Gradually, Then Suddenly | Dare to Dream | Pastor Steve Andres

Your situation is a setup for God’s purposes! This weekend Pastor Steve Andres continued our DARE TO DREAM series with a message about the early church.Acts 2:17-18‘In the last days,’ God says,‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy.Your young men will see visions,and your old men will dream dreams.In those days I will pour out my Spiriteven on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.The small community of Christ-followers were characterized by a radical humility, a radical generosity and a radical hope. What do the events of Acts 2 teach us?1) Unity comes before suddenly.It’s easier to get in one place than to get in one accord. Before experiencing the outpouring of God’s presence, they were united in heart and mind.2) How does God move? Gradually, then suddenly.After the remarkable outpouring of God’s presence, Peter tells the people that this miracle has been promised for generations. We need our hearts trained to be faithful in the gradually, while we wait for the suddenly.3) All people means all people.God’s promise is to make his presence available to everyone who would come. The church's mission is to announce this incredible news to those who are far and those who are near.When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the church should bestir themselves. It is as much the duty of the church to awake, as it is for the firemen to awake when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city.Charles FinneyWhen Jesus was on the cross, he cried out but was shown no mercy. Because he paid the penalty for our sin, now “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!"