The Unstoppable Force, the Church 02
June 13, 2021

The Unstoppable Force, the Church

Acts 2:1-6; 40-47 (NLT)

The Unstoppable Force, The Church 02 | Mick Veach | lead pastor | first aired on 06.13.2021

Read Scripture

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. —Acts 2:1-6

Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. —Acts 2:40-47

Review

1 ) Who is the Holy Spirit?

  • He is the third person of the Triune God

2 ) Biblical Description of His Role

a ) The Holy Spirit Adopts us — Romans 8:14-16

b ) The Holy Spirit Comforts us — John 14:16-17

c ) The Holy Spirit Teaches us — John 14:26

d ) The Holy Spirit changes us — Galatians 5:22

e ) The Holy Spirt envisions us — Acts 2

f ) The Holy Spirit Equips us — I Corinthians 12:8-11

g ) The Holy Spirit Empowers us — Acts 1:8

h ) The Holy Spirit Sends us — Acts 13:2

i ) The Holy Spirit Prays for us — Romans 8:26-27

j ) The Holy Spirit Unifies us — I Corinthians 12:13

3 ) Jesus told the disciples to await his arrival in chapter one

4 ) Do you see the Holy Spirit role’s in your life?

a ) We must surrender

b ) We must be filled

c ) We must be hungry for more of God

5 ) This chapter explains the birth of the church and God’s plan us

Three Events that Changed Everything

I. The Promised

Reveal Answer
Reveal Answer
Arrived — verses 1-13

A. Verse 1 — All the believers were together in one place during Pentecost

  • Pentecost was a festival that celebrated the first fruits of the harvest 50 days after Passover

B. Verses 2-4 — The Holy Spirit descends upon them and 4 things occurred

  1. A loud sound like a mighty windstorm filled the room

  2. Flames of fire fell upon them

  3. The believers were filled with the Holy Spirit

  4. They began to speak in various languages

C. Exodus 20 and Mount Sinai is compared to Pentecost

  1. Moses was Israel’s representative

  2. Sinai was the location where an earthquake and fire was experienced

  3. The nation told Moses to have God stop because they were going to die. They could not touch Sinai

  4. Pentecost changed this:

a. No representative needed, direct access (remember the curtain was torn)

b. We as believers are Sinai

D. Verses 5-6 - The speaking in various languages was the outside sign that the Spirit had descended

  1. Verse 8 — God speaks my language

  2. Verses 9-11 - They were multicultural and multilingual

E. Acts 1:8 is being fulfilled, the gospel for everyone

F. The curse of Babel had been overturned

G. No other religion was diverse

  1. Attracting all races by Acts 13 it had spread into Africa

  2. Engaging both male and female

  3. Engaging educated and uneducated

  4. Engaging rich and poor

H. The Power that is necessary is now personal and is for everyone who believes in Christ

I. Verse 12-13 — Two responses to this miracle

  1. Amazement and acceptance

  2. Rejection and mockery

J. Today, we will have the same responses, let’s not be swayed by the responses—no more seeker sensitive services, just truth, glory and power

Key Point: The Holy Spirit is waiting to touch and empower us, let’s invite Him to take control of our lives

II. Peter demonstrated the Spirit’s

Reveal Answer
— verses 14-41

A. Remember the context

  1. Matthew 26:69-75 — Peter denies Jesus

  2. John 21:15-19 — Jesus restores Peter

B. Verse 14 — Peter steps forward …

  • Notice not alone but with the 11 other apostles

C. Verse 17-18 — Peter explains the Joel prophecy

  1. The Spirit is being poured out upon all people

  2. Sons and daughters will prophecy

  3. Young men will see visions

  4. Old men will dream dreams

  5. His Spirit now rests on

a. Servants

b. Women

D. The evidence of the Spirit’s Power in Peter

  1. Verse 23 — Preached with boldness and Courage

  2. Verse24-36 — Preached with clarity

  3. Verse 37 — Preached with anointing, they were pierced to the heart

  4. Verse 38-40 — Preached for life change

  5. Verse 41 — Preached with Results—3,000 saved and baptized

E. Where do you need the Spirit’s Power today?

  1. Completing the Mission

  2. Standing against Persecution

  3. Praying for Deliverance — not just the staff

  4. Calling for miracles

F. Remember Peter was a water walker—Jesus enabled him

  • In order to be a water walker, you must get out of the boat

G. We will need the same demonstration of the Spirit to finish the mission as we needed to begin it

Key Point: The Spirit is available to everyone who believes upon the Lord Jesus

III. An

Reveal Answer
Reveal Answer
was Birthed — verses 42-47

A. Verse 41 — The Lord added to their number 3,000 that day

  • The church was birthed with an explosion that would not be stopped

B. Verse 42 — “Devoted themselves…” it means to give themselves. They begin to practice community and this would enable them to stand against all that would come their way

  1. Together learned from the Apostles teaching

  2. Together had fellowship

  3. Together had meals

  4. Together took communion

  5. Together Prayed

C. How are we doing today as a church?

  1. Community is not possible without the above actions

  2. Individualism is killing the church

  3. Consumerism is killing the church

  4. Idolatry is killing the church

  5. Apathy is the killing the church

D. Verses 44-46 — The key item is that they did these things together

  1. Met together

  2. Shared their stuff together—money and meals

  3. Worshipped together

  4. Gave generously together

E. They grew so fast because they practiced what up to that point not seen

  1. They were radically unselfish

  2. Not communism

  3. They gave emotionally

  4. They gave their time and money to each other

F. Verse 47 — God added to their number daily those being saved

  1. It occurred because they were unselfish

  2. It occurred because they loved their enemies

  3. It occurred because they forgave others

  4. It occurred because they reconciled with others

G. Jesus modeled what it meant to give himself away and the early church replicated it after they were empowered by the Spirit

H. As we look at the task before us, what will be necessary to finish the mission?

  1. Sharing with the unreached peoples of the world

  2. Engaging a culture that will hate us

  3. Enduring Persecution

Key Point: We are the church, now let’s start living like it!

Call to Action:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and to lead you

2. Step forward and watch Him use you

3. Engage your community the church

Want a record of your sermon notes for today? Click the EMAIL button to send a copy!