Acts: The Spirit in us, through us

Introduction to Acts

Acts in 3 minutes video

Acts: The Mission Continues slide

For the last, about 5 months, we have looked at the Gospel of Luke

If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do. Please turn with me to Acts. If you don’t have a Bible, please find one in the chair in front of you. We would like for you to take it with you if you don’t have a Bible.

Slide

Acts 1:1–11 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:1-

“The Power of the Holy Spirit works in us through community.”

“The Power of the Holy Spirit works in us through community.”

New Orleans Baptist Chapel

On 25 AUG 2005, Newly graduated, Dr. David Platt, now the Dean of the Chapel, preached his first sermon during chapel to the new class of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

His sermon was on revival and by way of illustration.

Martin Luther - 1505

First Great Awakening - 1725

Haystack Revival - AUG 1805

And now, in 2005 we are calling for a revival in this city, this state, this nation and the World. A Holy Sprit Transformation.

Dead Preachers Society that summer, led to “Out of Range”

Hurricane Satellite Photo

29 AUG, hurricane made landfall, with the eye going over Bay Saint Louis, MS

Blown out building

Friday Night, 26 AUG 2005 praying in an upper meeting room. The Sprit was moving…stories of the Spirit acting through each of us that Summer, prophecy, prompts of healing

Pictures of the men in the room

In the room:

Rod, Murray, and Don Wilton…three brothers from South Africa who left for the US after serving in their military. Don arrived in New York with $500 in his pocket still needing to get to New Orleans to start his education.

After several years of friendship, Don became Billy Graham’s pastor. When he joined First Baptist Spartanburg, SC.

Murray has a large ministry to men.

Rod is an evangelist as well.

Rob Wilton - Vintage Church New Orleans, now Vintage Church Pittsburg

David Platt

Francis Chan

Robbie Gallaty

Page Brooks - CH(LTC) in the LA Guard and pastor of Mosaic a multigenerational purposefully interracial congregation

Mel Jones

and I

Acts The Mission Continues

2000 Years ago, another group of men were in an upper room waiting, expectantly. In our passage today, they received the direct mission assignment with the commanders intent to reach the objectives.

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts.

Map of spread of Christianity

In this study of ACTs, we will see how quickly the mission spread.

Quad chart of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Uttermost.

Advance as I talk about each

Your mission is still ahead of you!

Your story, every day, is being written.

You are right where the Holy Spirit led you, aren’t you?

Acts the Mission Continues slide

We believe prayer, calling on the Holy Spirit of God, sets the stage for the Spirit to work in us through community.

Currently, we have:

Prayer Summit

Navigators

Hospitality House

Life Chapel

AWANA adults series

Unit Bible Studies

YouVersion Group Reading plans

PWOC and PMOC

WE are adding IF: Table!

As beautiful example of how this mission plays out, we have Families like the Flagg family. Tim, Ande, Hunter and John are PCSing to teach at West Point. When they first arrived, they saw the need for these types of community and let the Holy Spirit work in them through a community group in their neighborhood. Those relationships endure. But, today, we are launching them out on mission to West Point, their Judea.