Acts: surprised by the Holy Spirit

Speaker: Paul Brown

Notes

The Day of Pentecost - before his ascension, Jesus had promised the disciples what was going to happen (Acts 1:4-5, 8-9), but for several days nothing much happened. They went home and prayed (Acts 1:12-14). Then suddenly, the Holy Spirit came on them and took them by surprise (Acts 2:1-4). They were expecting sometjhing but didn't know what.

Disciples in Ephesus - about 25 years later (Acts 19:1-6).Paul met some Christians who knew John the Baptists's teaching, so they knew the Holy Spirit would be coming one day, but they didn't know he was already available to them. They received the Spirit when Paul prayed. They had been expecting something but didn't know what.

Sometimes we have to wait, expecting something more from God. It might even feel like nothing's happening. It's OK to feel like that. But while you wait:

• Wait patiently

• Guard your heart, your relationship with God

• Press on with the last thing God gave you to do

• Pray lots

• Be hungry for more of God

• Be expectant - expect to be surprised by the Holy Spirit

Application

Have you had experiences of God suddenly doing things in your life (not necessarily on the scale of the Day of Pentecost!)? How have those experiences shaped your life?

Have you also experienced "in-between bits" when it feels like there should be more but it's not happening? How have you dealt with those times? Do you think they should just be got through as quickly as possible or have you found God to be in those times too?

What can we do to keep ourselves hungry and expectant for more of God while we wait? How are your disciplines of prayer and the Word?

Does anyone feel they need more hunger for God or more faith that the Holy Spirit will come and surprise us again? Or is anyone afraid of being surprised by the Holy Spirit? Pray for one another.

Posted: 28 Sep 2008