Trinity '22: Part 1 – Spirit of Power

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available via live stream at 9.30am on Sunday 5th June, on our YouTube channel.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:
 
Reading:

Acts chapter 2

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.’
 
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.”
 
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. 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.’
 
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 baptised, 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 baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
 
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 favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.



Prayer & Reflection
 
Lord God, you are wholly trustworthy, and we praise you that you sparked the flame of faith in our lives and that you keep it going by your power. As we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your Holy Spirit so that we might testify about you to those who need your transforming power in their lives.
 
May you guide our steps, our thoughts, and our attitudes as we partner with you in faith, in obedience, and in submission. Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness. Let us desire to become more like Jesus and to worship you in all we do. Help us desire these things so much more than the pride and sin that entices us. Thank you for always going before us.
 
Lord, hear our prayer.
 
AMEN
 


Questions to Consider
1) Can you think of a task that you were given, or you decided to ‘tackle’, but realised that it was beyond you? What were the circumstances?
2) In Romans 12, the apostle Paul urges us to be transformed, to completely change. Have you ever tried to change something about yourself? Perhaps a ‘New Year’s Resolution’ But, try as you might, you eventually returned to your former self. What happened; how did you feel?
3) In Acts 2 we read about the remarkable transformation of Jesus’ disciples; in particular, Peter. How would you explain this transformation to a non-Christian friend?
4) Peter states that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone, if they repent, commit their lives to Jesus, and are baptised. Do you think that includes Christians today? If yes, what evidence have you seen to support this view?
5) How real is the Holy Spirit in your life right now? Do you ask him for help when you need it?
6) The well know evangelist and theologian John Stott said that ‘without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible.’ Why do you think that he said it would be impossible?
7) He also said that a church without the Holy Spirit is dead. Do you agree with him? What do you expect to see in a church that is guided by the Holy Spirit?