Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Cycle A, THIRD EDITION
THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E)
Paul preaches at Athens. Paul's sermon at Athens was different. It was addressed not to Jews nor to Christian Gentiles, but to educated and cultured pagans, for Athens was the capitol of Greek--Roman civilization. It is interesting to see how Paul adapted to his audience to get a hearing. He begins by complementing them - "You are very religious." He refers to a local situation - an altar erected to an unknown god. This gives him an entree into his subject. Who is this "unknown God?" To bolster his argument he does not quote scripture but Greek philosophers and poets. He brings his message to a head by calling for repentance as preparation for the judgment to be conducted by the One God raised from the dead.
Lesson 1: Acts 8:5--8, 14--17 (RC)
Preparing for the Spirit's coming.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22 (C); 1 Peter 3:15--18 (RC); 1 Peter 3:8--18 (E)
The newly baptized, warned they may suffer for being Christians are reminded if the suffer for "well--doing rather than evil--doing," they will be blessed. In a non--Christian world, Christians are to imitate Jesus who suffered, died for our sins, rose and ascended to the Father. They are to revere Christ and to be prepared to give an account of their faith. As Noah was saved through water, really from water, baptismal water saves us not by a physical, but a spiritual cleansing.
Gospel: John 14:15--21 (C, RC)
Jesus promises not to leave the disciples desolate, for he will send the Spirit. Jesus' final discourse continues from last Sunday. It deals with the fate of the disciples after his departure. Jesus reminds his followers that love is obeying his commands, particularly the command to love one another. He assures them that he will not leave them desolate, for he will send the Spirit. By the Spirit he will be with them. John considers the coming of the Spirit as the Parousia. Christianity is a relationship: Through the Spirit, there is a oneness with Christ who is one with the Father.
Gospel: John 15:1--8 (E)
Like a vine and a branch, Christ and the believer are united.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 66:8--20 (C) - "Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard" (v. 8).
Psalm 66:1--7, 16, 20 (RC) - "Cry to God with joy" (v. 1).
Psalm 148 (E) - "Praise the Lord" (v. 1).
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, from whom all good things do come: Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to think those things that are right, and by your goodness help us to do them."
Hymn Of The Day
"Son Of God, Eternal Savior"
Theme Of The Day: The Source And Solution Of Sin
Gospel - Jesus promises to send the Spirit - John 14:15--21
Lesson 1 - The Spirit as an "unknown God" - Acts 17:21--31
Lesson 2 - Christians are alive in the Spirit - 1 Peter 3:13--22
Today is the Sunday before the Festival of the Ascension which falls forty days after Easter. Since Jesus is about to leave the earth, our attention is called to the Spirit who is to come in his place. The Lessons begin to prepare us for Pentecost. In the Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Spirit as Counselor, the spirit of truth. In Lesson 1, Paul in his sermon at Athens tries to explain the nature of God who, to the Athenians, is an "unknown God." For many today, including Christians, the Spirit is an unknown God. The Spirit is mentioned in Lesson 2 - Jesus was made alive in the Spirit. The Prayer refers to "the inspiration of the Spirit" to enable us to think those things that are right. Since Pentecost is a major festival of the church and hopefully a renewed outpouring of the Spirit, it is appropriate that through the lections we begin to prepare for Pentecost.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 14:15--21
1. True love. What is true love? It is more than physical attraction, attitude, or feeling. The ultimate test is obedience. What are Jesus' commandments? There is really only one, the new commandment to love as he loved. It is a love demonstrated in obedience. This love for Jesus brings God's love to the lover. Not only will Jesus love those who love him, but he will reveal himself to those who love him. "What the love of Jesus is none but his loved ones know."
2. Jesus and the Spirit. Upon Jesus' prayer, the Spirit is sent by the Father. He comes as Jesus' surrogate. Who is the Spirit? He is the spirit of Christ and of truth. The Spirit comes in place of Christ to be the believer's advocate. Where is the Spirit to be found? He is with and in the believer. When the Spirit is received, God is in the believer. Thus, God is in us only when we are possessed by the Spirit.
