Empowered by the Spirit: The Call to Discipleship

 

Summary

Today’s focus is on the God who calls, as seen in Acts chapter 2. The scene is set at Pentecost, a Jewish feast celebrating the harvest, where people from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem. In this moment, the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, and a miracle occurs: as the apostles speak, everyone hears the message in their own heart language. This is not about sensational displays, but about the Spirit making the gospel clear and personal to each listener. The heart of Acts 2 is not just the miraculous, but the clarity and power of the gospel message and the transformation it brings.

Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus, attested by God through miracles, was crucified according to God’s plan, but death could not hold Him. The resurrection is the proof of God’s power and the foundation of our hope. Peter’s message is direct: it was the sin of all people that led Jesus to the cross, and it is only through repentance and faith in Him that we are saved. Salvation is not about religious rituals or cultural traditions, but about a genuine turning from sin and submission to Jesus as both Lord and Savior.

The response to this message is remarkable—about 3,000 people are added to the church in a single day. But what follows is just as important: these new believers devote themselves to four things—teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These are not programs or obligations, but a way of life. They study the Word together, invest deeply in each other’s lives, share meals, and pray with and for one another. This is the blueprint for a thriving, Spirit-filled community.

Living as a disciple is not easy, but it is possible because of the resurrection power of Jesus. We are not called to walk alone, but to be a family on mission, loving and serving one another as we pursue Christ together. The challenge is to move beyond surface-level connection and devote ourselves intentionally to these practices, allowing God to work in and through us for His glory.

Key Takeaways

- The miracle at Pentecost was not just in the speaking, but in the hearing—the Holy Spirit made the gospel clear to every heart, regardless of background or language. This reminds us that God’s call is deeply personal, and He meets us where we are, speaking to our deepest needs and longings. The true miracle is when the message of Jesus penetrates our hearts and transforms us from within. [31:15]

- God’s plan for redemption was set before the foundation of the world. Even knowing humanity would rebel, God chose to create, to love, and to redeem through Christ. Our lives are not accidents; God knows us, places us, and calls us with purpose. The question is whether we will submit to His plan and trust His sovereign love. [36:57]

- The resurrection is not just a historical event, but the living proof that death and sin do not have the final word. Because Jesus could not be held by death, we can live with hope and courage, knowing that the same power that raised Him is at work in us. This makes the call to discipleship possible, even when it feels daunting. [40:32]

- Salvation is not about external rituals or cultural expectations, but about genuine repentance and submission to Jesus as both Lord and Savior. It is easy to confuse religious activity with true faith, but only a heart turned toward God and away from sin experiences real transformation. Repentance is not a one-time act, but a continual posture of surrender. [47:49]

- The early church’s devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer is the model for spiritual growth and community. These practices are not optional add-ons, but essential rhythms for a healthy Christian life. True fellowship means investing deeply in each other’s lives, sharing joys and burdens, and praying with and for one another—this is how we become a family on mission. [55:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Setting the Scene: Pentecost and the Promise
[03:10] - The Miracle of Heart Language
[07:00] - Peter’s Bold Proclamation
[12:00] - God’s Sovereign Plan and Our Place in It
[16:30] - The Resurrection: Proof and Power
[20:00] - Jesus: Both Lord and Messiah
[24:00] - Repentance, Salvation, and Baptism
[28:00] - 3,000 Added: The Birth of the Church
[32:00] - Four Devotions of the Early Church
[36:00] - Fellowship: Living Life Together
[40:00] - Breaking Bread and Building Trust
[44:00] - The Power of Prayer in Community
[48:00] - Becoming a Family on Mission
[52:00] - Responding to God’s Call and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Acts 2 – The God Who Calls

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### Bible Reading

Acts 2:22-47
*(This was the main text for the sermon. Read the whole passage together as a group.)*

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### Observation Questions

1. What was the miracle that happened at Pentecost, and how did it affect the people who were gathered in Jerusalem?
[[31:15]]

2. According to Peter’s sermon, what was God’s plan for Jesus, and how did the people respond to hearing this message?
[[36:57]]

3. After about 3,000 people believed and were baptized, what four things did the early church devote themselves to?
[[55:36]]

4. How did the early believers live out their faith together in practical ways, according to Acts 2:44-47?
[[58:27]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said the real miracle at Pentecost was not just in the speaking, but in the hearing. Why is it important that the Holy Spirit made the gospel clear to each person in their own heart language?
[[31:15]]

2. Peter told the crowd that Jesus was crucified “according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge.” What does this teach us about God’s control and purpose, even in hard or painful events?
[[36:57]]

3. The resurrection was described as “proof” that death could not hold Jesus. How does this truth give hope and courage to believers today?
[[40:32]]

4. The sermon emphasized that salvation is not about religious rituals or cultural traditions, but about genuine repentance and submission to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Why is this distinction important for us to understand?
[[47:49]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The Holy Spirit made the gospel personal to each listener at Pentecost. When have you felt like God spoke to you in a way that was personal and clear? How did you respond?
[[31:15]]

