Day 2

Read: Acts 2

Introduction: For the first time in history, the church is going to start growing and multiplying. The growth that is started in the church in Acts 2 is the same church that is still growing around the world today. God has made his mission/goal for the church evident in Acts 1:8, and that is for the church to be a witness of Jesus Christ across the world. However, for the first time, God’s strategy to achieve this goal is implemented. His plan is also in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”. God’s plan is for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, indwelling and empowering his people, continues to be his plan for the growth of his church. Throughout the book of Acts, we will see that God uses broken people who have been saved and filled with his Spirit, to change the world, one life at a time.

 Acts 2:36-39 and 41

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” and Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” … So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Think about it: Just weeks before this message was given, Peter possibly made his greatest blunder. He stood before three different people, three different times and denied that he even knew Jesus all three times before Jesus’s crucifixion. When Peter was left to his own power, he couldn’t even proclaim his faith in front of a servant girl. But then in Acts 2:4 it says that they “were all filled with the Holy Spirit” and everything changes for the disciples. Take a look at the sermon Peter delivers in Acts 2. Is this the same Peter that once was too scared to even say he knew Jesus? This is a man who has been changed by God and filled with his Spirit. Take a peek at verse 39 again, “For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” The Holy Spirit is not just for the first century disciples, but He is working and empowering every one of his people still to this day.

Take away: God’s plan to fulfill the Great Commission starts and ends with his people filled with the Holy Spirit.