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Acts 2:14-21 - Questions for Reflection & Growth

We took a deeper look at the story of Pentecost this week, including the start of Peter's sermon to the crowds gathered before him - both those filled with the Spirit and the critical/closed-minded.

Pastor Wes started by talking about two specific persons in his own life that radiated the joy of the Gospel and lived life "in the Spirit."  We know these kinds of individuals because they tend to fill us with peace, joy, hope and love.  Since their own lives are over-flowing with a deep awareness of God's love for them and the world around them, they are able to communicate and pass on that love to others.

Take a moment to think about someone who has been this to you in your own life.  What was his or her name?  How would you describe their personality?  What impact did he or she have on your life?  And what do you feel helped them be the sort of person they were?

The gift of the Spirit is the most important part of our life in Jesus Christ.  We can do nothing on our own.  Not that we don't try.  We tend to try things our own way and insist on living without God's help.  But, true life begins and true help is found when we begin to let God's Spirit enter into our hearts and minds on a daily basis.

Is there a place in your life right now that is frustrating or making you anxious?  Is there something you are trying to get done or that you feel important?  Try taking a moment this week to invite the Spirit into this situation, and - just importantly - into your own heart so that you can see this situation in a new way.

In his sermon, Peter quotes a passage from the prophet Joel (2:28-29).  Over time, the Jewish people saw this passage as a clear description of what God promises in other places in the Old Testament.  God is going to create a new covenant where YHWH will pour out his Spirit upon his people, renewing their lives and creating a new community of believers (e.g. Isa. 32:15; Jer. 31:31-33; Ezek. 34-37).  This will include a "pouring out' of the Holy Spirit, or what Darrel Bock calls a "torrential downpour that is poured out on a parched earth."

Where in your life are you yearning for a pouring out of the Holy Spirit?  What places are parched, barren or hurting?  Invite the Spirit to overflow into this area of your life.

The Joel passage and Peter's sermon emphasize that the "pouring out" of the Holy Spirit will transcend gender, age, and class differences.  This highlights how necessary and beautiful God's work is in the world.  God graciously wants to spread the good news of Jesus Christ beyond any human barrier that we can erect.

What barriers do you see in your own heart and in our world today that need to be overcome by a "torrential downpour" of the Holy Spirit?  Pray that the Lord would send out His Spirit to break down our differences and unite us in the Lord.

Pastor Wes talked about the last portion of the Joel passage ("I will show portents in the heaven above"), and how this past week's total solar eclipse is a great example of how people are drawn to celestial events.  It causes people to make radical changes and go to bold extremes to witness something beautiful.

In what way are you seeking to draw close to the beauty and wonder of God?  

What practical decisions and daily steps are you taking to be in the presence of God?  

Would going on this 40 Day journey of prayer help you draw near to God?  

Close with some time in prayer this week, asking the Lord to draw near to you again and to pour out his love upon you, especially where you are tired, barren, or broken.  Invite God's Spirit to start filling you up, and to give you the strength to lean upon the strong and sure name of Jesus this week.

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