Day of Pentecost
Acts chapter 2:1-13
Introduction-
This morning we heard 4 different languages of the Lord’s Prayer to give us an idea of what it must have been like to hear God’s word in your native tongue.
Good morning, Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday.
We sing songs about the Holy Spirit
We invite by prayer God’s presence to our worship service.
If we are to really experience Pentecost, The Holy spirit of God has to dwell inside of a believer.
We send Christmas cards, we send Easter cards, but I have never seen or sent a card wishing anyone a Happy Pentecost or Happy Holy Spirit.
Christmas is important, God coming to mankind. Easter, The resurrection of Christ for the sins of mankind, and what should be important, the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of a believer.
Old Testament book of Joel, stuck between two Minor Prophets Hosea and Amos is the promise of the Holy Spirit of God coming to mankind.
Joel 2 “In the last days, I will pour out my spirit on all people.” (32) “And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Pente- 50
Pentecost is 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, where Jesus ascended into heaven and said that He must go so the comforter (Holy Spirit) could come. Churches change the colors today from white(purity) to red (Holy Spirit)
50 days after the Passover and the birth of the church.
In a minute we will read the text of the 120 waiting on God to fulfill his promise for every believer who desires to have more than just avoiding the flames of Hell but wants the powerful life that Christ promises to believers.
Acts 2:1-2:13 Slow and clear
Peter is reminding them of the promise of Joel that God would pour out His Spirit on all people (all walks of life) to those that desire to live a new and powerful life.
They may have wanted to deny it, down play it, not understood it completely but those that experienced it would never be the same.
Over 3000 were added to God kingdom that day.
He announces the plan of salvation
He walks them through what Christ did on the cross.
Invites them to experience the infilling of His Spirit in their lives.
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Some do not care about God’s Spirit filling them, or (2) they are so hung up on the tongues that they miss that God tells them to seek the filling.
The promise of God is in the filling of His Spirit in our lives.
Where is the fire of God in the church today? Universally? Locally?
Where is the evidence of the power of God working in our lives?
The people of God were given the power of God working in us to spread the gospel and change the hearts of men.
No filling- no power!
Most believers today, especially U.S.A. are stuck between Calvary (salvation) and Pentecost (power of God) we live below par of where God wants us.
Bethlehem- “God with us”
Calvary- “God for us”
Pentecost- “God in us”
D.L. Moody
“You might as well try to hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as to try to live the Christian life without the power of God.”
Christ promised when he left, that He would send the comforter, the Holy Spirit of God. He has kept His promise.
When the people (those that heard Peters voice) heard what he said, “They were cut to the heart.”
They waited on God’s promise, they were cut to the heart, they had a change of heart and God took that void and filled it with Himself.
If you are full of yourself, there is no room for God to fill you. You have to empty yourself, than let God fill you.
120 people went into that upper room trusting God to do something amazing and bigger than what they could do themselves.
They waited on God- it did not happen immediately, they pursued God and God showed up, just like He said He would.
None of them that went into that room was perfect. I am sure that they all had baggage, but they did go in expecting God to do something amazing, and were ready to stay as long as need be to get it.
I want to say something about the church. I mean the church universal.
I realize that in every church there are a few people seeking God, and desiring to build the kingdom of God, but what has happened, especially the USA, we have become about programs and promotions.
We have come to be entertained.
Neither one is bad, but without God there is no power. Instead of God’s word being allowed to change us, we want a motivational pep talk that will get us through whatever circumstances we are currently going through.
The word of God, along with the power of God working in our lives is what changes the world, changes circumstances, and changes us.
Hebrews 4:12-
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
“The word of God has to be let in to cut out.” Mine if you like it.
The spirit of God if allowed in is what cuts out what is harmful and destructive, and changes a heart.
We can have good intentions- but that will always fall short of what God really wants for you.
Pentecost is not a denomination. Not Nazarene holiness, not Assemblies of God Pentecostalism, all good but limited to mans power.
Experiencing Pentecost is waiting on God just like the 120 did and expecting to receive from God the power to change your life.
Anonymous
“We are so afraid of getting out on a limb that we never even bother to climb up the tree.”
They are too extreme
We have to talk more about this.
I’m afraid ,it has been tried before, no money, no time, no people, excuses that are endless.
How about just coming into Jesus presence and saying here I am? Not sure what you are going to do, but I know what I need. I need more of you and less of me. Start there.
Here is the promise- I will pour out my Spirit.
All that truly repent, and take God at His word.
All that have asked Him for forgiveness.
All that admit that if you are going to walk with God it will take more than your strength, it will take the power of God.
It is not for just a few, it is for all who believe, but it seems like a few because not many take God up on His word.
D.L. Moody
“Once asked why he urged Christians to be filled constantly with the Holy Spirit, well, he said, I need a continual filling because I leak.”
It is not a onetime thing, it can happen in a moment, but it must happen daily because we leak.
Closing, but does not mean anything
If you want more of God this morning, I am going to ask you to come up front for prayer. Nobody comes and we are done. For those that come, I want to pray for you that you receive the filling of His Spirit in your life.
Jesus told them to come and receive
Apostle Paul laid hands and they received.
You come, if today that you want to do things in God’s strength instead of just your own.
If you step out this morning, I believe that He wants you to have the abundant life he talks about.
Some of you right now are stuck to the floor, your feet are like stone, you don’t want to move, but will you step out?
When the Lord makes promises- he keeps them.
God never breaks a covenant.
He will never give you something that you have to be afraid of.
Phil 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength”
Romans 5; 8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
We repent, we believe, and he commands us to be filled.
I am praying and believing that today could be one of those ah ha moments.
Prayer up front.
