And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42–47 (ESVUK)
Spirit-Led Supernatural Growth (inspired by Lectio 365, June 2025)
Over the last few months, I have been exploring the spiritual blueprints set by the first followers of Jesus, reflecting on how regularly engaging in a few simple practices transformed them, transformed the world in which they lived, and are still transforming us here in the 21st century.
Just to recap, these first followers of “The Way” allowed their lives to be re-formed around the rhythms of:
Devotion to Apostles Teaching until Christ returns
Devotion to Fellowship
Devotion to the Breaking of Bread together
Devotion to Prayer
Allowing themselves to be filled with Awe and Wonder
Today, in this final look at Acts 2:42-47, I would like to explore how following these simple practices can lead to a growing work of the Spirit in our own lives, in our churches, in our time.
For the final time this week, let us take one last look at the words of Acts 2, believing it shows us a model or blueprint for a Spirit-led, supernatural growth for each of us personally as well as our churches, communities and world in which we find ourselves. 119:32–33 (NLT) speaks to us about how God can expand our hearts and understanding: I will pursue your commands, for You expand my understanding. Teach me Your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Psalm As we listen with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we invite the Holy Spirit in us to help reshape the pattern of our lives so that we too will be transformed to be God’s people and have favour with all people, that God would indeed add to our numbers.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42–47 (ESVUK)
Day by day, the Lord added to their number. Salvation arrived to these particular people, in this particular place, through a particular work of the Spirit, and the growth was clear. New members of the community joined each day. The same can be true for us in our day.
As Archbishop William Temple once observed, “The Church exists primarily for the sake of those who are still outside it. The vision must always extend “to the ends of the earth” “
We would do well to pray for the Holy Spirit to show us, where have we grown complacent or settled in our experience of Christian community? Lord, expand our vision today to see your love stretching the edges of our expectations. Highlight the places where we need to wake up to your expanding calling. Does a story come to mind of Spirit-led growth in a community, a people group, or a nation? Let us pray a blessing over them that they would continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and that their community would be supernaturally transformed because of the work the Spirit is doing in their midst
We are reminded by from the Apostle Paul about the way growth comes:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labour. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:6–11 (ESVUK)
Do you long to see growth, life, and the expectation of your community of faith stretched out to receive new followers? Holy Spirit… bring forth new life! This passage shows us growth and life can only come from the foundation of hope found in Jesus Christ. He alone will be the firm foundation from which all growth comes forth. Help us Spirit, to be stretched beyond our limited expectations. Grant us the grace to also become master builders, building communities that are rooted in true teaching, devoted to fellowship, consecrated by communion, committed to prayer, rejoicing in awe and wonder, expecting growth. Day by day, bring new life.
Fondly,
Melody
