Pentecost: 'the Holy Spirit Is Given'

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The Day of Pentecost (vs 1a)

(2). The Coming of the Spirit (vs 2-4)

(3). The Reaction of the Crowd (vs 5-13)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Happy Birthday is probably the best-known song,

• In the English-speaking world,

• It was written in 1893 by two sisters,

• Mildred & Patty Hill.

• Mildred came up with the tune,

• Patty added the words.

• They were nursery (kinder garden) teachers,

• In Kentucky, USA.

• And the song was published in the songbook,

• ‘Song Stories for the Kindergarten.’

• Originally the words were:

• “Good morning to you, good morning to you,

• Good morning, dear children, good morning to you”.

• But later the words were changed to, “Happy birthday to you!”

• And the rest as they say is history.

• The song is copyrighted,

• To New York accountant J.F. Sengstack,

• Who receives about £2 million a year in royalties.

• TRANSITION:

• Today is the birthday of the Church.

• 2,000 years ago, the Church was born.

• Church in the New Testament always refers to people, to believers, never buildings!

• Buildings came later but Church is always people.

Ill:

• Question: Anyone know who this picture is?

• Answer: William Tyndale.

• He produced the first English Bible from original languages.

• John Wycliffe produced the first English Bible,

• But he translated from Latin into English.

• Tyndale went further back.

• In his New Testament (first published in English in 1526),

• And his complete translation of the Bible by 1534.

Ill:

• One thing that upset the religious authorities of his day,

• Was how he translated certain words.

• i.e. He used the English word, ‘repentance’ instead of ‘penance’.

• And instead of the word, ‘Church’,

• He celebrity chose the word, ‘congregation.’’

• “On this rock that I will build my congregation.”

• TRANSITION:

• Church in the New Testament always refers to people,

• To believers, and never to buildings!

• Buildings came later but Church is always people.

• And it started in this chapter with 3,000 coming to faith.

But people are weak,

• i.e. we often use the expression, “I’m only human.”

• i.e. Or ‘The body is willing but the flesh is weak”

• God knew that left to our own devices we would all fail.

• Therefore, his Church would fail.

• But if each Christian can be powered by God’s Holy Spirit,

• Then they can succeed,

• They can be strong, and they can live victorious lives.

• So, God sent the Holy Spirit to his Church, his people.

• To change them from the inside out!

• To bring lasting transformation.

• Remember there is a clue in the name, ‘HOLY Spirit,’

• God wants us to be holy, pure, set apart from the world.

• Different morals, different values, different behaviour!

Quote: Tim Downs

“Watches, cars and Christians can all look chromed and shiny.

But watches don't tick, cars don't go, and Christians don't make a difference without insides.

For a Christian, that's the Holy Spirit”.

• So, for these failed disciples to be turned around,

• For these weak disciples to be made strong and courageous,

• They must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Note:

• Jesus has taught & spoken about the Holy Spirit before.

• In the gospel of John (John chapters 14-16),

• We have recorded three chapters teaching about the H.S.

• And the the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of the believer.

• Now remember that up to this point,

• The disciples had only seen the Holy Spirit externally.

• But at Pentecost they would experience him internally.

• e.g., Jesus told them; “He will be in you”.

The second chapter in the book of Acts:

• Is the fulfilment of the promise Jesus made.

• When he promised that ‘another helper’ (‘The Spirit of truth’),

• Would come to them.

• In Acts chapter 1 verses 5 & 8a,

• Jesus again repeats his promise regarding this ‘helper,’

• The Holy Spirit,

• And here in Acts chapter 2 verses 1-13,

• On what will be the very first Pentecost Sunday,

• He kept his promise!

Now don’t forget that this is not merely a history lesson,

• Because every Christian,

• Is still living in the good of those events today!

• Whenever a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ,

• At the moment of their conversion,

• God enters their life via the Holy Spirit,

• Who seals them and marks them out.

• e.g., Ephesians chapter 1 verse 13.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”