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This week as we continue our tour through the book of Acts, we stop to take a look at one of my favorite people in the whole bible: the Apostle Peter.  I guess I like Peter so much because I can relate to him: I find myself wondering the way Peter wondered, asking the questions Peter asked, and at times stumbling the way Peter stumbled.  Yet, as Pastor Mickey talked about this morning, there was a distinct difference in the Peter we see before Pentecost and the Peter we see after Pentecost.  There was a boldness and a testimony to Peter’s life once he had been filled with the Holy Spirit; this same Peter who just a month and a half earlier had not once, not twice, but three times denied the Jesus that he knew and loved.

We first see this boldness through the Holy Spirit well up inside of Peter in Acts 2:14-36 as he bears witness to all the things that he saw while Jesus was still with them.  Peter testifies with a power that is not of himself, and I truly believe that God has called me AND YOU to be a witness and testify everyday through our lives.  You see, Jesus’ death saved us from sin and death, but his resurrection saved us to something just as important: to witness and minister with power not of ourselves, but of the Holy Spirit of God.  Can you imagine what Midland/Odessa would look like if we walked in the authority and power that God has given us through the Holy Spirit?  What will happen to Mid-Cities when we allow “the stream or river” of the Holy Spirit to refine away our rough edges?  Today, I invite you to join in the conversation of what our lives should look like as Post Pentecost Christians who have not only been saved from sin and death by the cross, but saved to a life of power and testimony by Jesus’ resurrection and gift of the Holy Spirit.

Andrew Strand

Children’s Pastor

The Second Chapter of Acts is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. In it, we see the Holy Spirit come in power, the first 3000 believers get saved, and the foundation and growth of the early church. It’s an amazing event in God’s interaction with man throughout history. Sadly, differing opinions on what this chapter means has caused some division among the body of Christ. Due to this fact, many people do not know exactly how to respond or what to think when it comes to the topic of Pentecost.

The funny thing is, people didn’t know how to respond when it happened either! We see in Acts 2:12-13 the different responses in the people who saw what had happening. Pastor Daniel touched on their reactions this morning. We read that as people heard God being praised in their own language, some asked, “What does this mean?” Others just made fun and tried to explain it all away. In which group do you belong? Are you open to understanding more about the Holy Spirit?

This morning we worshipped to an original song called Holy Spirit Come in which we sang these words:

Holy Spirit

Come and Fill Us

Come Reveal Who You Are

My prayer is that He would reveal Himself to us as we study through the book of Acts this summer. In Acts 2:2-3, the Holy Spirit reveals Himself as a rushing wind and pillars of fire. Pastor Daniel made the great point this morning that wind brings change and fire burns stuff up. If you’ve received the Holy Spirit, you should be different than you used to be. What change has the Holy Spirit brought to your life? What has He burned away? Join in the conversation of how the Holy Spirit has revealed Himself in your life…

Pastor Chris Davis

Let me start with a disclaimer, I do not have this all figured out!  In fact, I started studying Acts a short time ago to learn more about the Holy Spirit’s role in my life.  I accepted Christ when I was 10, but my discipleship over the past 25 years has not included the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit.  So I am excited about this journey we are taking through Acts and pray you are too!

From this morning’s text (Acts 1:1-11). the verse that jolted me was verse 8: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  Pastor Daniel explained that this “power” is the power to be God’s witness!  As I walk this walk and God takes me from my Jerusalem to Samaria and even the ends of the earth, I am seeing more clearly that indeed power is needed to share God’s love!  Lately, the “power” I have needed is faith when I can’t see the end, confidence when I feel inadequate, peace when I am afraid and hope when all seems lost.  What does power mean for you as you testify to God’s work in your life?

Whatever “power” means for us, we then have to take it into verses 9-11 and what Pastor Daniel said about NOT just looking to heaven for the Jesus who was here.   We have to look at the Holy Spirit we have now!   It’s not just enough to have the power; we have to USE the power!  When we can’t see the end, we have to ask the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).  When all seems lost, we have to hope in God (Psalm 33:22, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 42:5, Acts 24:14-16).  When fear seems to be about to swallow us, we must cling to the peace beyond understanding that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).  What power of God in your life can you testify to?  Have you taken a step of faith that God gave you power outside yourself to take?  Have you overcome a fear or insecurity to share the love of God?  What was it?  How did God show his “power” in that situation?  Let’s give testimony to the power of God in our lives… we’ll start right here in Jerusalem!

Walking with you,

HollyAnn Petree

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