The Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1 & 2

May 31, 2009 – Pentecost Sunday

 

Pentecost: from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth day,” it was the Jewish feast that occurred 50 days after Passover. Also called Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.

 

2 Jews for Jesus articles on Pentecost/Shavuot:

http://tinyurl.com/n3wrr4

http://tinyurl.com/nveer7

 

Today’s key passages:

Acts 1:1-9

Acts 2:1-4

Acts 2:36-39

 

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

Yes, I want to know the Holy Spirit better. Right now, I’m deciding to (check any & all that apply):

Pray. Ask God to reveal more of His Spirit’s work in me.

 

Read about Him in a concordance or at the following Bible Gateway search: http://tinyurl.com/m7kqmj

 

Ask a mature Christian, who knows the Holy Spirit’s work in his/her life, for help in discerning the Spirit’s work in your life.

 

Be more willing to share my faith with others.

 

Attend our “Sharing Your Faith Naturally” class starting on June 7 at 6pm, here at the church.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation

Ephesians 2:11-18

May 24, 2009

 

There’s a difference between the ceremonial law and the moral law. The moral law shows moral standards that are for all time – the 10 Commandments, for example. The ceremonial law consisted of things like circumcision, clean and unclean foods, and washings. Some examples of the ceremonial law are found in Leviticus chapters 11-15.

 

Ceremonial Law No Longer Binding on Christians:

Colossians 2:16-17

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

 

Galatians 6:15

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

 

Mark 7:18-19

Are you so dull?" [Jesus] asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")

 

Acts 10 – Peter & Cornelius

 

“A Forbidden Peace” by Naomi Rothstein:

 

If We're Saved by Grace, Why Does It Matter What We Do?

Ephesians 2:10

As Christians, why do we do good works?

1. We are God’s workmanship.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

2. It is God’s plan for us to do good works.

3. It glorifies God for us to do good works.

Matthew 5:14-16

Three main categories of good works:

1. Long-term planned (Titus 3:14)

            Career

            Taking care of family (1 Timothy 5:4-8)

Giving generously & wisely (Ephesians 4:28)

2. Short-term planned (1 Peter 4:10)

Volunteering in a ministry

            Mission trips (Ghana in Sept. for example)

            Special events

3. Daily situations

Acts 8:26-40, especially verse 29

John 10:27

Read “Teaching Servanthood” by Carolyn MacInnis

What Grace Means (Part 2)

“What Grace Means (Part 2)”

Ephesians 2:8-10

May 10, 2009

 

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

 

What does “salvation” mean?

Greek “sozo” translated as “to save”, means to rescue from danger or destruction, to keep or preserve, to heal or restore to health.

 

Romans 6:1-2, 14, 23

 

Faith is a belief with a personal commitment.

 

Not that our faith merits the salvation in any way; it is simply the faculty by which we accept the salvation that God’s free grace has procured for us. –F.F. Bruce

 

What are some implications of salvation by grace?

1. All systems of trying to earn your salvation by being a good person or by keeping certain commands are ineffective.

2. The salvation that God offers can save anyone at any time.

3. God’s salvation is not by works, but works are an important part of the Christian life.

“Grace is opposed to earning, not effort.” –Dallas Willard

 

Contact me: rob -then the "at" symbol- universitybiblechurch.com