hungry for God (Acts 10:27). Today so many people groups, so many families, so many in your neighbourhood and circle of influence are far more open to the good news of the gospel than you may know. And they will be more willing to listen to you than you may imagine. And in our story there was also a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter's sermon on the good news of Jesus was cut short for the Holy Spirit moved (Acts 10:44-48). It says that all of Cornelius's family and friends gathered at his house experienced an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. From this moment the Christian church accelerated in new ways. Today great things can happen in your personal life, in your family life and ministry when you live right and listen to God, following the leading of the Holy Spirit and let Him work. As you get out of your comfort zone to obey His call, you can be confident you will see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with your family and friends (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

Divine resources are spiritual and material gifts from God, given to empower His children to fulfill their destiny (Genesis 22:14, Deuteronomy 8:18). These include faith (Romans 10:17), spiritual gifts, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Eternal life through Christ is the greatest resource (John 3:16, John 17:3). God provides abundantly so we lack nothing for His purpose (2 Corinthians 9:8, Psalm 24:1). Jesus, though rich, became a servant—our model for using divine resources (Philippians 2:7).

Gary Bassham

Acts 2 records a life-changing moment: not just a personal experience, but the birth of the Church. On the day of Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) descended, filling ordinary people with extraordinary power. What followed was not confusion, but clarity; not fear, but boldness; not silence, but a Spirit-empowered proclamation of the gospel that led to thousands being saved. This passage answers three essential questions: What does the Spirit do when He comes? How does the gospel take root in people's hearts? And how are we called to respond today?

In this sermon titled "Holy Interruptions," Dr. Jeremy Smith explores the idea that God often works through unexpected interruptions in our lives. He begins by sharing a personal anecdote about his dogs interrupting his work, which leads to meaningful moments of reflection. Dr. Smith then delves into how Jesus' ministry was largely shaped by interruptions, citing numerous examples from the Gospels where Jesus responded to unexpected needs and requests. The speaker emphasizes that while we often resist interruptions, they can be opportunities for God to work in and through us. He references Mark 5, where Jesus stops to heal a bleeding woman while on His way to save a dying girl, as a powerful example of how God's priorities may differ from our own. Dr. Smith also discusses how the Apostle Paul's plans were redirected by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10), reminding us that even our well-intentioned plans may not align with God's will. https://bwaychurch.org  

Follow the order of worship below along with streamed service above. Feel free to view the order online or download it here. Live-streamed service available Sundays 9am until 12:30pm CST. If you're traveling or homebound and miss that window, you can email streaming@covenantchicago.org to get a link to the service. Eastertide_051125

Acts 1:1-8 How the Holy Spirit Gives us Strength

Hello,Kindly listen to the teaching titled THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 11:15-17) by Mr. Joel Dubi from the Lunch Hour service of Friday, 2nd May 2025

One of God's great promises is to give us His Spirit -- the Holy Spirit. "The promise" referred to in today's verse is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). What an incredible gift this is! Sometimes we act like we're entitled to have God's Spirit living in us. We take it for granted. But we shouldn't because we certainly don't deserve this blessing. It's all of grace.Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more.Scripture Used in Today's MessageActs 2:38-39Isiah 44:3Acts 2:16-18Galatians 3:14If you've not read my book, Takin' it to Their Turf. request a copy on my website, www.CampusAmerica.com.You'll be inspired, encouraged, and learn plenty about evangelism and spiritual warfare through the 70+ stories I share of my campus evangelism expereinces.We send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email. Who do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them, along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher To support Tom Short Campus Ministries, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/support************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

Be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:42-52, 27.4.2025 James Petersen by Chanctonbury Church

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41 NLT) Jesus’ followers experienced a profound change after His resurrection. Jesus had conquered sin and death forever. He had already won the war against humankind’s two greatest enemies. So His followers were emboldened to fight the battles against those who opposed Jesus’ work. They literally had nothing to fear any longer. We can see the evidence of their newfound boldness in the events that took place during the celebration of Pentecost at the temple in Jerusalem about ten days after Jesus returned to Heaven. Pentecost (which is also known as Shavuot) is a major Jewish festival. In the first century AD, people traveled from foreign lands to celebrate it at the Jerusalem temple, the center of Jewish worship. Jesus’ followers were also in Jerusalem at the time. About 120 of them had continued to meet since Jesus’ departure. According to Acts 2:1–4, a roaring wind suddenly swept through their meeting place. Small flames appeared and rested on each of them. The Holy Spirit filled them, and they began to speak in languages they didn’t know. A large crowd rushed in to investigate the commotion. Foreign visitors to the city were stunned to hear stories about the wonderful things God had done being spoken in their native languages by uneducated Galileans. Peter seized the moment. The disciple who, just a short time earlier, had been too scared even to identify himself with Jesus, boldly stepped forward and explained that the people were witnessing the fulfillment of a prophecy God had made hundreds of years earlier, as recorded in Joel 2:28–32. God had promised to pour out His Spirit on all people, and now the Spirit had arrived. Peter then launched into an impromptu sermon. He reminded people of the miracles Jesus had performed. He pointed to those miracles, as well as to Jesus’ death and resurrection, to show them that Jesus had carried out God’s plan of salvation. Peter quoted the prophetic words King David wrote about Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth. And then he identified Jesus as the long-promised Lord and Messiah. Peter urged the people to repent and be baptized so that they, too, would be filled with the Holy Spirit. His words had a powerful impact. Acts 2:42 says that about three thousand people believed in Jesus that day. With one bold push, Peter and the others started the snowball rolling downhill. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they established the church and began to fulfill the Great Commission—to make disciples of all nations. The world would never be the same. The same Holy Spirit who gave wisdom, strength, and boldness to Peter and the others fills everyone who believes in Jesus today. His power is always available to us. He equips us to step out of our comfort zone, to reach across the invisible lines that separate us from others, and to boldly share the Good News of Jesus. Reflection question: What specifically can the Holy Spirit equip you to do? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay Connected with Redeemer: Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 am at 3601 N. Lamesa Rd in Midland, Texas.

We pause our Leader Equip series to interview Evangelism Minister Reid Overall where we discuss all things baptism in anticipation of Baptism Sunday, April 27. For Kids  We have a free baptism booklet designed for children ages 5-12 to help guide conversations about baptism. To receive a booklet, reach out to your Kids Ministry Team at the Welcome Desk. Use the QR code inside the booklet to let us know about any next steps your child may want to take.  For Students  Younger students (6th-7th grade) may still find the baptism booklet helpful.  One-on-One Conversations: Students can schedule a meeting with their campus student minister to discuss baptism further. We also encourage parents to have open conversations with their students about baptism, offering guidance and support as they explore this important step in their faith.   Ready to Take the Next Step? Baptism Sunday is coming up on April 27, and we can't wait to celebrate with you! If you've been considering baptism, this is your opportunity to take a bold step in your faith journey. Baptism is a public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus, and we're here to walk with you every step of the way. Whether you're ready to take the plunge or just have questions, we'd love to connect. Let's take this step together—sign up today and be part of this powerful day of transformation! Baptism Sign Up  Talking to Your Kids About Baptism  Baptism Revival and the Next Generation  NT Wright - Do I Need to Be Baptized?  Baptism is: · Commanded by Jesus: Baptism is a key part of making disciples, commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). · Repentance and Forgiveness: It symbolizes repentance and the forgiveness of sins, with a promise of receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). · Salvation through Faith: Baptism is tied to belief and salvation, showing outward faith in Jesus (Mark 16:16). · Union with Christ's Death and Resurrection: Through baptism, believers are symbolically buried with Christ in His death and raised to a new life, identifying with His resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12). · New Identity in Christ: Baptism represents putting on a new identity, being clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). · Spiritual Rebirth: Jesus teaches that baptism represents being born again by water and the Spirit, necessary for entering the kingdom of God (John 3:5). · Conscience before God: It's not just an external act but a spiritual appeal for a clear conscience through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 3:21). · Cleansing from Sin: Baptism is a symbolic washing away of sins as believers call on the name of Jesus (Acts 22:16). · God's Mercy and Renewal: Baptism reflects God's mercy in regenerating and renewing believers by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). FAQs about Baptism What is baptism? Baptism is a beautiful ceremony where a person who has decided to follow Jesus Christ is immersed in water to demonstrate their faith in Him by publicly declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and King. Baptism is the way Scripture teaches that we are united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism was a command of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and Jesus himself was baptized (Luke 4:21-22). Baptism is for everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has decided to give their lives to him. Why does the Hills practice baptism by immersion (going under the water)? The word “baptism” we find in Scripture comes from a Greek word “baptizo” which means “to dip or immerse.” The examples we see in the New Testament show that the people who were being baptized went down into the water (Acts 8:26-38). And going completely under the water shows that we are participating with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). When we go under the water, it's as if we are dying and being buried. When we come back up from underneath the water, it's a sign of our resurrection and coming out of the grave as a brand new person. These are several reasons why we practice baptism by immersion at the Hills. Should I be baptized if I was baptized as an infant? Many people are baptized as an infant because their parents desired to dedicate them to the Lord and for his protection to be on their lives. We believe that choosing to be baptized later on in life honors that choice made on your behalf by someone else. As we read the New Testament, we see that the examples of all those who are baptized are people who are older and who are able to commit themselves to following Jesus Christ. So we welcome all those who have been baptized as an infant to be baptized again as a way to declare I personally choose to follow Jesus the rest of my days. Should I wait until I get my life together before I am baptized? We would emphatically say “no”! Waiting to come to Jesus until you get your life in order is like telling someone with a broken leg to set the bone themselves, splint it, learn how to walk on it, and then go see the doctor. We would never keep someone from the person who could heal them. The same is true with baptism. You come to Jesus, not because you have it all together, but precisely because you don't. The only thing we've proven on our own is that we can't do it on our own. Jesus is the only one that can put us back together. And it is by surrendering to Jesus that we receive his life, his healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit who begins to transform us from the inside out. Staying away from Jesus keeps us away from the only power that truly can change us. Come to Jesus, surrender to Him, be baptized, and watch what God can do in your life! How much do I or my children need to know before we are baptized? We have often made entrance into the Kingdom of Jesus a matter of information, when in reality it is a matter of surrender. A person does need to understand that Jesus declared that He was the Son of God and that our faith in Him is what saves us. A person needs to be able to understand that Jesus invites us to give up control of our lives so we can follow his ways and not our own. Beyond that, a person is free to come and learn about Jesus with Jesus instead of learning about him from a distance. Baptism is a starting place on our spiritual journey, not a test we must pass before we can begin. Jesus wants us to walk with him, learn from him as we go, and share as much life together we possibly can. Remember, Jesus is a person to love, not a subject to study. If you or your children believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you are ready to follow Him, you are ready to begin that journey. We invite you to come and be baptized this Sunday! I've been baptized before but I'm not really sure I knew what I was doing or I haven't really followed Jesus since then. Do I need to be re-baptized? Certainly, when people are baptized, they need to be able to make a commitment that they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that they want to surrender to Him. But remember, the power of salvation comes not from our knowledge and understanding of every aspect of the spiritual journey but from Jesus' grace. Often what is needed is not re-baptism but a deeper surrender to the decision that was already made. In some cases, a person made the decision to follow Jesus and was baptized but then decided to follow their own path which could've even led them into deep sin and wandering. In situations like this, what is needed is not re-baptism but repentance. Jesus' grace is so immensely powerful all that God is expecting from us is to turn our faces back to him and come home, making the decision to honor the commitment we've already made to follow him. And sometimes people are baptized because they had a parent or grandparent or friend who wanted them to be baptized and it wasn't really a commitment they were making on their own. In these situations, we would encourage the person to consider being baptized again. Going through the practice of being baptized without commitment and without faith and is just an exercise in getting wet. It is faith that saves us, not water. What should I expect on Baptism Sunday? Baptism Sunday will be a very exciting day! We will have our regular worship service at the Hills. At the end of our time of preaching and sharing God's Word, Pastor Rick will invite everyone who would like to be baptized to come towards the stage. There will be people there at the stage who will welcome you and walk with you back to get you registered. After we get you registered, we'll take you back to the dressing rooms where we will have clothes you can change into for your baptism. The dressing rooms are private and are separated for men and women. After you change into your clothes, you can leave your things in the dressing rooms and they will be watched and kept safe while you are baptized. You can choose someone to baptize you or one of our ministers at the church can baptize you. If you are going to have someone personal to you baptize you, they will need to change into clothes, as well. They can bring their own if they'd like or they can change into clothes we will have available. You then will go into the baptistry (the water is warm and is heated) and you will be baptized in front of the church. You'll then go back and change into your clothes. After changing, one of our elders will pray over you and your family and friends as you begin your new journey. There will also be photo backdrops set up so you can take pictures with family and friends on your big day! Reach out to us at nextgennow@thehills.org and find more information about The Hills Church at www.thehills.org.  

