God's Gift of the Spirit for Every Family
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Grove Church! It's wonderful to be back with you, and I'm especially thrilled to have my wife here this time. Since our last visit, our family has grown with the addition of our second son, Bryce Cameron Curley. Today, we are diving into Acts 2:17-21, focusing on God's gift for the family. This passage, which quotes the Old Testament, speaks of God pouring out His Spirit on all people, enabling them to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams. This divine outpouring is not limited by age, gender, or social status; it is a gift for everyone.
My father used to say that everyone has GTA—gifts, talents, and abilities—in their DNA. These gifts are either innate or developed over time. The family, with its diverse dynamics and perspectives, is a fertile ground for these gifts to flourish. The interaction between different generations within a family, such as grandparents and grandchildren, can lead to mutual growth and development. Research has shown that such intergenerational interactions can increase self-esteem and decrease depression.
In the Old Testament, entire families would journey together to festivals to worship God, emphasizing the importance of collective worship. Similarly, in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost signifies God's presence moving from a place to the people, and more specifically, to the family. This shift underscores that every member of the family, regardless of their role or age, is integral to God's plan.
The focus of today's message is that God's salvific hope for creation is manifested in the gifts the Spirit places in each of us. As part of God's family, we receive the Holy Spirit and become a gift to the world through the Spirit. This means that our faith is not passive; it calls us to action. We are to acknowledge God's work in the lives of those around us and join together in anticipation of the Lord's return.
God's gift for the family shows up in all people, in difficult times, and ultimately, it is a gift for the world. This gift is not limited by race but is available to all through faith. In times of difficulty, we are called to rally around each other, supported by the fruit of the Spirit. The good news is that the weight of saving the family is not on us; it has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and this is the hope we carry as we navigate the complexities of family life.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Gift for All People: God's Spirit is poured out on all people, transcending age, gender, and social status. This inclusivity means that everyone has a role in God's plan, and our faith community should reflect this diversity. Salvation is by faith, not by race, making the vessel of God's grace expansive and all-encompassing. [54:13]
2. Intergenerational Growth: The interaction between different generations within a family can lead to mutual growth and development. Research shows that such interactions can increase self-esteem and decrease depression. This highlights the importance of fostering relationships across age groups within our families and faith communities. [48:08]
3. Active Faith: As part of God's family, we receive the Holy Spirit and are called to be active participants in God's work. Our faith is not passive; it requires us to acknowledge God's work in those around us and to join together in anticipation of the Lord's return. This active faith manifests in the fruit of the Spirit, making our families healthier and more unified. [52:35]
4. Support in Difficult Times: God's gift for the family shows up in difficult times, providing us with the strength and support we need to navigate challenges. In times of trial, we are called to rally around each other, supported by the fruit of the Spirit, rather than isolating ourselves. This communal support is crucial for overcoming adversity. [01:05:01]
5. Salvation Through Jesus: The weight of saving the family is not on us; it has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This assurance allows us to navigate family complexities with hope and confidence, knowing that the ultimate victory has already been won. [01:08:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:39] - Introduction and Family Update
[43:04] - Scripture Reading: Acts 2:17-21
[45:02] - GTA in Our DNA
[46:31] - Commonalities Across Generations
[48:08] - Intergenerational Bonding
[49:54] - Family Worship in the Old Testament
[51:06] - God's Presence in the Family
[52:35] - Focus and Function of the Text
[54:13] - God's Gift for All People
[56:03] - The Family Reunion Analogy
[57:33] - Lifespan Perspective
[59:03] - Mutual Influence Across Ages
[01:00:36] - Continuous Filling and Pouring
[01:02:08] - The Family Tree and Its Fruit
[01:03:32] - God's Gift in Difficult Times
[01:05:01] - Navigating Family Challenges
[01:06:42] - Salvation Through Jesus
[01:08:15] - The Power of Calling on Jesus' Name
[01:09:55] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:17-21
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 2:17-21, what are the specific manifestations of God's Spirit being poured out on all people?
