The Arrival

Are we there yet?

A dreaded word on any trip or journey. Yet, it is a question we ask many times in life. Whether it is our education path, career, family, personal goals. We ask have I accomplished this!

Our world is looking for signs of safety.

When can we go out. What does this world look like now? How many new cases? Can we treat everyone that needs treated effectively?

God cannot be confined.

We struggle with this as human beings. We want to have a grasp on who God is. We use theology/doctrine, a way of thinking and explaining God, to do this task of grasping God. However, God cannot be confined! Never!

Pentecost was a feast of pilgrimage.

One of the three major feasts all Jews were required and tried to make at least once in their lifetime. Being in late May to early June it was also more favorable weather for people to make it, especially for long distance travellers.

Jews were wanting to know if restoration is coming.

Daniel talked about 400-500 years being the time before Israel was to be restored.

The Exodus is the defining moment for Israel.

We must not miss the truth of this.

Salvation is available for all.

Yet, being saved is not just about guaranteeing our place in the future. It is about knowing and experiencing the rescuing power of God. It is something that changes our present and our future. It is about experiencing and being delivered into a new ‘Exodus’ of God’s Presence.

Pentecost breaks down barriers.

This was true back then and must be true today of the church.

Barriers of racism and injustice. Barriers of selfishness and personal gain above all else.

Pentecost gives us the power to live out the resurrection of Jesus.

We cannot do it on our own. This is the beauty of the Gospel. We were never meant to do this alone!

We must be people of the Word.

This is what Peter was. He may not have been the most educated person but he knew enough of the word in order to see what was going on. He allowed Christ to teach him the word. May the same be true of us.

Jesus is Lord!

This is a bold proclamation today as it was then. This refers to some extent to his reign and kingship. Jesus reigns now! He will reign in a way we see more fully later!

Jesus is Messiah!

Meaning he provides salvation. He alone is able to save and to save us completely.

Today is the day of Salvation!

Don’t wait. Not another day. Please don’t wait. You don’t have to be “in church” for salvation to take place.

Be open to the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes i am just not this. I like what I know.

Acts for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1–12 New Words for New News (Acts 2:5–13)

Part of the challenge of this passage is the question: have our churches today got enough energy, enough spirit-driven new life, to make onlookers pass any comment at all? Has anything happened which might make people think we were drunk? If not, is it because the spirit is simply at work in other ways, or because we have so successfully quenched the spirit that there is actually nothing happening at all?