"Promise & Power of the Holy Spirit"Acts 1:4-8Pastor Michael MorisiApril 6, 2025EASTER is Sunday, April 20th!We'd love to see you and your family come worship and celebrate our Risen Savior on Easter. We'll have two Sunday morning services at 9:00 and 10:30 AM. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHby1_3OHVo/KIDS SPACE WITH INDOOR PLAYGROUND:We have expanded with 3x more space for the babies, kids, and youth in your family. https://www.instagram.com/oasischurchva/reel/C8FqHIipr3u/Learn about this year's Kingdom Builder's project: https://www.oasischurch.online/kingdom-buildersHow should Christians respond to POLITICAL ISSUES? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak82aD16r04WHY WE UPDATED OUR VISION STATEMENT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0WFhtL7h3ISERMON NOTES:- Promise & Power of the Holy Spirit- Acts 1:4-8- The Command to Wait- The Promise of the Holy Spirit- The Question of Restoration- The Promise of Power and the Great Commission- Jesus is Calling you to Walk in His ImageOasis Church exists to Worship God, Equip the believers, and Reach the lost.We are led by Pastor Nate Clarke and are located in Richmond, VA.Stay Connected:Website: https://oasischurch.online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oasischurchva/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OasisChurchRVA/

Acts

Acts

Return of the Man-Child   (audio) David Eells – 3/5/25  Saints, today I'm going to talk to you about the Genealogy of Christ Jesus.  The Bible says, That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun (Ecc.1:9). We quite often look at the Scriptures, even in the natural, as something that's a revelation of the distant future, but we need to study the Gospels to give ourselves a revelation of soon-coming things that are now almost upon us. Years ago, I shared with you how everything that has happened in the Gospels and the Book of Acts is coming again now, except the cast of characters has been multiplied many times over, meaning that they will be corporate bodies of people all over the world walking in the steps of earlier individuals. The Lord also spoke to me years ago that the Gospels represented the first 3½ years of the Tribulation period and that the Book of Acts represented the second 3½ years of the Tribulation period.  There's a doctrine out there which teaches that Jesus ministered for only one year because they do not see that the Feasts that Jesus kept did not all happen in the same year in the Scriptures. But one very good proof is in Bible Chronology by Ivan Panin. It basically proves the correct chronology through numeric patterns. Panin's book is one of the only chronologies out there that actually uses Bible dates that can be found by cross-referencing other Bible dates. The only other book I know of was from Martin Anstey, who wrote Romance of Bible Chronology back in 1913. Both authors' chronology comes only from Bible dates. There is also a way to verify those dates with Numerics, the numeric pattern.   So here's what I've found concerning Jesus' ministry: Year one of His ministry was in AD 27, year two in AD 28, year three AD 29, and the Cross, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost all happened in AD 30. That is cross-referenced with numeric Bible chronology. I personally already believed what they're saying because of what the Lord told me, but I think there are things we can point out and see through the Gospels that will show us that the 3½-year ministry of Jesus is just like the one we're about to enter now, only with a new reformation leadership which the Bible calls the “Man-child.”  I want to start in Matthew and share a picture of what happens through the rest of the Gospels. Some people think Matthew 1 is the dullest part of the whole Gospel because it has all those “begat”s and “begat”s. I'm not going to recite all of those, but I would like to point out a few things. First, where it speaks of The book of the generation of Jesus Christ (Mat.1:1), according to Numerics, it says simply, “The generation of Jesus Christ,” or “The genealogy of Jesus Christ.” Either way, it's the same word. The interesting thing is that the word “generation” here is the Greek word genesis, so it can be read as “The genesis of Jesus Christ.” The Book of Genesis is about the creation of Adam and the natural creation and yet here we're starting another “Genesis” of what the Bible calls “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), Jesus Christ. This is not a natural creation, but the spiritual creation of the “born-again” man, Jesus Christ being the Adam of this new race of people who are created to be sons of God.   People have perplexing questions about the genealogy in Matthew 1 and one of them is, “Why does it seem to be the genealogy of Joseph?” For instance, it says, and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (Mat.1:16). So we follow the genealogy from Abraham to Joseph here, and that Jesus was of virgin birth. Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit (Mat.1:18). In fact, Joseph really had nothing physically to do with bringing Jesus forth. Joseph was not the father of His flesh. Mary was the mother of His flesh, but the Bible tells us that it is the seed of the woman that was going to bring forth the Son who would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15).   God used the DNA from Mary to create the body of Jesus, His fleshly part. He was the Son of God and Son of Man. The Son of God came in a body that He called the Son of Man. Of course, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (Joh.3:6). That means your natural creation has been born of your fleshly parents, but your spiritual creation came from God. It's like when God breathed into the first Adam the “breath” (or ruach, which is the Hebrew word for “spirit”), the “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). That spiritual man in you came from God, but the carnal man was passed on by your parents.  So why mention Joseph in this passage? We just want to know of whom Jesus was born. I think that's a really interesting question and it goes right to the root of why this is the genesis of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Genesis also means “birth,” “beginning,” “origin” and so forth. Jesus is the beginning and He is the end (Revelation 1:8). He is the beginning of the new creation man and He is the end; all things would be summed up in Him (Ephesians 1:10). The point here is, Joseph did have something to do with raising Jesus; he had everything to do with the spiritual man and nothing to do with the carnal man.   Joseph was ordained of God to represent Him in raising Jesus in the image of God. You say, “That doesn't make sense. He's the Son of God.” But the Bible says, And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luk.2:52). Joseph could contribute none of his physical self in bringing forth Jesus, but he contributed both words and actions into Jesus' life in order to train Him up and bring Him into the image of God that He was ordained to be. In Hebrews, it appears to be Jesus speaking when He says, a body didst thou prepare for me (Heb.10:5). The Son of God in Heaven came down to inhabit a body that was brought forth through Mary, but the lineage written is of Joseph.   It even says that in (Mat.1:16) And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. It didn't give Joseph any credit for the birth of Jesus; Jesus was of virgin birth. But Joseph had something to do with bringing forth this genesis, this new generation of man, because what he was sowing into the life of Jesus were words, actions, an example, and other such things. Even though Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, meaning “born” Son of God, and even though He was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb, He still had to be raised up into the fullness of that image.  The seed that Joseph sowed in Jesus' life is the most important seed in bringing forth the spiritual man. In the carnal man, it is a physical seed that brings forth the physical life. But the spiritual man, which lives in all of us who have been born from above, is born by the seed of the Word of God that has been sown in us. We're told; It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63). So Jesus was doing the exact same thing that was done to Him: He was sowing in the disciples the Spirit and the life of God through the Word of God that He was speaking.   We are also told, That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed (Rom.9:8). The “children of the promise” is the promise that was spoken to them that put faith in their heart to receive the gift of God to be what they were not before. It's God working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5,11). Mary was not, as some people say, the “mother” of God. She was the mother of Jesus' flesh. What was sown in Jesus Christ was sent from God the Father; the Father sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16). It had nothing to do with, and was even in spite of, Mary. She even had to receive salvation and was also filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14; 2:4). But she was required and necessary to be the mother of the flesh that Jesus would come to live and walk in as the Son of God. And yet, this whole genealogy in Matthew is all about bringing forth the spiritual man and not the carnal man, or it would have been Mary's genealogy written in Matthew.   It's not the physical that's so important. Any flesh out there can manifest bearing the fruit of the Son of God if the seed is sown in it. The Lord God is showing us by this example that the important thing is what is spoken into someone's life. This is how we pass on our seed in the Kingdom through the Word of God.  In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23), Jesus sowed the seed and the seed was the Word of God, and He brought forth in people's hearts the fruit 30-, 60- and 100- fold. Jesus was what He was, in spite of His human heritage. According to Romans 8, He had to overcome His human heritage. He was one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin (Heb.4:15). (Rom.1:3) Concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness … Therefore, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (Joh.3:6). That which came from Mary was the seed of David because she was in the lineage of David and God took her DNA to do that. But that which was born of God out of heaven was the Spirit of God, according to what Jesus said.  In the Scriptures, it's very plain that in the spiritual man, which is the Son of God (or the sons of God, as we are), our lineage is not according to genealogy at all. Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, in Whom we all live (Acts 17:28) and we manifest our sonship through Him. Scripture portrays Melchizedek as a theophany, very much in the same way Jesus is a Theophany or, in other words, “God in flesh.” Jesus is said to be a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb.6:20). Both Melchizedek and Jesus were without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God (Heb.7:3). It says “without father, without mother” because we're talking about the Son of God. The son of man has an earthly father, earthly mother, earthly genealogy, but the Son of God does not have any such thing. The Son of God is eternal. He is the Word which came down out of heaven (John 1:14), which we eat like the Israelites ate the manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4).  When we read this Word, we absorb it into ourselves. We spiritually eat that Word of God, which is eternal, and that recreates in us the Son of God, which has no end. There's no genealogy to the Son of God in you. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. There's no beginning of days nor end of life because He is eternal. That Word is simply recreating in you the manifestation of God. This is what the Bible refers to where it says, For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing (“manifestation”) of the sons of God (Rom.8:19). So we see that there is no earthly, or physical genealogy to a son of God. This genealogy in Matthew is a genealogy of people concluding with Joseph, who had no physical connection, but was only sowing a seed in the life of Jesus to raise Him up from a child. And we're also being raised up in the same way.  Reading now in (Mat.1:17) So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. It's very interesting that it's so neatly divided. I remember many years ago, as we read this in a Bible study in my home, somebody said, “I've counted these and there's not 14 generations there. There are 14, 14, and then 13.” So we all started counting and then we recounted it again and we said, “Hey, you're right! There's 14, 14 and then 13.” We had to be careful not to double-count the name twice between the paragraphs, where there is a paragraph break.  There's not 14 generations in the last paragraph, yet God says there were 14 generations! At the time, the answer came to me that this is not referring to Christ Himself, but that the “fourteen generations” were speaking about Jesus' offspring, meaning the body of Christ. Then it would be correct. That would make Christ the 41st generation and the people of God the 42nd generation; I still believe this explanation today. I received a word of knowledge at that time, and I believe that God was speaking to me, that in the phrase, “unto the Christ,” the word “Christ” is actually used of the saints. And, if we're “in Christ,” we are part of the 42nd generation, even though the fullness of that is coming forth in the days that we're in right now.  2 Corinthians is a good proof that the 42nd generation is speaking of Jesus' offspring. (2Co.1:21) Now he that establisheth us with you in (Greek: “into”) Christ, and anointed us, is God. Here we have the word “Christ,” which in Greek is Christos, and we have the verb “anointed,” which in Greek is the verb chrio and means the same thing. Those who are established “into Christ” are one body and “anointed,” which is the verb chrio. So when He says, “unto the Christ” in Matthew, it could very well be, this anointed body; that is the offspring of Jesus. Remember, Jesus was the progenitor of this body. He sowed the seed, which is the Word of God, that went into the hearts of men.  In the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, the word “seed” is the Greek word sperma. The Sower sowed the sperma to bring forth fruit 30-, 60- and 100-fold. So “unto the Christ” could very well be the “anointed” because He is saying that we are those anointed. The word “anointed,” or chrio, is the very same word Jesus spoke when He read from Isaiah. (Luk.4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because He anointed me … So Jesus is the Chrio and His body is the Chrio. He left an individual body in order to come back in a corporate body so He could do to the whole world what He did in the Middle East. That was the whole point, a glorious work of God.   Notice that “He establisheth us into Christ.” We are the anointed because we are in Him. It's Christ in you and you in Christ, as He said in (Joh.17:21) … That they may all be one; even as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us … This is what everyone wants to call a “mystery,” but the more of Christ we get in us, the more we are the anointed. We need to be receiving what He received when He was anointed; we need to be receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. He manifestly became the Christ because He was anointed with the Holy Spirit.   And then we also see of Christ, this additional proof in (Eph.1:10) Unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things (There is no numeric pattern to include the word “things” here.) in Christ the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, [I say,] (11) in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will. He wanted to sum up all people in Christ, in the anointed, in Christos, and we are that “all people.”   Galatians 3 tells us that there is just one generation after Jesus, the 42nd generation. (Gal.3:16) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. There is only one seed of Christ. If we abide in Him, then we are now His corporate body on the earth and Paul tells us this a little further down. (Gal.3:28) There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed (The “seed” is singular, just one.), heirs according to promise.   