3. Desolation. Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by assuring them he would not run off and leave them at the mercy of the world. It was a justifiable concern, for when Jesus left, they would be leaderless, without guidance and encouragement. What can twelve do in a hostile world? Jesus promises to come in a little while in the person of the Spirit. It indicates that a Christian never has to walk alone in this world. Jesus is a constant presence through the coming of the Spirit.
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31
1. Religious (v. 22). One can be religious without being Christian. In Athens, Paul observed that the people were very religious, because he noticed the various monuments, shrines, temples, and altars. Religious people have their gods, prayers, sacred writings, and rituals. But they can be misinformed. Their religion may be false. The Pharisees were very religious. The settlement of a cult in Jonestown, Guyana, was religious to the point of a mass suicide. It is not enough to be religious; it can be downright dangerous. The safe way to be religious is to be Christian.
2. Unknown. Paul saw an altar in Athens dedicated to an unknown god. This gave him an occasion to inform the Athenians about God and his Son who was raised from the dead. Can God really be known by a human? How many Christians can describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit? Do we really know Jesus or do we know about him? Indeed, God can be known in Jesus. The scriptures enable us to know the Spirit. The triune God is known not by nature nor by experience, but primarily through revelation through the scriptures.
3. One (v. 26). When Paul explains that God is the creator of the universe including humanity, he says that God made all nations from one person. Undoubtedly, he was referring to Adam, the first human being. But, it is more than that. If all people come from one source, it means that humanity is one. There is a corporateness about us. All of us are related to each other in spite of racial and national differences. Rightfully we conclude from this fact that basically we are all brothers and sisters, and all have the same Father. Consequently, there is no place for superiority or prejudice. Humanity is a whole - one family with God as Father.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22
1. Reverence. Verse 15 admonishes us to "reverence Christ as Lord." The word "reverence" causes one to ponder. We might expect to "accept," "own," or "obey" Christ as Lord. Peter calls upon us to reverence him as Lord. If he is so regarded, we will live under his lordship in every area of life.
2. Defense. A Christian in a hostile world needs to be a defender of his faith, as Peter suggests in verse 15. It is not a defense in the sense that the truth needs our defense, but it is the sense of giving a reason or explanation of the faith we hold. This calls for more than a blind, irrational faith that may be based only on feeling. It calls for reflection and thinking about our faith. Every Christian needs to be a theologian and an apologist to the non--Christian.
3. Conscience (v. 16). It is assumed that a Christian will be abused by a non--Christian world because of his faith. The suffering that is laudable is innocent suffering. Thus, a Christian needs a clear conscience by living a praiseworthy life that he may suffer innocently. An appropriate question for a Christian is, "How is your conscience?"
4. Atonement. Here is the whole story of the cross in once sentence. Jesus' death was sufficient - "once." There is no need of a repeated sacrifice, not even a bloodless one. It was a sacrifice "for all" - for all people for all time. Consider the grace of the cross: "The righteous for the unrighteous." Why was the sacrifice made? Answer: "That he might bring us to God" - at--one--ment, reconciliation. It was not to bring God to us, but to bring us to God.
5. Alive in the Spirit (v. 8). Jesus was put to death in the body and made alive in the Spirit. The Spirit is a gift and thus we are "made alive." Here is the basis for life after death. In spite of physical death we are alive in the Spirit. While alive physically, we die to the flesh, to sin, to the old Adam in us. Sin causes death to the Spirit. Righteousness keeps us alive in the Spirit.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Acts 17:22--31; 1 Peter 3:13--22; John 14:15--21
That's The Spirit!
Need: Who we are and what we do depends ultimately on the spirit that possesses us. A Christian possesses the good spirit, the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his leaving and assures them he will be with them in the forthcoming Spirit.
Outline: Facts about the Spirit.
a. The Spirit is promised - Gospel.
b. The Spirit is knowable - Lesson 1.
c. The difference the Spirit makes - Lesson 2.
Gospel: John 14:15--21 (C, RC)
1. With You In Spirit. 14:15--21
Need: When a person cannot be present at an event, he sometimes says, "I'll be with you in spirit." Jesus said to his disciples that he is about to leave them, for his death and ascension are coming soon. For their comfort, he tells them he will come to them in the Spirit. They will not be left desolate in a hostile world. He will be with them in Spirit.
Outline: Jesus promises to come to us.
a. In the Spirit - v. 16.
b. To give us love - v. 19.
c. To love us - v. 21.
2. Help Wanted! 14:15--21
Need: A Christian feels the need of God's help. Knowing this, Jesus promised to send a Counselor, the Spirit. The word parakletos is translated as "counselor," "helper," "advocate," or "enabler." He is the one who comes to your defense, speaks in your behalf and comes to your aid. The disciples are soon to be left alone in the world. Jesus is soon to depart. They face the world with its opposition without their leader. They, like us, will need a helper, a Counselor.
Outline: The Spirit will come to help -
a. Us to keep the commandments - v. 15.
b. Us to know the truth - vv. 17, 20.
c. Us to love Christ - v. 21.
3. You Can Have The Spirit. 14:15--21
Need: Many church members are not sure they have the Spirit. If they do not, they are interested in knowing how to get the Spirit. This sermon hopefully will help people know how they can get a fuller measure of the Spirit.
Outline: How you can get the Spirit.
a. Spirit comes as a gift in answer to Jesus' prayer - v. 16.
b. Spirit comes to those who love Jesus - vv. 15, 21.
c. Spirit comes to those who obey Jesus' commands - vv. 15, 21.
Gospel: John 15:1--8 (E)
A Garden Of Grapes. 15:1--8
Need: For some church members, Christianity is a routine habit of church attendance and occasional prayer. It is a custom rather than a commitment to Christ based on a first--hand personal relationship. People need this sermon to help them gain a close, personal, one--on--one relationship with Christ.
Outline: In the garden of grapes we get answers -
a. Who are we? - v. 5.
1. Christ - the vine
2. Christians - the branches
b. What is expected of us - v. 5.
1. To produce fruit
c. How can we bear fruit?
1. Pruning - v. 2
2. Union with the vine - v. 4
d. What are the benefits?
1. Answered prayer - v. 7
2. Glorify God - v. 8
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E)
1. To An Unknown God! 17:22--31
Need: In America we have a tomb to an unknown soldier. In the Athens of Paul's time, there was an altar erected to an unknown god. Is it possible that our churches could be shrines to an unknown God? What do we know about the hidden God, the true nature of Christ, and the Holy Spirit? God the Father may be known as creator. Jesus is known a little better by an average Christian. But as for the Holy Spirit, he is truly unknown, something of a "ghost." As Paul says in verse 30, the time of ignorance is past. We have the knowledge of God by revelation in the Bible. In this passage Paul tells us something about God.
Outline: What we know about God.
a. God is the creator of the universe - v. 24.
b. God is the father of humanity - v. 26.
c. God is the judge of the world - v. 31.
2. The Danger Of Being Religious. 17:22--31
Need: It may be startling to say that religion can be dangerous. The world was shocked when over 500 people in Jonestown, Guyana, drank poison on the order of Preacher Jones. In the name of religion, children were sacrificed on altars to appease a god. Innocent persons like Stephen were martyred by religious people. Over fifty Americans were held hostage in Iran with the approval of the top religious leader. The sermon is to fill the need of being more than religious, by being Christian.
Outline: When religion is dangerous.
a. Ignorance of the god worshiped - vv. 22, 23.
b. Identifying god with a place - v. 24.
c. Imagining God as a physical being - v. 29.
Lesson 1: Acts 8:5--8, 14--17 (RC)
You, Too, Can Have The Spirit. 8:14--17
Need: As the Easter season comes to a close, we begin to look toward Pentecost and the reception of the Holy Spirit. In today's Gospel, Jesus promised to send the Counselor. The need for this sermon is the people's need to prepare for the Spirit's coming and to know how they may receive the Spirit. In this text, we learn how we may receive the Spirit.
Outline: How you can receive the Holy Spirit -
a. Hear the Word of God - v. 14 (cf. Acts 10:43).
b. Pray for the Spirit - v. 15 (cf. Acts 1:14).
c. L
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22
What the Spirit Can Do For You. 3:18
Need: Of what practical value is the possession of the Spirit who is promised by Jesus? Is the value in speaking in tongues, in miracles of healing? In this text, Paul points to the creative power of the Spirit in granting life. On the cross Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but he was made alive in the Spirit.
Outline: What the Spirit can do for you.
a. Make you alive in the Spirit.
b. Raise you from death.
c. Guide you into truth.