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of different generations within a family? [48:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the shift of God's presence from a place to the people, and specifically to the family? [51:06]
4. What does the sermon say about the inclusivity of God's gift and its availability to all people? [54:13]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the interaction between different generations within a family contribute to mutual growth and development, according to the sermon? [48:08]
2. What does it mean for our faith to be active rather than passive, as described in the sermon? [52:35]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in making our families healthier and more unified? [52:35]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's gift for the family shows up during difficult times? [01:05:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced mutual growth through interaction with a different generation in your family. How did this impact your self-esteem or outlook on life? [48:08]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of active faith. What are some specific actions you can take this week to acknowledge God's work in the lives of those around you? [52:35]
3. Think about a recent challenge your family faced. How did you rally around each other, and what role did the fruit of the Spirit play in providing support? [01:05:01]
4. The sermon mentions that salvation is not by race but by faith. How can you ensure that your faith community reflects this inclusivity and diversity? [54:13]
5. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you want to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with your family? [01:02:08]
6. The sermon states that the weight of saving the family is not on us but has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. How does this assurance change the way you approach family complexities and challenges? [01:06:42]
7. How can you create more opportunities for intergenerational bonding within your family or faith community? What steps can you take to facilitate these interactions? [48:08]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Spirit for All
God's Spirit is poured out on all people, transcending age, gender, and social status. This inclusivity means that everyone has a role in God's plan, and our faith community should reflect this diversity. Salvation is by faith, not by race, making the vessel of God's grace expansive and all-encompassing. The passage from Acts 2:17-21 emphasizes that God's Spirit is a gift for everyone, enabling them to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams. This divine outpouring is not limited by any human distinctions, making it clear that every person is integral to God's plan.
This inclusivity calls us to recognize and celebrate the diverse gifts within our community. It challenges us to break down barriers and to see each person as a valuable part of God's family. By doing so, we reflect the expansive nature of God's grace and the universal call to salvation through faith. This understanding should shape how we interact with one another, ensuring that our faith community is a place where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
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: How can you actively recognize and celebrate the diverse gifts within your faith community today? What steps can you take to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and valued?
Day 2: Intergenerational Growth
The interaction between different generations within a family can lead to mutual growth and development. Research shows that such interactions can increase self-esteem and decrease depression. This highlights the importance of fostering relationships across age groups within our families and faith communities. The family, with its diverse dynamics and perspectives, is a fertile ground for these gifts to flourish. The interaction between different generations, such as grandparents and grandchildren, can lead to mutual growth and development.
By fostering intergenerational relationships, we create opportunities for wisdom to be passed down and for new perspectives to be shared. This mutual influence enriches our lives and strengthens our faith communities. It is essential to create spaces where different generations can come together, share their experiences, and learn from one another. This not only benefits individuals but also builds a stronger, more connected community.
Psalm 145:4 (ESV): "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."
Reflection: Think of a way you can intentionally connect with someone from a different generation this week. How can you create a space for mutual growth and learning?
Day 3: Active Faith
As part of God's family, we receive the Holy Spirit and are called to be active participants in God's work. Our faith is not passive; it requires us to acknowledge God's work in those around us and to join together in anticipation of the Lord's return. This active faith manifests in the fruit of the Spirit, making our families healthier and more unified. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith in tangible ways, impacting those around us and contributing to God's kingdom.
Active faith means being attentive to the needs of others and responding with love and compassion. It involves recognizing the gifts and talents that God has placed in each of us and using them to serve our community. By doing so, we become a living testimony of God's love and grace, drawing others closer to Him. This active participation in God's work is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey and growth.
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's work today? What specific actions can you take to serve and support those around you?
Day 4: Support in Difficult Times
God's gift for the family shows up in difficult times, providing us with the strength and support we need to navigate challenges. In times of trial, we are called to rally around each other, supported by the fruit of the Spirit, rather than isolating ourselves. This communal support is crucial for overcoming adversity. The family, both biological and spiritual, is a source of strength and encouragement during difficult times. By leaning on one another and relying on the Holy Spirit, we can navigate challenges with hope and resilience.
In times of difficulty, it is essential to remember that we are not alone. God has placed us in a community for a reason, and we are called to support and uplift one another. This support can take many forms, from offering a listening ear to providing practical assistance. By coming together and relying on the fruit of the Spirit, we can face challenges with a sense of hope and confidence, knowing that God is with us.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone who is going through a difficult time. How can you offer them support and encouragement today? What practical steps can you take to show them God's love?
