JESUS' LAST WORDS ON EARTH
Acts 1:8 - "What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." What did the words strike in the hearts of his disciples? "The tension between hope for what could be and the reality of what I see in me and all around me." 66 LL. Are we aware of our own phoniness? Have we become a community of pretenders presenting ourselves to each other as more spiritually alive than we are? 66 LL.
PITCHING TENTS IN THE LAND OF HOPE
Acts 2:1 -4 "When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from." They were in the right place when the Spirit showed up. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks... Peter spoke up (Acts 2:21) and quoted from Joel... "God will pour out His Spirit and I will pitch my tent in the land of hope....no longer any room for doubting this Master and Messiah Whom you killed on a cross...change your life. Return to God. Get out of this sick and stupid culture. Get out while you can." 3,000 took him at his word and signed up. Acts 2:41. They sold what they owned and pooled their resources to meet all the needs. Look at the boldness of this follower now leader named Peter. Do you love Me?
FIRST IN LINE TO TURN FROM OLD WAYS
A beggar, reclining at The Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:5), looks up from his spot expecting to get something from Peter. No money for the beggar. Healing in Jesus' Name. "Why stare as if our piety or power made the beggar walk? Faith in Jesus' name put this man on his feet---yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole before your eyes... . Now, it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God." "You are first in line (Acts 3:26). Turn, one by one, from your sinful ways."
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