So, we become heirs according to the promise that enters our hearts. It works in us the faith to receive all the benefits of the Kingdom and to walk as Christ walked. This is an amazing thing that God is doing. The only way that we can be a part of this 42nd generation, is to receive the Word of God, which is the very seed that makes us a member of the body of Christ. That's why Joseph is listed there in Matthew 1 because Joseph could pass on to Jesus the wisdom that a child would not have.   (Luk.2:52) And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. It says, But ye are an elect race (Greek: genos, “chosen generation”) (1Pe.2:9). We are a chosen generation. There is just one generation from the time of Jesus on. We have all received the same seed, the Word of God, and allow it to bear fruit. We all come into the same body and we have been chosen to be a part of that body in the earth to do the works of God.  There is more interesting revelation found in (Psa.102:12) But thou, O Lord, wilt abide for ever; And thy memorial [name] unto all generations. So all of the generations of God's people become one generation, the 42nd generation. (13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion … God is going to bring His children out of bondage in Babylon back to Zion in these days. (Psa.102:13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come. The time is in our day when God is going to have pity on Zion, to raise her up again.   He will raise up Zion, whose land has been desolate because God's people were taken into Babylonish captivity. Now they're going to return by His grace to their Promised Land. (Psa.102:14) For thy servants take pleasure in her stones … “Her stones” are a symbol of separation from the world. Zion, the Tower of the Flock, separated the people from the world. It represents holiness; and being on the mountain of God; it represents overcoming the world and drawing close to His Presence, which is on top of the mountain.  (Psa.102:14) For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust. (15) So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth thy glory. Before this is over, that's exactly what's going to happen: the nations will fear the name of the Lord because He is once again going to show His sovereignty and His judgments in the earth, just as He did in the time of Moses. Egypt was a type of the nations. (Psa.102:16) For the Lord hath built up Zion (who is the Bride, according to Revelation 21:2); He hath appeared in his glory. The Lord is coming in His people. It is a body made up of Himself, His Word and His life.   (Psa.102:17) He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer. This indicates to me that in these days many are going to draw close to the Lord because of destitution and tribulation in the world and a wilderness experience.  (Psa.102:18) This shall be written for the generation to come … Notice that it is one generation, the 42nd generation, in whom Jesus lives (Col.1:27). (Psa.102:18) This shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. That's the 42nd generation, one generation, the generation of the Lord. Remember what was said back in Matthew: it is “the generation of Jesus Christ.” That's what the whole genealogy was about, “the genesis (same word) of Jesus Christ.”  (Psa.102:19) For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; (20) To hear the sighing of the prisoner … This is referring to God's people being in bondage. He is coming once again to deliver His people out of bondage to the carnal man in Egypt. The Israelite, the spiritual man, was in bondage to the carnal man, the Egyptian. The Lord was coming down to set them free, which He is about to do again. All those are types and shadows of what is going to happen during the Tribulation period. Even the judgments that Moses poured out are the ones that the Man-child will pour out on Egypt, the world. (Psa.102:20) … To loose those that are appointed to death; (21) That men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion (Zion was the refuge of God's people.), And his praise in Jerusalem; (22) When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. Praise God!  The same thing is spoken of in (Isa.53:8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them (The words “among them” was not in the original manuscript.) considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due? (Isa.53:9) And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Praise the Lord! This is the generation of the Lord, which is the generation or genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1.  We can see that genealogy in another Psalm, too. (Psa.22:30) A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the [next] generation. However, the word “next” was not in the original. Also, the word used there for “told” can be translated as “counted,” so the verse may be read, “counted unto the Lord unto a generation.” Some of you may have a footnote that reads, “or, ‘counted unto the Lord for His generations.'” The word “generations” is singular. The translators are using their own reasoning there and I believe that what it correctly reads is, “It shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.” This is the 42nd generation, the one referred to in Matthew, which is what the Lord came to do.   The Lord Jesus came for this generation of people from His day until ours. The real cream of the crop is coming in our day. He has saved the best wine for last (Joh.2:1-10). He refers to this generation in the next verse. (Psa.22:31) They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done it. He has done it! It is finished! He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He has brought forth His children, as we just read in Isaiah 53. The Bible says, He shall see [his] seed (Isa.53:10) and again, the word “seed” is singular. Jesus gave His life in order to see this seed and said, Greater [works] than these shall he (that's you) do; because I go unto the Father (Joh.14:12).  We read This is the generation of them that seek after him (Psa.24:6). That's an awful lot of people, between the time of Jesus first raising up disciples and our day. So who is this “generation”? If you go back and read Psalm 24, you get an idea. (Psa.24:1) The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. (2) For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. (3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? (That is Mt. Zion.) And who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.   (5) He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. (6) This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, [even] Jacob. Oh, praise the Lord! This generation that God has spoken about so often, this chosen generation, is the 42nd generation of 14 + 14 + 14. And this 42nd generation is made up of the eternal, spiritual man. The carnal man is not the offspring of Jesus Christ; he is the offspring of Adam, the first Adam. The last Adam is the Father of the spiritual, born-again creation man, the sons of God.  This body each of us has is a temporary thing and all of its desires and lusts are temporary; they're all going to pass away. We have a new body and a born-again soul that's been born again from the Word of God and we have a new spirit. All this is the 42nd generation, which the whole Gospel is for and about. We're looking toward the crowning of this generation in the coming days. It's an awesome work that God is about to do!  Now let's continue on in Matthew because here's another spiritual passage that concerns what God is about to do: (Mat.1:18) Now the birth (The word “birth” is the same Greek word meaning the genesis or “generation.”) of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Notice that when we speak of abortion, we refer to the child as a fetus. It says, “she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” It is not a fetus; it is a child. Abortion kills a child and this is a child of the Holy Spirit. Spiritually-speaking, Mary represents the people of God in whom the Holy Spirit has sown a seed that is bringing forth the fruit of Jesus Christ. It was said to Mary, And blessed [is] she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord (Luk.1:45). What was spoken unto her from the Lord was that she was to bring forth the fruit of Jesus Christ.  And each one of us has also been called to be a Mary because Jesus said, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (Mat.12:48). (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. Everyone who does the Will of the Father is a part of this corporate body of Mary, which is bringing forth the fruit of Jesus Christ. He sowed the seed into the womb of the hearts of men in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 and He brought forth the fruit of Christ 30-, 60- and 100-fold. So we see that this is also a prophecy of things to come. We are all called to bring forth the fruit of Jesus Christ. Everyone who does that is a part of the 42nd generation. The natural Jesus was the 41st generation and we are the 42nd generation. This is how God chose to bring forth His sons, in the only begotten Son of God, one Body.  (Mat.1:19) And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. (20) But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. By the way, the word “conceived” here is the word “begotten” in Greek, gennao, and is an offshoot of the word genesis, or “born.” Notice it says that it is “born in her.” It is a child born in her at the time of conception. The Chinese count a person's birth years from the time of conception, not the time of birth, and the Bible is saying the same thing here. “That which is born in her is of the Holy Spirit.” What the Spirit is bringing forth in us is the fruit of Jesus Christ. Glory be to God!  (Mat.1:21) And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. It's interesting that it says that He is going to save His people from their sins. If we were chosen from the foundation of the world, we're going to be a part of this 42nd generation, in that we have received the seed of the Kingdom, which is the Word of God, and brought forth the fruit. Not everybody who is loosely called a “Christian” can say that. He is only talking about those who are “in Mary.” (Mat.12:50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my … mother. The Lord is referring only to those who do His Will. The others, who are in rebellion and call themselves “Christians,” are not a part of this whole scenario.   It was the same in Jesus' day when He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not (Joh.1:11). In fact, He said to some of them, Ye are of [your] father the devil (Mat.8:44). (39) They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. (41) … We have one Father, [even] God. (42) Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me … And the Bible says if we loved Him, we would keep His commandments (John 14:15). Those who are “in Mary” do the Will of the Father because they have true faith and true faith brings forth true ability from God to walk in His Will. God gives us the gift of working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:11) when we have this gift of faith and we exercise it. (Mat.1:21) … It is he that shall save his people from their sins. Hallelujah! (22) Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. This is the whole plan of God, that He is “with us.”   Notice that He was born unto a virgin. Is it still true today? The only way that Jesus Christ can be born in us is if we don't receive the seed of man, but we receive the seed of God, which is the Word of God. You know, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (1Co.5:6). You don't have to add much to the Word of God to make it not be the Word of God anymore. You just need to add a little bit of man's theology and it's not the Word of God. Jesus said, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Mat.16:6). Why? Because what they were sowing was the seed of their father, whom Jesus said was the devil. There's only one thing that will bring forth Jesus Christ in His people, which would make them a member of this body of the 42nd generation, and it's the Word of God.   I suggest to the multitudes of people listening, who are wasting a lot of time in religion and not bearing the fruit of Jesus Christ nor walking in His steps and manifesting His power and His fruit, that they stay home and read the Bible until you get it into you enough that you can recognize true and undefiled religion. It is the Word of God that we must humble ourselves to and that brings us into the 42nd generation and the body of she who is the virgin.   We are members of Mary's body who will bring forth the fruit of Jesus Christ, if we are virgins. The Bible says of the 144,000 group in Revelation 14:4 (which is 144), These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These [are] they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were purchased from among men [to be] the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb (Rev.14:4). They are virgins because they refuse to receive the seed of men, which is “the leaven of the Pharisees.”   And Jesus said, beware of … the leaven of Herod (Mar.8:15) because a person can also receive the “leaven” of worldly governments, which is patriotism to worldly governments as a form of worship of worldly governments. We have a new one-world order and it's the body of Christ. We have one King over our one-world order and that's Christ Himself. He is the head. We are the body and we do not have our own will; He is our Will. He gives us His Will; in fact, that's how the Son sets us free. It's because He gives us a will that cannot be thwarted. Jesus' Will cannot be thwarted. You cannot be frustrated if you have His Will. Frustration comes when you have your will and God's Will in the same body, at war with one another. Freedom is having God work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:11), so that we can walk after the Lamb of God whithersoever He goes and not be defiled with “women” (Revelation 14:4).  “Women” refers to religious sects, which are typed in the Scriptures as women. Virgins receive only the Word of God and will bring forth the pure fruit of Jesus Christ, just like this lineage that we looked at in Matthew. Jesus was the Son of David because He was of the lineage of David all the way down through Mary. The body He dwelt in was the Son of David, but the Son of God came through the Holy Spirit, Who is the only One Who can sow the nature and life of Jesus. A person who is inhabited by the Holy Spirit can also speak the Word of God, which brings forth the life of Christ in this body in which we dwell.  All of this genealogy was physical, but it also was a parable. Most parables were physical and Jesus spoke parables about planting corn, etc. They were physically true, but they had a spiritual revelation. A spiritual revelation is that the Gospels, the sharing of the Good News, was to bring forth the genealogy of Jesus Christ in His 42nd generation, and they would be born to a body spiritually called “Mary” because “He that doeth the Will of My Father is My mother.” Praise be to God!   In Matthew 1 and 2, five dreams gave direction, warning, protection, prophecy, and instruction. They were given to Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and to the fruit, Jesus. Today, the same thing is happening; many in this time are having dreams, visions and revelations, because we are at the same corresponding point in history. There is a period of time right here, which starts with the anointing of Jesus for His 3½-year ministry. What we're studying right now is the introduction to the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, which started when He was 30 years old.   We're leading up to the time of the anointing of the Man-child, Jesus, the One Who, according to Hosea 6:1-3, is coming as the latter rain on “the morning” of “the third day,” which is where we are right now, and He is coming in His people! He's coming in His first-fruits to begin the process of manifesting the sons of God in these latter days. It's an awesome revelation that the Lord has hidden in this literal revelation of the life of Christ. (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. The Gospels are giving us a revelation of the time just before the beginning of the 3½-year Tribulation. 

