From Wonder to Wonder pt 1 - Pentecost

This is a pretty common use of this word – I wonder how that could ever happen. There is a sense of doubt in the question, a sense of doubt in the statement.

A follow up question we might ask is: Why is this happening? Why me?

Then at times, our doubt turns into justification, or even anger: I must have done something wrong to deserve this. God must not love me. Why can’t I have answers?

A second way to use the word wonder is in a sense of amazement or surprise caused by something beautiful and unexpected or majestic and unfamiliar.

As a child, the sense of wonder is all around. Questions come from a sense of wonder and amazement.

Why is the sky blue? Why do ducks not have lips? How does that thing work?

Something happens as we age – we tend to lose this sense of wonder. It isn’t that we know everything, but we lose the curiosity that comes when we view the world around us with a sense of wonder. How do we get that wonder back?

Jesus even says:

Mark 10:14–16 NIV

14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

This verse is a great example in why we’ve put emphasis and resources toward children’s ministry. Children have such a neat ability to be able to wonder properly and it is so much fun to watch.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to take a journey through God’s Word and examine situations where a person or group of people start off with wonder that can be characterized as doubt, only to be enlightened by the greatness of God through His working among them. My hope is that in the midst of any situation you are facing or will face that you will remember to approach whatever comes looking to be wowed and amazed by how God works.

If at any point during the rest of the service, if you can remember a “wonder” that God showed you in your life, share that in the comments so we can all rejoice with you in that.

Let’s open our to our passage for today - Acts 2. We are going to do quite a bit of reading, but you’ll see why as we get into it. To give some perspective of where we are at in this passage. Jesus was crucified and then was raised from the dead. He appeared to his disciples and told them to stay in Jerusalem until the promised gift was given - God’s Holy Spirit. So they hung out and waited, did a few things and then we pick up the story in Acts 2...

Acts 2:1–13 NIV

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Here we have the first type of wonder. Those who saw what was happening didn’t understand. They tried to explain away by saying these Spirit filled believers were drunk. That could not have been further from the truth, but all they could do was wonder in the flesh and doubt that God was in the midst of what was happening. They had never seen anything like this before.

People have a tendency to look at things they don’t understand this way - with a justification of the event by making fun of what is happening without taking time to see if God is at work. Let’s keep reading. As we do, I’ll pause and explain what Peter is referencing as he speaks. The Jews at the time would have understood the Old Testament texts and prophecies, but they are less familiar to us as our culture does not study them like the Jews would have done and continue to do today.

Acts 2:14–21 NIV

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

The passage referenced is Joel 2:28-32. If you are reading in your physical Bible, you should see a footnote to that text. For perspective, the text Peter is referencing was written 800 years before Jesus came. Peter saw this prophecy having come to life before his eyes and used this text to explain what was happening, but he doesn’t stop there. He turns from the wonder of the disciples speaking in tongues and turns their attention to Jesus through David’s words:

Acts 2:22–31 NIV

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

If you would like to read the original text where Peter pulls from, David wrote this in Psalm 16 around a 1000 years before the birth of Jesus. Peter again is pointing people to the prophecies regarding the events that had just taken place. The greatest event in the world just happened and they were there to experience it, hear about it, talk about it. Peter tells them that scripture talks about Jesus and what happened. But again, he doesn’t leave them there.

Acts 2:32–36 NIV

32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

There we have it. Jesus is both Lord and Messiah. The word Messiah means little in our culture today, but to the Jews, it meant so, SO much. For hundreds and hundreds of years they had been waiting - waiting for this promised messiah who would come and set them free. The coming Messiah was the source of their worship and waiting - they had faith that He would come, but they didn’t recognize Jesus as such until this wonder filled moment where the disciples spoke in tongues that were understood by those who spoke different languages.

Now finally their wonder - doubt transforms into a wonder - curiosity about something marvelous and amazing:

Acts 2:37–41 NIV

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Wonder (doubt) turns into wonder (faith) and about 3000 accepted Jesus as Lord and Messiah. As a side note, Peter says on the day of Pentecost that the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for ALL whom the Lord our God will call. The Holy Spirit in us is the gift that Peter is speaking about.

As a quick side note, the Holy Spirit is alive and active in believers today this passage in Acts tells us this. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about the Holy Spirit giving individual gifts to believers. I recommend that followers of Christ read through that list of gifts and pray that the Holy Spirit would give you one or more of those gifts. When He does, use your gift for the glory of God.

Let’s finish up this chapter:

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

When they accepted Jesus as Lord and Messiah, their devotion and learning turned into awe and wonder as they were witness to the wonders and signs God did through the apostles. That is what happens when our perspective changes from doubt to faith - from a worldly wonder to spiritual wonder.

When I stop to really think about and process what Jesus did on the cross, I can’t help but be filled with wonder. It usually starts with “why would Jesus do that?”, “How can people be so cruel?” Then I realize that the reason behind all that Jesus did was Love. Love for me, Love for you.

Then my sense of wonder changes from why to wow! Jesus did that for me? Wow!

Finally, I ask the question “what shall I do?” How will I respond to this outpouring of love by Jesus?”

Peter gives us the answer to how to respond - Repent. Repent means to turn away from our sinful life and turn to to Jesus as Lord. It doesn’t mean sinless from here on out - that’s impossible, it does mean we pursue holiness though. Holiness is pursued by following the teachings of Jesus. Reading the Bible, talking with others about what we read in the Bible and then asking God to change us to be more holy.

From wonder to wonder, from doubt to faith. Hopefully this passage will serve as a source of encouragement as you live life looking for the wonders of God all around us.