“Don’t downplay,” What you have been given!
Acts 2:1-8, 12-18 NKJ.
1. When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting.
3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
8. And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
12. So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13. Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17. ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18. And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy
The Bible tells us, that they had waited just like the Lord had instructed them.
For 50 days, praying and waiting for what was going to happen,
not really knowing what was going to happen, but knowing if it was from God, it would be well worth the wait!
When it finally did happen, it was so magnificent and almost indescribable all at the same time.
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance..”
What they had received that day, they knew it was way to important, for them to keep it to their selves.
That’s why at nine o’clock in the morning, they were taking it to the streets.
It was history right there in the making,
The power of God was on display, like it never had been seen before.
What an awesome display of the power of God it was then, and still is today.
3,000 souls were added to the church that day, it was nothing short of amazing!
They didn’t downplay what they were given that day, it was miraculous and still is today.
They were at the start of the “Great Commission”. The greatest quest ever known to mankind.
The gift of the Holy Spirit gave them power to proclaim The wonderful works of Jesus, like never before!
Everywhere they went, they lifted up the name of Jesus and God was in charge of the results,
Jesus told them to go and they went without question, were they able to cover the whole world?
No, but they covered their whole world and as others were told the word spread even more throughout the world,
the message and the story of Jesus set captives free, His grace and forgiveness gave hope to a lost and dying world, and still does!
For the message to reach all the world, it had to be shared with all religious sects.
The message of Jesus had to be shared more than just with the Jews,
if it was going to go into all the world.
That’s why it went out, to every dialect that was there on that day, the message had started to go into all the world at that very moment,
The results were tremendous, 3,000 souls were added to the church the very first day the Holy Spirit came on the scene!
The miraculous thing is, We still have the same access to the Holy Spirit that they had access to on the first day of Pentecost!
God is not a respecter of persons, what He freely gave to the 120, He still gives to all who will ask, still some 2,000 yrs. later,
T.B.S. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (and those are God’s words not mine)
The power that came that day to help with the “Great Commission”
is still available to help with the “Great Commission” that still exists today, Praise God!
If we read on into the book of Acts, (and by the way), do you know why its called the book of Acts?
Because it records the acts of the apostles after they received the Gift and infilling of the Holy Spirit!
I like the story of Cornelius that we find in Acts 10:1-6 NKJ
1. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2. a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
3. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4. And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
5. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
Cornelius, was no doubt a religious man who feared God, gave alms to those in need, and prayed regularly to God.
It was probably known around the area, that he was a good and honest man who loved God and had great influence.
One thing he was though, was a devout man. He was devoted to God, he was found faithful and God clearly had plans for him and his family.
Acts 10:24,30-38,44 NKJ
24. And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
30. So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31. and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
32. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33. So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
34. Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37. that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
There are a lot of Cornelius’s in Gods army, Just like he was,
They’ve been going to church all their life, waiting for someone like Peter to tell them that there is more,
There are a lot of people period!, that are waiting for someone to tell them more about the things of God.
To come and share Jesus story with them.
To not worry about what others might think and downplay what they have,
to let them know that there is so much more to a relationship with Jesus then religion will ever tell them!
God is looking for men and women like Peter, that will be faithful to the calling,
To step out in faith, knowing that if God is in it, that He will be right there every step of the way helping them,
thru the presence of the Holy Spirit, filling them with the power and capability to do whatever needs to be done all along the way!
If someone has been a Christian for very long, they know this to be true, TBS. (the bible says) to study to show thyself approved!
We know that we need to be ready to share the word.
Then tell me why, there are so many excuses made, for not sharing what every Christian knows that they should.
Peter, was just telling Cornelius and his household about Jesus and His life,
in other words, he was just lifting up the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit moved on all of them.
Peter did the easy part, God did the hard part, God took care of the results that day,
God always takes care of the results, doesn’t He?!
All we have to do is lift up the name of Jesus, the bible doesn’t say it has to be fancy or eloquent, it just says to do it,
For Pete sakes, Peter doesn’t have anything on us, he was a commercial fisherman just like you see on the T.V. show the biggest catch.
Maybe the only difference is, that he was willing to tell others about Jesus!!!
When you lift up the name of Jesus, TBS. He will draw all men, women, boys and girls, young and old, unto Him!
The question is, Why don’t more Christians do it then?
Well this, well that, well nothing!, the truth is just this!
There are no good excuses, none, nada, zilcho!
And believe you me, I’m sure God has heard them all throughout the years.
There is nothing new under the sun that He hasn’t heard, when it comes to making excuses!
With so many souls at stake, and the fast approaching countdown to the second coming of “Jesus Glorious Return.”
With the Urgency to help fulfill Jesus Great Commission, never being greater in our lifetimes then it is right now.
It makes one wonder, what on earth does it take to motivate someone, to witness and compel others to come to Christ.
If people dying and going to hell doesn’t motivate you, What Will?
It makes you wonder why we downplay so much, what we have to offer to a lost and dying world.
Did you Know, The whole world is looking for answers, to the life that their living,
they may not admit it, but nevertheless they are looking, they‘ve just been looking in all the wrong places for far to long.
We have access to all the answers that their looking for,
We just need to let the world know that they can have the same access that we have!
*If their looking for forgiveness, we can point them to the forgiver of sin, because we know Him and what He did for us on a personal level,
let alone what He did for all mankind, by paying sins debt once and for all, when He died on the cross for all sin! (Praise God!!)
*If their looking for success, we can point them to the maker of all things,
the greatest creator, idea generator, decision maker, trend setter, appointment getter and sales closer, they would ever want to have their team!!
*If health is what they need, we can introduce them to the Healer of every sickness and decease, known to all mankind.
*If finances and prosperity is their goal, we can show them how to get access to the one who owns all the cattle on a thousand hills, as well as all the hills and everything in all the hills.
TBS. If you must brag, then Brag about your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and everything He can do!!
There is not one thing the world is looking for, that we cannot point them to where they will find it!
And that my friend, is at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Risen Son of God!!
Everything and anything that is needed in this world, is found in the finished work that Jesus completed on the old rugged cross,
When He willingly laid down His life for whosoever would believe.
John 3:16 NKJ. Says
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Jesus, already did the hard part, He conquered both sin and death once and for all, the easy part is up to us.
Just tell everyone what we all ready know.
Its way past time to get beyond not being able to share the Gospel of Jesus.
If our generation doesn’t do it, who will?
(pause)
I’m talking about all of us who are alive right now, who already know Him.
TBS. in Matthew 9:36-38 NKJ.
36. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
37. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We have truly been given one of the greatest opportunities (if not the greatest) in the history of the church.
To take as many people with us that we can, to Heaven one day to live forever with Jesus, what an opportunity!!
But as with all great opportunities, one day it will come to an end.
That’s why we need work for the Lord like we never have before, Jesus has made preparations to accommodate as many as will receive Him,
TBS. He would that none should perish and all are welcome!
2 Peter 3:9 NKJ.
9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1st Thessalonians 5:1-3 NKJ.
1. But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
God is a merciful God, but when the trumpet sounds and the eastern sky is split open,
And the King of All Kings returns for His Bride, (that’s everyone who has accepted Jesus as there Lord and Saviour)
will go with Jesus to Heaven, to spend eternity.
Those who haven’t accepted Him, for them it will be to late,
That’s why its so important to not downplay what you have been given,
Tap into the power of the Holy Spirit, that God has freely made available to all who ask.
Your going to need it, just like they needed it on the day of Pentecost,
that’s why God provided it,
Lets pray…