How do we experience the Holy Spirit? Who is Holy Spirit? What impedes our walk in the Spirit? What must we do to walk in the Spirit? Take a listen!

The Presbyterian Church has a long history rooted in the Protestant Reformation, but what exactly sets Presbyterianism apart from other Christian traditions?Pastor Jeff Cranston sits down with Reverend Bill McCutchen, lead pastor at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, to explore the key aspects of Presbyterian theology. If you haven't seen part 1 of this conversation, feel free to go back and listen.Here's What We Discussed00:55 - Infant BaptismMany Christian denominations, including Presbyterians, practice infant baptism—but why? The practice is rooted in covenant theology, where God's promises extend to believers and their children. They also baptize older children, teenagers, and adults who come to faith later in life. 03:24 - Covenant Theology and BaptismWhat does it mean to be part of God's covenant? God's promises have always been generational, from Abraham to the New Testament Church. He highlights Peter's sermon at Pentecost, where he says, “The promise is for you and your children” (Acts 2:39). 06:03 - Sprinkling vs. ImmersionPresbyterians typically use sprinkling or pouring. Rev. McCutchen explains that the Old Testament frequently refers to ritual cleansing through sprinkling (Ezekiel 36:25). The Greek word for baptism (baptizo) can mean to immerse, but also to wash or cleanse. While immersion symbolizes death and resurrection, sprinkling and pouring emphasize the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17). 10:18 - Church Governance in PresbyterianismUnlike some churches that are led by a single pastor or bishop, Presbyterian churches follow a plurality of elders model. McCutchen explains the difference between Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders. As far as allowing women pastors it depends on the denomination. The Presbyterian Church in America holds to a complementarian view; women can serve in many leadership roles but not as ordained pastors or elders. 15:04 - The Core of Reformed Theology: TULIPReformed theology is summarized by the acronym TULIP:Total DepravityUnconditional ElectionLimited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints These doctrines were developed in response to Arminian theology and remain foundational to Presbyterian beliefs today.20:14 - Closing ThoughtsReverend McCutchen and Pastor Jeff reflect on the importance of unity in Christ, despite denominational differences. Visit Hilton Head Presbyterian Church: https://www.hiltonheadpca.com/leadership Join the ConversationWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.orgVisit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Do you desire to hear the voice of God? Join International & Best-Selling Author, Christian Counselor, and Prophetic Mentor Melia as she embraces the hard truth of discerning God's voice! Learn how to awaken your soul through the Holy Spirit; our teacher, advocate, and comforter, who serves as the third person of the Trinity. Your connection and vertical relationship with Jesus are essential for spiritual discernment! Gain more profound knowledge of how to hear God's voice for yourself.  Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Vertical Relationship Show 00:02:15 - Introduce Melia Diana & Guide to Healing and Relationships 00:04:30 - The Importance of a Personal Relationship with Jesus 00:06:45 - Episode Focus: Discerning the Voice of God 00:09:00 - Testimonial: Healing Trauma God's Way 00:11:20 - Awakening Your Spirit Through the Holy Spirit 00:13:40 - Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit 00:15:00 - The Power of God's Word: Hebrews 4:12 00:17:10 - Receiving the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38 Explained 00:19:30 - Building a Vertical Relationship with Jesus 00:21:50 - Challenges in Hearing God's Voice 00:24:00 - Getting Right with God for Discernment 00:26:15 - The Holy Spirit as Our Advocate: John 14:16-17 00:28:30 - Teaching and Remembrance: The Holy Spirit's Role 00:30:45 - Discernment: A Gift from God Through Salvation 00:33:00 - Melia's Personal Journey with Discernment 00:35:20 - The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Gifts 00:37:40 - Understanding Human Relationships with the Holy Spirit 00:40:00 - Delivering God's Message: Kindness and Offense 00:42:15 - The Instincts Without God's Spirit: Jude 1:19 00:44:30 - The World's Hurt: Nothing Hidden from God 00:46:00 - Embracing Your Journey Despite Misunderstanding 00:48:15 - Vulnerability and Healing: Keys to Discernment 00:50:30 - Building Each Other Up in Faith 00:52:00 - Maintaining a Vertical Relationship with Jesus 00:54:15 - Prayer and Gratitude for the Holy Spirit 00:56:30 - Spreading the Love of Jesus: A Call to Action 00:58:00 - Invitation to Learn More with Melia Blessings xo- Melia's Services -> https://meliadiana.com/our-services Melia's Books ->https://meliadiana.com/books Melia's Courses -> https://meliadiana.com/vertical-relationship-academy Melia's Prophetic Mentorship-> https://meliadiana.com/vertical-ambassador-mentorship    