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E)
Paul preaches at Athens. Paul's sermon at Athens was different. It was addressed not to Jews nor to Christian Gentiles, but to educated and cultured pagans, for Athens was the capitol of Greek--Roman civilization. It is interesting to see how Paul adapted to his audience to get a hearing. He begins by complementing them - "You are very religious." He refers to a local situation - an altar erected to an unknown god. This gives him an entree into his subject. Who is this "unknown God?" To bolster his argument he does not quote scripture but Greek philosophers and poets. He brings his message to a head by calling for repentance as preparation for the judgment to be conducted by the One God raised from the dead.
Lesson 1: Acts 8:5--8, 14--17 (RC)
Preparing for the Spirit's coming.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22 (C); 1 Peter 3:15--18 (RC); 1 Peter 3:8--18 (E)
The newly baptized, warned they may suffer for being Christians are reminded if the suffer for "well--doing rather than evil--doing," they will be blessed. In a non--Christian world, Christians are to imitate Jesus who suffered, died for our sins, rose and ascended to the Father. They are to revere Christ and to be prepared to give an account of their faith. As Noah was saved through water, really from water, baptismal water saves us not by a physical, but a spiritual cleansing.
Gospel: John 14:15--21 (C, RC)
Jesus promises not to leave the disciples desolate, for he will send the Spirit. Jesus' final discourse continues from last Sunday. It deals with the fate of the disciples after his departure. Jesus reminds his followers that love is obeying his commands, particularly the command to love one another. He assures them that he will not leave them desolate, for he will send the Spirit. By the Spirit he will be with them. John considers the coming of the Spirit as the Parousia. Christianity is a relationship: Through the Spirit, there is a oneness with Christ who is one with the Father.
Gospel: John 15:1--8 (E)
Like a vine and a branch, Christ and the believer are united.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 66:8--20 (C) - "Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard" (v. 8).
Psalm 66:1--7, 16, 20 (RC) - "Cry to God with joy" (v. 1).
Psalm 148 (E) - "Praise the Lord" (v. 1).
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, from whom all good things do come: Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to think those things that are right, and by your goodness help us to do them."
Hymn Of The Day
"Son Of God, Eternal Savior"
Theme Of The Day: The Source And Solution Of Sin
Gospel - Jesus promises to send the Spirit - John 14:15--21
Lesson 1 - The Spirit as an "unknown God" - Acts 17:21--31
Lesson 2 - Christians are alive in the Spirit - 1 Peter 3:13--22
Today is the Sunday before the Festival of the Ascension which falls forty days after Easter. Since Jesus is about to leave the earth, our attention is called to the Spirit who is to come in his place. The Lessons begin to prepare us for Pentecost. In the Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Spirit as Counselor, the spirit of truth. In Lesson 1, Paul in his sermon at Athens tries to explain the nature of God who, to the Athenians, is an "unknown God." For many today, including Christians, the Spirit is an unknown God. The Spirit is mentioned in Lesson 2 - Jesus was made alive in the Spirit. The Prayer refers to "the inspiration of the Spirit" to enable us to think those things that are right. Since Pentecost is a major festival of the church and hopefully a renewed outpouring of the Spirit, it is appropriate that through the lections we begin to prepare for Pentecost.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 14:15--21
1. True love. What is true love? It is more than physical attraction, attitude, or feeling. The ultimate test is obedience. What are Jesus' commandments? There is really only one, the new commandment to love as he loved. It is a love demonstrated in obedience. This love for Jesus brings God's love to the lover. Not only will Jesus love those who love him, but he will reveal himself to those who love him. "What the love of Jesus is none but his loved ones know."
2. Jesus and the Spirit. Upon Jesus' prayer, the Spirit is sent by the Father. He comes as Jesus' surrogate. Who is the Spirit? He is the spirit of Christ and of truth. The Spirit comes in place of Christ to be the believer's advocate. Where is the Spirit to be found? He is with and in the believer. When the Spirit is received, God is in the believer. Thus, God is in us only when we are possessed by the Spirit.
3. Desolation. Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by assuring them he would not run off and leave them at the mercy of the world. It was a justifiable concern, for when Jesus left, they would be leaderless, without guidance and encouragement. What can twelve do in a hostile world? Jesus promises to come in a little while in the person of the Spirit. It indicates that a Christian never has to walk alone in this world. Jesus is a constant presence through the coming of the Spirit.
