SEIZING THE MOMENT
- Key Verse
- God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. . . Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:32-36 NIV).
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Seizing the moment to share the gospel at the right time, with the right words, in the right spirit is key to growing the Kingdom of God. The gifts from the Holy Spirit that God poured out on those who believe enables believers to spread the good news with courage.
Reflections
After hearing a sound like the blowing of a violent wind coming from Heaven and tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on those being filled with the Holy Spirit, including 11 of the apostles, a crowd of God-fearing Jews stood in amazement and bewilderment. However, some in the crowd watching this amazing event inexplicably remained skeptical and joked that the Spirit-filled group had too much to drink. This is the same crowd that probably witnessed Christ's crucifixion and remembered the terrible darkness and earthquake that followed. Yet, they remained skeptical about Jesus.
Peter didn't dismiss the crowd. Instead, he seized the opportunity to proclaim the good news. Peter did not give them a message they wanted to hear. To be sure, he reminded them that Jesus was handed over to them and that they "with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." Nevertheless, Peter gave them a message that they needed to hear. Peter explained that God's plan foretold long ago was taking place before their very eyes. He reminded them of the resurrection. Peter reminded them how God promised He would pour out the Holy Spirit on His people and that amazing things would happen. The result was life changing for that small crowd of skeptics. And the pouring out of the Holy Spirit has been life changing for us who believe in Christ.
When I read this passage I was focused on Peter's effectiveness. He was right on. His tone was strong, but compassionate. He was persuasive. But as I thought more about the passage, I focused on Peter's availability to share the gospel. After all, it was not Peter that had the effect on drawing the crowd to Jesus. It was God who drew the skeptical crowd to Jesus. Sharing the gospel is about being available. Peter was available and God used him in a powerful way. That is my part in God's story - to be available and to rely on the powerful gifts of the Spirit to fulfill His mission. The results are His.
Discussion Questions
1. What stood out to you from this passage?
2. What, if anything, keeps you from being available to share the good news about Jesus?
3. What is your part in God's redemptive plan?
4. Are you fulfilling your part in God's redemptive plan? If so, how? If not, why?
5. Who do you identify with most in this passage? The people who were amazed? The crowd of skeptics? Peter?
6. What amazing things have you witnessed the Spirit accomplish in your life? In the life of others?
Michael Kirk John
January 6, 2010 08:15 AM
Dear Abel, I like the point you made about being available. I am to be available for Christ for His children in all circumstances. Thank you for your devotion.
Kathleen Horn
January 6, 2010 09:55 AM
Great job Abel! Something I need to continually remind myself when I get scared to share about Christ, that it is the by the power of the Holy Spirit not me! I just need to be present and willing and let God take over.
Mitzi
January 6, 2010 10:41 AM
Thanks, Abel. I appreciate your words that it is not me that draws people to Jesus, but God. I just need to be available. Good reminder!
Gary Brandenburg
January 6, 2010 10:54 AM
Abel: I love your "Big Idea" for this passage: "Seizing the moment to share the gospel at the right time, with the right words, in the right spirit is key to growing the Kingdom of God." Consider it stolen! I'm also struck by the fact that Peter, the available, had been unavailable a few weeks earlier when He denied Christ. Thank God for second chances!
Mike Heinz
January 6, 2010 03:04 PM
Abel, Thanks for your leadership in our church and your insight on this passage. I'm praying that I remain willing and available to build God's Kingdom! Makes life worth living...
Marcie Leal
January 6, 2010 03:22 PM
Abel, as your partner in life it has been inspiring to see you grow in your walk with JC. I have loved watching your heart soften to the Holy Spirit as He presents situations in life for you to be available. I am thankful for you and your leadership in our home.
John
January 6, 2010 05:49 PM
Abel, Thanks for your thoughts. I never considered that Peter had options in how he could have responded to the crowd. He was definitely a man who was sold out to the mission of Jesus. I'm still trying to get there. Thanks for showing the way. jga
Thad Harris
January 7, 2010 02:05 PM
Hello Abel, I am sending this to you via email because I cannot comment on your journey from the email/website for some reason. Thank you for your encouragement to our congregation yesterday to be available to share the gospel as Peter did. As I ponder my own life, I am convicted that I don’t always live ‘on-the-ready’. This is something that I pray about throughout my day and ask God to place me into situations to share Christ. One of my obstacles is the feeling that I have to bring the person to saving faith in that conversation and it causes me to at times freeze up. I tend to forget and lack contentment with possibly being the 2nd of 7 conversations the person needs to trust Christ. Or, for others the 25th out of 30. I always seem to expect (and want) to be the 5th of 5 or worse the 1st of 1. So, I am praying through my patience in evangelism. I want to celebrate something with you. The week before Christmas, Robert Gonzalez, a nearby resident, came in for prayer. He came in on the week I was pastor on call. So, I listened to him and counseled him and prayed with him. He seemed to know of jesus and be ok with jesus. But, I couldn’t tell that there was a deeper relationship with Christ. After I asked him if I could share with him what the Bible has to says about beginning a relationship with Christ. He said ok. I shared the gospel and asked him if he had ever trusted Christ alone – his grace and offer of forgiveness – for salvation. He said no. I asked him if he would like to trust Jesus right now and he began to cry. He said that is what he needed. So, he and I prayed and Robert trusted Christ the week before Christmas. He has been to two services here and is looking to connect on a more deep level. God is drawing people to himself all around us! Thank you for encouraging me today to keep my eyes open to opportunities to share this great message of God’s love and life! My prayer for you is that you will also have an open door for the gospel this week. God bless you brother and I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Thad Harris
January 7, 2010 02:08 PM
Hello Abel, Thank you for your encouragement to our congregation yesterday to be available to share the gospel as Peter did. As I ponder my own life, I am convicted that I don’t always live ‘on-the-ready’. This is something that I pray about throughout my day and ask God to place me into situations to share Christ. One of my obstacles is the feeling that I have to bring the person to saving faith in that conversation and it causes me to at times freeze up. I tend to forget and lack contentment with possibly being the 2nd of 7 conversations the person needs to trust Christ. Or, for others the 25th out of 30. I always seem to expect (and want) to be the 5th of 5 or worse the 1st of 1. So, I am praying through my patience in evangelism. I want to celebrate something with you. The week before Christmas, Robert Gonzalez, a nearby resident, came in for prayer. He came in on the week I was pastor on call. So, I listened to him and counseled him and prayed with him. He seemed to know of jesus and be ok with jesus. But, I couldn’t tell that there was a deeper relationship with Christ. After I asked him if I could share with him what the Bible has to says about beginning a relationship with Christ. He said ok. I shared the gospel and asked him if he had ever trusted Christ alone – his grace and offer of forgiveness – for salvation. He said no. I asked him if he would like to trust Jesus right now and he began to cry. He said that is what he needed. So, he and I prayed and Robert trusted Christ the week before Christmas. He has been to two services here and is looking to connect on a more deep level. God is drawing people to himself all around us! Thank you for encouraging me today to keep my eyes open to opportunities to share this great message of God’s love and life! My prayer for you is that you will also have an open door for the gospel this week. God bless you brother and I look forward to seeing you Sunday!