Core Scripture: “As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!’” (Acts 1:10-11)

Message: I hope your Easter was filled with joy.  Mine certainly was.  After spending time in the Word, I led my F3 brothers on a 5K walk around Heritage Park, sharing my testimony along the way.  We did a goofy Easter egg hunt, talked about Jesus’ resurrection, and warmed ourselves with coffee and conversation.

Church was next.  My wife, already at church, had texted the family group chat that everyone should “look nice.”  Apparently that meant hoodies, sweatpants, and crocks for my teenage boys.  Attire aside, the sermon was impactful, and I got to connect with friends afterwards. 

Next, we were off to my folks’ house for Easter dinner.  My mom always does it up right in the kitchen.  Savory brisket.  Piping hot mac-n-cheese.  Fresh salad.  And this year she created a delicious chicken pasta casserole that woke up all my taste buds.  There were mouth-watering brownies and soft sugar cookies for dessert.  We all ate our fill.  Enough for the entire day!

My mom’s tradition is to follow dinner with Easter games.  The grandkids did an Easter egg hunt, and we moved to the driveway for a free throw contest and the good ol’ egg in the spoon relay.  Adults vs. kids.  I was darn proud of my brother who shoved his way around his son to win it for the adults as his son was showboating, trying to win by running backwards. 

Easter came.  Easter went.  Now what?

Monday seemed like it was just back to normal.  Well, I did partake in eating my Reese’s Peanut Butter chocolate bunny—it was delicious—but I found myself asking that question.  Now what?  Does life just go back to the same old routine?  Has anything changed in me?  Where do I go from here?

Let’s go back to the first Easter.  The disciples had just witnessed the greatest miracle in the history of mankind.  Jesus had conquered death.  He appeared to them over the next 40 days, performing miracles and charging them with the great commission.  Then, He promises the ultimate game-changer, the Holy Spirit, telling them to use that power to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Then … POOF!  Jesus is gone.  Ascended up to heaven.  The disciples strain their eyes to catch one final glimpse as Jesus disappears into a cloud.  No words are spoken.  Their jaws are still dropped in awe.  They can’t move a muscle.  That is when two angels appear to shake up the scene. 

The core scripture above could be translated into teenage slang like this: “Bruh!  No cap, Jesus meant what He said.  It is rather sus that you guys are just standing there.  Your aura is going to be bussin’ with that Holy Spirit coming.  Lowkey, get out there.  Spread the Word, Yo.  Bet.”

(Please don’t show the above paragraph to my teenage boys.  I was scolded recently by my oldest for trying too hard to sound like him.)

The Holy Spirit.  If you are a Christian, you have it.  It’s that voice inside you that sets you straight when temptation comes your way.  Sure enough, in Acts 2, the disciples experienced it for the first time.  Their lives were never the same.  They used that power to begin to change the world. 

For us, that is where it all begins.  Listening to the Holy Spirit.  Going where it nudges us.  We are all unique creatures with different gifts and talents.  God knows them.  He wants us to use them.  You can discover where the Holy Spirit leads through prayer, but here are ten tangible ideas on what your next step might entail …

1. Share your story.  We all have a testimony.  Who do you have a relationship with that needs to hear it?  It might be a neighbor, a coworker, a friend, or even a family member.  Start with your life before Christ.  Then tell how you found Jesus.  Finally, explain how He has impacted your life since.
2. Follow up on an Easter invite.  Maybe you invited someone to church on Easter or met a new family.  Connect with them, and invite them to experience something new at your church like a small group or a fellowship or a fun spring event.  Continue reaching out to guide others to Jesus. 
3. Start a regular quiet time.  Find a time that is good for you and schedule a regular time with God.  He is available 24/7, and the more time you spend with Him, the better your day will go.  Grow spiritually through prayer and Bible study.
4. Add Christian music to your daily life.  This can be on the radio in your car ride to work or on your earbuds during your workout.  Christian music can change your life.  Need a playlist?  Create one or use the one I created on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzTm8v5kM-Q&list=PLg-J652UZsr2ZCvNHk9vDQim-C99dMHOf
5. Participate in a small group.  My men’s group meets twice a month on Monday nights, and my church small group meets every Sunday evening.  Don’t have one?  Find one.  Or even get some friends to help you create one.  You could study a book of the Bible or a Christian book or even a video series on Rightnow Media. 
6. Subscribe to a Christian YouTube channel and explore it.  One of my favorites is Above Inspiration.  They take powerful sermons, splice them together around themes, and challenge you to live righteously.  So many times the right video will be suggested for me at the perfect time.  Check it out yourself!
7. Set up accountability.  We all go through struggles, and when you have another Christian brother or sister at your side, you can encourage each other through the trials of life.  Get coffee together.  Text positive messages, and check in on each other.  Be vulnerable.  We can’t fight our battles alone, and iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
8. Seek out a mentor.  Everyone can use a Christian mentor.  My mentor is a generation ahead of me and has lived the Christian life much longer.  I go to him for advice when I need it.  Sometimes I just will text him.  Other times we meet up for lunch or coffee.  The point is I know he is there for me when I need help.
9. Seek out a mentee.  I love pouring into the next generation!  Find someone who is younger in their Christian walk and guide them.  Do a Bible study together.  Check in on their progress throughout the week.  Be there for those hard questions and give advice when needed. 
10. Explore the free Bible app on YouVersion.  YouVersion provides devotions, videos, guided prayer and scripture, connections with friends, verse of the day, and numerous translations of the Bible to read and analyze.  You can do group Bible studies or just study the Word by yourself.  I start every day with YouVersion!

Don’t procrastinate.  Take that next step.  Wherever the Lord needs you to go, be willing to try something new. 

Challenge: Which idea above sounds tangible for you to try?  Give it a shot!  Or if the Holy Spirit is leading you elsewhere with another idea, don’t hesitate to follow. 

Bible study: Read Acts 2 and journal about or discuss the following questions …

1. Describe what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. 
2. How would they have felt being able to speak different languages?
3. What was the heart of Peter’s first sermon preached here?
4. How did the believers stay unified?
5. Where is the Holy Spirit nudging you?
6. How will you follow?

Song application: “I’d Do It Again” by Andrew Ripp

I still remember the bread and the wine
Knowin’ that I would soon give up my life
The ache of betrayal, the kiss of a friend
And child, if I had to I’d do it again

I still remember the sting of the thorns
The weight of the cross that my shoulders bore
The sound of the nails when they pierced through my skin
And child, if I had to I’d do it again

‘Cause there’s no distance too far
No pain too great
There’s no grave too dark
No hell I won’t pay

The proof that it’s finished
Is here in my hands
I know I don’t have to, child
But oh for you I’d do it again

Just for fun: I was given five plastic eggs for each of my boys to set out in the yard for an egg hunt.  After cunningly hiding each one, the boys came out to find their eggs.  Problem: I hid one of my oldest’s eggs so well that he couldn’t find it.  The entire family combed through the yard to help.  Nothing.  I have no clue how much money was inside that last egg, but if the lawn guy finds it, he might be getting a decent tip.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Help me listen to it so I can discover the new things you have planned for me.  Amen.