Look, Listen & Live 8: Acts of the Holy Spirit

Introduction

Good day. In this programme I want to tell you about the Holy Spirit of the living God. Look at the pictures in the purple book while you listen to this. Turn to the next picture when you hear this music. (MUSIC)

Picture 1 Jesus Goes Back to Heaven

Acts 1:1-11

Look at the picture. The Lord Jesus is rising from earth up to heaven in a cloud. His disciples are watching intently. Why is He going to heaven? In the beginning Jesus was with God and He is truly God. Then more than 2000 years ago He came from heaven to earth. He was born, through the Holy Spirit, to a virgin named Mary in a town called Bethlehem. Jesus became man to show what God is like. God intended all of us to be in a close fellowship with Him. However, we have been disloyal to God and broke our relationship with Him. This way we have dishonoured God and brought shame on ourselves. We all live in shame and sin. The punishment of sin is death. But God loves all people. He made a way to restore us to Himself. He sent Jesus to earth to die for our shame and sin in our place. Wicked men killed Jesus by nailing Him to a wooden cross even though He has never done anything to dishonour God. His death reconciled the relationship between God and us. Many people saw how He died on that cross, but many of his disciples and followers also saw Him after He rose from the dead. It was then when He told them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He had given them this command, Jesus went up in a cloud as you see in this picture. One day He will return to earth in glory to judge all the people of the earth. All people who hear the good news of Jesus, believe in Him and honour Him, have the gift of living in eternal glory with God as His children. (MUSIC)

Picture 2 the Holy Spirit Comes with Fire

Acts 2:1-12

Immediately after Jesus went up to heaven, his disciples agreed to gather in a house to pray. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky, like a great wind. The people saw something like tongues of fire. The tongues of fire split up into many tongues of flame that rested on each believer. They were filled with the Holy Spirit of God, just as Jesus promised, and began to speak about the wonderful works of God in other languages. Jesus always does as He promises; He has sent his Holy Spirit to all people who honour Him with complete loyalty and believe in Him. (MUSIC)

Picture 3 Peter Preaches to the People

Acts 2:13-41

When God’s Holy Spirit came to the disciples they were in the city of Jerusalem in the land of the Jews. At that time there were many Jews in Jerusalem, from many different countries celebrating a Jewish feast. They spoke many different languages. The Holy Spirit helped Jesus’ disciples to speak all these languages so that the people could hear and understand the message about the Lord Jesus in their own mother tongue. But some people thought that Jesus’ followers were drunk with wine. So one of the apostles called Peter, stood up with the other eleven apostles. He spoke to the crowd and said, “These men are not drunk, as you suppose but they are filled with the Holy Spirit.” Peter shared with them the good news of Jesus. Many people believed Peter’s words. They were baptised as a sign of turning from sin. They also received the Holy Spirit and they began to follow the way of Jesus. (MUSIC)

Picture 4 the First Christian Church

Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11

That day many people in Jerusalem trusted in Jesus Christ and became his followers. These people who received God’s Holy Spirit often came together like a big family and that was the beginning of the Christian church. Later these people were called Christians. They shared their possessions with each other and they cared for one another. Each day they went to the big temple of God in Jerusalem. There they prayed and praised God together. The disciples, who became apostles, taught them from God’s Word. The Christians also came together in their homes, where they shared their food. At regular times they shared a special meal together called the Lord’s Supper. Jesus had commanded his disciples to do it in this way. The night before He was crucified, He had a meal with his disciples and when He had given thanks, He took some bread, broke it and gave pieces to his disciples. The bread was a sign that Jesus’ body was to be broken for them on the cross. Likewise Jesus also took a cup and gave it to his disciples to drink. The drink was to remind them of his blood that was to be shed for them on the cross. Jesus commanded his disciples to do this in remembrance of Him. Therefore everyone who trusts and commits himself to the Lord Jesus will also keep the Lord’s Supper for God’s Word says, “… whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (MUSIC)

Picture 5 a Crippled Beggar Is Healed

Acts 3:1 - 4:4

One day Peter and John went to the temple of God to pray. A beggar sat at the entrance. He had been crippled from birth and could not walk. He asked Peter and John for money. Peter said to him, “I do not have any money, but I give you what I have. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Peter took the man by his right hand and helped him to get up. At once the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He went into God’s temple with Peter and John. He was walking and leaping and praising God. It was not Peter who healed the man. Faith in Jesus and the power of God’s Holy Spirit healed him. He had received a gift much better than money. (MUSIC)

