Acts

               -the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone, for today & Biblical

Acts 1:3 – we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to build the Kingdom of God

1. The definition of the Kingdom of God

-the Kingdom of god is God’s rule, plan and program for His will to be done

2. The kingdom of God has a king – Jesus Christ

-it is not a democracy…no voting…Jesus Christ rules and reigns

3. There are kingdom principles – The Bible

-if we obey them we are blessed

4. There is a kingdom Agenda – the Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20

-the body of Christ is to be outward focused

Acts 1:9 – the ascension of Jesus Christ

-redemption is completed when Jesu sis exalted – Phil 2:5-11 & Eph 4:8-10

Acts 1:10-11 – angels means messengers/male in gender

-the angels told them to look out and not up any longer – John 4:35

v11 – Jesus is coming back one day to the Mt of Olives

-Zech 14:1-4, 6-7,9

v12 – around 120 people in the upper room for the first church service

       SOME THINGS TO LEARN ABOUT THE RETURN OF JESUS

1. Acts 1:11 – The Lord is returning

2. Acts 1:7 – No one knows when the Lord is returning

2. Acts 1:11 – the return of Jesus will be visible and personal – Rev 1:7

3. Acts 1:11 – The Messiah is Jewish and will come from heaven – v11

4. The Lord will come back to the Mt of Olives – vs11-12

                  Acts 2 – The Release of the Holy Spirit

*Pentecost means 50

*It is one of the Jewish feasts and was celebrated 50 days after Passover

*The day of Pentecost was the start of the church – the Holy Spirit came

———-Acts is the pattern for the church to follow today

———-This all happened on Sunday

*The day of Pentecost is a celebration of the harvest

-the harvest is people

-For there to be a spiritual harvest there must be certain characteristics:

          1. FOCUS – Mark 2:1-4

-keep your eyes on what matters

-the harvest includes everyone

          2. PRAYER THAT CREATES AN OPEN HEAVEN – Mark 2:1-4

-to open something, it takes some time and strength – crying out to the Lord…

          3. PEOPLE MUST HAVE A HEART FOR THE UNREACHED – MK 2:1-4

-the 4 men brought the paralyzed man to Jesus – nothing would stop them

-follow up is important

* The day of Pentecost is a celebration of the harvest

They were all together – one mind and heart and standing in unity.  Unity produces an outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:2 – Suddenly – this is immediately

-Christianity is miraculous and a process

Acts 2:2-3 – the first church service takes place

-we see visible signs of the Invisible Holy Spirit

– a noise like a mighty wind

-the fire of the Holy Spirit

-the glory of the Lord

-speaking in tongues

-joy/laughter/victory

-people changed and touched by the Lord

Acts 2:4 – they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues

-it shows this Biblical experience comes from Jesus