Acts 2:42-47 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And […] The post The Impact of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-47) first appeared on Hope of Christ Church.

Have you ever had someone tell you that the motive behind their decision(s) was that God was leading them? Did you ever wonder how it was that they knew God was leading them? What if He is not leading you and you make that claim? On some level, does that make you guilty of breaking the 9th Commandment? In case you have forgotten what that commandment states, here it is: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Exod. 20:16). Is it also possible that by using Gods name as an excuse for your choices in life, that you are also guilty of violating the 3rdcommandment, which states: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain (Exod. 20:7). You need to understand that God is holy, and He is serious about how we treat His name and how we approach Him. So, how do you know what the will of God is and when is it okay to make the bold declaration that God is leading you...? Get some clue how to know Gods will from Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:56). But what do you do with all the factors that affect how we humans make decisions such as: Cognitive biases: What happens when our decisions are shaped by our biases and affirmed by information and media that confirms our existing beliefs. Emotional state: How we are feeling can have a tremendous effect on our ability to reason and make decisions. Cultural factors: The culture you grew up in or the one that surrounds you today can affect your perception of truth and how you make decisions. Situational factors: Your physical atmosphere, social environment, time constraints, and circumstances that have brought you to your decision all shape the decision-making process. We have so many things competing for our hearts and it can be very difficult to discern what part of the decision-making process is Gods will and leading, and what part is our feelings and wants. So, how can you decern what the will of God is for your life and choices? I believe Acts 20:17-38 is helpful in that it shows us five things Paul practiced that helped him understand what Gods will was for his life regardless of his feelings and the circumstances that surrounded him. Paul was Concerned About What Gods Word Said About Everything (vv. 20-21, 27). The reason why Paul spent over two years in Ephesus was for the same reason he completed three missionary journeys, and that was to declare, ...the whole purpose of God. Paul declared the full counsel of Gods Word while in Ephesus. Jesus commanded His followers: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to follow all that I commanded you... (Matt. 28:19-20), and Paul took that command very seriously. All that Paul had to offer and give to the Ephesians was the Jesus of the Holy Scriptures. Listen, Paul did not just teach and preach the Bible, his life and choices were governed by the Word of God. How does one get to the place where he or she is able to declare all that is beneficial from the Word of God without first being in the Word of God privately? What is the goal of being in Gods word? Paul answered that question in his epistle to the Philippians: That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:10-11). You will not get to know Jesus if you are not listening to His voice through His word, and if you are not listening to His voice, you will not know His will. Step #1 for knowing the will of God: What does the word of God say about it? Paul Made Sure His Choices Lined Up with the Mission of God (vv. 17-19, 24) What is the mission of God? For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place frankincense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be great among the nations, Declares the Lord (Mal. 1:11)! John piper wrote in his book, Let the Nations be Glad: Missions exist because worship doesnt and he was right! Paul came to Ephesus because the Ephesians worshiped all kinds of idols, but they did not worship God because they did not know Jesus. Paul entered Ephesus with a desire to serve the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials because his purpose in life was to make Jesus known first and foremost! Paul did not think he was better than the Ephesians, but because he had a great and accurate view of who God is, he was willing to die to self for the purpose of living for Jesus. This is what he said in verse 24, But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of Gods grace. For Paul, his mission would include bringing the gospel to the gentiles (see Acts 9:1-19). For you, Gods mission may look different, but the one thing that it does have in common with Pauls mission is to make Jesus known where He is not known. If you are a Christian, you have been called into the mission of God. That does not mean that you must become a missionary, although it may. What the mission of God means for you is simply this: God has called you to your world, which includes your family, neighborhood, work, and church to use your talents and gifts to reach the lost and partner with your local church to accomplish the mission Jesus gave His Church. Wherever you find yourself, Jesus said of your redeemed life: You are the salt of the earth.... you are the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-14). You are Jesus ambassador in your home, in your neighborhood, among your friends, where you work, and as a part of a community of Jesus followers within His Church. Step #2 for knowing the will of God: Will my decision allow me to continue to participate in Gods mission? Paul Was Sensitive to the Holy Spirits Leading (vv. 22-23) Paul was sensitive to the Holy Spirit for two primary reasons: His head and heart were affected by the time he spent in the Word of God, and he strived to walk in a manner worthy of his calling (Eph. 4:1). The fruit of listening to Gods word and obedience to it, is the filling of the Holy Spirit. From the moment you are born again, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-24; 16:7), you are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14), and you are baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). But with the filling of the Holy Spirit comes power and a sensitivity to His leading; this is what Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church and practiced: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30) And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit... (Eph. 5:18) Jesus promised that to every true Christian who sets their hearts to follow Jesus in faith and trust will receive the Holy Spirit Whom He called, The Helper (John 14:16-17). Jesus promised that the ministry of the Holy Spirit will be to, guide you into all the truth... (John 16:13). This is exactly what Paul experienced throughout his lifetime even when others had a hard time understanding it (as we will see in Acts 21:7-14). This is why he called the elders together before he left Ephesus to tell them how the Holy Spirit was leading him: And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me (Acts 20:2223). For Paul, the compulsion he had from the Holy Spirit did not mean that he understood or was aware what the total outcome would be for choosing to leave Ephesus, but the call was clear, and he had to go. Paul also understood that he would not be able to come back: And now behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face (v. 25). Sometimes the will of God is a call to leave what is stable and comfortable to a place of uncertainty and danger. Tony Merida, in his commentary on Acts, made the following observation: The goal of life is not to have a long life but a full life, one lived to the glory of Jesus Christ. For some Christians such faithfulness will involve hardship, persecution, and even martyrdom. Pauls example here shows how one can endure such experiences: We must value Jesus above everything, and we must rely on the Spirit.[1] Step #3 for knowing the will of God: Am I walking in step with the Holy Spirit and is He leading me in the decision-making process? Paul Understood God Was Greater than His Mission (vv. 32-34) Paul understood two critically important things that are worth considering regarding the will of God: First, God loved the Ephesian Christians infinitely more than Paul ever could. Second, God didnt need Paul but chose to use him and would use others in his place after he left. What was required of Paul and the elders of the Ephesian Church was to trust the God, Who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number (Job 5:8-9). With Pauls departure there would be dangers for the Ephesian Christians, so he warned the elders; he warned them that savage wolves would creep in among them with the intent to destroy them (see vv. 28-31). Just because God was leading Paul into another season of life and ministry, did not mean that the ministry God used him to establish was safe. However, for three years, Paul was preparing the elders and the church for the day when God would lead him elsewhere. Paul also understood that God would provide the church what was needed in the wake of his departure, so he was confidently able to assure them: And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (v. 32). What they needed most, Paul gave them... and that was God and His Word. Step #4 for knowing the will of God: Understand and trust that God is infinitely bigger than you are and is capable of doing great and unsearchable things... without your involvement. Paul Was Committed to Prayer (vv. 36-38) Paul and the elders did not end with hugs and handshakes, but fervent prayer together as brothers committed to the same mission! It is critically important to note that before there were any goodbyes, before the decision was official, before Paul got on the boat, he and the leaders of the church prayed. Verses 36-38 are such a touching conclusion to Acts 20 as it is a reminder that there is no point in going anywhere if God is not leading you and although He may be leading you, it does not mean that it will be easy; consider these verses again: When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship. This was not the first time Paul, and the elders, prayed about where God was leading, based on what we know of Pauls life, prayer was the culture of his life. Because it was the culture of his life, he was not getting on any boat before they prayed together! Ephesians 6:18-19 gives us a glimpse into the prayer life of the apostle: With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints... (Eph. 6:18). Regarding his departure, Paul prayed all the time, with all persistence, for the glory of God and the good of Christs Church! It is important to also understand that Paul did not pray alone but prayed with those his decision affected most. Step #5 for knowing the will of God: Bathe your life and choices with prayer with a willingness to die to what you want for the purpose of living for God and His mission for your life. Conclusion You should know that when you follow the will of God for your life, it may not always be easy, comfortable, or agreeable for those in your life and world. It will be hard on both those who love you and agitating for those who do not share your love for God and Christ-centered world view. The safest and most secure pathway forward is to follow Jesus. When Paul arrived at Ptolemais, he stayed with Philip and while with him, a prophet by the name Agabus took Pauls belt and bound his own feet and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says: In this ways the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:7-11). When everyone in the house heard what Agabus said to Paul, they begged him not to go up to Jerusalem because they loved him. Agabus did not say anything Paul did not already know, but it was painful for those who loved Paul to hear and accept. Pauls response was both tender and firm: What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). At this point Pauls decision was affirmed by the Word of God, the mission of God for his life, the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit, a confidence in Gods sovereignty and power, and a decision bathed in prayer, so he was sure of what Gods will was for his life and he could not be persuaded. Those who loved Paul saw this: And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, The will of the Lord be done! (v. 14). So, before you declare that God is leading you to take that new job, enter into a relationship or marriage, or to move from anywhere to anywhere be sure to check what you are considering against the same five checkpoints we see in Pauls life: What does the Word of God say about your decision? If Gods word speaks against it, then it is not Gods will for your life. Will my decision allow me to continue to participate in Gods mission? If your decision will further remove you from Gods mission and His people, then it may not be the will of God for your life. Are you sure the Holy Spirit is leading you? If you are not living in obedience to God, your perspective of what Gods will for your life may be severely perverted. Do you really believe that God can do great and unsearchable things... without your involvement but wants to use you anyway and that He is about His glory for your good? Did you pray with open hands before God almighty concerning His will for your life related to whatever is before you? Pauls decision to leave Ephesus ultimately resulted in his martyrdom in Rome, but if he did not leave, he would not have written Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus... and those glorious epistles would not have been included in our Bibles as holy Scripture. [1] Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 315.

