The book of Acts records the story of the early church and the remarkable spread of the gospel, through the testimony of a small group of very ordinary people.
“[Jesus] said to 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.’” [Acts 1.8]
The story is one of the floodgates of heaven being opened, and a great river of grace flowing across a dry and thirsty humanity – fulfilling in a wonderful way the Lord’s words through Isaiah –
“I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.” [Is.44.3f]
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The aim of our studies over these weeks is to learn together how those floodgates may be opened again in our own context; for our land today is similarly parched, and as thirsty as ever for the Lord Himself. We’ll hope to get, and then share, feedback from the different Community Groups, so that together we can hear what the Spirit is saying to us as a fellowship through His Word.
Perhaps the prayer which should be on all our hearts through these studies, therefore, is best expressed in the words of the following song, first penned some 30 years ago –
Lord, we long for You to move in power
There’s a hunger deep within our hearts
To see healing in our nation: send Your Spirit to revive us
Heal our nation, Heal our nation, Heal our nation
Pour out Your Spirit on this land
Lord we hear Your Spirit, coming closer
A mighty wave to break upon our land
Bringing justice, and forgiveness: God we cry to You, ‘Revive us’
Heal our nation, Heal our nation, Heal our nation
Pour out Your Spirit on this land.
Each week we will update the links below with the materials for the coming week.
w/b 15 August Opening The Floodgates 1
w/b 22 August Opening The Floodgates 2
w/b 29 August Opening The Floodgates 3
w/b 5 September Opening The Floodgates 4
w/b 12 September Opening The Floodgates 5
w/b 19 September Opening The Floodgates 6
w/b 26 September Opening The Floodgates 7
w/b 3 October Opening The Floodgates 8