2. The sermon said God’s plan for redemption was set before the foundation of the world, and that God knows and places each of us with purpose. Do you struggle to believe that your life is not an accident? What would it look like to trust God’s purpose for you this week?
[[36:57]]

3. Peter’s message was direct: our sin led Jesus to the cross, and we are called to repent and submit to Him. Is there an area of your life where you are holding back from true repentance or submission? What is one step you could take to surrender that area to Jesus?
[[47:49]]

4. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer—not as programs, but as a way of life. Which of these four rhythms is most natural for you? Which one is most challenging? Why?
[[55:36]]

5. The sermon challenged us to move beyond surface-level connection and invest deeply in each other’s lives. What is one practical way you could go deeper in fellowship with someone in this group or in your church family this month?
[[55:36]]

6. The pastor shared that living as a disciple is not easy, but possible because of the resurrection power of Jesus. When following Jesus feels hard or overwhelming, what helps you keep going? Who can you ask to pray with you or encourage you?
[[40:32]]

7. The early believers shared meals, prayed together, and cared for each other’s needs. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement, prayer, or practical help right now? How can you reach out to them this week?
[[58:27]]

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Closing Prayer:
Ask God to help your group devote yourselves to His Word, to real fellowship, to sharing life together, and to prayer. Pray for courage to respond to His call and to love one another deeply.

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is Lord and Messiah
The resurrection of Jesus is the undeniable proof that He is both Lord and Messiah, the One sent by God to redeem humanity from sin. Death could not hold Him, and the empty tomb stands as the ultimate evidence of His victory over sin and death. This truth is not just a historical fact but the foundation of our faith and hope, assuring us that God’s plan for salvation is certain and unstoppable. Because Jesus lives, we too can live in the power of His resurrection, confident that nothing is impossible for God. [39:31]

Acts 2:22-24, 32-36 (ESV)
“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— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it… 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 the reality of the resurrection mean for how you face challenges or doubts in your faith today?


Day 2: Repentance and Submission—Jesus Must Be Both Lord and Savior
True salvation is not just about saying a prayer or following a ritual; it is about genuine repentance and submitting your life to Jesus as both Lord and Savior. Turning from sin means turning toward God, surrendering your will, and living in obedience to His desires for your life. It is not enough to claim Jesus as Savior without making Him Lord; He must have authority over every area of your life. This call to repentance is a call to transformation, to leave behind old ways and pursue a life that honors God in all things. [45:32]

Acts 2:37-38 (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.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have accepted Jesus as Savior but not fully surrendered to Him as Lord? What would it look like to submit that area to Him today?


Day 3: Devotion to the Four Pillars of Discipleship
The early church grew and thrived because believers devoted themselves to four essential practices: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These were not just programs or rituals but intentional commitments to grow in faith, build deep relationships, share life together, and seek God’s presence. These pillars are the foundation for a healthy, vibrant spiritual life and community, and they require personal initiative and ongoing dedication. [54:21]

Acts 2:42 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Reflection: Which of these four practices—teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, or prayer—do you most need to intentionally devote yourself to this week?


Day 4: Living Life Together—The Power of Christian Fellowship
Christian fellowship is more than casual conversation or social gatherings; it is about living life together, investing in each other’s joys and struggles, and building genuine relationships rooted in Christ. True fellowship means being present in each other’s lives, supporting one another through hardships, celebrating together, and sharing spiritual growth. When we break bread, pray, and walk through life as a family, we reflect the love of Christ and experience the strength that comes from unity in the body. [55:36]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: Who in your church family could you reach out to this week to encourage, support, or simply spend time with in genuine fellowship?


Day 5: Intentional Devotion—You Won’t Grow by Accident
Spiritual growth and deeper devotion to God do not happen by accident; they require intentional commitment and action. Just as the early believers devoted themselves to the practices that shaped their faith, we must choose to prioritize time with God, community, and service. God has placed you where you are for a purpose, and He calls you to a deeper walk with Him. The question is not whether God is calling, but whether you will respond and devote yourself to the life He desires for you. [01:06:51]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to intentionally devote yourself more fully to God’s calling in your life?

