Empowered by the Spirit: A Call to Repentance

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit of God Is Poured Out on All People

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked a radical shift in how God’s presence would dwell among His people—not just in a single place or with a select few, but with all who call on His name. This was a mind-shattering truth for the early listeners, who had always believed God’s presence was reserved for the Holy of Holies and accessible only to the high priest. Now, through Jesus, the Spirit is available to everyone, regardless of background, gender, or status. The Spirit’s nearness is not just a theological idea but a living reality, inviting you to experience God’s presence in your daily life. [50:36]

Acts 2:17-21 (ESV)
“‘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; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God’s Spirit is present and available to you today, not far off or reserved for someone else?

Day 2: Jesus Is Both Lord and Messiah

Peter’s message at Pentecost declared that Jesus, whom the people had crucified, was not only raised from the dead but is both Lord and Messiah—the Savior who would fix all that is broken and the very God Himself. This truth upends every old paradigm about who God is and how He works, calling for a complete reorientation of reality. To confess Jesus as both Lord and Messiah is to recognize Him as the one who holds ultimate authority and the one who brings ultimate rescue, inviting you to trust Him with every part of your life. [59:25]

Acts 2:32-36 (ESV)
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 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. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Reflection: What does it mean for you, personally, to acknowledge Jesus as both Lord and Messiah in your daily decisions and relationships?

Day 3: The Call to Repent and Be Baptized

When the crowd heard Peter’s message, they were cut to the heart and asked, “What shall we do?” The answer was clear: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is not just feeling sorry but making a U-turn—turning away from self-driven pursuits and toward Jesus. This invitation is for everyone, no matter how far you feel from God, and it leads to new life and the indwelling of the Spirit. [01:01:54]

Acts 2:37-39 (ESV)
“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?’ 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. 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.’”

Reflection: Is there a direction in your life where you sense God calling you to make a U-turn—away from self-reliance and toward surrender to Jesus?

Day 4: Surrendering Our Schemes and Pursuits to Christ

It is easy to run 100 miles per hour after things that seem good—success, approval, comfort, or even religious activity—hoping they will fill the emptiness inside. Yet, even good things can become distractions from the true invitation: to pursue Christ above all. Surrendering to Jesus means letting go of our own ways of fixing, numbing, or controlling life, and trusting that in Him, we find true fulfillment and purpose. The Spirit’s presence reorders our desires and gives us rest from striving. [01:11:55]

Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”

Reflection: What is one “good thing” you tend to chase for fulfillment, and how might you surrender it to Jesus today?

Day 5: Boldly Sharing the Goodness of God’s Presence

The gift of God’s Spirit is not meant to be hoarded but shared. Just as Peter boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus to the crowd, those who have experienced the nearness of God are called to step into spaces of boldness—at home, at work, or in the community. The Spirit empowers you to live and speak in ways that invite others to encounter the same transforming presence, extending the invitation of Jesus to all who are far off. [01:15:57]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: Who in your life might need to hear or see the hope of Jesus through your words or actions this week, and how can you step out in boldness to share it?

Sermon Summary

Today, we journeyed back to the day of Pentecost, a pivotal moment when Peter stood before a crowd in Jerusalem and boldly proclaimed the radical new reality ushered in by Jesus. The disciples, once scattered and fearful after Jesus’ crucifixion, were now emboldened by the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s words, rooted in the prophecy of Joel, declared that God’s Spirit would no longer be confined to the Holy of Holies or to a select few, but would be poured out on all people—men and women, young and old, regardless of status or background. This was a seismic shift for those listening, who had grown up believing God’s presence was distant and accessible only through ritual and hierarchy.

Peter then connected this outpouring of the Spirit to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He reminded the crowd that Jesus, though crucified by human hands, was raised by God and exalted as both Lord and Messiah. This was not just a theological point, but a personal and communal invitation: the very one they had rejected was now revealed as the Savior and God Himself. The crowd, cut to the heart, asked what they should do. Peter’s answer was simple yet profound: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance, as we explored, is not just feeling sorry or making minor adjustments, but a radical turning around—a willingness to surrender our own ways, ambitions, and self-sufficiency, and to embrace the life and presence of God. I shared a story from my own life about chasing after things that promised fulfillment but ultimately left me empty, illustrating how easy it is to run hard in the wrong direction. The invitation of Jesus is to turn from those lesser pursuits and find true life, purpose, and belonging in Him.

This call is not just for the spiritually elite or those who have it all together. It is for everyone—those who are near and those who are far off, those who are new to faith and those who have wandered. The Spirit of God is near, and in Christ, the Spirit of God is in us. Our response is to surrender, to allow God’s presence to reshape our reality, and to live boldly and generously in the world as witnesses to this transforming grace.

