Encountering Christ: The Call to Personal Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus’ Life and Ministry: God’s Endorsement Through Miracles

Jesus of Nazareth was not just a historical figure, but a man whom God publicly endorsed through miracles, wonders, and signs that revealed spiritual truth to all who witnessed them. These acts were not done in secret; they were visible to the crowds, demonstrating that Jesus was sent and empowered by God. The evidence of His life and ministry calls each person to consider the reality of who He is, not as a distant figure, but as someone whose actions and teachings still speak today. [15:41]

Acts 2:22 (NIV)
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

Reflection: What is one miracle or teaching of Jesus that stands out to you as evidence of who He is, and how does it challenge your understanding of Him today?

Day 2: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: God’s Plan and Power

Jesus’ crucifixion was both a human crime and a divine plan—He was handed over by God’s deliberate purpose, yet put to death by human hands. But death could not hold Him; God raised Him from the dead, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah. The resurrection is not just a story, but a cornerstone of faith, witnessed by many and validated by history. This truth invites you to see Jesus not only as a teacher, but as the risen Savior who conquered death for you. [18:56]

Acts 2:23-32 (NIV)
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus’ resurrection affect the way you view your own life, struggles, and hope for the future?

Day 3: Jesus’ Exaltation: Lord and Messiah at God’s Right Hand

After His resurrection, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God, the highest place of honor, and from there He poured out the Holy Spirit on His followers. This exaltation means that Jesus is not only alive, but reigning as both Lord and Messiah, fulfilling the promises of Scripture and inviting all people to recognize His authority. His position is not just a theological idea, but a present reality that calls for worship, surrender, and trust in His ongoing work in your life. [22:49]

Acts 2:33-36 (NIV)
“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. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to acknowledge Jesus’ authority as Lord and Messiah, and what would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?

Day 4: Consider Your Response: Who Is Jesus to You?

The most important question you will ever face is not about your career, relationships, or future, but “Who is Jesus to you?” It is possible to become so familiar with the name of Jesus that you never truly consider Him personally or intimately. This question is not just for new believers, but for everyone—no matter how long you have followed Christ. Take time to reflect honestly: Is your faith just routine, or is Jesus truly Lord and Savior in your life? [25:59]

Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV)
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Reflection: Set aside a quiet moment today to ask yourself honestly: Who is Jesus to me right now, and how does that answer shape the way I live?

Day 5: Take a Step Toward Faith: Faith Grows by Moving Forward

You do not need to have all the answers before you take a step toward Jesus—faith is a journey, not a leap. Like those who heard Peter’s sermon, your next step might be as simple as attending church regularly, joining a Bible study, or setting aside daily time for prayer and Scripture. What matters is that you move forward, trusting that as you walk with Jesus, your relationship and understanding will deepen. Faith grows by action, not by standing still. [37:55]

James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one concrete step you can take this week to move closer to Jesus—whether it’s a new habit, a conversation, or a commitment—and will you take it today?

Sermon Summary

The second chapter of Acts stands as a pivotal moment in the story of God’s people, marking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, and the first Christian sermon delivered by Peter. This passage is not just a historical account but a living invitation to each of us to wrestle with the most important question we will ever face: Who is Jesus to me? Peter’s sermon, delivered to a crowd bewildered by the supernatural events of Pentecost, moves beyond spectacle to the heart of the gospel. He grounds his words in public, verifiable events—the miracles, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus—reminding his listeners that faith is not built on blind belief but on the reality of what God has done in history.

Peter’s boldness, transformed by the Holy Spirit, is a testimony to the power of God to change fearful hearts into courageous witnesses. He does not shy away from the hard truth that Jesus’ death was both a human crime and a divine plan, nor does he minimize the resurrection, which he proclaims as the cornerstone of Christian faith. By connecting these events to Old Testament prophecy, Peter shows that Jesus is not an afterthought but the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Yet, the story does not end with information. The crowd’s response—“What shall we do?”—reveals that true conviction comes not from witnessing miracles but from encountering the living Christ through the proclamation of the Word. This encounter demands a response, not just intellectual agreement but a surrender of life. The call is not to have all the answers but to take a step toward faith, to move from familiarity with Jesus to intimacy with Him.

For each of us, the journey begins with honest questions, a willingness to consider the evidence, and a personal exploration of who Jesus is. Whether you are just beginning to ask or have walked with Christ for years, the invitation remains: take the next step. Faith grows not by standing still but by moving forward, one step at a time, into deeper relationship with the risen and exalted Lord.