Picture 6 the Husband and the Wife Who Lied

Acts 4:32-36; 5:1-11

A man called Barnabas sold his land and gave the money to the church to help the poor. A husband and wife, named Ananias and Sapphira, decided to do the same. But they kept some of the money for themselves. Ananias brought only part of the money to Peter. Then he lied to Peter, telling him it was the full amount. Peter knew that he had lied, so he said to Ananias, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land? You have not lied to men but to God.” Immediately Ananias fell down dead. Some young men carried him out and buried him. Soon Sapphira came in. She did not know what had happened to Ananias. Sapphira also lied to Peter about the money. So Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At once she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. Ananias and Sapphira dishonoured God and His Spirit by lying. They pretended to be very generous, but they held money back for themselves. God knows the good and the bad thoughts in all of us. There is nothing hidden to Him. (MUSIC)

Picture 7 Stephen Is Killed

Acts 6:1 - 8:3

Look! A group of people are stoning a man named Stephen. He served as a leader in the church, helping the poor people in Jerusalem. He taught God’s Word boldly and worked miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. But some Jews opposed him. They took Stephen to court and falsely accused him of insulting God and speaking against his Word. But Stephen was not afraid, because God gave him power through his Holy Spirit. Stephen told those Jews that they had murdered Jesus who had come to give people everlasting life. Then he looked up toward heaven and saw God and Jesus standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand. He said, “Look! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!” The Jews became so angry that they dragged Stephen outside the city and started throwing stones at him. While they were stoning him, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” As he died, he cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” The men who had stoned Stephen, laid their clothes at the feet of a young Jewish leader named Saul. He approved of Stephen’s death. Even today people who want to honour and serve Jesus, are persecuted by evil people. But God and his Holy Spirit will never leave them, even if men should kill them. (MUSIC)

Picture 8 the Ethiopian Traveller

Acts 8:4-8, 26-40

That day Saul and the other enemies of the Christian church really began to persecute the believers in Jerusalem. Many had to flee from the city. A man named Philip went to the city of Samaria. There he told many people the good news about Jesus and many believed. Then, through an angel, God told Philip, “Get ready and go to the desert road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Philip did as God told him. In this picture we see a very important man from the land of Ethiopia. He was travelling in his chariot. He was reading in God’s Word from the book of Isaiah about someone who would suffer unjustly, but the Ethiopian could not understand this reading. The Spirit of God told Philip to go to that chariot. Philip ran to it and heard the man read. He asked the man: “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man answered: “How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?” He was reading the passage that said: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. He died without children. His life was taken from the earth.” Then the Ethiopian man asked Philip, “Please tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Himself? Or someone else?” Philip then started to explain to the man about the Lord Jesus whom God had sent. The Ethiopian also wanted to follow Jesus. As they travelled together he said to Philip, “Look, here is water. What can keep me from being baptised?” Philip baptised the Ethiopian who went back to his country with great joy. Philip went on to preach the good news in many towns. (MUSIC)

Picture 9 Peter’s Vision of the Animals

Acts 10:9-16

One day Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray. There he became hungry and wanted something to eat. At that time he saw a strange vision, sent from God. He saw a large sheet coming from heaven with all kinds of animals in it. A voice said to Peter, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Peter was a Jew and the Jewish law said that the animals that he saw there were unclean and should not be eaten. So Peter answered, “Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” Then the voice said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times and then the sheet was taken back into heaven. While Peter was wondering what this vision meant, three men came to the house looking for him. (MUSIC)

Picture 10 Good News for All Nations

Acts 10:1-8, 17-48

The three men came from another town and were sent by a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was a leader in the Roman army. He wanted to honour and serve God. An angel of God had appeared to him and had told him to go and find Peter. Jews considered the Romans to be unclean, but God showed Peter in the vision that he should not call any man impure. God accepts people from every nation who honour Him and do what is right. Peter went with the men to the house of this Roman officer. When Cornelius saw Peter, he fell down at Peter’s feet and worshipped him, but Peter said, “Stand up. I am only a man myself. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius told Peter about the angel. Then Peter said, “Now I see very clearly that God shows no favouritism.” Then he proceeded to tell Cornelius about Jesus who reveals God to people. Cornelius and his family believed in Jesus, they received the Holy Spirit of God and became God’s servants. God loves all people, whatever their language, tribe or skin colour. Jesus did not come to save only the Jewish people. He wants to give everlasting life to all people. He wants all nations to trust in Him and serve Him. (MUSIC)

Picture 11 Peter in Prison

Acts 12:1-11

The king of the Jews, Herod, then began to persecute the followers of Jesus, the Christian church. He had the apostle James killed, and sent Peter to prison. One night Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between guards. Suddenly an angel woke Peter up and said, “Quick, get up!” At once the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. He followed the angel out of the prison. The iron gate of the prison opened by itself and no one stopped them. Peter thought it was all a dream, until he reached the street outside and the angel disappeared. (MUSIC)

