ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 3

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

Acts 2:1-4
GETTING STARTED:

• Think about what obedience on the part of the followers of Jesus led them to on this great day. They are in the right place at the right time to receive a powerful and amazing experience in the Holy Spirit. Obedience is the key.
• The feast of weeks (a week of weeks) is also known as the feast of Pentecost. Pente is the root word for 50. So on the 50th day after Passover – or after the passing of 7 weeks – there was the major feast of Pentecost. This major feast explains why Jerusalem was filled with Jews from every nation.

1. THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 1:4&5

• Jesus had instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until they received the gift that the Father had promised.
• We are not sure where they are meeting. It could be the upper room mentioned in 1:13, or it could have been a place in the temple where they gathered for prayer since it was around 9 in the morning or the third hour. This would explain how so many people heard them praising God.
• There are 2 key supernatural signs – The sound from heaven that is like the roaring of a mighty windstorm and tongues of fire that settle over each person.
• The key takeaway is that the promise is fulfilled – all of them are filled and they all speak in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

LOOK WHAT OBEDIENCE LED THEM TO RECEIVE.

2. THE REACTION OF OTHERS. Acts 2:5-13.

• Supernaturally – they are hearing God praised in their own language – by Galileans – people who even if they knew the languages would not enunciate them with the correct accent. So they ask – how can this be? – The answer is of course, the power of God is present through the Holy Spirit.
• Others miss the miracle and put it off as the sound of loud drunks.

LESSON: Don’t miss the miracle because you have to explain everything from the lens
of human experience. Open up your heart to see a Mighty God at work.

3. PETER STEPS UP IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Acts 2:14-21

• They are not drunk – what everyone is witnessing is what was foretold by the prophet Joel. Look at Joel 2:28-32
• Key points – This outpouring of God’s Spirit falls on male and female – rich and poor – young and old. They will all speak forth in boldness for God – they will prophecy. Then – this will lead to this great reality – Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Power to proclaim = witnesses. Acts 1:8

ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 2

THE LEADERSHIP VACUUM

Acts 1:8-11 then later 12-26

GETTING STARTED:

• Earlier in this chapter – Jesus has focused the disciples on the mission ahead. It will not be the establishment of an earthly kingdom in Israel – where they rule in Jerusalem. That day will be in the Father’s hands. Instead – they will receive power through the Holy Spirit and they will – as the Lord’s witnesses – take the Gospel to the world. As His witnesses, they will establish the everlasting Kingdom of God.
• In this lesson – Jesus will ascend into heaven and the disciples must navigate life without the direction of Jesus or the coming empowerment and direction of the Holy Spirit. There is a genuine leadership vacuum. BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COMING – AND THEY ARE FAITHFULLY WAITING.

1. JESUS ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN. Acts 1:9-11.

• When I read this – it makes me wonder how long the disciples would have stayed there looking into the heavens had the two white robed men – likely angels – not confronted them. They were used to following Jesus – but now He is gone – and what will they do?
• There is a great promise – that Jesus will return someday – in the manner you saw him leave. That’s a powerful promise. Now the disciples must live between the present – where they are now and the promise – when Jesus returns. That is why they will need the empowerment and leading of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON: We live in our present time – looking for the same Jesus to come back again. Like the disciples we also need the power and the leadership that the Holy Spirit brings to our life. We can’t spend our life staring into space – time to live faithfully for Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. DECISION MAKING WITHOUT JESUS OR THE HOLY SPIRIT. Acts 1:12-26

• Peter takes the lead on the issue of who will replace Judas. They do confer with scripture – which is good. But the how is unusual. They cast lots. This method will never be used again in decision-making in the church. When the Holy Spirit comes – He will guide the direction and decision making of the church.
• What gets them through this brief period is obedience. They continue to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. There is a deep desire in their hearts for the Holy Spirit to take over leadership. Yes – the disciples will be empowered key leaders – but it will be the Holy Spirit leading.

MAKE SURE YOU DON’T HAVE A LEADERSHIP VACUUM – LET THE SPIRIT LEAD.

ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 1

THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CONTINUES 

Acts 1:1-8

GETTING STARTED: 

• The book of Acts is written by Luke – as a continuation of the Gospel that he wrote – it picks up where that Gospel ended.  At the end of Luke – Jesus is encouraging His followers to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
• This writing is also addressed to Theophilus – a name that means friend of God or loved by God.  In the first Gospel, Luke states that his purpose is to create a certainty in the reader of everything that they have been taught – in Acts, Luke’s purpose is to demonstrate that the ministry of Jesus will continue through His followers in the enablement or power of the Holy Spirit.  The Good News established by Jesus in Luke will be taken to the ends of the earth by Holy Spirit-empowered followers in Acts. 

2 Key truths we learn in the first 8 verses.

1. THE SAME POWER – THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

• The earthly ministry of Jesus began when He was baptized by John the Baptist.  Remember that when John baptized Jesus – the Father voice His approval of the Son – and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Lord as a dove.  Acts 10:38 – states that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  It goes on to say the He was able to heal all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with him.
• Jesus intends to launch His church in this same power – knowing that the day of Pentecost is coming and His followers will be empowered with the Holy Spirit.
• The Ministry of Jesus will now continue through followers who receive the Holy Spirit and go out as His witnesses.
• Think about what Paul says in Romans 8:11 – basically – that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead – gives life to you.  More than just this – the same Spirit that empowered the ministry of Jesus will be empowering His church, His followers – sent out to spread the Good News.

2. IT’S NOT A KINGDOM ON EARTH – BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

• Let’s read verse 3 – then verses 6-8.  Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God – and the disciples are thinking – When will you restore our Kingdom?
• The Holy Spirit will shift the focus to bringing Good News to all nations in order to see the everlasting Kingdom of God opened to all who believe.