Key Takeaways

1. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Is Meant to Saturate, Not Just Touch God’s desire is not for us to have a superficial or fleeting experience with His Spirit, but to be completely filled—soaked—by His presence. The Pentecost event was not a gentle blessing but an overwhelming, transformative encounter that empowered ordinary people for extraordinary witness. This fullness is available to us today, inviting us to move beyond routine into a life marked by the Spirit’s power and intimacy. [08:00]
2. Faith Is Rooted in Historical Reality, Not Blind Belief Peter’s proclamation is grounded in public events: the miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, all witnessed by the crowd. Christianity invites us to examine the evidence, to wrestle with the truth claims of Jesus, and to recognize that if the resurrection is true, it changes everything. Our faith is not a leap into the dark but a response to what God has done in history, calling us to consider the evidence with honesty and courage. [27:59]
3. Honest Questions Are the Pathway to Deeper Faith Doubt is not the enemy of faith but often its doorway. Like the crowd at Pentecost, we are invited to bring our real questions and struggles before God, trusting that He welcomes our search for understanding. Engaging with our doubts, rather than suppressing them, strengthens our faith and leads us into a more authentic relationship with Christ. [32:23]
4. The Most Important Question: Who Is Jesus to You? It is possible to become so familiar with the language and rituals of Christianity that we never truly confront the personal question of Jesus’ identity. Each of us must move beyond inherited beliefs or cultural Christianity to a living, personal encounter with Christ. The difference between familiarity and intimacy is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him as Lord, Savior, and King. [25:59]
5. Faith Grows by Taking the Next Step, Not by Having All the Answers Peter’s call to “repent and be baptized” was an invitation to begin a journey, not to arrive at instant understanding. Whether your next step is regular worship, deeper study, or simply honest prayer, faith matures as we move forward, one step at a time. The journey with Jesus is not about perfection but about willingness to respond, trusting that intimacy and understanding will grow as we walk with Him. [36:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Judging Performances and Sermons
[01:53] - The Fine Arts Festival and Ministry Gifts
[03:11] - Acts 2: A Pivotal Chapter
[04:22] - Pentecost and Fulfillment of Prophecy
[05:40] - Soaked by the Spirit: A Personal Story
[08:00] - The Difference Between Conversion and Baptism in the Spirit
[09:52] - Speaking in Tongues and the Crowd’s Reaction
[11:15] - Curiosity vs. Conviction
[12:29] - Peter’s Sermon: Explaining Pentecost
[15:03] - Who Is Jesus? Peter’s Four-Part Story
[17:39] - The Resurrection and Old Testament Prophecy
[20:14] - The Exaltation of Jesus
[23:30] - The Most Important Question: Who Is Jesus to You?
[26:36] - Five Ways to Explore Who Jesus Is
[36:41] - Taking the Next Step Toward Faith
[38:38] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:22-36 — Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, declaring the life, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus.

Observation Questions

According to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:22-24, what public events does he point to as evidence for who Jesus is?
How does Peter connect the events of Pentecost to Old Testament prophecy in his sermon? ([13:06])
What is the crowd’s reaction after hearing Peter’s message, and what question do they ask? ([33:38])
In Acts 2:36, what two titles does Peter say God has made Jesus to be?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter emphasize that Jesus’ miracles, death, and resurrection were public and witnessed by many? How does this shape the foundation of Christian faith? ([27:59])
The sermon says that Jesus’ death was both a human crime and a divine plan. What does this mean for how we understand suffering or evil in God’s plan? ([17:00])
The crowd’s question, “What shall we do?” comes after hearing about Jesus, not after witnessing miracles. What does this suggest about the role of God’s Word versus supernatural experiences in bringing people to faith? ([11:52])
Peter calls the people to “repent and be baptized.” Why is taking a step of response important, even if someone doesn’t have all the answers? ([36:05])

Application Questions

The sermon describes the Holy Spirit’s outpouring as being “soaked” rather than just “touched.” In your own spiritual life, do you feel more like you’ve been touched or soaked by God’s presence? What would it look like for you to seek a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit this week? ([08:00])
Peter’s message is grounded in real, historical events. Have you ever struggled with doubts about the truth of Jesus’ resurrection or other parts of the Christian faith? What honest questions do you still have, and who could you talk to about them? ([32:23])
The difference between familiarity and intimacy with Jesus is highlighted in the sermon. Are there ways you’ve become too familiar with Christian routines without really knowing Jesus personally? What is one step you could take to move from routine to relationship? ([25:59])
The crowd’s response was to ask, “What shall we do?” When was the last time you felt “cut to the heart” by a message or a truth about Jesus? How did you respond, or how do you wish you had responded? ([33:38])
The sermon says faith grows by taking the next step, not by having all the answers. What is one specific next step you sense God is inviting you to take in your faith journey right now? (Examples: regular worship, joining a group, honest prayer, serving, etc.) ([36:41])
The pastor shared that doubt can be a doorway to deeper faith. Is there a doubt or question you’ve been avoiding? What would it look like to bring that honestly before God or your group this week? ([32:23])
Peter’s boldness was a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in his life. Is there an area where you need courage to be a witness for Jesus? What is one way you can step out in faith this week, even if it feels risky? ([16:22])

