This Thing Called The Church Is Exciting

Text: Acts Chapter 2

What we are doing today, as members of Valley Brook and in churches all around the world is a continuation of what Jesus has been doing since that day of Pentecost when He sent the Spirit to those 120 believers.

We are another chapter in the same story with those believers.  The story that God has been writing. That same Jesus, who performed those miracles and washed the disciples’ feet is Lord and Savior to all of us.

Now the story has grown, from 120 men and women to millions upon millions, and each one of us specifically and personally called to belong to Him.  Each one of us uniquely fashioned and purposed.

Vs. 38 And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

 Main Idea:  The primary reason this thing called the church is exciting is because of the supernatural presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

 The Holy Spirit is the Operations Director. He is the organizer.

What does that mean specifically?

• Ephesians 1:13 He indwells us.
• Titus 3:5 He regenerates us. Brings us to spiritual life.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 He places us in the body of Christ. He is the one who certifies our belongingness and makes us “official.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 He is the One who decides and distributes our spiritual gifts and effects.
• He assigns us our role in the body of Christ. Your role in the body is not the same as the position you have in the church.  Even if someone takes away your ministry position, your role in the body of Christ remains the same.

A Summary of What the Holy Spirit Does Day by Day

Breaking it down, the job of the Holy Spirit is to “keep it real” between us and the Lord. He is the One who makes the knowledge of Jesus real and not just a spiritual pastime or just another self-care exercise packaged in religion. He is the One behind Peter’s instruction to the church when Peter wrote, “though you don’t see Him now you believe in Him and are filled with a glorious and inexpressible joy.” Who’s doing that filling?  The Spirit.  He is the One who knows what we are really thinking and feeling, beyond the words we pray and even without our words. He is the One who lives inside of us, in the deepest part of our being where everything that is true about us is stored. He is the One who stays after everyone else – our fans and our critics, our foes and friends and family – have left the room. He delights in unadorned, unadulterated truth. He is, in fact, the Spirit of Truth!