The Best of Times

Text: Acts 2:42-47
Theme: When my Holy Spirit is welcome and present, my people experience the best life has to offer.
Key verses: “The community continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them. There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust” (v. 42-44). “They were unified as they worshiped at the temple day after day…The new disciples praised God, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people of the city. Day after day the Lord added to their numbers…” (v. 46-47).
What God said to me: Dwayne, so glad you could join me this morning on your back porch. Fall is a wonderful time of the year, and I love it when you soak up the environment I’ve provided for you to enjoy. Speaking of enjoyment, try to wrap your mind and emotions around the joy and peace and euphoria that those saints of mine experienced during those early days. My Holy Spirit had just come on them and among them. Thousands of people had just been saved. You know how exciting it is to be around just one or two new converts. So imagine how it must have been to be there with 3000+! Note a few things they experienced: 1. A sense of awe. Any great move of mine must begin with awe and wonder from the believers. There’s no room for pride and glory-seeking. I’m the only one worthy to be awed, and I will do miraculous things when my people get out of the way and let me work. 2. A sense of intense fellowship. They will know you are Christians by your love. And when my Spirit moves freely among you you will love each other and genuinely enjoy each other’s company–not for selfess reasons and inappropriate motives, but rather because you are one in me. 3. A sense of worship. When my people are awed and unified, they will supernaturally, deliberately, and unashamedly praise and adore me. 4. A sense of peace among the community. Even those outside the church will see the love of my saints and appreciate the benefits to the community at large. There will be “good will” toward my people (at least for the most part). 5. A sense of excitement and expectation. Any time I’m adding people to the local church through salvation, there will be much reason to rejoice! Believers will hardly be able to wait to come together to hear the reports of what I’ve done and the people who’ve been saved. Does all this sound too good to be true? Think this might never happen again, like it did in Acts 2? Welcome my Spirit among you; pray and faithfully wait on me to move. Then watch and see…
What I said to God: Wow, thank you, Lord, for a powerful and insightful study today. Forgive me when I get caught up in my everyday things-to-do list and forget the simple joy of praying and waiting on you to show up and show off. Thank you for this perfect weather you’ve provided. And thank you more for your Word which so encourages and guides me.