Oct 07, 2016 Words of Grace – The Holy Spirit and History
A good way to kill a party conversation is to tell someone you were a history major in college. People automatically assume you are into names, dates, and war facts, not music, sports, and good food.
While history may not be many people’s favorite subject in school, no one can escape being a part of it. It’s important to know the times in which we live, and how to live in them.
Acts 2 is a chapter in the Bible that tells us where we are in human history. Another term to use is “redemptive history.” History is the activity of God governing and guiding the world, and drawing a people from the world to himself to be the church. That’s what makes it redemptive.
In the sermon recorded in Acts 2, the Apostle Peter begins with the words, “In the last days it shall be.” Peter is quoting the Old Testament prophet Joel about a new day coming. Peter is saying that day has come. The “last days” are a new day in history, the days in which we live.
What “will be” in these last days? What is happening in this era of history?
These are the days when Jesus Christ is acknowledged as both Lord and Christ. Peter traces the history of Jesus on earth and ends with his present place of authority in heaven to show us that he is Lord. Today, the news of Jesus is to spread to all the nations so he can be rightfully acknowledged as Lord.
These are the days when the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church in a new way. God’s Spirit has always been active in the world and in the lives of his people. But after Jesus ascended into heaven he poured out the Spirit in a new way. The Holy Spirit now fills God’s people with new power to live new lives in a new community that gives witness that Jesus is Lord.
These days are a long day of opportunity for people to call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Before Jesus returns, people will be saved and forgiven of sin and will receive the Holy Spirit through faith in him. Today is the day to repent and believe in Jesus and to identify with him and his people. Today is the day of salvation.
If these days are redemptive days, how then shall we live as the redeemed? Let us live under the Lordship of Christ, filled with the Spirit of God, and together making his name known in our city for the salvation of others.
I hope to see you Sunday as we consider together from Acts 2 the times in which we live. Take time today to think on these things.
– Scott