Picture 12 Peter and His Praying Friends

Acts 12:12-19

While Peter was in prison many friends gathered to pray for him. When he was released Peter went straight to the house where they were. Many of the believers were there that night, praying for Peter. Peter knocked at the door and a servant girl named Rhoda went to open it. When she heard Peter’s voice, she did not open the door but she ran to tell the others, “Peter is at the door!” They did not believe her and said to her, “You’re out of your mind.” But Peter kept knocking. When they opened the door and saw him standing there, they were amazed. Peter told them how God had answered their prayers by setting him free from prison. God hears and answers the prayers of those who believe in Him. Jesus once said, “If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.” (Matt 18:19-20)

Introduction 2

In the next few pictures I will tell you about a man named Saul, the man who was present at Stephen’s death. After Stephen was killed Saul decided to go to a city called Damascus. He wanted to take the believers to prison there. On the journey an amazing thing happened. (MUSIC)

Picture 13 the Light and the Voice from Heaven

Acts 9:1-9

As Saul was travelling on his way to Damascus great light flashed from heaven and he fell to the ground. A voice spoke to him saying, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men with Saul also heard the voice, but saw nothing. Saul got up, but he was blind. The men had to lead him by the hand into the city of Damascus. For three days Saul was blind. He did not eat or drink. (MUSIC)

Picture 14 Blind Saul and Ananias

Acts 9:10-20

Here we see the blind Saul in a house in Damascus. God sent a man named Ananias to him. Ananias was a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ. He knew that Saul had done terrible things to the believers in Jerusalem. Ananias, however, obeyed God and went to Saul. Ananias said to Saul, “Brother Saul; the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Ananias laid his hands on Saul and Saul's blindness left him immediately. He received the Holy Spirit from God and was baptised to show the people that he was now a follower of Jesus. Then Saul went to the Jews and told them about Jesus. (MUSIC)

Picture 15 the Praying Church Sends Missionaries

Acts 11:25-26, 13:1-3

In the town called Antioch, a group of believers came together to worship God. This group of people were the church at Antioch. They were the first people that were called Christians. Saul went with Barnabas to teach the people there. One day the leaders of the church fasted and prayed together. The Holy Spirit spoke to them saying, “Appoint for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” God wanted Saul and Barnabas to go to people who had never heard about Jesus. You can see Saul and Barnabas kneeling in this picture. The church leaders placed their hands on them and prayed for them. Then they sent Saul and Barnabas to teach the good news of Jesus in places far away from Antioch. God’s Word teaches us, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) (MUSIC)

Picture 16 Paul Preaches About Jesus

Acts 13:4-52

Saul and Barnabas went to many towns and villages in distant places. It was at this time that Saul was called by his new name, Paul. They met with the people in the Jewish prayer houses, as you see here. They taught them and said, “The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers and made them a great nation. He gave them great prophets, leaders and teachers. They spoke of the One who would come to save them from sin. He is the Lord Jesus. When Jesus came, many of the Jews did not believe in Him. They did not understand who He was and they would not worship Him whom God had sent. Listen to us, for the message of salvation has been given to us. The people of Jerusalem and their leaders didn't realize who Jesus was. And they didn't understand the words of the prophets that they read each Sabbath. So they condemned Jesus just as the prophets had said. Even though they couldn't find any reason to put Jesus to death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed. After Jesus had been put to death, he was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. But God raised him from death! Then for many days Jesus appeared to his followers. Now they are telling our people about him. He will never die again.” Then Paul continued, “Brothers, listen! We are here to bring you this message: through Jesus your sins can be forgiven. Everyone who puts his or her trust in Jesus, is accepted by God, and is set free. Their relationship with God is made right. But those who doubt and laugh at the truth of God, will be destroyed by God.” Some of the Jews and many people of the other nations believed this message, and more churches were formed, but others would not believe. People will not always believe us when we tell them about Jesus. But God wants everyone to hear and to believe the good news about Jesus and to be saved. (MUSIC)

Picture 17 Paul Sees a Vision of a Man from Macedonia

Acts 16:6-10

Some years later Paul visited these churches again. He took a few men with him, including a man named Silas. They wanted to go to the country of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go. That night Paul had a vision. In the vision he saw a man from the country of Macedonia who said to him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Immediately Paul knew that God had called him to go to Macedonia. God will guide those who want to follow Jesus. Sometimes He guides by dreams or visions, but usually God directs us through the words in his book, the Bible, and through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. (MUSIC)

