“Beginnings of Transformation” – a message on discipleship from Acts 2

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our series entitled “The Discipleship Journey: Four Examples of Growing with Jesus.” I preached this third message of the series entitled “Beginnings of Transformation.” In this message I walked through the story of Pentecost in Acts 2, including Peter’s message and the ensuing life of the early church in Jerusalem.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37)

The Divine Interruption (Acts 2:1-13)

The Holy Spirit in power

The Holy Spirit in signs

The Divine Proclamation (Acts 2:14-41)

Peter’s good news message focused on Jesus (2:14-36)

• 2:22-24 – summary of God’s work in Jesus Messiah
• 2:36 – essential one-line summary of Jesus’ significance

The question of the gathered crowd (2:37)

The instruction of Peter (2:38-40)

The response of the gathered crowd (2:41)

Divine Connections and a New Way of Living (2:42-47)

Divine connections and devotion (2:42-43)

A new way of living (2:44-47)

Making It Real

Discipleship centered on Jesus

Discipleship marked by decisive life change 

Discipleship marked by divine connections

Discipleship as a new way of living

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Acts 2:36 or 2:22-24
• Journal or reflect on this question: What is one way you could take a step forward in your growth toward maturity in Christ in the next month?
• Draw, paint, or journal about the story of Acts 2:1-47. As you do that, prayerfully talk with God about your own discipleship journey. What is God speaking to you? 
• Consider reading:
  • The Didache – a first-century Christian primer on discipleship
  • Gordon Fee, God’s Empowering Presence
  • John R. W. Stott, Basic Christianity