Bible, Obedience, Courage, Faith, Church, Trust, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Growth, Waiting, Clarity, Acts

When God Starts Something New

Most of us want to see God do something real in our lives, but we don’t always feel ready or confident enough to take that next step. The first followers of Jesus felt the same way—waiting, unsure, and not expecting much to happen. But when God prompted them to act, everything changed. In this message, we look at how God began something new in the earliest believers and how He still gives clarity, courage, and direction to ordinary people who feel unprepared or uncertain about what comes next.

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MESSAGE NOTES

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

When God Starts Something New

Big Idea: God moves when His Spirit moves through His people. What Jesus promised in Acts 1 became reality in Acts 2—and that same Spirit still fuels the movement today.

The Spirit of God Empowers God’s People for God’s Mission

[Acts 1:8]
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses…”

[Acts 2:1–4]
“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together… Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm… Then… flames or tongues of fire appeared… And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…”

Key truths:

  • Pentecost originally celebrated firstfruits (Lev 23) and later the giving of the Law (Ex 19).
  • God came in fire at Sinai—and again to His people at Pentecost.
  • At Sinai, God dwelled in the tabernacle; at Pentecost, He dwells in every believer.
  • Pentecost shows the church doesn’t begin with strategy—it begins with surrender.
  • “The Spirit empowers ordinary people for extraordinary mission.”
  • God moves in us to do His will through us.

[Philippians 2:13]
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

[2 Corinthians 3:5–6]
“Our qualification comes from God… This is a covenant… of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.”

Memorable:

  • The Spirit doesn’t empower spectators—He empowers servants.
  • God’s vision won’t move until His people do.

Prayer to start your week:
“God, keep moving through me because I know You’re not done with me yet.”

The Spirit of God Clarifies His Vision Through His Word

[Acts 2:14]
“Then Peter stepped forward…”

[Acts 2:17, 21]
“‘In the last days… I will pour out my Spirit…’ … ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Highlights:

  • The Spirit turns confusion into clarity, fear into faith.
  • Our confidence isn’t in skill or charisma—it comes from Scripture.
  • God’s Word is our authority, standard for truth, mirror for the soul, and guide toward God.

[John 20:31]
“These things are written so that you may continue to believe…”

[Psalm 119:105]
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

[2 Timothy 3:16–17]
“All Scripture is inspired by God… God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Memorable:

  • When the Spirit moves, He aligns our lives with God’s Word.
  • Before any big decision: “Does this match God’s heart and God’s Word?”

The Spirit of God Multiplies the Vision Through God’s People

[Acts 2:41]
“Those who believed… were baptized… about 3,000 in all.”

Highlights:

  • God isn’t building crowds—He’s building movements.
  • From 120 believers to 3,000 in a single day.
  • Their witness became the spark that spread the gospel across the world.

Sinai vs Pentecost:

  • At Sinai, 3,000 died (Ex 32:28).
  • At Pentecost, 3,000 were saved.

[2 Corinthians 3:6]
“The Spirit gives life.”

Memorable:

  • The Spirit doesn’t just revive—He redeems and sends.

From Sinai to Pentecost to Here

Parallel truths:

  • God came down in fire at Sinai → God came down in fire on His people at Pentecost → The Spirit still fills hearts today.
  • Law on stone → Law on hearts → Spirit transforms from the inside out.
  • Sinai formed a nation → Pentecost birthed the Church → God is still building His Church today.

Memorable lines:

  • The Law demanded holiness; the Spirit delivers it.
  • The Law showed our failure; the Spirit gives power.
  • The Law came with fear; the Spirit came with freedom.

Application: Every One Moves the Mission Forward

The same Spirit who launched the church in Acts 2—and launched Grace Church twenty years ago—is still moving today.

Your role:

  1. Pray for the Spirit’s Power
    Vision without power is just a daydream.
  2. Obey the Spirit’s Prompting
    God’s power without my obedience is missed opportunity.
  3. Participate in the Mission
    Vision without participation is stagnation.

[Acts 2:47]
“And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Closing Truth:
Turning in your Every One commitment isn’t funding a project—it’s fueling a movement.
Every one of us plays a part so every one can hear.

[Ephesians 3:20]
“Now all glory to God, who is able… to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

Most of us want to see God do something real in our lives, but we don’t always feel ready or confident enough to take that next step. The first followers of Jesus felt the same way—waiting, unsure, and not expecting much to happen. But when God prompted them to act, everything changed. In this message, we look at how God began something new in the earliest believers and how He still gives clarity, courage, and direction to ordinary people who feel unprepared or uncertain about what comes next.

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