Pentecost: The First Great AwakeningShembull

## Focused to Advance The community that developed following the miracle of Pentecost was the Utopia every Christ-follower dreams of, a gathering of diverse people unified by their faith in Jesus Christ, loving and learning from one another, sharing with and serving each other, praying and worshipping together, and winning souls for the Kingdom on a regular basis. We can imagine it. We want it. So why is America not experiencing another Great Awakening? That’s a good question. Maybe our focus is off and the movement we have in mind is different than the movement God has mapped out. If so, we won’t recognize it when it happens. Maybe we are operating on our own power instead of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. If so, we are spinning our wheels. Maybe we are trying to reverse the chain of command, passing orders up to God rather than receiving them. If so, we are insubordinate and cannot expect God to comply. Maybe it is not time yet. Maybe it is time, but we are so wrapped up in self and sin that we have compromised the lines of communication between ourselves and God. Maybe we missed the command to charge when it was given. Maybe we heard the command, but ignored it. Peter heard the command. Peter obeyed. Focused and fully committed, Peter stepped out in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit and advanced the Kingdom of God. How? By advancing the truth of the Gospel, doing no more and no less than God requires of us today. Maybe America is not experiencing a Great Awakening because we have failed to do as Peter did. We have failed to advance the truth of the Gospel, the very foundation upon which Jesus said His Church would be built. If so, the failure of the Church to grow and function as it ought to is our fault, both collectively and as individuals. What about you?  Are the lines of communication between you and God open so you can clearly hear the Holy Spirit? Are you advancing the truth of the Gospel or waiting for someone else to lead the charge?