Quotes

This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. Though he was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death because it was not possible for him to be held by death. [00:26:14]
God knew that we would sin. God knew that Adam and Eve would eat the fruit. God knew that his complete creation would be marred by the sinfulness of man. He knew this and it was always the plan that Jesus would come in the form of a baby, that he would grow up and live a perfect sinless life, that he would be tempted with everything that we're tempted with, and that he would not succumb to that temptation, but he would live his life and give his life on the cross as a sacrifice for us who succumbed to every temptation. [00:34:24]
God used him who knew no sin to be sin so that we might become the righteousness of Christ. And so he says, so this is God's plan before everything began. It was God's determined plan and foreknowledge. God is in all places at all times. He knows all things and he is all powerful. [00:35:16]
God being in all places at all times, God knew in the moment that he breathed life into the nostrils of Adam, that Jesus would breathe his last breath on the cross. And he still went through with it. He still did it. [00:35:42]
He did it so that as the almighty creator of heaven and earth, the one who made all things, who made all things clean and holy and good. When we messed it up, he redeemed creation. He redeemed all of creation through his son, through the blood of his son. And there will be a new heaven and a new earth. [00:36:15]
God knew you before you were ever born. God knew you before you were ever even a thought. God knew your giftedness. He knew he made you. He placed you specifically where you are. It is not by chance that you live where you live. It is not by chance that you are married to the spouse that you were married to. It is not by chance that you work where you work. It is not by chance. God is in control. And God loves you. And he's at work in you and through you. The question is, will we be submitted to his plan? [00:36:57]
God raised him up, ending the pains of death because it was not possible for him to be held by death. It was not possible. It could not happen. He could not have stayed in the tomb. He could not have stayed dead. He was dead. Don't get me wrong. I mean, he was dead as a doornail. He was gone. And they placed him in that tomb. I mean, they had him all wrapped up. They placed him in a tomb. They sealed it with a rock. All this other stuff. And everything in their minds, it was over, done. Death could not hold him. [00:39:04]
While we may believe, while we believe that Jesus was the innocent, perfect sacrifice to redeem us from our sins, the proof is in the empty tomb. The payment is on the cross, but the proof is in the empty tomb. It was not possible that death could hold him. [00:39:52]
Because it was not possible for death to hold him, it is possible for us to live that life. It is possible for us to be those disciples. It is possible. And not only is it possible, we're called to be those brothers and sisters in Christ. So we're called to live that out. [00:40:56]
Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. Man, you want to talk about just kind of putting it in their face right at the end. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. [00:43:11]
If it had not been for our sin, there would have been no need for a Savior. If it had not been for our mistakes, if it had not been for our rebellion, if it had not been for our pushing back against God, rejecting God, pushing God away, saying, no, I'm going to do it my way. If it had not been for us rejecting God, there would have been no need for a Messiah. Messiah, this Jesus whom we crucified, he is both Lord and Messiah. [00:44:19]
If he's not your Lord, he's not your Savior. The point is, is that when we repent of our sins, when we turn away from our sins, we're literally turning away from sin, and we are submitting to God. We are living in submission to God and what God desires for our life, who God has called us to be, who God made us to be as worshipers of God. [00:45:15]
Repentance is necessary for salvation. He has to be Lord of our lives and not just, he's both Lord and Savior, or he's neither. I think that's important for us to get. [00:48:07]
When we profess the truth of the gospel, when we speak the truth of the gospel, when we shine light into darkness, the Holy Spirit takes care of the rest. It wasn't Peter that pierced them to the heart. It wasn't the other apostles that pierced them to the heart. It was the Holy Spirit. And it drew them in. [00:49:32]
Repent and be baptized. Let me go ahead and say this real quick. Repent and be baptized. Repentance is necessary for salvation. Baptism is not. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. [00:50:01]
Baptism is our expression of our faith, where we say we were dead in our trespasses and our sins. We were buried with Christ in his burial, and we will be raised in the resurrection with Christ. It's our connection with Jesus and our connection to the body of Christ. [00:50:45]
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayer. These four things, these four things are what you need to be doing to grow as a disciple. They dedicated themselves. Okay, first off, look at, they dedicated themselves. There wasn't a program. There wasn't a rule. There wasn't a, you got to do it. Like, they initiated. They took the initiative to live this way. [00:53:39]
The fellowship is about living life together. It's about being invested in each other's lives. Because you know what? We have the tendency, and it's natural. It's natural because our society is so compartmentalized. What do we do? On a normal day, man, we get up, we open our garage doors after we've gotten in our car. We drive out. We go to work. We spend eight hours talking to as few people as possible. Then we get back in our cars, go back into our garage, close the garage door. We don't get out again until the next morning. And that's considered a good day, right? Like, I didn't have to talk to my neighbors. I didn't have to, if I didn't have to run to five baseball practices, I didn't have to, you know, man, that's a good day. Here's the problem. I mean, we're called to live life together. We're meant to live life together, to be invested in each other's lives. [00:55:36]
When we break bread together like that? And we take that time to be face to face and to have that exchange. We're building trust. We're building history. We're building one of those things where it's like, man, I know this brother because we spent time. We spent time. I broke bread in that brother's house. You know, there's something about having that time together and breaking bread together. [00:58:50]
Prayer wasn't a side note. It wasn't the parsley on the edge of the plate. You know what I mean? It wasn't the parsley on the edge of the plate. It was the meatloaf. You know what I mean? It was the main thing. When they came together, and they were in the word, and they were in the word, and then they're praying together. Man, there is power in prayer, and there's power in us praying together. [01:00:04]
None of us were made to walk this walk alone. None of us were made to be in isolation as a Christian. We're supposed to love and support to be that. that family to encourage each other. [01:02:39]
I have zero interest in growing an institution. I have zero interest in growing an organization. I'm not interested in having more butts in seats and being like, I don't care if it's entertaining. My goal, the goal, is for us to be a family on a mission to make disciples. And we push the mission a lot, and we probably haven't pushed being a family enough. [01:03:22]
You will not devote yourself accidentally. It's not going to slip up on you. You're not going to accidentally devote yourself to these things. Is the Lord calling you to a deeper level of devotion this morning? Marinate on that. [01:06:54]

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