Sermon Clips

Pentecost is a celebration that connects the Old Testament feast of Pentecost, one of the four spring feasts, and we went through those last week. These four spring feasts that are mentioned in Leviticus 23 that Jesus has already fulfilled and the remaining three feasts, there are a total of seven, the remaining three feasts are still to be fulfilled in the future but on that day the day of Pentecost the disciples were gathered together when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. [00:04:48]

I love that phrase poured out that's a very deliberate choice of words by the Holy Spirit in in in the Bible the Holy Spirit was poured out on them to let us know that it wasn't just a light touch it was a powerful overwhelming experience like being completely soaked in heavy rain. [00:05:13]

The idea here is that the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost didn't just lightly bless them, it wasn't a light touch, but he filled every part of their lives and that's a kind of deep full experience that God wants us to have today. [00:07:55]

This shows us that for non-believers these spiritual experiences like the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on that day will often spark curiosity but not conviction. They were curious, they were confused, they were amazed and they and some mocked but there was no conviction. [00:10:53]

What truly brings conviction is a clear and powerful message of God's word, the preaching of God's word, which is what happens next in this story because Peter then stands up and gives a sermon with two main parts. [00:11:33]

He got their attention by starting with what was known. They didn't know what was happening but they knew what they were seeing, they knew something was going on so he called their attention to that first and he said "Brothers these men these people are not drunk as you suppose right?" Then he began to explain that's a great sermon introduction. [00:12:40]

The best way to understand Pentecost is not just through Old Testament prophecy—that was very important that he connected it to Old Testament prophecy because these were all Jews that came from different parts for the feast of Pentecost and so they would have known about Joel, they would have known about this prophecy—but the most important thing was not just to connect it to Old Testament prophecy but to understand Pentecost through what Jesus did and fulfilled. [00:14:34]

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him as you yourselves know so what Peter is saying is look Jesus was a real man and God showed that he was real, that he was special, that he was endorsed by God through the miracles, through the wonders and the signs, all these powerful acts that amazed people but more importantly that revealed spiritual truth. [00:15:14]

This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and fornowledge and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Now he's he's very bold here, this is the same Peter who just a few weeks earlier was afraid to admit to a young lady to a young maiden that he was a follower of Jesus and now he's not only preaching about Jesus, he's preaching boldly. [00:16:08]

God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of it. He's saying look, death couldn't hold Jesus, God raised him from the death like like a new birth out of death. How amazing is that and Peter supports what he's preaching here by quoting Psalm 16. [00:19:09]

Peter is saying Jesus didn't just rise from the dead, that's huge already, but he was exalted to God's right hand which is the highest place of honor. He didn't just timidly rise from the dead. The resurrection wasn't like Jesus waking up from being asleep the way you and I wake up in the morning. [00:21:00]

The most important question that you'll face in your life isn't about your career or your education or who you will marry or any other relationships or about your future. The most important question you'll face is who is Jesus to you. Who is Jesus not to your parents, not to your pastor, not to this church—who is Jesus to you? [00:23:49]

Just because we're familiar with Jesus doesn't mean that we are intimate with him. You know the saying that familiarity breeds contempt. I think there's some truth to that. I think familiarity without intimacy breeds contempt and a lack of intimacy I think happens sometimes because we don't stop to consider who really Jesus is. [00:25:59]

Christianity doesn't ask for blind faith. Christianity rests on verifiable claims, historical events that either happened or didn't. They either happened or they didn't. Well, he's telling them "Look, you saw for yourself, I'm not lying to you." [00:28:06]

Peter's message is not just informational, it's invitational because he's pointing to a living person, not to some distant founder of a religion that's dead now, but that Jesus that Peter is preaching about is alive today and can be known today. See, Christianity is not just about agreeing to certain beliefs; Christianity is about relationship and the invitation is to meet Jesus for yourself. [00:30:08]

If Jesus truly rose from the dead and is Lord, then it calls for a response. We have to respond. We can't just simply agree mentally, but it calls for a life changed based on the answer to the question who is Jesus, because if this is true that Jesus is Lord and God, he's savior and Messiah, he's king, then it isn't enough to just admire him or respect his teachings. [00:33:58]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of the Holy Spirit being poured out?

How does the sermon define the core identity of Jesus?

In what ways can believers personally explore who Jesus is?