Standing on the Steps
Acts 2:14-47
Peter's Sermon at Pentecost
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
SERMON NOTES
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen and laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”
-John Wesley
“If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for.”
-Charles Spurgeon
“I’d rather have people hate me with the knowledge that I tried to save them.”
-Keith Green
- Luke tells us that the disciples gathered together and prayed and were of one accord (Acts 1:14). As Peter begins to preach we see all 11 disciples supporting his bold ministry of proclamation. How can we better foster unity especially when we differ on methods or styles of ministry?
- The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they became a bold witness. How could we better follow the example of the first two chapters of Acts?
- 3000 were added to the faith that day. What would that be like? What would discipleship look like? How can we better follow up with people who make a decision receive Christ?
Scriptures top Consider
- Joel 2:28-32
- Romans 10:13
- Psalm 16:8-11
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, October 16
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Young Adults Study
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, October 17
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Studies
7:30 pm Biblical Response to Culture
7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting
WEDNESDAY, October 18
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 19
3:30 pm Christmas Musical Rehearsal
7:00 pm Evening Edition
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, October 20
Youth - Jr & Sr High The Hunt of Mid-October
SATURDAY ,October 21
9:00 am Future Development Team Trades Meeting
SUNDAY, October 22
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO CULTURE: Plan to attend this informative study. Topics discussed include life, death, suffering, truth, and sexuality. This will begin this Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30 pm in the Oasis. Everyone is welcome.
CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED Dessert Night - Join us on Monday, December 4 at 7:00 pm for a Christmas comedy and music surprise! Featuring comedy by Leland Klassen and music by Dan Macaulay, this is a night you don’t want to miss. Tickets are $20 and go on sale on October 22.
HOCKEY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL'S 9th annual dinner and silent auction takes place on Saturday, October 28 at 5pm at Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Tickets $50. See us in the foyer this Sunday for your tickets or call (780) 970-4869.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoe-boxes now available and will be collected until November 12. An informative Brochure and shoe-boxes can be picked up at the Welcome Centre.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE Fall campaign runs until November 5. Click Here for more info.
GRANDPARENTS NIGHT OUT Dessert Night We welcome you to join us for a special evening of fellowship, fun, food and encouragement on Sunday, November 5 at 6:00 pm as we ‘travel the road’ on the journey of Grandparenting. Tickets $2. RSVP to the church office.
YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT: October 20 - 22 at Camp Nakamun. Cost is $150. Registration deadline is this Monday! Register Now!
ONE BODY BONFIRE Worship & Arts volunteers please come out on Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00 pm for a bonfire. We will be out at Curt & Jess Jespersen’s home. Please contact Karen L. in the office to RSVP and get directions.
SGAC HOUSE OF PRAYER Join us Sunday, October 22 at 6:00 pm for a night of unbroken modern worship, praise and prayer.
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL will take place on Tuesday, October 31 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. We are currently recruiting volunteers and collecting candy for the event.. Candy can be dropped off at the church between now and October 22. If you can give of your time, please contact a member of the Children’s Ministry staff.
USHERS, GREETERS & HOSTS plan to attend on Monday, October 23 at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary for a meeting with Pastor Art. This meeting is for all involved and all who would like to be involved.
MEN’S FLOOR HOCKEY Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. Call Kyle for info (780) 719-9476.
IMPORTANT FINANCIAL UPDATE
Over the past two weeks we have highlighted that the first three months of our fiscal year giving to the General Fund had fallen short of actual expenses by $31,720 and was in need of your help. This week we would like to thank you for so willingly responding. Through your giving of $28,186 on October 1 and $35,097 on October 8 respectively we have been able to reduce this shortfall. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this October, lets together be mindful of all that God has provided to us and give generously to God’s work here in Spruce Grove. Let’s each do our part to eliminate the remaining shortfall by October 31.
Thank-you and God Bless you as you give joyfully and faithfully to His work.
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.