Acts 2 - 10.4.23
Scripture
Acts 2:17-21, 38, 41 NIV
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’….Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit……Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Observation
It was the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was the Greek name for a festival known as the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. The Greek Word means fifty and is the fifty days after the Passover. In the Book of Acts, it signified the beginning of the church age, after Jesus’ ascension, when the Holy Spirit came upon the Believers. (Source: gotquestions.org)
God will use whatever means necessary to get our attention and to make our ministry more effective to the lost. When the Holy Spirit came upon the Believers at Pentecost, they were able to speak in different languages. Although they were Galileans, the Word of God spread to those who spoke different languages because of the Holy Spirit’s work in each of their lives. A total of 3,000 people repented, were saved and baptized that day!
Application
Be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Whether it is speaking in tongues, prophesying or healing, God distributes the Holy Spirit’s gifts as He wills in order to edify the believer and the Church. We believe that those gifts are still being distributed and available today!
On Wednesday, October 11th, during our worship and small group Bible study, Justin Eaves will be teaching us how to activate one of the Spirit’s gifts, which is prophecy. We will be learning to hear God’s voice and how to give prophetic words to each other.
In kids church, last month’s memory verse described the purpose and importance of prophecy within the church. “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:1
Prayer
Dear Lord, we pray that we wouldn’t hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, however that looks like, and that we would be open to all the gifts of the Spirit that You desire us to have. Thank You that the power of Your Spirit is still alive and available to us today! I pray for an abundance of salvations and baptisms as a result of His work through us and in the church. May we experience the same power of ministry and love that the early church did. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Proverbs 11 - 10.3.23
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 11:24-25 "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
OBSERVATION: The theme flowing out of this portion of the Book of Proverbs describes how to model generosity. We are taught about the blessings of generosity as well as the consequences of our selfish ambitions.
In the Old Testament the focus was on the law and obedience. In the New Testament God introduced another concept for generosity, which is GRACE.
In the Old Testament there were actually 3 different tithes that were required by law: 1) Tithes that took care of the Levites and the priests. 2) Tithes that were designed to make trips to Jerusalem to worship God. 3) Every 3rd year they were to tithe in order to take care of the widows and the orphans.
In the New Testament, a beautiful thing happened after Jesus died and was resurrected! It's called God's Grace! God poured out His grace on us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, making a way for ALL to come near Him through Jesus. We are no longer under law, but under grace.
APPLICATION: In view of ALL that God has given to us, our genuine love for God is modeled by the way we willingly and generously give back to Him and others. Statistics have shown that the average Christian only gives about 2 percent of their tithes to the Lord, verses what is required, which is 10 percent. When we "short change" God we are literally taking advantage of all that He has given us! When we hold back our tithes, we are actually putting other things ahead of Him! In Malachi 3:8-10 it says that they were robbing God by not bringing their whole tithes. God has blessed us with 100 percent of all we have, and by faithfully giving at least 10 percent back to Him, we will be blessed by the One Who is faithful to reward our obedience. A super neat thing about the Lord is that He sees everything, and He never forgets anything! He sees when we use our talents, our time, and our resources to give generously back to Him. "Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
PRAYER: I thank You Lord for the gift of grace. I pray that the motives of my heart will be pure, and that I will trust You with my whole tithe, and be willing to give generously towards the needs of others. And, thank You that even when we do a simple thing like giving a cup of cold water to someone, it increases our eternal account in heaven.
- Robin Orefice
Matthew 28 - 10.2.23
Scripture
Matthew 28:5-6 NLT
“Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”
Observation
After Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb where Jesus’ body was. It was then they were met by an angel of the Lord, who rolled the huge stone aside from the tomb, and told them that Jesus isn’t there anymore. He is risen! Just like He said He would.
Application
What does Jesus conquering death mean to me? 🤔
“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”-Revelation 1:18
Jesus’ death and resurrection is the the whole foundation of Christianity and my faith as a believer in Christ. I mean, if Jesus didn’t die on the cross, and rise again, then we all would still be dead in our sins.
“And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”-1 Corinthians 15:17-19
But we know from this passage that Jesus DID rise again! He did exactly what He said He would do. It just shows me that Jesus is trustworthy. He is faithful to do what He says and promises. Meaning, for those of us who put our faith in Jesus, we too are forgiven from our sins. We too will conquer death. We too will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”-John 3:16
So I want to encourage anyone out there who may be struggling with their faith and having doubts. Take heart! Jesus died for you and me. He rose again! Know that your faith isn’t for nothing. If we are willing to continue to fight and push through these tough times, Jesus has better things in store for all who endure for His name’s sake.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”-1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Prayer
Father God, thank You for giving me my faith in Jesus. Thank You for being faithful to Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the grave, giving all who believe, that same hope that we too will conquer death and be reunited with other believers, having fellowship with You in Heaven. I pray that whenever I have struggles and doubts, that I remember Your promises, and stay strong to stay the course. May Your Word always remind me why I do the things I do, and why I believe what I believe. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi