Sermon Central
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The Day Of Pentecost, Pt. 3 Series
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 6, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Acts Series: 10th Sermon--The Fire: It Purifies, Energizes, and Spreads!
The Day of Pentecost, pt. 3 [the fire!]
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Meticulously we continue for a purpose…this is so imp’t to our church!
We’ve looked at the Price for Pentecost, in great detail, because we want it right here so badly! [don’t we?]
From an OT perspective we looked at the Feast of Pentecost, and now we need to understand from a NT perspective that this was the day it was fully come…Pentecost was fully come, yes, but more specifically, the Holy Spirit was fully come.
On this day the Holy Spirit would come and indwell believers, filling them up, rather than simply “coming upon them”, as in the OT. This was now a permanent filling, it was fully come!
This was the fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Jn. 14, spoken just before His death:
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit was WITH God’s people, after Pentecost the Holy Spirit is IN God’s people!
Last week, 3 reasons the Holy Spirit is symbolized by wind…invisible/irresistible/indispensable…that was in v. 2 A miracle of sound!
Today, the fire, a miracle of sight…v. 3
A flickering flame settled above each of their 120 heads, making them look like human candles! Talk about being on fire for God!!
Why is the Holy Spirit symbolized by fire?
1. Because fire purifies
Num. 31: 23
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean:
He’s talking about burning out the impurities, much like a silversmith putting the precious metal on the fire.
18
Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross [impure]: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. .
22:19
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you…
“I’m gonna burn out the sin that doesn’t belong in you!”
Question: What is God’s #1 goal for our lives?
“I think He wants me to be happy!” [that’s how we feel about our children, right?]
Yes, he wants for us to be happy, fulfilled, abundant…but that’s not His #1 goal for our lives!
“Healthy?” We say to expecting parents, do you want a boy or a girl? Oh, we don’t care, as long as it’s healthy!
Yes, he cares about our physical well being, so much that He often heals or gives the grace needed to cope!…but that’s not His #1 goal for our lives!
God’s #1 God for your life and mine is that we be “Holy”.
More than He wants you to be happy He wants you to be holy! [healthy]
Talking about living a pure life, getting victory over sins which once bound us/a life not bound by sinful addictions/habits/thoughts/actions!
Lev. 11:45
For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
II Cor. 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Heb. 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
I Pet. 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
II Pet. 3:11
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…
Why is the Holy Spirit symbolized by fire? Because one of His great ministries is to burn out the impurities in our lives!/help us live Holy!
He does this in 2 ways:
• Ministry of Conviction
What is it? That still, small voice inside of you that makes you feel uncomfortable when you sin.
John R. Rice/great evangelist, after being saved for many many years was asked if he had gotten to the place where he no longer sinned, said, no, but I’ve gotten to the place where I can’t enjoy it!
As a believer, if you can live in sin w/ no conviction/compulsion/remorse, you had better take a long hard look at your salvation, whether it’s the real thing!
A true Christian cannot be content w/ known sin in their life, because the Holy Spirit will bring conviction! He’s the “invisible fence” in the life of a believer.
