The Unfinished Work of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4Amp
The book of Acts is the only unfinished book of the Bible. The reason is this: “the Holy Spirit is still working to bring about the completion of the task assigned to Him on the day of Pentecost.”
Acts 2:1-4AMP And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place,
2 When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit [a]kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].
The book of Acts doesn’t end with any benediction nor closure. Listen to the last two verses.
Acts 28:30-31NKJ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
There’s a hilarious story about a couple of nuns who worked in the hospital, who ran out of gas while driving to work one morning. A service station was nearby, but they had no gas container. Suddenly, one of them remembered a bedpan was in the trunk of the car. The gas was put into the pan and they carried it very carefully back to the car. As the nuns were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the gas tank, two men were driving by. Staring in disbelief, one said to the other, “Now, Fred, that’s what I call faith!”
So what’s the moral of the story? “What appears to be foolish isn’t. Those doubters just didn’t know the truth.” (And boy were they ever surprised when those two nuns went roaring by them on the freeway!)
Presently, “What is the job of the Holy Spirit?” He is to create the “perfect man.”
Ephesians 4:13NIV until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:13TM until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
“Presently, I believe, we are in the midst of the final stages of that glorious work.”
Hear this, “One of the biggest mistakes we make is comparing ourselves with someone else and concluding that because we don’t have their particular talents, we ‘don’t have what it takes.”
One day, God said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” Moses replied, “A rod” (Exodus 4:2). Just a walking stick, no big deal. Really? God used it to dry up the Red Sea!
“Understand this, God can take what you’ve had all your life, and make something great out of it!”
Ephesians 3:20Amp Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—
Listen, “it takes faith to see walking sticks and bedpans as tools of faith!”
Acts 16:2NKJ Paul say’s “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They said, “Holy Spirit? We have never heard of that?”
Can I remind you that the Holy Spirit had an unfinished work within these twelve followers of John, and He has an unfinished work within you.
He wants to unleash His presence within you!
He wants to teach you.
He wants to drive the car.
He wants to live big in you. (Living large.)
He wants to bring conviction, favor and blessings.
No lack- He will teach you.
He will anoint you for others.
Acts 16:6NKJ And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
After the infilling of the Spirit of Acts 2, the Holy Spirit brought a new anointing to preach, and to bring salvation unto the lost.
Acts 2: 42-47Amp And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers.
43 And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).
44 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;
45 And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.
46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].
The unfinished work of the Holy Spirit begins inside you, and in return, you will live for others.
Benediction.
