THE NARRATIVE OF AN AWAKENING (10 OF 12)
by Jerry Watts
Scripture: Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1-4
This content is part of a series.
The Narrative of an Awakening (10 of 12)
Series: Aiming for an Awakening
Jerry Watts
Acts 1:14, 2:1-4
• Jesus had just ascended to heaven before their very eyes. Quite honestly I submit that, at this point, they might have well been 'heart sick.' After all they had pinned their hopes to Jesus - only to have them crushed at this horrific death. Then miraculously, He came back from the dead and for 40 days walked and talked with them about the Kingdom of God. Just when they 'thought' everything was going well, Jesus had taken them just outside of Jerusalem to a hillside for some more teaching and in this unbelievable way, He left! They saw Him ascend to heaven. Their leader and Lord was now gone. It seems to me that not even the words of the two men (angels) did much to dissuade their hurt and anxiety. They followed His words and returned to Jerusalem to wait, but they didn't even know what they were waiting for!
• For me, this small group is primed for the gracious God of creation and salvation to do something extraordinary. By the way, when we pray for an "Awakening", chances are that we don't really know what we are waiting for. When God shows up - all bets are off. Personally, that is GREAT WITH ME because I can identify with the talking points, the narrative if you will, for a spiritual awakening. I offer you 4 words as a narrative to this.
1. Desperation - When I read 1:14 - this word comes to my mind because all they had worked toward and the one they had bodily walked with were gone! They were left on their own. So what did they do? They prayed. It was the default for the first century church. When something happened - pray. However, nothing drives us to prayer like desperation.
• You do remember the story about the church debating problems and the pastor suggested they 'pray about it'. With her hand over her mouth one lady said, "Oh my goodness, had it come to that?" How many times have I told that story - and followed with ...
Series: Aiming for an Awakening
Jerry Watts
Acts 1:14, 2:1-4
• Jesus had just ascended to heaven before their very eyes. Quite honestly I submit that, at this point, they might have well been 'heart sick.' After all they had pinned their hopes to Jesus - only to have them crushed at this horrific death. Then miraculously, He came back from the dead and for 40 days walked and talked with them about the Kingdom of God. Just when they 'thought' everything was going well, Jesus had taken them just outside of Jerusalem to a hillside for some more teaching and in this unbelievable way, He left! They saw Him ascend to heaven. Their leader and Lord was now gone. It seems to me that not even the words of the two men (angels) did much to dissuade their hurt and anxiety. They followed His words and returned to Jerusalem to wait, but they didn't even know what they were waiting for!
• For me, this small group is primed for the gracious God of creation and salvation to do something extraordinary. By the way, when we pray for an "Awakening", chances are that we don't really know what we are waiting for. When God shows up - all bets are off. Personally, that is GREAT WITH ME because I can identify with the talking points, the narrative if you will, for a spiritual awakening. I offer you 4 words as a narrative to this.
1. Desperation - When I read 1:14 - this word comes to my mind because all they had worked toward and the one they had bodily walked with were gone! They were left on their own. So what did they do? They prayed. It was the default for the first century church. When something happened - pray. However, nothing drives us to prayer like desperation.
• You do remember the story about the church debating problems and the pastor suggested they 'pray about it'. With her hand over her mouth one lady said, "Oh my goodness, had it come to that?" How many times have I told that story - and followed with ...
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