Mighty Rushing Wind
Acts 2:1-13
Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
SERMON NOTES
“As a Christian, we must on one hand drink of the Spirit of life to be filled with life, and on the other hand we must be clothed with the Holy Spirit of power to be equipped with power for service and ministry.” -R.A. Torrey
Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Helper, after He had ascended into heaven. He did not go back on His word. He DID send the Holy Spirit, but it was to a group of people that earnestly desired to be patient and obedient to wait for the fulfillment of this great promise. This is true both past and present.
Unfortunately, both in the days of the Corinthian church and, in some cases, the church today, there is more controversy over the matter of whether or not we speak in tongues than whether or not we are actually carrying out the mandate that Jesus gave us to go and preach the Gospel and make disciples.
Please come with me to 1 Corinthians 12:4-10
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."
Later in the same chapter (vs 24) there should be no division (KJV – schism) in the body but the members should have the same care for each other.
Much to the disagreement of some, speaking in tongues is not the ONLY evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
The reality of the matter is not so much the language [our language of life or the heavenly language that we may enjoy] that comes out of our mouths, but the lifestyle we live and the manner of unity in which we live out that lifestyle. Obedience is key - He will and does empower obedient people. The evidence.... saved souls!
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, October 9
Happy Thanksgiving!
Church Office Closed
TUESDAY, October 10
9:00 am Daybreak
6:45 pm Live Free
7:00 pm Youth Studies
WEDNESDAY, October 11
9:45 am Keenager’s Study
4:00 pm AWANA
5:30 pm TREK
6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Road to Emaus
6:40 pm Men’s Study in the Book of James
6:40 pm Soul Care Study
6:40 pm Truth Project Study
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer
THURSDAY, October 12
7:00 pm Men's Floor Hockey
7:00 pm Evening Edition
FRIDAY, October 13
Youth - SR. High Board Games Night
SATURDAY ,October 14
10:00 am 2 Little 4 Me Toy & Clothing Sale
SUNDAY, October 15
9:15 &11:15 am Worship Services
6:00 pm SGAC House of Prayer
JOURNEY UPDATEs
HYMN SING Sunday, October 8 at 6:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Open to all ages. Bring finger food for sharing after the event
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday October 9 for Thanksgiving.
SGAC HOUSE OF PRAYER Plan to join us Sunday, October 15 at 6:00 pm for a night of unbroken modern worship, praise and prayer. Come and spend time in an atmosphere of scripture-based worship and prayer over our church and community. There will also be an opportunity for one-on-one prayer for those who would like to be prayed for.
YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT: October 20 - 22 at Camp Nakamun. Register online! Cost is $150. Registration deadline is October 15.
DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY is offering a course from October 19 – 21 entitled, “Healing for the Wounded Heart” by Rev. Jack Frost. Please register today with Pastor Coreen. Cost is $90.
HOCKEY MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL’s 9th annual dinner and silent auction is taking place on Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 pm at Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Tickets $50. All funds raised go towards ministry to young hockey players and their families through HMI's Alberta representative, Tim Wiebe. See us in the foyer for your tickets or call (780)970-4869.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes now available and will be collected on Sunday, November 12. An informative Brochure and shoeboxes can be picked up at the Welcome Centre
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL AUDITIONS are being held on Tuesday, October 10 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. This is for all Grade 1-6 students wanting to act, sing or dance in this year’s Christmas Musical, taking place on Sunday December 10 at both services. Contact Pastor Coreen for more information.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE Fall campaign runs until November 5. Please consider praying across the street from the abortion clinic (12409 - 109 A Avenue, Edmonton). Visit www.40daysforlife.com/edmonton for more info.
IMPORTANT FINANCIAL UPDATE
This past weeks offering to the General Fund was $28,336 compared to our weekly budget need of $24,327 (Praise the Lord). As of September 30, our actual offerings received less actual expenses incurred has left the General Fund with a shortfall of $31,720. This needs our immediate attention as we do not want to scale back programs or find ourselves unable to meet our financial commitments. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to do to help us during this time of financial need.
God bless you as you faithfully give as He has provided.
Future Development Update
Building a Spiritual Home – Phase 1
The Future Development Committee is continuing to work to raise funds for Phase 1 of our Future Development Plan. If you have not already done so, please submit your pledge form to allow us to plan for the future build with a full understanding of the ability and willingness of the congregation to support this project.
Pledge forms are available online at www.sgac.net/phase1 or at the welcome centre. Giving can be allocated to “Future Development” through the weekly offering, church website and pre-authorized debit.
Questions? Email: phase1@sgac.net
Celebrating God Through Art
Join in creating a piece of corporate art celebrating God’s grace and love. Using the paper provided, please create, as an individual or family, a piece of artwork as a testimony of God’s grace and how he has blessed our church family. The individual pieces of art will come together to build an art installation that will be unveiled as funds are raised for Phase 1 of the Future Development Plan.
Paper and more information are available at the welcome centre, or in the office. Please submit your contribution to the office by October 15.
Trades Meeting – date change
The Future Development Team invites all those considering giving of their time, skilled labour or equipment (a Gift in Kind pledge) toward Phase 1 of the Future Development Project to attend an information meeting October 21, from 9-11 am. This Trades Meeting will present an opportunity for more specific, technical conversations about the build, and how contributions in specific areas of skills and expertise can be given to advance the project - and God’s kingdom.