Have you ever had someone tell you that the motive behind their decision(s) was that God was leading them? Did you ever wonder how it was that they knew God was leading them? What if He is not leading you and you make that claim? On some level, does that make you guilty of breaking the 9th Commandment? In case you have forgotten what that commandment states, here it is: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Exod. 20:16). Is it also possible that by using Gods name as an excuse for your choices in life, that you are also guilty of violating the 3rdcommandment, which states: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain (Exod. 20:7). You need to understand that God is holy, and He is serious about how we treat His name and how we approach Him. So, how do you know what the will of God is and when is it okay to make the bold declaration that God is leading you...? Get some clue how to know Gods will from Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:56). But what do you do with all the factors that affect how we humans make decisions such as: Cognitive biases: What happens when our decisions are shaped by our biases and affirmed by information and media that confirms our existing beliefs. Emotional state: How we are feeling can have a tremendous effect on our ability to reason and make decisions. Cultural factors: The culture you grew up in or the one that surrounds you today can affect your perception of truth and how you make decisions. Situational factors: Your physical atmosphere, social environment, time constraints, and circumstances that have brought you to your decision all shape the decision-making process. We have so many things competing for our hearts and it can be very difficult to discern what part of the decision-making process is Gods will and leading, and what part is our feelings and wants. So, how can you decern what the will of God is for your life and choices? I believe Acts 20:17-38 is helpful in that it shows us five things Paul practiced that helped him understand what Gods will was for his life regardless of his feelings and the circumstances that surrounded him. Paul was Concerned About What Gods Word Said About Everything (vv. 20-21, 27). The reason why Paul spent over two years in Ephesus was for the same reason he completed three missionary journeys, and that was to declare, ...the whole purpose of God. Paul declared the full counsel of Gods Word while in Ephesus. Jesus commanded His followers: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to follow all that I commanded you... (Matt. 28:19-20), and Paul took that command very seriously. All that Paul had to offer and give to the Ephesians was the Jesus of the Holy Scriptures. Listen, Paul did not just teach and preach the Bible, his life and choices were governed by the Word of God. How does one get to the place where he or she is able to declare all that is beneficial from the Word of God without first being in the Word of God privately? What is the goal of being in Gods word? Paul answered that question in his epistle to the Philippians: That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:10-11). You will not get to know Jesus if you are not listening to His voice through His word, and if you are not listening to His voice, you will not know His will. Step #1 for knowing the will of God: What does the word of God say about it? Paul Made Sure His Choices Lined Up with the Mission of God (vv. 17-19, 24) What is the mission of God? For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place frankincense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be great among the nations, Declares the Lord (Mal. 1:11)! John piper wrote in his book, Let the Nations be Glad: Missions exist because worship doesnt and he was right! Paul came to Ephesus because the Ephesians worshiped all kinds of idols, but they did not worship God because they did not know Jesus. Paul entered Ephesus with a desire to serve the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials because his purpose in life was to make Jesus known first and foremost! Paul did not think he was better than the Ephesians, but because he had a great and accurate view of who God is, he was willing to die to self for the purpose of living for Jesus. This is what he said in verse 24, But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of Gods grace. For Paul, his mission would include bringing the gospel to the gentiles (see Acts 9:1-19). For you, Gods mission may look different, but the one thing that it does have in common with Pauls mission is to make Jesus known where He is not known. If you are a Christian, you have been called into the mission of God. That does not mean that you must become a missionary, although it may. What the mission of God means for you is simply this: God has called you to your world, which includes your family, neighborhood, work, and church to use your talents and gifts to reach the lost and partner with your local church to accomplish the mission Jesus gave His Church. Wherever you find yourself, Jesus said of your redeemed life: You are the salt of the earth.... you are the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-14). You are Jesus ambassador in your home, in your neighborhood, among your friends, where you work, and as a part of a community of Jesus followers within His Church. Step #2 for knowing the will of God: Will my decision allow me to continue to participate in Gods mission? Paul Was Sensitive to the Holy Spirits Leading (vv. 22-23) Paul was sensitive to the Holy Spirit for two primary reasons: His head and heart were affected by the time he spent in the Word of God, and he strived to walk in a manner worthy of his calling (Eph. 4:1). The fruit of listening to Gods word and obedience to it, is the filling of the Holy Spirit. From the moment you are born again, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-24; 16:7), you are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14), and you are baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). But with the filling of the Holy Spirit comes power and a sensitivity to His leading; this is what Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church and practiced: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30) And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit... (Eph. 5:18) Jesus promised that to every true Christian who sets their hearts to follow Jesus in faith and trust will receive the Holy Spirit Whom He called, The Helper (John 14:16-17). Jesus promised that the ministry of the Holy Spirit will be to, guide you into all the truth... (John 16:13). This is exactly what Paul experienced throughout his lifetime even when others had a hard time understanding it (as we will see in Acts 21:7-14). This is why he called the elders together before he left Ephesus to tell them how the Holy Spirit was leading him: And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me (Acts 20:2223). For Paul, the compulsion he had from the Holy Spirit did not mean that he understood or was aware what the total outcome would be for choosing to leave Ephesus, but the call was clear, and he had to go. Paul also understood that he would not be able to come back: And now behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face (v. 25). Sometimes the will of God is a call to leave what is stable and comfortable to a place of uncertainty and danger. Tony Merida, in his commentary on Acts, made the following observation: The goal of life is not to have a long life but a full life, one lived to the glory of Jesus Christ. For some Christians such faithfulness will involve hardship, persecution, and even martyrdom. Pauls example here shows how one can endure such experiences: We must value Jesus above everything, and we must rely on the Spirit.[1] Step #3 for knowing the will of God: Am I walking in step with the Holy Spirit and is He leading me in the decision-making process? Paul Understood God Was Greater than His Mission (vv. 32-34) Paul understood two critically important things that are worth considering regarding the will of God: First, God loved the Ephesian Christians infinitely more than Paul ever could. Second, God didnt need Paul but chose to use him and would use others in his place after he left. What was required of Paul and the elders of the Ephesian Church was to trust the God, Who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number (Job 5:8-9). With Pauls departure there would be dangers for the Ephesian Christians, so he warned the elders; he warned them that savage wolves would creep in among them with the intent to destroy them (see vv. 28-31). Just because God was leading Paul into another season of life and ministry, did not mean that the ministry God used him to establish was safe. However, for three years, Paul was preparing the elders and the church for the day when God would lead him elsewhere. Paul also understood that God would provide the church what was needed in the wake of his departure, so he was confidently able to assure them: And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (v. 32). What they needed most, Paul gave them... and that was God and His Word. Step #4 for knowing the will of God: Understand and trust that God is infinitely bigger than you are and is capable of doing great and unsearchable things... without your involvement. Paul Was Committed to Prayer (vv. 36-38) Paul and the elders did not end with hugs and handshakes, but fervent prayer together as brothers committed to the same mission! It is critically important to note that before there were any goodbyes, before the decision was official, before Paul got on the boat, he and the leaders of the church prayed. Verses 36-38 are such a touching conclusion to Acts 20 as it is a reminder that there is no point in going anywhere if God is not leading you and although He may be leading you, it does not mean that it will be easy; consider these verses again: When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship. This was not the first time Paul, and the elders, prayed about where God was leading, based on what we know of Pauls life, prayer was the culture of his life. Because it was the culture of his life, he was not getting on any boat before they prayed together! Ephesians 6:18-19 gives us a glimpse into the prayer life of the apostle: With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints... (Eph. 6:18). Regarding his departure, Paul prayed all the time, with all persistence, for the glory of God and the good of Christs Church! It is important to also understand that Paul did not pray alone but prayed with those his decision affected most. Step #5 for knowing the will of God: Bathe your life and choices with prayer with a willingness to die to what you want for the purpose of living for God and His mission for your life. Conclusion You should know that when you follow the will of God for your life, it may not always be easy, comfortable, or agreeable for those in your life and world. It will be hard on both those who love you and agitating for those who do not share your love for God and Christ-centered world view. The safest and most secure pathway forward is to follow Jesus. When Paul arrived at Ptolemais, he stayed with Philip and while with him, a prophet by the name Agabus took Pauls belt and bound his own feet and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says: In this ways the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:7-11). When everyone in the house heard what Agabus said to Paul, they begged him not to go up to Jerusalem because they loved him. Agabus did not say anything Paul did not already know, but it was painful for those who loved Paul to hear and accept. Pauls response was both tender and firm: What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). At this point Pauls decision was affirmed by the Word of God, the mission of God for his life, the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit, a confidence in Gods sovereignty and power, and a decision bathed in prayer, so he was sure of what Gods will was for his life and he could not be persuaded. Those who loved Paul saw this: And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, The will of the Lord be done! (v. 14). So, before you declare that God is leading you to take that new job, enter into a relationship or marriage, or to move from anywhere to anywhere be sure to check what you are considering against the same five checkpoints we see in Pauls life: What does the Word of God say about your decision? If Gods word speaks against it, then it is not Gods will for your life. Will my decision allow me to continue to participate in Gods mission? If your decision will further remove you from Gods mission and His people, then it may not be the will of God for your life. Are you sure the Holy Spirit is leading you? If you are not living in obedience to God, your perspective of what Gods will for your life may be severely perverted. Do you really believe that God can do great and unsearchable things... without your involvement but wants to use you anyway and that He is about His glory for your good? Did you pray with open hands before God almighty concerning His will for your life related to whatever is before you? Pauls decision to leave Ephesus ultimately resulted in his martyrdom in Rome, but if he did not leave, he would not have written Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus... and those glorious epistles would not have been included in our Bibles as holy Scripture. [1] Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 315.

