This sermon explores the concept of "Three Great Awakenings" in the early Christian church, focusing on how Jesus fulfilled and transformed Old Testament laws. Pastor discusses the shift from ritual laws to a personal relationship with God through Christ, the empowerment of believers through the Holy Spirit, and the redefinition of dietary laws. This journey through Scripture reminds us of the radical nature of our faith and challenges us to continually open our minds and hearts to God's transforming work in our lives. 

Summary:
In this powerful message, we explore the transformative journey of our faith through three great awakenings. The first awakening, centered on Easter, reveals Jesus as both the ultimate sacrifice and our eternal High Priest. This profound truth liberates us from the old ritual laws, ushering in a new era of direct connection with God. The second awakening, Pentecost, introduces us to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, empowering us with new abilities and a deeper spiritual connection. As we contemplate these awakenings, we're challenged to examine our own spiritual lives. Are we truly open to God's transformative power? Are we willing to let the Holy Spirit work within us, changing not just our actions, but our very hearts? This message reminds us that our faith journey is ongoing, requiring daily surrender and openness to God's guidance.

Main Points:
Title: The Three Great Awakenings: From Old Testament Law to New Testament Grace
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the transition from Old Testament laws to New Testament grace through three "great awakenings." It examines how Jesus fulfilled and transformed the ritual, dietary, and moral laws given to the Israelites. The pastor emphasizes the importance of understanding this progression to grasp the full significance of Christ's work and the ongoing role of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
Key Points:

• The 613 Old Testament laws can be categorized into God's house (ritual laws), my house (dietary laws), and courthouse (moral laws)
• Jesus fulfilled the ritual laws by becoming both the perfect sacrifice and high priest
• The first great awakening occurred on Easter, with Jesus' resurrection and the disciples' new birth
• The second great awakening was Pentecost, introducing the baptism of the Holy Spirit
• Dietary laws were redefined, symbolizing a heart cleansing and openness to the Gentiles
• Moral laws from the Old Testament are confirmed in the New Testament
• Christians must daily surrender to God, allowing Him to change their hearts and minds

Scripture Reference:

• Acts 12:24-13:3 (primary passage)
• John 20:22 and Luke 24:45 (Jesus breathing on disciples and opening their minds)
• Acts 2 (Pentecost)
• Acts 10 (Peter's vision of unclean animals)

Stories:

• Peter's vision of unclean animals and subsequent visit to Cornelius' house
• Analogy of changing one's vote in an election to illustrate the difficulty of changing deeply held beliefs
  
  

Scripture References mentioned or alluded to in the sermon, along with some suggested relevant verses for key themes:
Mentioned/Alluded to:

1. Acts 12 (general reference to Peter's escape from prison)
2. Acts 13:1-3 (Barnabas and Saul sent off)
3. John 20:22-23 (Jesus breathes on disciples and gives authority to forgive sins)
4. Luke 24:45 (Jesus opens disciples' minds to understand scriptures)
5. Hebrews 7:26-27 (Jesus as high priest who offered himself once for all)
6. Hebrews 4:15 (Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses)
7. Hebrews 5:7 (Jesus' prayers during his earthly life)
8. John 1:29, 36 (John the Baptist calling Jesus the Lamb of God)
9. Acts 1:4-5 (Promise of baptism with the Holy Spirit)
10. Acts 2:3-4 (Tongues of fire at Pentecost)
11. 1 Corinthians 14:4, 14-15 (Speaking in tongues privately)
12. Acts 10:9-16 (Peter's vision of unclean animals)
13. Matthew 15:17-19 (What defiles a person comes from the heart)
    
    

Suggested relevant verses for themes discussed:

1. On being born again: John 3:3-7
2. On Jesus as sacrifice: Hebrews 9:26
3. On baptism of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:11
4. On dietary laws: Mark 7:18-19
5. On transformation/renewing of mind: Romans 12:2
6. On forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32
7. On making disciples: Matthew 28:19-20
8. On the power of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8
9. On God's presence among his people: 2 Corinthians 6:16
10. On surrendering to God's will: Luke 22:42
    
    

Notable Quotes:

1. Jesus became the Lamb of God and the High Priest, both in one.
2. The first great awakening, Easter, born again. Second great awakening, Pentecost. Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, not just water.
3. God's house, the power within the ritual laws as Jesus now has become the dual two-in-one, both priest and sacrifice. New baptism, water plus the Holy Spirit.
4. Don't you see whether it's not what enters the mouth that goes into the stomach and then out of the body that makes one unclean, but the things that come out of a person's mouth from the heart, and those are what defile them.
5. Every day we have to go before God and believe what the Bible says about Jesus in the Old and the New Testament. Every day we have to ask to receive a fresh feeling of the Holy Spirit.
6. Which ones in the Old Testament do we obey? The ones that have been confirmed or repeated again in the New Testament.
7. The first great awakening the one to the new person the born-again experience Easter this second great awakening is the new baptism or the baptism of the Holy Spirit of fire the is the second great awakening the 50 days after Easter.
   
