Pentecost: God's Divine Acts and Salvation

 

Summary

In the second chapter of the Book of Acts, we find a profound moment in Christian history—the day of Pentecost. This event is not merely a historical occurrence but a divine act that reveals the essence of Christianity. On this day, the apostles, ordinary and unlearned men, were miraculously empowered to speak in various languages, proclaiming the "wonderful works of God." This miraculous event underscores the core of the Christian message: it is not about human wisdom or moral teachings but about the mighty acts of God.

Christianity is distinct from other religions and philosophies because it is rooted in historical events—God's actions in history. The day of Pentecost, the incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection are not myths or mere teachings; they are divine interventions in human history. These events demonstrate that salvation is entirely the work of God, not something humans can achieve through their efforts or moral living.

The confusion in the modern world, both outside and within the church, often stems from a misunderstanding of this fundamental truth. Many perceive Christianity as a set of ethical teachings or a philosophy of life. However, the Christian faith is about God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. It is about God acting in history to reconcile humanity to Himself, culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The message of Christianity is a call to recognize our helplessness and to trust in the finished work of Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort. It is about acknowledging our sinfulness and accepting the grace offered through Jesus. This is the heart of the gospel—the wonderful works of God that offer hope and salvation to all who believe.

Key Takeaways:

- Christianity is rooted in historical events, not just teachings or philosophies. The day of Pentecost and the apostles' ability to speak in different languages highlight the divine nature of the Christian message, emphasizing God's actions in history. [02:47]

- The essence of Christianity is the wonderful works of God, not human efforts or moral teachings. Salvation is entirely the work of God, demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [06:43]

- The confusion about Christianity often arises from viewing it as a philosophy or ethical system. However, it is fundamentally about God's redemptive actions in history, offering salvation to humanity. [14:26]

- The gospel calls us to recognize our helplessness and trust in Christ's finished work. Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can achieve through our efforts or moral living. [24:41]

- The wonderful works of God, including the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, reveal God's love and plan for humanity's salvation. These acts demonstrate God's grace and offer hope to all who believe. [45:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Acts 2
- [01:24] - The Day of Pentecost
- [02:47] - Speaking the Wonderful Works of God
- [04:04] - Confusion in the Modern World
- [06:43] - Christianity: A Message of God's Works
- [08:23] - Misunderstandings of Christianity
- [10:11] - Theological Movements and Misconceptions
- [13:17] - Christianity vs. Other Religions
- [14:26] - The Historical Basis of Christianity
- [17:23] - The Works of God
- [20:34] - God's Actions in the Bible
- [24:41] - Salvation: A Work of God
- [30:16] - The Sublime Plan of Salvation
- [45:35] - The Meaning of God's Works

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Wonderful Works of God

Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:11 - "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the people in Jerusalem when they heard the apostles speaking in different languages on the day of Pentecost? ([00:48])
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary message that the apostles were conveying in different tongues? ([02:47])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between Christianity and other religions or philosophies? ([14:26])
4. What role does God play in the events described in Acts 2, according to the sermon? ([23:22])

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that Christianity is rooted in historical events rather than just teachings or philosophies? How does this impact the understanding of the Christian faith? ([14:26])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern misunderstandings of Christianity arise? How can these misunderstandings be addressed? ([06:11])
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of salvation as a work of God rather than human effort? What implications does this have for believers? ([24:41])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of the day of Pentecost in the context of God's redemptive plan? ([02:47])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of Christianity. Do you view it more as a set of teachings or as a series of divine acts? How might this perspective influence your faith journey? ([14:26])
2. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing our helplessness and trusting in Christ's finished work. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's work in your life this week? ([24:41])
3. Consider the ways in which you might have misunderstood or misrepresented the Christian message. What steps can you take to align your understanding with the core message of God's redemptive work? ([06:11])
4. The sermon calls believers to acknowledge their sinfulness and accept God's grace. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and embrace His grace more fully? ([24:41])
5. How can you share the "wonderful works of God" with others in your community? Identify one person you can talk to about your faith this week. ([02:47])
6. Reflect on the historical events of Christianity, such as the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. How do these events shape your daily life and decisions? ([14:26])
7. The sermon mentions the confusion about Christianity in the modern world. How can you be a source of clarity and truth in your conversations about faith? ([06:11])

Devotional

Day 1: Christianity's Historical Foundation
Christianity is not just a set of teachings or philosophies; it is deeply rooted in historical events that demonstrate God's actions in history. The day of Pentecost, where the apostles were empowered to speak in various languages, is a testament to the divine nature of the Christian message. This event, along with the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, highlights that Christianity is about God's interventions in human history. These acts are not myths but are foundational truths that reveal God's plan for humanity. Understanding this helps us see that Christianity is not about human wisdom but about recognizing and responding to God's mighty works. [02:47]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV): "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Reflection: How does recognizing Christianity as a historical faith, rather than just a philosophy, change the way you live out your faith daily?


