Enjoy reading the Seeker Sensitive version of the Bible!

In my series, 10 Threats to Revival, last night I shared on threat #5: The Seeker Sensitive Movement. God broke out in power during the service. I’d highly recommend you listen to it here: http://media.johnburton.net/5464525 

Acts 2: Seeker Sensitive Version

Disclosure: Not an accurate translation

The First Seeker Church is Born

Acts 2:1-47 (SSV) ¹ When the day of fellowship arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from the espresso machine a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and the aroma of ground, organic coffee beans filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And the warmth of friendship touched each one of them. ⁴ And they were all appreciative of the Holy Spirit and began to speak about the challenges of life as their human spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ Now there were dwelling in the nation religious people, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak about the same life issues as they had. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking church goers? ⁸ And how is it that we hear them talking about the same things we talk about? ⁹ Chicago and Los Angeles and South Carolina and residents of Dallas, Denver and Orlando, Kansas City and Paris, ¹⁰ London and Amsterdam, Switzerland and the parts of Tijuana belonging to Mexico, and visitors from Australia, ¹¹ both church goers and seekers, Americans and Europeans—we hear them asking in our own words their questions about God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They have had way too much coffee.” ¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of America and all who dwell in Detroit, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not over-caffeinated, as you suppose, since the coffee bar has only been open a short time. ¹⁶ But this is what was uttered through the story teller and great motivator Joel: ¹⁷ “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will encourage human wisdom to be poured out, and your sons and your daughters shall share relevant stories, and your young men shall create media presentations, and your old men shall not get in the way; ¹⁸ even on my guys and gals in those days I will give them new fashion sense, and they shall be hipsters. ¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, light shows, and pyrotechnics, and smoke machines; ²⁰ Sunday School stories will be told about the sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the hard to believe, but great and magnificent day. ²¹ And it shall come to pass that the mention of salvation will be subtle and culturally relevant.’ ²² “Men of America, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty human difficulties that he overcame, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, happily traded his life for yours. ²⁴ God raised him up, as you have witnessed in your Easter stage productions. ²⁵ For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, with great encouraging principles to help me stay strong; ²⁶ therefore I was thrilled and really happy; my flesh also will dwell in hope. ²⁷ For you, we don’t want to talk too much about Hell, which shouldn’t be a concern. ²⁸ You have made known to me the six step plan for a happier life; you will make me full of gladness with your principles of victorious living.’ ²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the old guy David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a great motivator, and knowing that God promised that he would set someone in his family in his position, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the suspenseful drama of Jesus, and because of this you can be happy. ³² This Jesus God really appreciates, just like he appreciates you. ³³ Hanging out with his Dad, and having received from him awesome wisdom, he has poured this out that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For David couldn’t see into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “let’s hang out, ³⁵ you have no more problems at all.”’ ³⁶ Let all the Christians therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who traded his life for yours.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this they were happily encouraged, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “This is pretty cool, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Simply know that God appreciates you just like you are and, over time, you will slowly start walking the direction he walks, and you will receive the gift of understanding and awesome living. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Make better choices than the others in this culture.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word received a free latte, and there were added that day about three thousand church attenders. ⁴² And they devoted themselves to the life coach’s stories and hanging out together at the mall, to the buffets and the low key talks about God. ⁴³ And apathy came upon every soul, and no wonders or signs were being done through them. ⁴⁴ And all who had questions were together and focused on happiness. ⁴⁵ And they were buying new possessions and belongings and giving to social causes as they felt led. ⁴⁶ And once or twice a month, listening to the leader’s stories together and watching football in their homes, they enjoyed eating, ⁴⁷ thinking about God and being pretty much the same as all the other people in the world. And they added to their number day by day those who were being anesthetized.

Another Disclosure: This is really, really not an accurate translation. Thank God.

Here’s the real version. Notice any difference?

Acts 2:1-47 (ESV) ¹ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” ¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ¹⁷ “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; ¹⁸ even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. ¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; ²⁰ the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. ²¹ And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; ²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. ²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. ²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ ²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³ Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, ³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ ³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. ⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.