Key Takeaways

1. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost shattered centuries-old barriers, making God’s presence accessible to all, not just a select few. This means that no matter our background, status, or past, we are invited into intimate relationship with God, experiencing His nearness and power in our everyday lives. [49:28]
2. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but the foundation for a new reality. Jesus is both Messiah—the one who sets all things right—and Lord—God Himself. Recognizing Jesus as both Savior and God demands a reorientation of our lives, challenging our assumptions and calling us to deeper allegiance. [57:27]
3. Repentance is more than regret; it is a courageous turning away from self-driven pursuits and a surrender to God’s will. Even good things can become distractions if they replace the central pursuit of Christ. True repentance leads us into the fullness of life that only God’s Spirit can provide. [70:23]
4. The invitation to receive forgiveness and the Holy Spirit is for everyone, regardless of how far we feel from God. Whether we are encountering Jesus for the first time, returning after a season of wandering, or living deeply in His presence, God’s arms remain open, always inviting us home. [75:57]
5. Surrendering to God is not weakness but the pathway to true strength and fulfillment. When we release our grip on our own plans and submit to the loving, all-powerful God, we find a life richer and more meaningful than anything we could construct on our own. This surrender empowers us to live boldly and generously, sharing the goodness of God with others. [73:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Setting the Context: From Luke to Acts
[03:10] - The Disciples’ Transformation After the Resurrection
[06:00] - Peter’s Pentecost Address Begins
[09:30] - Joel’s Prophecy and the Outpouring of the Spirit
[13:00] - The Radical Shift: God’s Presence for All
[16:20] - Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Explained
[20:00] - Jesus as Messiah and Lord
[24:00] - The Crowd’s Response: “What Shall We Do?”
[27:00] - Repentance and Baptism: The Pathway to New Life
[31:00] - Personal Story: Chasing Fulfillment in the Wrong Places
[36:00] - The Deeper Meaning of Repentance
[40:00] - Surrendering to God’s Will
[44:00] - Invitations for Every Season of Faith
[48:00] - Benediction: Embracing the Spirit’s Presence

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:14-41 — (Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, including the prophecy from Joel, the resurrection of Jesus, and the call to repentance and baptism.)

Observation Questions

According to Peter’s sermon, who is the Holy Spirit now available to, and how is this different from what the Jewish people believed before?
What Old Testament prophecy does Peter quote to explain what is happening at Pentecost?
What two titles does Peter declare Jesus to be, and why are these titles significant to his audience?
What is the crowd’s response after hearing Peter’s message, and what does Peter tell them to do?

Interpretation Questions

Why would Peter’s claim that God’s Spirit is poured out on “all people” have been shocking to his listeners? What does this say about God’s desire for relationship with humanity?
Peter connects the outpouring of the Spirit to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus. Why is it important that Jesus is both Messiah and Lord, not just one or the other?
The sermon describes repentance as more than just feeling sorry. What does true repentance look like according to Peter and the pastor’s story?
Peter says the promise is “for you and your children and for all who are far off.” What does this reveal about who is invited into God’s family?

Application Questions

The sermon described how God’s presence is now available to everyone, not just a select few. Do you ever feel like God’s presence is distant or only for “spiritual” people? What would it look like to embrace the truth that God’s Spirit is available to you right now?
Peter calls the crowd to “repent and be baptized.” Is there an area of your life where you sense God inviting you to make a U-turn—to stop running after something that isn’t truly fulfilling? What would it look like to surrender that area to God this week?
The pastor shared a story about chasing after things that promised fulfillment but left him empty. Can you relate to this? What are some “beads” in your life—good things that might be distracting you from the main pursuit of Christ?
The invitation to receive forgiveness and the Holy Spirit is for everyone, including those who feel far from God. If you feel distant from God right now, what is one step you could take to move toward Him? If you feel close, how can you help someone else experience God’s nearness?
Surrendering to God is described as the pathway to true strength and fulfillment, not weakness. What is one practical way you can practice surrender this week—maybe in your plans, your relationships, or your ambitions?
The sermon ended with a call to live boldly and generously as witnesses to God’s grace. Who in your life might need to hear or see the hope you have in Jesus? What is one way you can share that hope with them this week?
The pastor encouraged the group to reflect on where their “resources”—time, energy, money, attention—are going. Take a moment to consider: Where are your resources being directed? Is there a shift you feel prompted to make so that your life is more surrendered to God’s will?

Sermon Clips

Now, kind of in modern day Christianity, when we talk about like the Holy Spirit being with you, we kind of like accept it as kind of just general knowledge. We're like, yeah, cool, God's spirit, good, right? But back then, this was not the case, right? If you were a Jewish person growing up with kind of Hebrew theology, you would know that the presence of God resided in one place, the Holy of Holies, which was this inner room within the temple. Again, one location. [00:48:49] (38 seconds) #GodsPresenceEverywhere

So the idea that Peter at this point is saying, look, the Spirit of God is going to be poured out to all of you. Whoa.And in fact, there's already kind of some precedence for this because not in the account of Luke's gospel, but we read in Matthew that the veil was torn in the Holy of Holies, that the presence of God was now accessible to all, right? [00:50:38] (30 seconds) #SpiritPouredOutForAll

And who is this information accessible to?Read that in verse 21.And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyone.Again, he's saying some really dramatic things, some crazy things, some mind -shattering things to the listeners back then. [00:52:12] (27 seconds) #SalvationForEveryone

And what will be the results of repenting and being baptized in the name of Jesus? The result will be that you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember all the way back in the beginning when he's talking about Joel, and he's talking about the Spirit of God will be present with you. This will be the result. The Spirit of God will be with you. [01:01:54] (21 seconds) #TurnAroundToTrueLife

And again, who is this for? Is this just for a small, select group of people? No. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off. For all whom the Lord our God will call. [01:02:30] (22 seconds) #ThriveThroughRepentance

We turn away from the idea that we have to fight our own fights around salvation.And we turn towards the idea that it is in Jesus and in his forgiveness of our sins that he gives us this pathway to new life. [01:12:59] (17 seconds) #LiveBoldlyInSpirit

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