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Worship VI Day 9 New Wine: Digging Deeper

December 5, 2019 by Melodye Reeves 1 Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out New Wine!

The Questions

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?

2) What did those present hear and see?

3) What did those present receive and do?

Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Original Intent

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?
The day had arrived for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. In studying the Old Testament, we discover the significance of this day for the Jews. “Pentecost” is the Greek name for the festival known as the Feast of Weeks. It was a traditional day in their annual spring feast when the Jews offered their first-fruits of the wheat harvest to God. (Exodus 34:21-22) Ten days before Pentecost, Jesus had reiterated His prediction of the coming Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5) John the Baptist had also foretold of this day. (Matthew 3:5) The only biblical reference to the actual events of Pentecost is here in Acts 2. On this day, much like they were on the evening of the Last Supper, the disciples were gathered in one place. It’s likely these are the believers Luke (the author of Acts) mentioned earlier in 1:15. Although scholars aren’t certain of the location, many believe it was the upper room of the house already mentioned in the book. (Acts 1:12-15)

2) What did those present hear and see?
In verses 2-3 we read how these believers heard a sound and saw a vision. The passage doesn’t specifically say it was actual wind, nor does it say they saw actual fire. We know that because of the use of the word “like.” What we do know for sure is Luke wanted to communicate that the “violent” noise could be heard by everyone there, because he says it “filled the whole house”. Amid this house-shattering noise, these believers also received a visual. The text indicates the apparent fire came in one piece and then separated into individual flames. The Greek word diamerizomenai indicates the fire was seen dividing itself. (net.bible.org) These flames of fire were obviously not normal fire because no one was burned or scorched as it “rested” on them. Commentator Bob Utley says, “Luke is using an analogy to try to express a unique occurrence of a physical manifestation of the Spirit.” The amazing thing is there “was no distinction made between Apostles or disciples; men or women.” (bible.org) It rested on them ALL.

3) What did those present receive and do?
Verse 4 says all those in that place were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Being “filled with the Spirit” was a wonder that had been experienced by people of faith at various times in the Old Testament. (Exodus 35:30-34, Numbers 11:26-29, 1 Samuel 10:6-10) Here, Luke uses “filling” to express that the believers received the Holy Spirit’s presence and enablement. (“A Theology of Luke-Acts,” Darrell L. Bock). On this day, the believers assembled in this place were unified and expectant. The previous chapter tells us “they all were continually united in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) As the Spirit of God filled their hearts, speaking in tongues was the outward evidence that God had done something inwardly. It is clear from the context of this passage, that these “tongues” were an indication of their ability to speak in another language which was previously unknown to the one speaking. (verses 6, 8). Utley offers great insight: “Theologically, it is possible that Pentecost is the direct opposite of the tower of Babel in Genesis 10-11. As prideful, rebellious humans asserted their independence, God implemented His will by the insertion of multiple languages. Now, the nationalism which impedes humans from uniting believers has been reversed. Christian fellowship across every human boundary is the reversal of the consequences of Genesis 3.” (bible.org)

Everyday Application

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?
The believers, many of whom had seen Jesus suffer and die and then be raised from the dead, were gathered in these days for prayer and encouragement. What a beautiful picture of the Church together in fellowship and worship and ultimately evangelism. (Acts 2:37-42) “It’s a shame that the term ‘Pentecostal power’ has, for many people, become more associated with “speaking in tongues” than with the harvest of world evangelization. Be sure at this point you see the main focus: it is a feast of harvest in Jerusalem, and on this very day, Jesus pours out the Spirit in extraordinary power and 3,000 people are harvested from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.” Peter had emphasized the importance of continuing the witness of Christ & His resurrection. Chapter 1 ends with the believers praying for a replacement for Judas in the apostolic ministry. They met together, united around the truth of the message of the resurrection. This message is the very same reason we unite and gather as believers today. (1 Corinthians 15:12-22 )

2) What did those present hear and see?
Piper says that “at times the Holy Spirit makes Himself known with visible, audible, touchable manifestations. In the Old Testament, there was the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. At Jesus’ baptism, there was the dove. In Acts 4, the building shakes. In chapter 6, Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. In chapter 16, there is an earthquake. At times, the Spirit stoops to give us visible, audible, touchable demonstrations of His magnificent presence and power.” Jesus told Nicodemus the Spirit moves as He pleases, working in the hearts of people. (John 3:8) We don’t know why God moves as He does in certain circumstances. Clearly, the believers in that room recognized the power of God. Signs and wonders from God will be evidenced by the worship of God, not the wonders themselves. God allowed His Spirit to be heard and seen in a unique way so those present would know it was HIM!

3) What did those present receive and do?
What a miracle! God’s Spirit had been seen and heard in such a spectacular way. When the believers began speaking in the tongues of different languages, enabled by the Spirit, a significant event was occurring.  Everyone present were witnesses to a dramatic demonstration of God’s sovereign power. Maybe the apostles remembered what Jesus had spoken to them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This power was given to the disciples for them to be equipped and enabled to be witnesses to the world of the death and resurrection of Christ. It is not inconsequential that people from all the nations were there. They needed to understand the amazing things the disciples were declaring in their own language! (Acts 2:6) It was a day that marked what God meant for the future of the people of the world, for all to understand His power and His willingness to save miraculously all who will believe the witness of the gospel message. “Missions is our way of saying: the joy of knowing Christ is not a private, or tribal, or national or ethnic privilege. It is for all. And … we go because we have tasted the joy of worshiping Jesus, and we want all … included.” (Let the Nations be Glad, John Piper)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with New Wine!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Posted in: Digging Deeper, Encourage, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Power, Prayer, Unity, Worship Tagged: expectant, first fruits, gather, New Wine, wonder

Worship VI Day 5 Raise A Hallelujah

November 29, 2019 by Sarah Young 2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 4:4-8
Colossians 3:15-17
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 138:1-8

Worship VI, Day 5

Hallelujah!  Praise!  Thank You, Jesus!

