“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Sermon: Chiseled by the Spirit

Scripture: Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:14

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..."

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus never told the church to be clever enough, strong enough, or persuasive enough. He told us to wait for power, because the mission ahead would require more than human ability.

Movements start with movement:

• Pentecost turns weakness into boldness.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Peter preaches with clarity and conviction.

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• God uses Peter to build the church.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God does not only heal us for private comfort; He builds us for public usefulness and kingdom impact.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15

“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

‭‭Luke 22:54-62

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Failure is not final.

Movements start with movement:

• Peter overestimates his strength.

Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

Luke 22:33

• Fear exposes what confidence cannot cover.

The seizing him (Jesus), they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.

Luke 22:54

• Peter weeps, but does not disappear.

And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:62

• Jesus restores Peter with love and commission.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Shame says, “You are finished.” Jesus says, “Come back, and let Me rebuild you.”