Grow in the Spirit!
This morning, we did a round-table church - like the early church would have done. Men’s Bible Study lead the discussion as the conversation started with talking about receiving the Holy Spirit (for the first time) and transitioned into talking about life as a new, Spirit-filled believer.
The Bible verses read and referenced this morning were:
Acts 1:1
Acts 2:1-12, 40-41
Romans 8
Luke 1:3
Genesis 15:17
Exodus 3:2
First, we talked about the fact that Theophilus (in Greek) means lover or friend of God. When Luke says Theophilus in Luke 1:3, calls on “most excellent Theophilus” as if he is writing to a person (an unknown who person) directly and individually… In Acts, Luke does not use “most excellent” as if referring to any one person, so this writing may have been for a larger crowd - a crowd of people who love God. Regardless of who Luke is writing to, Acts 2 is where we learn about the first, documented outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came over the apostles in tongues of fire. Last week, Jodi talked about God presenting Himself in a form of fire when he made His covenant with Abraham. God came to Moses in a burning bush in Exodus 3:2 (which is also referenced in Deuteronomy 33:16, Mark 12:26, Luke 20:37, and Acts 7:30-31). There is a revelation here in seeing the God uses fire to get our attention… God uses the Holy Spirit to get our attention.
As we talked around the room about our personal experiences with the Holy Spirit, there was a reoccurring theme. Being filled with Holy Spirit fill you with peace.
The group then discussed that one of the greatest challenges we face (especially as a new believer) is the ability to forgive ourselves. However, this becomes easier when we reflect on a word once preached by Rick Anderson:
“God dotes on you!”
He dotes on us? On me? He lavishly loves us.. you.. me! When we reflect on how much God loves us, life is sweeter.
The more time we spend in the Bible, the more we will know Jesus. The more we know Jesus, the sweeter and more understandable life becomes. The more we read the Bible, the more we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It is through this relationship that we are convicted of the sins we have in our lives and the more we will turn to Him. This is a cycle that, as Christians, we should be craving.
Heavenly Father - Help us to spend more time with You and more time in Your word. Show us where we can live better for Your sake and Your glory. May we always be open to Your Holy Spirit moving in our lives. We thank You and praise You for the peace you grant us each day. In You Son’s name we pray. - Amen!
