The Holy Spirit encourages us!

A Review from the last couple of weeks

We have looked at the Holy Spirit from a few different perspectives.

We have seen the Holy Spirit coming many times in the Old Testament… Yes the Spirit is alive and well in creation, and in the lives of certain people and for certain occasions and usually for a measured amount of time

The prophet Joel spoke about The Spirit coming universally...

Joel 2:28 (ESV)

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

We don’t know the reaction of the people after they heard this or if it made any difference to them.

But Joel continues… He makes a strong statement, This was prophecy so Joel was acting, speaking as the mouthpiece of God.

Listen to V.32

Joel 2:32 (ESV)

32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved…”

Some people would bark, calling this use of the verse a claim for EVERYONE to be “saved” in some circles this is called universalism.

This is not universalism...

“…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord...”

There is a qualification… You must call on the the name of the Lord

*God knows your situation and knows if your heart is “right.”

* Your “call” must be genuine.”

* This “conversion” is a once in a lifetime adventure.

* Accept Jesus and God will never leave or forsake you. He will continually lead, guide and direct if you allow Him.

* You may reject him but I would carefully consider the ramifications of that

Joel gives us a little insight of what being found rejecting God and Jesus

Joel 2:1–2 ESV

1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.

Joel’s warning echoes in our ears. We all know people that have been contemplating following Jesus for years.

They are on the journey. God sees and acknowledges it. There are NOT YET believers in Jesus… They don’t know the real Gospel… YET!!!

Joel is telling us that during the last days of Israel’s history, during the Tribulation period, the Spirit of God will work in mighty power in the saving of both Jews and Gentiles, and there will be mighty wonders and signs in the heavens.

PETER

A major player in post-pentecost events is the Apostle Peter...

Yes…

--Peter rebuked the Lord

--Peter fell asleep in the garden while Jesus was praying

--He attacked one of the guard and cut-off his ear. The Lord returned it to its rightful place.

--And of course the denial of Jesus not once, not twice, but three times

However…Jesus had other plans

John 21:15–17 ESV

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

— This communicates to the rest of the Apostles and echoes to us… God has the full confidence that Peter can do what he is asking.

— Peter goes on to preach to 3000 people who are converted to faith in Christ at the Feast of Pentecost.

— Joel is telling us that during the last days of Israel’s history, during the Tribulation period after we, the church and all believers will be home, in heaven. +

--The Spirit of God will work in mighty power in the saving of both Jews and Gentiles, and there will be mighty wonders and signs in the heavens.

That’s what we need to be watching for… that’s what’s happening around us.

ARE WE JUST SITTING AND WAITING OR DO WE HAVE AN URGENCY ABOUT THE “END OF TIMES” AND THE LORD’S RETURN?

I’ll just let that sink for a minute...

Our passage for today is also from the Book of Acts...

Acts 2:36–47 (ESV)

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 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?”

38 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.

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

OUR MAIN POINT TODAY… “REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED A-N-D SAVE YOURSELVES FROM THIS CORRUPT GENERATION!

This declaration sits almost exactly at the center of today’s lesson and demands further attention.

First, “Repent and be baptized” (2:38), and then, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation” (v. 40).

In between these two exhortations stands the reason for it all:

“41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

This statement makes it clear that Peter’s statements to his audience are not the orders of a dictator, but rather appeals made in the name of a loving God to receive a new life that is offered freely.

With that in mind lets take a closer look at those verses.

Acts 2:36–37 ESV

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 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?”

Peter certainly is NOT missing an opportunity to explain the BIG BIG mistake that the house of Israel is making.

His God spoken words bring him to the point of decision for many thousands and millions as we have led to the decision point.

DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!! THE GIFT OF SALVATION IS FREE WE JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.

Verse 38

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 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.

Packed full… watch and listen

** Repent and be baptized

** IN the name if Jesus Christ

** for the forgiveness of sins

** and the Holy Spirit will be gifted to you.

Verse 39

Acts 2:39 ESV

39 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.”

--Think about the first people that heard these words. They are confused, and afraid.

--Peter has said very succinctly and used very specific language.

--Previously, this term the “Promise” would have been used to describe a relationship with the Law.

--NOW… Peter uses some of that same language that can transform everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:40–41 ESV

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

I’m not sure what kind of picture you get from these two verses...

Here is the picture that I get...

Peter is talking like a man on a mission!

— He used many words, whatever would reach the people

— He described what it meant to die, the final death! And to “Save yourselves” from this crooked generation and final death

— 3000 people were baptized. In that day and time that meant that this church, we will call it the First Church of Jesus - Israel campus. Immediately, there were 3000 members/attenders.

— NOT BAD FOR A DAYS WORK

I wanted to give you a heads up about our message next week. I’ll be preaching from Acts 2.42-47.

This passage is one that I have grown to fall in love with.

In my view there is NOTHING that is more important than getting and remaining in the faith.

I am convinced there is only one way to that… It’s not through going to Sunday School and services each week. Each of those and many others are EXCELLENT in providing a strong foundation to launch our lives in Christ.

But Fellowship and the Fellowship of believers is the gasoline that is poured on a new believer or and old believer that finally has a light go on. AND we pray there is NOT a quenching of the Spirit and He thrives, is alive and is ready to move in our lives.