Friday, April 25, 2008
GOD IS WITH US!
GOD WITH US TODAY
Acts 2:1-16
INTRO: We have read about Jesus' ascension and His instructions to the apostles to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now after a 10 day wait, we read about the excitement of His coming. We understand the Holy Spirit to be the presence of God with us. What does this passage tell us today?
THE GIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
It was according to prophesy. (16)
It was the promise of the Father.
Given to all gathered in one accord. Unity
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The physical manifestations:
Sound like a rushing wind. Power
Flames like fire. Cleansing
Tongues languages. Ability to tell the world
Distinction between baptism of the Holy Spirit
And filling of the Holy Spirit
THE GOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To all peoples
Through gifts as in I Cor. 12
Through fruit of the Spirit as seen in Gal. 5:22-23
God is at work in our lives today, first to draw us to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. Then he continues to work through leadership, empowerment, and provision. Is He at work in your life today? He is there. Are you listening to Him?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
WAITING ON GOD - PART 2
Acts 1:12-26
INTRO: In last week's scripture in the first part of this chapter, we read that Jesus told the apostles to wait in
Then Jesus left them and angels told them He would return. What to do as they wait for the promise and for His return? In this passage we see several things they did which serve as a guide for us as we wait for God to work in our lives.
THEY WAITED:
IN PRAYER (14)
They were continually united in prayer. (HCSB)
We can figure this was a 10 day prayer meeting.
Not just a physical together, but a common goal.
Prayer is the awareness of God's presence.
IN THE WORD (16)
Peter found instruction in the Psalms.
He called it to the attention of the others
They were obedient.
WITH OTHERS
There was the 11 (13)
A replacement for Judas (21)
Total group of 120 (15)
The church is very important as we wait on God.
WITH EXPECTANCY
God had promised!
Jesus had told them!
They were confident and expectant.
As we wait on God's leadership, we wait in fellowship with Him and the church. We wait with confident expectancy and willingness to be obedient to His leadership. HE WILL LEAD.
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Delivered at Greenville Southern Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m., April 13, 2008
Pastor Fred D. Kerr
Sunday, April 13, 2008
WAITING ON GOD - PART 1
WHILE YOU WAIT
Acts 1:1-8 (Key verse: 4)
INTRO: Waiting is a hard thing to do. No one likes to wait, but we do a lot of waiting. We wait in traffic, in grocery stores, for sermons to get over, or for Jesus to return.
Waiting is not just something we have to do while we get what we want. Waiting is the process of becoming what God wants us to be.
Waiting on the Lord requires patient trust.
Waiting means that we give God the benefit of the doubt that He know what He is doing.
Waiting is God's way of seeing if we will trust Him before we move forward.
Waiting on God reminds us that He is in control.
Waiting reminds me that I am not in charge.
Waiting reminds me that I am not God.
Waiting on the Lord allows Him to do His work.
God's timing is best.
God is working.
Waiting on God increases my strength.
Application: We sometimes want to get on with a job, when God asks us to wait. As we wait, He is at work. When the time is right, we will find out why the wait and know that God is in charge.
------ Outline adapted from Rick Ezell, FBC, Greer, SC.
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Presented at Greenville Southern Baptist Church
April 6, 2008
Pastor Fred D. Kerr
