Part 24 - God's New Kingdom Spreads - The Big Picture Story Bible

Summary3 min read

The Big Picture Story Bible — Part 24: God’s New Kingdom Spreads

Podcast: The Big Picture Story Bible
Host: Crossway
Narrator: David Helm
Episode Date: April 28, 2020

Episode Overview

This episode, "God’s New Kingdom Spreads," retells the story from Acts about the birth and exponential growth of the early Christian church. Focusing on Jesus’s followers in the days after His resurrection, it explains how the promise of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled, igniting the worldwide spread of God’s kingdom and transforming people from all nations into followers of Jesus as their King.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jesus Prepares His Followers (00:00–01:00)

After His resurrection, Jesus spends 40 days teaching His followers about the Kingdom of God.
He commissions them for “kingdom work” and promises them a special helper—the Holy Spirit.
- “He told his chosen followers that they had kingdom work to do. He said that although he must go away for a time, they must wait for a gift he would send to help them do that work.” (00:10)

2. The Ascension and Waiting for the Gift (01:00–01:30)

Jesus ascends to heaven, taking “his throne” and beginning his “kingly rule.”
The disciples return to Jerusalem and wait “and waited and waited” for the promised Holy Spirit.

3. The Arrival of the Holy Spirit (01:30–02:30)

After ten days, a dramatic event occurs:
- “There was a loud sound, like the wind blowing. It came from heaven and filled the room. Then they saw something. Little flames of fire floated overhead and came to rest on each of them.” (01:40)
The disciples begin praising God in languages they had never learned—indicating the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
- “They were praising God in languages that they had never learned. The promised gift. The Holy Spirit had come to them.” (01:55)

4. The Crowd Reacts, Peter Speaks (02:30–03:30)

Bystanders notice the commotion and are bewildered; some even suspect drunkenness.
Peter addresses the crowd, boldly explaining the fulfillment of prophecy.
- “These men are not drunk as you suppose.” (Peter, 02:35)
- “He told them of the prophets who had said God would send his spirit. He told them of Jesus’ death and how God had raised him to life again. He told them to repent and to believe in God’s forever king.” (02:40–03:00)

5. The Kingdom Spreads (03:30–End)

Peter’s message impacts the listeners deeply: many “confessed their sins and believed.”
- “On that special day, God’s spirit gave new life to many. God’s people were growing in number again.” (03:20)
The good news spreads further—outward from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and even to Rome through the apostle Paul.
- “Far and near. People from every nation were beginning to follow Jesus as their king.” (03:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Then they heard something. There was a loud sound, like the wind blowing. It came from heaven and filled the room.” (01:40)
“Little flames of fire floated overhead and came to rest on each of them. Then they said something. They were praising God in languages that they had never learned. The promised gift. The Holy Spirit had come to them.” (01:50–01:57)
Peter: “These men are not drunk as you suppose.” (02:35)
“On that special day, God’s spirit gave new life to many. God’s people were growing in number again.” (03:20)
“The good news spread and spread and spread.” (03:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00—01:00: Jesus’s Resurrection Appearances and Kingdom Instructions
01:00—01:30: Ascension and Waiting for the Holy Spirit
01:30—02:30: Pentecost—Arrival of the Holy Spirit
02:30—03:30: Peter’s Sermon and New Believers
03:30—End: The Gospel Spreads to All Nations

Episode Tone and Language

The narration maintains a simple, vivid, and storytelling tone—perfect for children and families. The language is accessible, engaging, and focuses on the excitement of the early spreading of the Christian faith.

Summary:
This episode powerfully recounts how, after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension, the promised Holy Spirit transforms His followers and empowers them to begin spreading the message of God’s kingdom far beyond Jerusalem. Through Peter’s bold sermon and the apostles’ faithful witness, “God’s people were growing in number again,” and the good news of Jesus as King begins its journey across the world.

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Part 24 God's new kingdom Spreads. For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus taught about God's kingdom. He told his chosen followers that they had kingdom work to do. He said that although he must go away for a time, they must wait for a gift he would send to help them do that work. And then suddenly, Jesus left them. He was lifted up into the sky. He took his throne in heaven and began his kingly rule. His followers went back to Jerusalem and waited. They waited and waited for the promised gift. Ten days passed. And then they heard something. There was a loud sound, like the wind blowing. It came from heaven and filled the room. Then they saw something. Little flames of fire floated overhead and came to rest on each of them. Then they said something. They were praising God in languages that they had never learned. The promised gift. The Holy Spirit had come to them. Other people also heard the wind and the voices. But they did not recognize the Holy Spirit. They wondered if Jesus followers were drunk. Peter raised his voice and spoke. These men are not drunk as you suppose. He told them of the prophets who had said God would send his spirit. He told them of Jesus death and how God had raised him to life again. He told them to repent and to believe in God's forever king. This news entered into their hearts. Many confessed their sins and believed. On that special day, God's spirit gave new life to many. God's people were growing in number again. And as the good news of God's kingdom spread, still more people repented and believed. The good News spread and spread and spread. The word that was preached in Jerusalem went out all across the land. It spread to people in Judea. It spread to Samaria, too. Later, the apostle Paul spread it as far away as Rome. Far and near. People from every nation were beginning to follow Jesus as their king.