The Tools of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4
Introduction
The popular Christian author, J.S. Baxter, once said “What God chooses, He cleanses. What God cleanses, He molds. What God molds, He fills. What God fills, He uses.” (J.S. Baxter, http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+2793)
Today’s lesson is really about God’s use and molding of people. He uses men (and women) for the purposes He has in mind. He sets people apart. He molds them and provides them the tools they need. He fills them with His Holy Spirit and uses them to achieve His own objectives. Pentecost was an event that did exactly this.
Through the use of the Apostles, this single event was the birthplace of the church. It was both the time and the place where the Apostles started much of their mission of evangelism. It was a moment of spectacular beginnings by the blessings of the Holy Spirit. This was not an ordinary day, but one of great significance. Through this event, the group of 120 believers multiplied dramatically as they grew to over 3,000. To put this into perspective, last week, our congregation of 17 talked about growing to 100. To match the Apostles growth rate, we would need a much larger chapel as we would have to grow to well over 500.
It started with a command that Jesus gave to the Apostles before his ascension. Jesus had told them to stay in the city and wait. He promised that they would receive the power from on high. Pentecost was the realization of this prophecy. It was the fulfillment of God’s word through the blessings of the Holy Spirit.
People from many surrounding cities, and even countries, were gathered in the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the religious harvest festival, Pentecost.
50 days after the Passover, this Jewish Thanksgiving was celebrated by the entire community. Where ever you looked, people were crowding the roads and marketplace. Picture the scene, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of people crowded the streets, vendors calling out the prices of their wares looking for another sale, children ran through the crowds filled with the excitement of the day looking for the exciting thrill. With throngs of people all around, the area was ripe for a speaking opportunity.
In the story of Pentecost, we can see that God grabbed the attention of His people through a spectacular series of events. He gave them gifts to use, and expected them to use those gifts. By doing so, He blessed many people, and not just the Apostles.
God grabs people’s attention
First, God chose to grab their attention. When you take a public speaking class, you’re often told that an attention getting step is one of the best ways to keep your audience focused on what you want them to hear. People tend to notice when you say something that seems out of place or show something people can look at. I once used a Snicker’s Bar to illustrate the idea that processed food is safer than fruits and vegetables because of the rigorous quality assurance standards and lack of pesticides in the production line. This wasn’t exactly what the audience was expecting, so it grabbed their attention as they wanted to hear the rest of the argument. Using a visual example in addition to speaking helps solidify what you’re saying by attacking more than one of your senses at the same time: sight as well a hearing. Using examples that are unexpected, such as junk food is better than fresh fruit, often will grab the attention of those around you because they are not the norm. The Holy Spirit used His own attention getting step.
The Apostles were gathered in prayer to find a replacement for Judas and bring their numbers back to 12. Two men were considered for the post. They prayed, and eventually, they decided to allow God the decision by casting lots to determine the replacement. The lot fell to Matthias and he was chosen to join the eleven.
Suddenly and without warning, the roar of a mighty wind erupted in the upper room where they were gathered, filling the whole house. Tongues of fire seemed to descend on each of the people as each was marked and set aside for His purposes. Both of these were signs of God’s power: audible through the roaring wind and visual with the tongues of fire.
This is an extreme example of how God can grab the attention of people. He still does this today, but not in the same way. Through my travels, I have encountered numerous Christian people from various cultures and various languages. Many of them have spoken about having a feeling that they should do something. About 10 years ago, I had such an experience. My wife, Lina, and I had been trying to have a child for over 6 years. Along the way, we experienced the loss of 4 miscarriages and a still birth. Since the age of 13, God had placed on my heart that I should join the ministry. But, I always pushed that idea aside. However, this one evening, it appeared that Lina might be pregnant. With hope again raising its’ head, I prayed that if God showed me that she was pregnant within 48 hours that I would become a pastor. The news came faster than we expected and we had confirmation from a hospital in 12 hours. God grabs your attention like that sometimes. He reaches out to you when you least expect it and taps on your heart. He calls you to do something because he has a purpose. He wants you to listen to His voice.
God gives gifts to His people
But grabbing our attention is only the first step. Along with tapping our heart, he gives us the tools to take on the challenges ahead.
In addition to the sound of the wind and the images of the tongues of fire another miracle was about to occur. The Holy Spirit descended on and filled each of the Apostles with His glory. In doing so, they received a very special and personal gift of tongues. They began to speak languages they had never spoken before. They spoke in phrases understood by people within the crowd. They reached out with words they previously did not know. But, they didn’t do this privately.
With the great multitude or people gathering for the celebration of the Jewish Harvest, crowds were present everywhere. Men and women from were moving throughout the city of Jerusalem. Filled with the Spirit, each of them began to address and proclaim the wonders of God. They began to evangelize and explain the truth of the Gospel. They began to address the crowds and help them learn the truth about Jesus.
The speaking of tongues was not for the benefit of the speakers. They already received the message. The Holy Spirit filled them with His presence and much more. They were speaking to God fearing people, delivering a message that no-one was expecting. The people listened, and many accepted the message that they heard.
God expects His people to use their gifts
God expected the Apostles to use these gifts rather than keep them to themselves. The Holy Spirit came to reach out to the masses. He expected the Apostles to use the language gift and reach out to the masses that were circulating throughout the city. The Apostles spoke their own tongues, but through the gift of the Holy Spirit they were able to speak in a language that was not familiar to them and reach out to the crowds and not just those from the local area and language.
There was no secret message here. Instead, there was communication that was understood by the masses. The people understood the message in their own language. What better way to communicate a message than in your own native tongue. That’s exactly why we use translations of the Bible today; it’s easier for us to understand and reflect on.
The crowd paid attention to what was said. With the message delivered, the results became apparent. Not only were people listening, but they thought about what was said. They listened and they believed what they heard because the truth resounded. They were enthralled by the message and accepted it their own. The Holy Spirit made this mission possible. Later in this same chapter of acts, we read that about 3,000 accepted the words of the Apostles and became believers by both believing and becoming baptized. The church exploded in growth and continued it’s spread across Eurasia.
Conclusion
God grabs the attention of His people. He gives gifts to his people, and expects people to use the gifts they receive.
The Holy Spirit chooses when to come and to whom He will come. In the case of the Apostles, they had no idea that the Holy Spirit was going to greet them this day. They were gathered for a purpose, to pick a 12th member. There were there seeking the will of God through prayer and fellowship, all in honor of the purposes that God had in mind and not for themselves.
When you least expect it, there God is. When you least expect it, He will show you His power to grab your attention. When you least expect it, God will tap your heart and lead you in some certain direction. Some of you may be feeling that tap today. Listen to the Spirit. Others may have felt the tap in the past. Pay attention to where God leads you. Many of us will feel a gentle nudge in the future. Follow the example of the Apostles and pray for guidance and follow God’s lead.
When our gifts are know, and the need is apparent, there God is waiting for us to act. When the tugs on our heart pull us to places we’ve never been, there we discover new gifts we never knew we had. Just a Matthias was chosen as a new Apostle, we too may be pulled into roles we weren’t expecting. Be ready to let God equip us to take on the challenges.
God gives us all gifts. Some of us are good listeners. Others are good speakers. Some are talented musicians. Others tireless workers. All of us have a place in His kingdom. All of us have something to offer. All of us are God’s children. All of us are blessed by the Holy Spirit.
When you least expect it, you will become God’s tool.
Amen.