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31
1. Religious (v. 22). One can be religious without being Christian. In Athens, Paul observed that the people were very religious, because he noticed the various monuments, shrines, temples, and altars. Religious people have their gods, prayers, sacred writings, and rituals. But they can be misinformed. Their religion may be false. The Pharisees were very religious. The settlement of a cult in Jonestown, Guyana, was religious to the point of a mass suicide. It is not enough to be religious; it can be downright dangerous. The safe way to be religious is to be Christian.
2. Unknown. Paul saw an altar in Athens dedicated to an unknown god. This gave him an occasion to inform the Athenians about God and his Son who was raised from the dead. Can God really be known by a human? How many Christians can describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit? Do we really know Jesus or do we know about him? Indeed, God can be known in Jesus. The scriptures enable us to know the Spirit. The triune God is known not by nature nor by experience, but primarily through revelation through the scriptures.
3. One (v. 26). When Paul explains that God is the creator of the universe including humanity, he says that God made all nations from one person. Undoubtedly, he was referring to Adam, the first human being. But, it is more than that. If all people come from one source, it means that humanity is one. There is a corporateness about us. All of us are related to each other in spite of racial and national differences. Rightfully we conclude from this fact that basically we are all brothers and sisters, and all have the same Father. Consequently, there is no place for superiority or prejudice. Humanity is a whole - one family with God as Father.
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22
1. Reverence. Verse 15 admonishes us to "reverence Christ as Lord." The word "reverence" causes one to ponder. We might expect to "accept," "own," or "obey" Christ as Lord. Peter calls upon us to reverence him as Lord. If he is so regarded, we will live under his lordship in every area of life.
2. Defense. A Christian in a hostile world needs to be a defender of his faith, as Peter suggests in verse 15. It is not a defense in the sense that the truth needs our defense, but it is the sense of giving a reason or explanation of the faith we hold. This calls for more than a blind, irrational faith that may be based only on feeling. It calls for reflection and thinking about our faith. Every Christian needs to be a theologian and an apologist to the non--Christian.
3. Conscience (v. 16). It is assumed that a Christian will be abused by a non--Christian world because of his faith. The suffering that is laudable is innocent suffering. Thus, a Christian needs a clear conscience by living a praiseworthy life that he may suffer innocently. An appropriate question for a Christian is, "How is your conscience?"
4. Atonement. Here is the whole story of the cross in once sentence. Jesus' death was sufficient - "once." There is no need of a repeated sacrifice, not even a bloodless one. It was a sacrifice "for all" - for all people for all time. Consider the grace of the cross: "The righteous for the unrighteous." Why was the sacrifice made? Answer: "That he might bring us to God" - at--one--ment, reconciliation. It was not to bring God to us, but to bring us to God.
5. Alive in the Spirit (v. 8). Jesus was put to death in the body and made alive in the Spirit. The Spirit is a gift and thus we are "made alive." Here is the basis for life after death. In spite of physical death we are alive in the Spirit. While alive physically, we die to the flesh, to sin, to the old Adam in us. Sin causes death to the Spirit. Righteousness keeps us alive in the Spirit.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Acts 17:22--31; 1 Peter 3:13--22; John 14:15--21
That's The Spirit!
Need: Who we are and what we do depends ultimately on the spirit that possesses us. A Christian possesses the good spirit, the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his leaving and assures them he will be with them in the forthcoming Spirit.
Outline: Facts about the Spirit.
a. The Spirit is promised - Gospel.
b. The Spirit is knowable - Lesson 1.
c. The difference the Spirit makes - Lesson 2.
Gospel: John 14:15--21 (C, RC)
1. With You In Spirit. 14:15--21
Need: When a person cannot be present at an event, he sometimes says, "I'll be with you in spirit." Jesus said to his disciples that he is about to leave them, for his death and ascension are coming soon. For their comfort, he tells them he will come to them in the Spirit. They will not be left desolate in a hostile world. He will be with them in Spirit.
Outline: Jesus promises to come to us.
a. In the Spirit - v. 16.
b. To give us love - v. 19.
c. To love us - v. 21.