   

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the concept of Jesus as both the Lamb of God and High Priest change our understanding of sacrifice and forgiveness?
2. In what ways might we experience 'new awakenings' in our spiritual lives today, similar to the Easter and Pentecost events described in the sermon?
3. How can we cultivate a willingness to have our minds 'opened' to new understandings of Scripture, as Jesus did for his disciples?
4. What are some modern-day equivalents to Peter's vision of unclean animals, where God might be challenging our deeply held beliefs or prejudices?
5. How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit differ from water baptism, and what implications does this have for our spiritual growth?
6. In what ways might we be resisting God's call to change, like Peter initially did with the dietary laws?
7. How can we discern between holding fast to important spiritual principles and being open to new revelations from God?
8. What role does the Holy Spirit play in transforming our hearts and minds, beyond just giving us spiritual gifts?
9. How might understanding the historical context of Jewish laws and customs deepen our appreciation for the radical nature of Jesus' teachings?
10. In what ways can we apply the concept of 'God's house, my house, courthouse' to our modern understanding of spiritual, personal, and societal laws?

Small Group Guide: The Three Great Awakenings
Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to understand His Word and apply it to daily life.

Key Takeaways:

1. The sermon discusses three "Great Awakenings" in the early church: a) Easter - New birth/person b) Pentecost - New baptism c) New purpose with new feeling and depths
2. The 613 Old Testament laws are categorized into three areas: a) God's house (ritual laws) b) My house (dietary laws) c) Courthouse (moral laws)
3. Jesus fulfilled and replaced many of the ritual laws, becoming both the High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb of God.
4. The baptism of the Holy Spirit brought new power and evidence to believers.
5. God challenged Peter's understanding of dietary laws to open the way for Gentile inclusion in the church.
   
   

Discussion Questions:

1. How does understanding Jesus as both High Priest and sacrificial Lamb change your perspective on approaching God?
2. Discuss the significance of the Holy Spirit's baptism at Pentecost. How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life today?
3. Peter struggled to let go of his deeply ingrained beliefs about dietary laws. What are some beliefs or traditions that you find difficult to change, even when confronted with new spiritual insights?
4. The sermon used a modern political analogy to illustrate Peter's struggle. Can you think of a personal example where God challenged your long-held beliefs or attitudes?
5. How can we remain open to God's guidance when it conflicts with our cultural or personal norms?
6. Discuss the difference between the Old Testament laws that were fulfilled in Christ and those that are still applicable today. How do we discern which is which?
   
   

Practical Applications:

1. Daily Surrender: Commit to a daily practice of surrendering your thoughts, attitudes, and actions to God, asking for His guidance and transformation.
2. Heart Check: Regularly examine your heart for attitudes or prejudices that may be hindering your relationship with God or others.
3. Scripture Study: Spend time this week studying the book of Acts, focusing on how the early church navigated the transition from Old Testament law to New Testament grace.
4. Prayer for Openness: Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you may be resistant to His leading or change.
5. Cross-Cultural Engagement: Look for opportunities to engage with people from different backgrounds or beliefs, practicing love and openness as Peter learned to do.

Closing Prayer: Close the session by praying for each group member to experience a deeper understanding of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Personal Devotion:
5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the transcription:

Day 1: New Life in Christ Reading: John 20:19-23, Romans 6:1-11
Devotional: Just as Jesus breathed on his disciples and said "Receive the Holy Spirit," He offers us new life through His resurrection. This "first great awakening" invites us to experience a profound spiritual rebirth. Reflect on what it means to be "born again" and to have your mind opened to understand the Scriptures in a new way. How has your encounter with the risen Christ transformed your life? Consider areas where you still need renewal and ask God to breathe His Spirit into those places.

Day 2: Empowered by the Spirit Reading: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Devotional: The day of Pentecost marks a "second great awakening" where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered for ministry. This baptism of the Spirit isn't just a historical event, but an ongoing reality for Christians today. How have you experienced the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there areas where you need a fresh infilling? Ask God to fill you anew with His Spirit and to manifest His gifts in your life for the building up of His church.

Day 3: Heart Transformation Reading: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Mark 7:14-23
Devotional: God's work in our lives goes beyond external rules to internal transformation. Just as Peter had to overcome his ingrained ideas about clean and unclean foods, we too may need to let go of long-held beliefs or prejudices that don't align with God's heart. What "unclean" people or situations might God be calling you to embrace? Pray for a softened heart and the courage to follow where the Spirit leads, even when it challenges your comfort zone.

Day 4: Living as God's Temple Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Peter 2:4-10
Devotional: Under the new covenant, we no longer need a physical temple for God's presence. Instead, we ourselves are now God's dwelling place. This profound truth should impact how we live every aspect of our lives. In what ways are you honoring God's presence within you? Are there areas of your life that need cleansing or reordering to better reflect His holiness? Ask God to help you live as a fitting temple for His Spirit.

Day 5: Grace and Obedience Reading: Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 5:13-26
Devotional: As followers of Christ, we're no longer bound by the letter of the Old Testament law, but we're called to a higher standard of love empowered by the Spirit. This doesn't mean disregarding moral principles, but rather fulfilling them through lives transformed by grace. Reflect on areas where you might be relying on rule-following rather than heart transformation. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide your choices and actions? Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in your life as you walk in freedom and obedience.