Introduction: Last week we looked at the promise that was to come. Jesus had promised the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to empower and indwell the believers.
This week we will look at the results when his plan is followed and fulfilled. Once the Holy Spirit came, the Great Commission was not given again in Scripture. However, we as Christians need to remind ourselves of our primary task from time to time.
I. The Promise Fulfilled (vv. 1-4)
A. Exp:
1. The Feast of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover.
a) Jesus had spent forty days with them giving them proof that he was resurrected.
b) They waited another ten days for the promise to come
2. The disciples gathered together to wait for the promise of Jesus.
a) They stayed together in one place praying and waiting.
b) They waited for some fulfillment of the promise.
3. The Spirit came with a sound like a rushing wind—an audible presence.
4. A column of fire appeared and divided among the believers (EGT v. 2. 72).
a) A visible presence.
b) The single column of fire divided and came to rest on them
5. They began speaking with other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
B. Illus:
When the Israelites left Egypt, God accompanied them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. That pillar physically showed then the presence of God was there. When the pillar moved, the Israelites broke camp and followed it until is came to rest. Then they set up camp there. A cloud also filled the Temple at its consecration.
C. Appl:
1. This supernatural power transformed the lives of the disciples.
2. This phenomenon showed that now the Spirit of God dwelt within them as when Christ promised that the Spirit would indwell them.
3. John 7:37-39
4. John 14:17
II. The Power Fulfilled (vv. 5-13)
A. Exp:
1. Jews from all over the known world were present during the feast.
2. The sound of the rushing wind drew a crowd.
3. All the disciples began to tell about the wonders of God in languages that they had not learned.
a) “Hetero—” tongues, Of a different kind.
b) All the disciples participated.
4. These were real human languages, not “angelic.”
a) They were intelligible and
b) They were recognized languages.
c) Luke listed about 15 languages here, each with its own vocabulary and grammar.
d) The disciples had not been studying language for ten days to be able to do this.
e) It was a miracle, a reversal of the Tower of Babel.
5. Those who were spiritually receptive continued to ask questions.
6. The others merely mocked them.
B. Illus:
1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
C. Appl:
1. We can only tell what we know and have experienced.
2. We are to show forth God’s praises.
3. Some will be receptive. Others will mock and condemn us.
III. The Plan Fulfilled (vv. 14-41)
A. Exp:
1. Peter stood up to preach the first sermon of the Christian Church (v. 14)
2. He explained what they were witnessing (v. 15).
3. He explained the biblical basis for it (vv. 16-36).
4. He explained what they needed to do to be saved (vv. 37-40).
a) He exhorted them to be saved from that generation.
b) He expected Jews to repent as much as anybody else. They were not already saved because they were Jews
B. Illus:
C. Appl:
1. The church was born that day as three thousand people came pouring in.
2. It resulted from the combined effort of the people and Peter under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit.
3. We need to return to that plan today.
Conclusion: All believers empowered to share Christ. The churched launched with three thousand people in one day.
Christ gave us a plan to follow to see his kingdom grow. It is through evangelism. That is his only plan. We need to follow it today.
Handout:
Introduction:
I. The ________________ Fulfilled (vv. 1-4)
What resources did they have?
What did the cloven tongues mean?
What resources do we have today?
II. The ________________ Fulfilled (vv. 5-13)
What did the disciples do when they were filled with the Spirit?
What are two characteristics that define a language?
What are we supposed to do as believers? How, specifically?
III. The ________________ Fulfilled (vv. 14-41)
Who played a part in the first sermon of the church?
What did Peter call the people to do?
How is that important in evangelism today?
Conclusion: Based on this message, what does God want me to do?
