Summertime StoriesSample

Acts 2:32-36 

32 God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 

33 Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 

34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
    “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
35 until I humble your enemies,
    making them a footstool under your feet.”’

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

The day of Pentecost, the day God sent His Holy Spirit to the believers to empower them for the work of spreading the gospel, is the inaugural day of the Church. This is day one, the start of what God was going to do in the earth until Jesus returns. In this moment, Peter steps forward and gives the first Christian sermon ever preached, ending with these verses that we’ve highlighted today. This is the foundational idea of our faith, that Jesus has been raised from the dead and exalted to the highest honor. He is the Lord, which means He has all power and authority. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, the Chosen One who saves God’s people from their sins.

All that is well and good, but what does that have to do with us? How do we respond to this news of Christ’s death, resurrection, and exaltation?

Let us read on:

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 

What should we do? That’s the best question anyone can ask when confronted with the truth about Jesus, and praise God; Peter gives a clear answer. Repent from sin, turn to God, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.

As we start this summer, let’s evaluate our lives and make certain we are living with Christ in mind. Do we have sin in our behavior or our attitudes that needs to be repented from? Is the Lord calling us to a new level of obedience that we need to embrace? Have we been baptized into the Body of Christ and now serve and have fellowship with God’s people? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our daily lives?

This summer can be the best we’ve ever had if we make it the best summer in God we’ve ever had. Let’s lean into His Word and His presence and receive every good thing He has for us.