Picture 18 Paul and Silas in the Earthquake

Acts 16:16-35

Paul and Silas obeyed God and went to Philippi in Macedonia. There they taught the people about Jesus. In the name of Jesus they cast an evil spirit out of a girl. This made some of the people angry because they had made a lot of money from the girl’s fortune telling before and now saw that their hope of profit was gone. So they took Paul and Silas before the authorities, and the officials had them beaten and thrown into prison. At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God in the prison cell and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake. The doors opened and the chains of all the prisoners came loose. The jailer thought that all the prisoners had escaped. He was so frightened that he decided to kill himself. Then Paul called him, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for light, rushed in and fell down trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” The jailer and his household put their trust in the Lord Jesus and they had great joy. The jailer cared for Paul and Silas and the next morning they were released. They walked away as free men. When times are difficult we should still praise God. (MUSIC)

Picture 19 Paul and the Altar to an Unknown God

Acts 4:12; 17:16-34

In this picture Paul is looking at an altar. The writing on it means ‘to an unknown god.’ The altar stood in the city of Athens. There were many idols, because the people of Athens worshipped many different gods. They did not know the true and living God. The men of Athens wanted to know what Paul was teaching, so he said to them, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.” Paul told them about the true God who created everything. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not stay in temples built by human hands. Paul told them that they could get to know God in the Lord Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. Some men laughed at Paul, but others wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ and some came to believe in Him. Jesus Christ is the only saviour. There is no other god or religion that can save people from their sins and shame. (MUSIC)

Picture 20 Paul Is Taken to Court

Acts 18:1-17

As you can see in this picture, Paul is in trouble. He is in the city of Corinth. There were many wicked people in that town. The Jews in Corinth also opposed Paul, because he told them that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Chosen One. One night the Lord spoke to Paul saying, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth where he taught the people, and many believed his message. But the Jews who opposed him were jealous. One day they attacked Paul and took him to court. They accused him of teaching wrong things. However, the governor would not listen to them and threw them all out of court. This way Paul escaped unharmed and continued to tell about Jesus, in spite of the opposition he had to face. (MUSIC)

Picture 21 Soldiers Rescue Paul from His Enemies

Acts 21:1 - 22:24

Paul returned to visit the newly established churches. He encouraged the believers to keep on following Jesus. Some believers begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem again. They knew that many of his enemies were there and that they wanted to kill him. But Paul said, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he arrived in Jerusalem, the Jews stirred up the people against him. The mob tried to kill him in the street. Some Roman soldiers took Paul away from the angry crowd. Paul went and stood on the steps outside the soldiers’ barracks. He spoke to the people and told them how he met Jesus and became His follower. But they began to scream, “Kill Him! He doesn’t deserve to live!” The soldiers had to take Paul into the prison to save him from the people. Paul was not afraid to die. He knew a great reward is waiting in heaven for all who suffer for Jesus’ sake. (MUSIC)

Picture 22 Paul Preaches to Important People

Acts 23:11, 25 - 26

Paul stayed in prison for two years. The Jews still tried to kill him but the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” The Jewish leaders accused Paul before the Roman governor and he sent Paul to Agrippa, the king of the Jews. Paul was afraid of no one. He boldly told the governor, the king and the queen about Jesus. He told them how Jesus had appeared to him on the road to Damascus and how Jesus had sent him to tell the good news to people everywhere. King Agrippa was almost persuaded to believe in Jesus. He knew that Paul had done nothing wrong. Paul appealed to the emperor in Rome. He wanted to be judged by the emperor’s court there. Agrippa allowed Paul to go. Rome was the biggest city in the world then and the emperor, the most important ruler, lived there. God had a special plan for Paul. (MUSIC)

Picture 23 Paul in Danger

Acts 27:1-44

Soldiers took Paul to Rome with other prisoners. They had to travel in a ship across the sea. For fourteen days the ship was caught in a terrible storm. The people on the ship thought they were going to die. An angel of God spoke to Paul, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before the emperor, the highest ruler of the Roman kingdom; and God has graciously saved the lives of all who sail with you.” Soon the ship came near land and began to break up in the shallow waters. The people jumped into the sea. Some were able to swim, some held on to the pieces of the ship. They all landed safely. From this we learn that when God has a task for us to do, He is strong to deliver us from all danger. (MUSIC)

Picture 24 Paul as a Prisoner in Rome

Acts 28:16-31; Romans 8:38-39

Here we see Paul in Rome. He remained a prisoner there for two years. He was allowed to stay in his own rented house with a Roman soldier to guard him. He welcomed all who came to visit him. He taught them about the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus. Paul also wrote letters to the churches he had visited before he was arrested, to teach them further. These letters are in the Bible for all people to learn God’s ways. Paul suffered much for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. He was often beaten and stoned, hungry and homeless. Finally he was put to death by the Romans. But in an earlier letter to the Roman believers he wrote, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God gives power to all who believe in and serve Jesus Christ. Let us give our lives to Him. Let us serve Him and spread his message so that the whole world can know that Jesus gives everlasting life with God.