The book of Acts which was written by Luke shows us how Christianity becomes established in Jerusalem.  Not only does it shows us how Christianity was established it shows us how the faith then spreads to other people and cultures.  The book of Acts is positioned between the Gospels and the Epistles. In essence the book of Acts represents a bridge or the transitioning taking place in the lives of the disciples and those they’ve impacted.  Throughout the books we see peoples lives transitioning. 

We have Saul who transitioned from killer of Jews to become Paul and a follower of the way.

We have Peter who transitioned from denying Jesus to becoming a leader for the cause. 

We have Jesus who transitioned from working on earth to the seat in Heaven.

We have the Holy Spirit who transitioned Heaven to working and operating here on earth.

As I thought about the transitions taking place in Acts I thought about transitions is taking place in the world today. 

We are transitioning from a cash society to becoming a cashless society.

We are transitioning from tellers at the checkout lines to self-checkouts

We are transitioning from

As I thought about this some more it made me realized that I’m speaking to a church of people who’s transitioning in your personal life.

Someone is transitioning from living paycheck to paycheck to a millionaire status

Someone is transitioning from being single to meeting the mate of their dreams

Someone is transitioning from dealing with sickness to being healthy and whole. 

The bible says in Isaiah 43 “18 Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. 19 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

God is transitioning your marriage, your job, your business we are going into God manifesting things that you forgot about. 

Tell your neighbor I’m transitioning

When you look at the book of Acts you will see that they didn’t transition utilizing their own strength, they transitioned and became successful because God anointed them to do the things he called them to do. 

Ceremonial anointing in the Old Testament was a physical act involving the smearing, rubbing, or pouring of sacred oil on someone’s head (or on an object).  It was an outward symbol that God had chosen and set apart the person (or object) for a specific holy purpose.  Now when you give your life to Christ the next thing you want to happen is the anointing/holy spirit to dwell in you to help you achieve the task he’s called you to do.  You are anointed not just to play keyboards, not just to preach, but you’re anointed to be a parent, you’re anointed to be an accountant, you’re anointed to be a business owner, a teacher, whatever your professional God has anointed you for that task. 

Point 1 You’re Anointed even with Opposition

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

After spending the night in jail, Peter and John are brought before the council to explain their actions to the council.  You will see here dear brothers and sisters this a great opposition that has come to confront Peter and John.  Now things became bad for Peter and John because the people who were following the customs of the Roman empire began to switch to the new Christian religion.  Was what they doing a good thing? Yes. Did people experience breakthrough because of what they were doing? Yes.  Did families get restored because of what they were doing? Yes.  Was someone able to become a productive citizen? Yes.  Despite all the positive things taking place because of these men and the Christian religion people still hated on them.  You can feed the poor, heal the sick, raise the dead, get a person out of debt and people will still hate on you.  Dear brothers and sisters don’t allow the opposition that you face make you think you’re not anointed because no matter what people do they can’t stop what God is doing in your life.  They tried to stop Joseph and it didn’t work, they tried to stop Moses and it didn’t work, they tried to stop Peter and it didn’t work and dear brothers and sisters they can’t stop you.  The can try to slow you down but they can’t stop. Be prepared and embrace opposition and doubters no matter who you are.  Don’t be naïve to think you don’t have enemies because trust me there’s someone who doesn’t like you and wants you to quit. 

Point 2 You’re Anointed despite being Ordinary

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”  8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

The question was asked by what power have you done this.  In order to understand this question you have to keep in mind they are talking to individuals whose used to taking orders and not only used to taking orders these are individuals who are ranked people high on the totem pole.  They have titles and accolades and they don’t understand how people such as Peter and John do what they are doing.  Because they were just ordinary men.  They didn’t have the look, they didn’t have the resources, they didn’t have the language, but what they did have was a willing heart.  Dear brother’s and sisters you keep saying what you’re not when it comes to skills and abilities but God is saying – are you willing. 

In the bible

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

~ Elijah was suicidal but willing

~ Jonah ran from God but willing

~ Naomi was a widow but willing

~ Job went bankrupt but willing

My English and writing might not be the best but I’m willing.  God is looking for men and women whose ordinary but also willing.  The anointing fell on these people and they didn’t powerful things, 

The holy spirit fell on the men of God so they could heal one person. The Holy Spirit fell on one person so they could impact your life.  Dear brothers and sisters if you were the only person needing salvation, Jesus would’ve died on the cross just for you. That’s how much God loves you.  The Spirit is not given in part, He does not come in portions or doses, and He is not taken away. We have the promise that “his divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”

Point 3 You’re Anointed for the Opportunity

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

To fully understand where we are in these verses, we need to look back for just a moment. In chapter 3, Peter and John were going up into the Temple to worship at the time of the evening sacrifice, about 3 PM. As they were passing through the Beautiful Gate, they met a crippled man who had been lain there so that he might beg for pennies from the people who were headed to the Temple to worship. Instead of giving this man a few coins and passing right on by, Peter takes him by the hand and heals him in the name of Jesus.  Dear brothers and sisters these guys realized that the Holy Spirit rested on them not just to shout, not just to run, but to do things for the kingdom. You’re anointed to run a business and witness to someone, you’re anointed to be a parent and witness to someone, you’re anointed to be a secretary and witness to someone, you’re anointed to be a great mate and witness someone.  There will be opportunities coming to you career you further personally but it’s also an opportunity to tell someone about the goodness of Jesus.