Shouts come from one pew, then another and another as the passionate preacher enthusiastically declares the goodness of the Lord.  You can feel the JOY, excitement, and anticipation in the room.

However, HALLELUJAHS are NOT limited to revival worship services or bound by location or circumstance.

Truth be told, sometimes a HALLELUJAH sounds more like HELP! than HOORAY!
HALLELUJAH may end with a question mark rather than an exclamation point.

HALLELUJAHs come in all shapes and sizes: a whisper, shout, sob, song, plea, or praise.
Whether written, spoken, or only thought in our hearts, God recognizes all of them.

I first heard the song “Raise a Hallelujah” at a Refresh Conference for foster and adoptive parents.  If you know anything about the REALITY of fostering or adopting, you understand the hardship and heartbreak.

As we gathered together, all broken and hurting, we CHOSE to praise.
Collectively, we lifted our voices to declare VICTORY even though we were ALL still in the midst of battle.

The apostle Peter knew what heavy suffering felt like, and he wrote a letter to encourage believers who were in the midst of hardship.
He told them their difficult circumstances should NOT determine how they lived.
(1 Peter 1:1-9)

Our praise is based on God’s character proven over and over by what He has already done.  With His faithfulness in mind, we can look ahead, fully anticipating what He will do.  This perspective allows us to RAISE A HALLELUJAH from the valley, the mountaintop, or anywhere in between.

Line after line, this song reminds us that praise is a CHOICE.

in the presence of my enemies

I think of David who often shared honestly about the adversity he experienced.  Yet, in the midst, David realized God was not only WITH him, but actually “preparing a feast for him in the presence of his enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)

louder than the unbelief

I think of the father who brought his son to Jesus, desperate for healing. The dad had watched for years as an evil spirit seized his little boy, throwing him into fire or water.  Helpless, he begged Jesus to do something, if He could.  Jesus assured him, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”  In raw honesty, the father cries out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Can you relate?  I know I can!

Sometimes we have to CHOOSE to declare God’s goodness that we KNOW to be true BEFORE we actually experience it in the NOW.

We can praise WHILE WE WAIT and trust God to act.
The song itself was actually written beside a hospital bed as people begged God to miraculously save a little boy.

I’m gonna’ sing, in the middle of the storm

 I think of Paul and Silas in prison, worshipping their hearts out while bound with chains.  They could have been complaining, but instead they were praising.

We CANNOT wait for things to be perfect.
We MUST LEARN to praise God in the valley, the desert, the wilderness, and the storm.

in the middle of the mystery

We trust Him in the waiting.
We follow Him in the unknown.

As we do, hardship is EXPECTED.
Jesus actually GUARANTEED it.

So, when we find ourselves in tough times, don’t look at the storm,
fix your eyes on your Savior.
Don’t be afraid of the wind or the waves.
Silence them with worship.

my weapon is a melody

 Who knew you could fight Satan with a song instead of a sword?!
Best part though?

Heaven comes to fight for me

We are not alone in the battle!
GOD is on our side, fighting FOR us and WITH us.

I think of the Israelites at the Red Sea, trapped with nowhere to go, and Pharaoh’s chariots racing towards them.  Moses assures them,
“The Lord Himself will fight for you.  Just stay calm.”
Then, he stretches out his staff, and the waters part by God’s mighty hand!

I may not know exactly what you are going through, but I do know
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive

Your present situation is NOT the end of the story.
God has already won the war.

We are in the middle of a fierce battle, yes.
BUT we are fighting FROM victory not for victory.

You may feel like your HALLELUJAH is a white flag of surrender rather than victory’s banner.    I STILL urge you to lift it up.
with everything inside of {you}

You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but, raise your hallelujah and
watch the darkness flee

You may feel wrapped in anxiety, but proclaim,
fear you lost your hold on me 

As we praise, lives begin to change.
First our own, and then countless others.

Someone hurting is watching as YOU trust God.
THEN, she utters her own tiny hallelujah.
Sing a little louder

Someone grieving sees YOU process your loss with hope.
She catches on and whispers hallelujah too.
Sing a little louder

Someone overwhelmed is listening as YOU cry out for God’s help.
She joins in, sharing your confidence.
Sing a little louder

Someone feeling defeated hears YOU declare Jesus’ victory.
She believes His victory is hers too.
Sing a little louder

All around the world, our voices unite to form a hallelujah chorus.
Louder and louder, you’re gonna’ hear {our} praises roar

Whatever you’re walking through in this moment, are you willing to raise your hallelujah? Even a shaky one?
The choir needs YOUR voice!!!


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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship VI Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship VI!

Posted in: Broken, Faithfulness, God, Help, Jesus, Victorious, Worship Tagged: gather, Hallelujah, hurting, plea, shout, song, victory, whisper

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  • Worship VI Day 9 New Wine: Digging Deeper December 5, 2019
    “It's a shame that the term ‘Pentecostal power’ has, for many people, become more associated with “speaking in tongues” than with the harvest of world evangelization. Be sure at this point you see the main focus: it is a feast of harvest in Jerusalem, and on this very day, Jesus pours out the Spirit in […]
    Melodye Reeves

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