2. Help Wanted! 14:15--21
Need: A Christian feels the need of God's help. Knowing this, Jesus promised to send a Counselor, the Spirit. The word parakletos is translated as "counselor," "helper," "advocate," or "enabler." He is the one who comes to your defense, speaks in your behalf and comes to your aid. The disciples are soon to be left alone in the world. Jesus is soon to depart. They face the world with its opposition without their leader. They, like us, will need a helper, a Counselor.
Outline: The Spirit will come to help -
a. Us to keep the commandments - v. 15.
b. Us to know the truth - vv. 17, 20.
c. Us to love Christ - v. 21.
3. You Can Have The Spirit. 14:15--21
Need: Many church members are not sure they have the Spirit. If they do not, they are interested in knowing how to get the Spirit. This sermon hopefully will help people know how they can get a fuller measure of the Spirit.
Outline: How you can get the Spirit.
a. Spirit comes as a gift in answer to Jesus' prayer - v. 16.
b. Spirit comes to those who love Jesus - vv. 15, 21.
c. Spirit comes to those who obey Jesus' commands - vv. 15, 21.
Gospel: John 15:1--8 (E)
A Garden Of Grapes. 15:1--8
Need: For some church members, Christianity is a routine habit of church attendance and occasional prayer. It is a custom rather than a commitment to Christ based on a first--hand personal relationship. People need this sermon to help them gain a close, personal, one--on--one relationship with Christ.
Outline: In the garden of grapes we get answers -
a. Who are we? - v. 5.
1. Christ - the vine
2. Christians - the branches
b. What is expected of us - v. 5.
1. To produce fruit
c. How can we bear fruit?
1. Pruning - v. 2
2. Union with the vine - v. 4
d. What are the benefits?
1. Answered prayer - v. 7
2. Glorify God - v. 8
Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E)
1. To An Unknown God! 17:22--31
Need: In America we have a tomb to an unknown soldier. In the Athens of Paul's time, there was an altar erected to an unknown god. Is it possible that our churches could be shrines to an unknown God? What do we know about the hidden God, the true nature of Christ, and the Holy Spirit? God the Father may be known as creator. Jesus is known a little better by an average Christian. But as for the Holy Spirit, he is truly unknown, something of a "ghost." As Paul says in verse 30, the time of ignorance is past. We have the knowledge of God by revelation in the Bible. In this passage Paul tells us something about God.
Outline: What we know about God.
a. God is the creator of the universe - v. 24.
b. God is the father of humanity - v. 26.
c. God is the judge of the world - v. 31.
2. The Danger Of Being Religious. 17:22--31
Need: It may be startling to say that religion can be dangerous. The world was shocked when over 500 people in Jonestown, Guyana, drank poison on the order of Preacher Jones. In the name of religion, children were sacrificed on altars to appease a god. Innocent persons like Stephen were martyred by religious people. Over fifty Americans were held hostage in Iran with the approval of the top religious leader. The sermon is to fill the need of being more than religious, by being Christian.
Outline: When religion is dangerous.
a. Ignorance of the god worshiped - vv. 22, 23.
b. Identifying god with a place - v. 24.
c. Imagining God as a physical being - v. 29.
Lesson 1: Acts 8:5--8, 14--17 (RC)
You, Too, Can Have The Spirit. 8:14--17
Need: As the Easter season comes to a close, we begin to look toward Pentecost and the reception of the Holy Spirit. In today's Gospel, Jesus promised to send the Counselor. The need for this sermon is the people's need to prepare for the Spirit's coming and to know how they may receive the Spirit. In this text, we learn how we may receive the Spirit.
Outline: How you can receive the Holy Spirit -
a. Hear the Word of God - v. 14 (cf. Acts 10:43).
b. Pray for the Spirit - v. 15 (cf. Acts 1:14).
c. L
Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13--22
What the Spirit Can Do For You. 3:18
Need: Of what practical value is the possession of the Spirit who is promised by Jesus? Is the value in speaking in tongues, in miracles of healing? In this text, Paul points to the creative power of the Spirit in granting life. On the cross Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but he was made alive in the Spirit.
Outline: What the Spirit can do for you.
a. Make you alive in the Spirit.
b. Raise you from death.
c. Guide you into truth.