Day 5: Salvation Through Jesus
The weight of saving the family is not on us; it has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This assurance allows us to navigate family complexities with hope and confidence, knowing that the ultimate victory has already been won. The message of salvation through Jesus is a source of hope and assurance for all believers. It reminds us that our efforts are not in vain and that God's plan for redemption is already in motion.
This understanding should shape how we approach our relationships and challenges within the family. Knowing that Jesus has already secured our salvation gives us the confidence to face difficulties with hope and resilience. It also calls us to share this message of hope with others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of God's love and grace.
Romans 10:13 (ESV): "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Reflection: How does the assurance of salvation through Jesus impact your daily life? How can you share this message of hope with someone in your family or community today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Everyone has GTA in their DNA. GTA doesn't stand for the video game that some of us might know, but it's a game. No, he's talking about gifts, talents, and abilities. He says, everybody has gifts, talents, and abilities. They are given, either born with, or they develop over time. And I believe that to be true. And I believe that the family has so many different dynamics, so many age ranges, genders. We have different perspectives and ideologies, but there is something that is continual within us, the ability to grow and develop, the ability to learn and to progress." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "As part of God's family, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and we become the gift through the Holy Spirit. That our work as part of God's work is to be a part of God's work. And so, God's family is not passive. It is not just that we receive the Holy Spirit, and we sit down on, as my pastor would say, sit down on our seats of do nothing and say, I shall not be moved. No, we receive the Spirit, and then we do things as a result of our receipt of the Spirit to be the gift to the world through the work of the Spirit." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Faith is available for anyone anywhere that is willing to receive Jesus Christ into their heart, and that is good news for you and I, because we can be far away. Thank you. See, somebody. We can be far away, and God can still reach us where we are. We can be close and near, and God can still desire to pull us in even closer." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The good news is, it's not my job to save the family. He already did it. And he did it and gives us the opportunity to receive that because in verse 21, here's what the Bible says. The Bible says, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It is. Everyone, because the vessel is so large, and the gift of salvation is given by faith. Everybody who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The good news, my brother, my sister, is that the weight is not on you. He said, cast your cares upon me because I care for you. You can call on that name, whether you are 85 or whether you are eight, you can call on that name, whether you are the matriarch or whether you were just born into this family. You can call on that name. And just like it was able to do over 2,000 years ago, today is able to save you. It's able to save you." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The potential for development extends through the lifespan. That basically means this. You never stop developing. Here's the second thing. Development is multi-directional, from young, to old, and from old, to young. Growth and decline, third thing, are joint occurrences. That at the time that we are growing in areas, we might be declining in other areas. And at the time that we are declining in some areas, we are growing in some areas. And there are times in our lives where the growth feels emphasized. There are times in our lives where the decline feels emphasized, but don't get it mistaken, friends. You can be happening at the same time throughout your entire life." (52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's gift for the family shows up in all people. In verses 17 and 18, we see that the Bible says this, that He says, I'm going to pour out my Spirit on all people. Why does He choose all people? I believe that it's because salvation is not by race, it's by faith, and if it's not by race, but by faith, the basin is much larger. The vessel is much larger. Ephesians 2.8, you are saved by grace through, here's that word again, faith. It's not from yourselves. It's a gift from God." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's family shows up in difficult times, but before we talk about the difficult times in which God's gift to the family shows up, I want to mention this. I want to mention there are a few things that Angie Williams and John Nussbaum, they put in their research in this book. This is what I'm working on my doctoral project on, intergenerational homiletics that contribute to church health, and so in their book, Intergenerational Communication Across the Lifespan, they present five basic tenets for the lifespan perspective." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The question I have for you, and the question I have for me, is how do our families live out the fruit of the Spirit in the world to make the world a healthier place? When's the last time you looked over your family tree, not just for the names, but for the fruit? What have we done to make our family better over the last generation or two? Have we been more divisive than we have been bringing one another together? Do we communicate only at the family reunion, or do we become intentional about our regular and steady communication?" (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And in this text, it shows that we don't only serve a loving God, but we also serve a God of judgment because he's a holy God. And there's a standard by which God desires for you and I to live. And he's saying for those of us that cannot meet that standard, there is an impending judgment. It is coming. You cannot avoid it. And there are trials and storms and tribulations. The Bible says in this life, you will have trouble. And the question is, how do we get through the hard times?" (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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