The Power Explained - Part 2

Four Proofs that Jesus is the Christ:

1. We witnessed God's POWER in Jesus' life. (Acts 2:22)
   


2. We witnessed God's SOVEREIGNTY in Jesus' death. (Acts 2:23)
   


3. We witnessed God's VICTORY in Jesus' resurrection. (Acts 2:24-32)



4. We witnessed God's PROMISE in Jesus' exaltation. (Acts 2:33-36)
   

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:22-36

1. Explain Acts 2:23. If this was God's plan, according to His foreknowledge, can those men who crucified Jesus be held guilty? Why or why not?
2. Why does Peter spend so little time on Jesus life and death, and so much time on Jesus' resurrection?
    
3. The original purpose of Peter's sermon was to explain the coming of the Holy Spirit. Why, then, did Peter preach about Jesus?
    
4. What promises are attached to the exaltation of Christ (Acts 2:33-36)? What do these promises mean for you and the church? 

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

The Power Explained - Part 1

Power in People is Part of the Plan!

1. This is a PREVIEW: Enjoy a taste of what's coming! (Acts 2:16-18)



2. This is a PROMISE : God will keep his word on judgement, too! (Acts 2:19-20)



3. This is a PROVOCATION : You have to do something about this! (Acts 2:21)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:14-21

1. Why did Peter quote THIS Old Testament passage? Why use this passage if all of these things were not yet fulfilled (judgment, Day of the Lord, etc)?
    
2. Why do you think preaching is God's ordained method of getting His Word out? (Hint: What role does the Holy Spirit's power have in this?)

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another. I am going to selfishly ask you pray for me while I am in Thailand teaching the pastors at the conference. I know I can count on you!

The Power Arrives!

Four Amazing Aspects of the Holy Spirit:

1. He's HERE ! (Acts 2:1-4)



2. He's working through ORDINARY people! (Acts 2:5-7)



3. He's after EVERYONE ! (Acts 2:8-11)



4. He's POLARIZING ! (Acts 2:12-13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 2:1-13

1. What's the significance of everyone hearing in their own language (Acts 2:6-11)? What does this say about the biblical phenomenon of "speaking in tongues"?
2. Why do people try to "explain it away" when God is so clearly at work (Acts 2:13)? (Hint: See John 3:19-21, Romans 1:18) How should we respond to that as Christians?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be walking in the Spirit.

The People of Power

What Do You Do While You Wait on the Lord?

1. ACCEPT it. (Acts 1:12)



2. Stick TOGETHER (Acts 1:13-14)



3. PRAY through (Acts 1:14)



4. Stay BUSY (Acts 1:15-20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 1:12-26

1. Why does the Lord make us wait on him so often? Why doesn't He just grant our requests NOW?
    
2. If the OT (Old Testament) predicted Judas would betray Jesus, did Judas have a choice? Is he guilty or just a puppet?
    
3. Why did the disciples feel the need to replace Judas? Why not just go with "11 strong" (the remaining apostles)?
    
4. What do you think the disciples were praying about (Acts 1:14)?

Breakout Questions:

For what are you waiting on the Lord right now?

The Promise of Power

You Have Been Given a Mission:

1. You have the MESSAGE : Be CONFIDENT ! (Acts 1:1-5)


2. You have the OBJECTIVE : Stay FOCUSED ! (Acts 1:6-7)


3. You have the POWER : Be a WITNESS ! (Acts 1:8a)


4. You have the DIRECTIONS : Get MOVING ! (Acts 1:8b)


5. You have the one OPPORTUNITY : TAKE IT ! (Acts 1:9-11)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 1:1-11

1. Why did the disciples ask what they asked in Acts 1:6? Why do you think God wants such a long gap between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ? Why didn't the Father just have the Son establish His kingdom right then and there?
2. What is the connection between receiving Jesus' power and being Jesus' witnesses? How do you know if you are working in the Holy Spirit's power or working in your own?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for HBC as a church to stay on mission - and specifically, by name, each member of the breakout group to grow as a powerful witness in their personal "Jerusalem".