Then they gathered around him and asked him

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? ” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud him from their sight. Acts 1: 6 -9

On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt— on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai…Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. ’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. ” Exodus 19: 1 -6

Law = principles and regulations, etc = the condition of society brought about by their observance (maintaining law and order)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36: 26 -27

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Acts 2: 1 -13

7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean? ” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine. ” Acts 2: 1 -13

Jesus is still present in you by His Spirit

God is now working his purposes for the world through you

“…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. ” Philippians 2: 13

Will = love (to like to do a thing, be fond of doing) = take delight in, desire, wish Philippians 2: 13

Will = love (to like to do a thing, be fond of doing) = take delight in, desire, wish Act = to put forth power, to be mighty in, to be at work Philippians 2: 13

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, Acts 2: 17 -18

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 dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2: 17 -18

Prophet = the biblical proclaimer of the divine, inspired message Acts 2: 17 -18

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord… A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20: 19 -20, 26

Have our churches today get enough energy, enough spirit-driven new life, to make onlookers pass any comment at all? Has anything happened which might make people think we were drunk? If not, is it because the spirit is simply at work in other ways, or because we have so successfully quenched the spirit that there is actually nothing happening at all? N. T. Wright

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited. ” Ezekiel 36: 33 -35