“Wind”
Acts 8:14-17
INTRODUCTION
Tornado’s are one of the most powerful forces in nature. They are a violent wind that is unstoppable. A tornado goes where the wind leads is and nothing gets in the way.
The coming of the Holy Spirit is described that way in Acts 2.
Acts 2:2-3
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Our fourth and final metaphor reminds us of this truth.
EVERY FOLLOWER IS DESTINED TO BECOME ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE WIND—FILLED AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 8:14-17
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
NIV
EVERY FOLLOWER IS DESTINED TO BECOME ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE WIND—FILLED AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Becoming Children of the Wind
I -- is Identifiable
Acts 8:15-17
15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
NIV
Most of us could not tell the difference between a Stradivarius and any other violin but a Strad is special. We can measure the instruments' varying lengths (a little more than 14 inches), depths (about 11/4 inch), and width. Even a marginally talented copyist can make a violin with the specs of a Stradivarius. Yet no one has been able to make an instrument that yields the extraordinary tonal quality of a Strad. A Stradivarius is identifiable.
A -- Fruit is evident
B -- Power is evident
Manifests itself in certain dominant desires.
Desire to be holy.
Desire to see the honor of God advanced through his life even if it means that he himself must suffer temporary dishonor or loss.
Desire to carry his cross.
Desire to see others advance at his expense.
Desire to see the Kingdom advance more than self advancement.
Desire to be making a daily impact
Are identified as being filled with the Holy Spirit?
Becoming a Child of the Wind
II -- is enviable
Acts 8:13
13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Two cows were grazing in a pasture when they saw a milk truck pass. On the side of the truck were the words, "Pasteurized, homogenized, standardized, vitamin A added."
One cow sighed and said to the other, "Makes you feel sort of inadequate, doesn't it?"
A -- Hunger for what they have
B -- Seek for what they have
If we don’t hunger and seek for the spirit filled life, then something is wrong.
As a family was finishing dinner, the eight-year-old daughter left six green beans on her plate. She normally ate her veggies, and her dad did not usually allow this sort of thing to bother him, but this night he was irked and said to her, "Eat your green beans."
She replied, "Dad, I'm full to the top."
"You won't pop," he responded.
"Yes, I will pop!" she said.
"Risk it!" he said. "It will be okay."
"Dad, I could not eat another bite."
The dad knew that night they were having her favorite dessert, pumpkin pie squares. So he asked, "How would you like a double helping of pumpkin pie squares with two dollops of whipped cream on top?"
"That sounds great!" she responded as she pushed her plate back, ready for dessert.
"How can you have room for a double helping of pumpkin pie squares with two dollops of whipped cream, and not have room for six measly green beans?"
Because beans are beans and pie is dessert!"
Citation: Ron Willoughby, Augusta, Georgia. Leadership, Vol. 17, no. 3
What are you hungry for?
If you are not hungry for the spirit filled life then something is wrong.
Becoming a Child of the Wind
I – Is obtainable
A -- It cannot be bargain for.
Acts 8:20-21
20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
NIV
A wealthy oil man in Houston was trying to sort his ideas about prosperity theology. He put it down in a little poem called "An Offer God Can't Refuse." It deals with this tension of ownership.
"You know, God, I've been thinking, and I hope that I'm not wrong.
I think I got it figured out, how we can get along. There's certain things you gotta have and things that I need too, so I got a proposition; tell you what I'm gonna do.
The things that I'm hearing and the word all over town is that your overhead is up and that your income is coming down.
I don't mean no disrespect. I hope I don't sound brash, but with the praise and glory, I think you could use some cash.
So I got this little acreage in the Gulf of Mexico.
I'm sure there's oil there somewhere, but just where I do not know.
So here's what you can do for me, within your sovereign will: send a vision, send a sign, just how me where to drill.
Then when the oil comes gushing in, (you're ready for a laugh?) some might offer ten percent, but me, I'll offer half.
But wait! It just occurred to me this deal will be a mess.
Where should I send your money? I don't have your home address.
But no, I have the answer, and you'll like it I am sure.
Do you remember how much dough the Pope spent on his tour?
It sent the cardinal sighing, and it made the bishops groan.
It cost about a million a day for a day in San Antone.
And if that was the figure for a day of papal drumming, we'd better lay the groundwork now for Jesus' second coming.
So I'll just keep your share, dear Lord, and it will be just fine.
And until Jesus needs it, Lord, I'll just pretend it's mine."
Citation: Roger Thompson, "A Lifestyle Inventory," Preaching Today, Tape No. 86.
B -- It can only be received received.
O that I might the power receive
The simple life of faith to live,
A stranger by the world unknown,
To live, shut up with Christ alone!
Jesus, my real Life Thou art,
Inspire Thyself into my heart,
And fill'd with purity divine
I live, thro' endless ages thine.
Charles Wesley, The Unpublished Poetry of Charles Wesley, Vol. II
Have you received it?