Day 2: God's Works, Not Human Efforts
The essence of Christianity lies in the wonderful works of God, not in human efforts or moral teachings. Salvation is entirely the work of God, demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This truth challenges the notion that we can earn our way to God through good deeds or moral living. Instead, it calls us to trust in the finished work of Christ, acknowledging that our salvation is a gift from God. This understanding shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on God's grace and power. [06:43]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts for salvation, and how can you shift your focus to trust in God's grace today?


Day 3: Christianity's Redemptive Message
Many people misunderstand Christianity as merely a philosophy or ethical system. However, at its core, Christianity is about God's redemptive actions in history, offering salvation to humanity. The confusion often arises when people view Christianity through the lens of human wisdom rather than divine revelation. By recognizing that Christianity is about God's work to reconcile humanity to Himself, we can better understand the transformative power of the gospel. This perspective invites us to embrace the hope and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. [14:26]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: How can you better communicate the redemptive message of Christianity to those who see it as just another philosophy?


Day 4: Trusting in Christ's Finished Work
The gospel calls us to recognize our helplessness and trust in Christ's finished work. Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can achieve through our efforts or moral living. This truth invites us to let go of our attempts to earn God's favor and instead rest in the assurance of His grace. By acknowledging our sinfulness and accepting the grace offered through Jesus, we experience the true freedom and hope that the gospel provides. [24:41]

Titus 3:5-7 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in Christ's finished work, and how can you surrender it to Him today?


Day 5: The Wonderful Works of God
The wonderful works of God, including the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, reveal God's love and plan for humanity's salvation. These acts demonstrate God's grace and offer hope to all who believe. By reflecting on these divine interventions, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile us to Himself. This understanding encourages us to live in gratitude and share the hope of the gospel with others, knowing that God's grace is available to all who believe. [45:35]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: How can you actively share the hope of God's wonderful works with someone in your life this week?

Quotes


Christianity is the message concerning the wonderful works of God that's what it is here's a perfect summary of it you see here with these people these apostles and the others 320 over with them in the upper room suddenly the Holy Ghost came upon them and they began to speak now they were not speaking gibberish they were speaking the wonderful works of God. [00:06:51]

The first thing about the message of Christianity is that it is concerned about works the wonderful works or things if you like of God now this is something which is absolutely basic if we are not clear about this well then we must be wrong everywhere what do I mean by this. [00:08:05]

The confusion which has be to believe that Christianity is primarily a matter of ideas that it's a matter of teaching it's a matter of attitude it's a matter of the way of thinking now I think you'll agree with me when I say that that is the Communist popular notion of Christianity at the present time. [00:08:50]

Christianity is based upon this that God gave a promise to a man like David and said out of you and your lines out of your lineage out of your descendants the Messiah is going to come the deliverer is going to be born it's as concrete as that fact from beginning to end or I mustn't keep you. [00:33:41]

The wonderful works of God seen in the Old Testament but all that's prepared when the fullness of the times had come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that are under the law you notice again how it's put don't you when the fullness of the times had come God. [00:35:09]

The wonderful works of God the Ascension following the resurrection and when he went back to heaven and II see the light end of God and God having exalted him in this way has given to him the promised gift of the Holy Ghost and now they said he having received the gift has sent it down upon us. [00:44:01]

God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing unto them their trespasses that's it God hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him my friend if God hadn't done these things there'd be no forgiveness for anybody. [00:45:58]

God can't deny himself and his own holy nature God must punish sin I say it with reverence if God didn't punish sin he wouldn't be God Gardens in our eternal antithesis and God has told us that sin is to be punished and this is where the sublimity of the axe comes in there was only one way. [00:46:44]

God sending his own and the son coming humbling himself entering into the virgins room being born as a babe in poverty and helplessness living as he did yeah dying oh my dear friend can't you see the sublimity of the thing that God so loves you and me rebels fools sinners that we are hell deserving as we are. [00:47:16]

Salvation is entirely the free gift of God it's been made possible by the wonderful works of God in Christ and brought to us by the light in the illumination and the power and the conviction of the Blessed Holy Spirit have you seen have you realized the wonderful works of God and that they were done for you. [00:53:34]

There is no other way of salvation there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved it is in Christ and him crucified and in him alone we do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of dr. Martin lloyd-jones all of the sermons contained within the MLJ trust audio library. [00:54:16]

You and I have nothing to do except to realize our terrible sinfulness we've better realized that our sin is such that nothing we can ever do about it will avail at all that there is only one thing that could deliver us it's the thing that God has done that Christ has died for us believe on him just as you are. [00:49:52]

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Transcript
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