"Looking For Some Empty Vessels!”

Intro: From these passages I find more than a story of the sustaining power of God, but I see this event as a type of prophecy to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost as prophesied by the latter prophet Joel in 2:28 and the fulfillment on the day of Pentecost. Today I want to talk to you about “Looking for some empty vessels”, in this day in time we are truly living in what the Bible called “perilous times” in 2 Timothy 3:1. We are seeing a greater increase in evil and perversion among man, at an alarming and sometimes overwhelming rate. We find Satan hard at work attacking the young and old alike, for he knows his time is short, and he is not holding anything back. The church and the Saints of God are not exempt from these attacks either; we find a great weakening process developing among the church and a great fallen away of lay and clergyman alike. Where there was once power we now find ceremonial ritual and ecclesiastic order, “A form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof.” But I’m here to tell you today it is not to be so, for God is looking for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness to be filled with His oil and carry the message of the saving and healing power of Jesus Christ to all the world from the utter most to the gutter most. It’s time for the church to come alive again, thou slumbering giant “WAKE UP!” and be filled with His oil, oh that’s right I’m talking about the Holy Ghost, not tongues but more than tongues, I’m talking about being baptized in the Holy Ghost and FIRE!

I. So what is this baptism and filling of the Holy Ghost and Fire?

A. First off John said of Jesus in Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

1. In the book of Acts we see that this very word regarding the baptism in the Holy Ghost was fulfilled for it says Acts 2:1 ¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2. In Peters reply to those who looked upon these men as drunkards said in Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

3. The very same Spirit that was in Christ was now readily available to the believers for Jesus said in John 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. (15) ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments. (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. (18) ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

4. John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

B. Many believe that once they are saved they have the Holy Ghost.

1. And they are half right in there thinking for it is by the Spirit we receive Christ as our personal savior for in Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. A person cannot be as Christian without receiving the indwelling of the Spirit; for Jesus said to Nicodemus concerning the New Birth in John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.