Acts 9:36 - 11:18 As we continue in Acts, we follow some of Peter's travels. After the healing of Aeneas and the resurrection of Dorcas, we find Peter praying, when he's presented with a vision from the Lord. At the same time, an angel of the Lord appears to a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Each man responded in faith and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to meet each other. From that experience, Peter and the Church leaders realized that all the world could receive salvation through Jesus. Website: immanuelde.com Facebook: immanuelchurchwilmington YouTube: Immanuel Church Wilmington DE

     In the Christian life, faith can be seen in two ways. First, there is the single act of faith in Jesus that results in our salvation (John 3:16; 6:40; 20:31; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Eph 2:8-9). This refers to our justification before God and is a one-time event that is never repeated. Justification is declared because God has imputed His righteousness to us at the moment we trusted in Jesus as our Savior (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). This results in our eternal salvation and is conditioned only on faith in Jesus (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16), for “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:12). Second, after being born again, God calls us to a walk of faith where we continually trust Him at His Word and obey His directives (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6). The walk of faith focuses largely on what we think (Rom 12:1-2), say (Eph 4:15; Col 4:6), and do (Jam 1:22). God's Word sanctifies us as we walk by faith in Him (John 17:17), and this glorifies Him and advances us to spiritual maturity. Justification sets the ground for sanctification, but does not guarantee it, as the Christian must possess positive volition and make ongoing good choices that are rooted in divine viewpoint. Some believers, like the prodigal son, may turn to a sinful lifestyle. Faith that Justifies us Before God      Our righteous standing before God starts the moment we believe in Jesus as our Savior. This is the Jesus of Scripture and history, and not a fake Jesus like those taught by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or one we create in our imagination. Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity; He is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Col 2:9). Prior to His incarnation, God the Son was involved in planning our salvation with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father sent God the Son into the world to fulfill a divine mission. God's Word tells us, “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14; cf., John 4:34; 7:29; 8:29; 20:21). The Father's great mission was to make salvation available to everyone. This act of God was done in love, as it is written, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10; cf., Rom 5:8). The Son agreed with the Father, saying, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38), and “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). When God the Son came into the world and took upon Himself humanity, He executed His mission flawlessly.      The divine mission began in time and space nearly two thousand years ago when God the Son took upon Himself humanity. The writer to the Hebrews cites the words of God the Son as He was about to enter the world, saying, “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says [to God the Father], ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me'” (Heb 10:5). The third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit, facilitated the mission by bringing about the hypostatic union within the womb of the virgin Mary (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:30-35; Gal 4:4). The angel Gabriel told Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). At the moment of conception in the womb of the virgin Mary, undiminished deity was combined forever with perfect humanity. Eventually, Jesus was born, and God “became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The apostle Paul tells us, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col 2:9).      God's Word also informs us that Jesus was a Jew, born a son of Abraham, in the line of David (Matt 1:1), the promised Messiah (Matt 1:1, 16-17; John 1:41). Jesus grew in human wisdom (Luke 2:40, 52) and lived a perfectly righteous life before God and man. The record of Scripture is that Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), “committed no sin” (1 Pet 2:22), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). In His humanity, Jesus walked in perfect conformity to God the Father's holy character and divine revelation. This is important, for Jesus' sinless life qualified Him to go to the cross and pay the ransom price for our sins. Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).      When the divinely appointed time came for Jesus to go to the cross (John 12:23; 13:1), He went willingly (Isa 53:10; John 10:18). Just hours before the crucifixion, Jesus said to His Father, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). Then He went to the cross and “offered Himself without blemish to God” (Heb 9:14), and “gave Himself for our sins” (Gal 1:4). Jesus paid our sin debt by means of His “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19). While on the cross, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor 15:3), and He died in our place, “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18).      Jesus' death on the cross was a one-time event, as He “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Heb 10:12). After Jesus paid for all our sins, “He said, ‘It is finished!' And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). Jesus' death on the cross satisfied every righteous demand of God the Father concerning the payment for our sins (Rom 3:25), for “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Jesus paid the price for all our sins. There's nothing more to pay. After Jesus died, He was placed in a grave and was resurrected to life on the third day (Acts 2:23-24; 4:10; 10:40; 1 Cor 15:3-4), never to die again (Rom 6:9). Because Christ died for everyone (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2), everyone is savable. The Bible tells us that God has brought “salvation to all men” (Tit 2:11), that He “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4), and is “not wishing for any to perish” (2 Pet 3:9).      Once we understand who Christ is, as God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), and what He has accomplished for us on the cross—having died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4)—we can then exercise our faith by trusting in Him as our Savior. To receive salvation, the unbeliever is told to “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31a). Jesus is the object of our faith. To believe in Christ as our Savior means we trust Him to accomplish for us what we cannot accomplish ourselves: eternal salvation from the lake of fire.      Faith in Christ is the only condition for salvation. Faith does not save; Christ saves. Faith is merely the instrument by which we receive the free gift of God, which is eternal life. Though the gift was very expensive for the Lord, it is offered totally free to us, for “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). And it is “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Only the empty hand of faith accepts the gift. It offers nothing but is open to receive that which is offered by another. God's gift is available to everyone, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). No payment is required from us to receive it. It's a free gift.      The only sin that keeps a person out of heaven is the sin of unbelief, the individual choice NOT to trust in Jesus as one's Savior. The one who rejects Jesus as Savior is judged by God on the sole ground that “he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). These are the ones who “are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51; cf. John 16:8), who “do not believe” in Jesus as their Savior (John 16:9), and “are unwilling to come” to Him so that they “may have life” (John 5:40). Those who willingly reject Christ as Savior will, after death, experience eternal separation and punishment away from God for all eternity, for “if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15). This need not happen. Hell is avoidable for the one who trusts in Christ as Savior, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 3:24; 6:23), offered by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Gal 2:16; 3:26; 2 Tim 3:15), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), totally apart from human works (Rom 4:4-5; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). For lost sinners, the matter is simple: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).      Once we have trusted in Christ for salvation, God then bestows on us forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), eternal life (John 10:28), and many other blessings (Eph 1:3). And having entered into a relationship with God through Christ (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), we are then called to a life of holiness and righteousness (1 Pet 1:15-16), as we learn His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1). This new walk with God will honor Him and edify others (Eph 4:1-2; 5:1-2). Dr. Steven R. Cook

Truth of the Day: If you believe, you will receive.

The Acts of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:1-11 Pastor Jae Lee

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome: Today, we're diving into a powerful passage from Acts 19:1-7 we we walk into a city bustling with activity, where the supernatural is not only believed but actively sought after. This city is Ephesus, 2000 years ago.Ephesus was a place steeped in mysticism and magic, where people eagerly chased after every new teaching and miracle. Yet, amidst all the noise and excitement, there still remained a profound sense of emptiness among the ordinary people—a yearning for something more substantial, more real.In this episode, we'll journey to Ephesus where the Apostle Paul encounters a group of disciples who, despite their devotion, are missing a crucial element of their faith: the Holy Spirit. We will uncover the significance of the Holy Spirit's role in our spiritual journey and the difference between merely knowing about God and truly experiencing His power.Episode Notes: Paul and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)Theme: The transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.Key Points:The Incomplete Faith of the Disciples (Acts 19:1-3)Paul's Teaching and the Necessity of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:4-5)The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6-7)Conclusion:Encouragement to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Invitation to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.Reminder of Jesus' promise of "rivers of living water" representing the Holy Spirit.KINGDOM COME WITH ANDREW NKOYOYOLearn how to experience Holy Spirit's power, healing, miracles. Subscribe/follow now belowListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Pastor Tony's message reflects on Jesus' heart, as seen in Luke 19:41, where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, revealing His deep compassion and desire for spiritual renewal. The call to embody "Jesus in Me," "Jesus in We," and "Jesus in My City" begins with personal transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), empowering believers to be witnesses of God's love and truth. With a renewed focus on purpose, priorities, and plans, disciples are encouraged to steward their time, talent, treasure, and testimony for kingdom impact. Drawing from Luke 9:12-17, Pastor Tony emphasizes Jesus' ability to multiply our limited resources when surrendered to Him, enabling us to meet the needs of others and bring His hope to our cities.

Pastor Tony's message reflects on Jesus' heart, as seen in Luke 19:41, where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, revealing His deep compassion and desire for spiritual renewal. The call to embody "Jesus in Me," "Jesus in We," and "Jesus in My City" begins with personal transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), empowering believers to be witnesses of God's love and truth. With a renewed focus on purpose, priorities, and plans, disciples are encouraged to steward their time, talent, treasure, and testimony for kingdom impact. Drawing from Luke 9:12-17, Pastor Tony emphasizes Jesus' ability to multiply our limited resources when surrendered to Him, enabling us to meet the needs of others and bring His hope to our cities.

Full Text of ReadingsFeast of Saint Stephen, first martyr Lectionary: 696The Saint of the day is Saint StephenSaint Stephen's Story “As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Greek-speaking Christians complained against the Hebrew-speaking Christians, saying that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 6:1-5). Acts of the Apostles says that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people. Certain Jews, members of the Synagogue of Roman Freedmen, debated with Stephen, but proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke. They persuaded others to make the charge of blasphemy against him. He was seized and carried before the Sanhedrin. In his speech, Stephen recalled God's guidance through Israel's history, as well as Israel's idolatry and disobedience. He then claimed that his persecutors were showing this same spirit. “…you always oppose the holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors” (Acts 7:51b). Stephen's speech brought anger from the crowd. “But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' …They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. …As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' …‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them'” (Acts 7:55-56, 58a, 59, 60b). Reflection Stephen died as Jesus did: falsely accused, brought to unjust condemnation because he spoke the truth fearlessly. He died with his eyes trustfully fixed on God, and with a prayer of forgiveness on his lips. A “happy” death is one that finds us in the same spirit, whether our dying is as quiet as Joseph's or as violent as Stephen's: dying with courage, total trust and forgiving love. Saint Stephen is a Patron Saint of: Deacons Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Title: Understanding the Person of the Holy Spirit Series: Living in the Spirit
Focus Scripture: Acts 2 Introduction * Acts 2 marks the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit, empowering believers for ministry and revealing the person and work of the Spirit profoundly. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the Holy Spirit's role in the life of the church and the believer. * Objective:
To explore the Holy Spirit's identity, nature, and mission as revealed in Acts 2 and how this understanding transforms our daily walk with God. I. The Identity of the Holy Spirit 1. The Holy Spirit as God:     * Acts 2:4: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..."
The Spirit's divine nature is evident in His ability to fill believers and empower them with supernatural gifts.     * The gifts of the Holy Spirit are an extension of the person of the Holy Spirit present within us.     * The Holy Spirit is not a force but a person of the Trinity with intellect, will, and emotions - 2. The Promise of the Father:     * Acts 2:33 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.     * The Spirit fulfills the Old Testament promises     * (Joel 2:28-29) - 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. II. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 1. Empowering Believers:     * Acts 2:3-4: 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.     * The gift of diverse tongues and interpretation manifested because people of many nations/languages were gathered.     * Application: The Spirit equips us for ministry and mission, giving gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12). 2. Revealing God's Glory:     * Acts 2:11: "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"     * The Spirit's work is always centered on glorifying God and revealing His nature to the world. 3. Convicting and Drawing People to Christ:     * Acts 2:37:  Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”     * The Spirit convicts hearts, leading people to repentance and faith (John 16:8). 4. Building Unity in the Church:     * Acts 2:44-47: 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[a]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.     * The Spirit creates a community of believers marked by generosity, worship, and fellowship.     * The Spirit binds believers together in one body (Ephesians 4:3) -  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. III. Living in the Spirit Today 1. Continual Filling:     * The Spirit's presence in Acts 2 wasn't a one-time event but the beginning of ongoing empowerment (Ephesians 5:18). 18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,     * Daily surrender and openness to the Spirit are essential. God's mercies are fresh and new every day. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we need fresh manna daily, 2. Boldness in Witnessing:     * Acts 2:14-41: Peter's boldness in proclaiming the Gospel came from the Spirit's power.     * Application: The Spirit emboldens us to share our faith in love and truth. 3. Transformation of Lives:     * Acts 2:42-47: 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper[a]), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.     * The Spirit transforms believers, resulting in worship, generosity, and a communal lifestyle.     * Personal Reflection: How is the person of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts, habits, and relationships? Conclusion * Call to Action:     * Let's reflect on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are we yielding to His leading, seeking His filling, and walking in His power?     * Let's pray for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in our lives, just as in Acts 2.     * The same Spirit who moved powerfully at Pentecost is alive and at work today. He longs to empower, guide, and transform each of us into the likeness of Christ. -- Praise Tabernacle Dr. Joshua Kennedy,  Pastor 2235 Ocean Heights  Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 pastorjosh@praisetabernacle.com praisetabernacle.church  (609) 927-4560(w)

Introduction: Acts 1 serves as a crucial transition between the Gospels and the early Church, marking Jesus' ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit. This chapter sets the stage for the Holy Spirit's transformative work in believers' lives. In this teaching, we will explore how Acts 1 illustrates the importance of waiting on the Spirit, receiving empowerment, and understanding our role in God's mission. 1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:1-5 (NLT)
1 In my first book, I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles occasionally, proving to them in many ways that he was alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the promised gift of the Father—the Holy Spirit. This divine empowerment was essential for them to fulfill their calling. In the same way, we are called to begin each day refreshed in the presence of the Lord, receiving the Holy Spirit's power anew. The Holy Spirit working through the body of Christ is the most significant evidence to the world that Jesus is alive. Just as the children of Israel relied on fresh manna daily in the wilderness, we, too, must seek a daily refilling of the Spirit. Spiritual empowerment is not a one-time event but a continuous renewal, equipping us for God's purposes. The disciples' waiting was intentional, involving prayer, scripture reflection, and fellowship. Likewise, we must cultivate a posture of expectation and readiness to receive and move in the Spirit. This waiting is not passive—it is active, filled with anticipation, preparation, and community engagement. As we align ourselves with God's timing and rely on His grace, we are strengthened to live out our faith and reveal His kingdom to the world. 2. Empowerment for Mission Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We can only effectively be witnesses for Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit. Without Him, we are the same as any other religion or philosophy; our efforts will always fall short, no matter how well-intentioned. The best we can do on our own will never be enough to transform lives or reveal the glory of God. The Holy Spirit eliminates all barriers—cultural, linguistic, racial, gender and social divisions are dismantled as we walk in His power. Through the Spirit, unity and understanding are supernaturally achieved, enabling us to reach hearts that human efforts cannot. In a world that often turns to gimmicks and strategies for evangelism, God's way requires only one essential: the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is not our persuasive words or clever methods that make the difference; it is the person of the Holy Spirit working through us. When filled with the Spirit, He bears witness to Christ, using us as His vessels to bring the gospel to life in power and truth. 3. The Ascension and the Promise of His Return Acts 1:9-11 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Too many so-called disciples are still gazing upward, focused on Christ's physical return, instead of looking within and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our concern should not be consumed with when Jesus will return but with the pressing reality of a world desperately needing Him. We are called, chosen, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring His presence and message to lost people. Suppose we are not actively witnessing the people around us. In that case, we risk becoming like the disciples' initial reaction to Jesus' ascension—so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good. While the timing of Christ's return remains unknown, one truth is certain: He is already with us through the Holy Spirit, guiding and equipping us for the work. The Holy Spirit is entirely God, equal with the Father and the Son. We have everything we need in Him—the fullness of God's power, presence, and purpose. Instead of longing solely for Christ's physical return, we must embrace the reality of His Spirit dwelling within us. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill the mission of reaching the world for Christ, bringing heaven's hope to earth until the day He comes again. 4. Community in Prayer Acts 1:12-14 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.[c] 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. As the body of Christ, we are made up of many members, and the unity we cultivate directly impacts the power of the Holy Spirit released among us. The early Church exemplified the transformative power of community and prayer, showing that living in the Spirit is not merely an individual journey but a deeply communal one. Prayer meetings are often the least attended in many churches because we fail to grasp the complete revelation of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit. When we understand that prayer is not merely offering well-wishes to heaven but entering a space of divine encounter—waiting for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and declaring His prophetic word—prayer will no longer feel optional. Instead, it will become a source of longing and a place of transformation. The continued experience of Pentecost requires us to gather consistently in prayer. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, revival, and prayer are inseparable. Revival is born out of prayer, ignited by the Spirit's outpouring. To sustain a vibrant, Spirit-filled life as a community, we must commit to praying together with expectation and unity, just as the early Church did. Conclusion In Acts 1, we witness the transformative call to wait, receive, and act. The disciples were not merely instructed to remain in Jerusalem; they were charged to prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to empower them to fulfill the Great Commission. Today, we stand in that same lineage of faith, equipped with the Holy Spirit's power to carry out God's mission. This is not a passive calling—it is a charge to be active witnesses for Christ, living lives that reflect His kingdom here and now. The promise of the Spirit is not reserved for a select few; it is for all who believe and are willing to wait, receive, and move in His power. We are empowered for purpose—not to sit idly by but to transform the world through the gospel. The Spirit equips us to cross every barrier, unite across every division, and demonstrate God's love to a broken and searching world. Christ's ascension and the promise of His return call us to urgency and focus. Instead of staring into the heavens, let us look to the Spirit within us and to the harvest fields around us. Charge: * Wait expectantly in prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Make prayer a priority both individually and as a community. * Walk boldly in the Spirit's power, knowing that you are equipped to overcome barriers and bring the light of Christ to every dark corner of the world. * Witness actively, sharing the gospel wherever you go, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you in power and truth. Remember, you have been empowered for a divine purpose. Go, therefore, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world longing for His hope and truth. Through word and action, let your life declare that Christ is alive and His kingdom is at hand. -- Praise Tabernacle Dr. Joshua Kennedy,  Pastor 2235 Ocean Heights  Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 pastorjosh@praisetabernacle.com praisetabernacle.church  (609) 927-4560(w), (609) 402-8869(c)     -- Praise Tabernacle Dr. Joshua Kennedy,  Pastor 2235 Ocean Heights  Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 pastorjosh@praisetabernacle.com praisetabernacle.church  (609) 927-4560(w),

Pastor Dan's sermon emphasized the transformative role of the Holy Spirit, making it possible for believers to live the Christian life. He highlighted the epic arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 and the empowering gift of known human languages to spread the gospel. The message encouraged believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength, serve Christ boldly, and trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises. #HolySpirit #EmpoweredLiving #Acts2 #ChristianBoldness #GodsPromises

Acts

Acts

In this sermon well see what happens when we resist the Spirit over a period of time and the transformation that comes when we open our hearts to receive Him instead. Series: Acts Speaker: Matt Menzel Date: November 24, 2024 Text: Acts 7:54-60 To connect with us or find more resources visit us at www.wchurch.ca

Jason Leonard preaches through Acts 15.

Acts

Acts