Title: Pentecost – Whatever does this mean?
Text: Acts 2
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another,
“What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter’s sermon…
Remember… this week ? June 6, 1944 – “D-Day” (allied invasion in Normandy - N. France)
“Operation Pluto”. – means… “pipeline under water transportation of oil ”
The challenge was how to supply fuel across the English channel to support the allied troops.
From January 1945 to May 8,1945 almost 1 million imperial gallons (4.5 million litres) were pumped daily.
In total, over 172 million imperial gallons of petrol were pumped to the Allied forces in Europe by VE day, (Victory in Europe—May 8, 1945)
“Operation Pluto” is considered one of history's greatest feats of military engineering. The pipelines are also the forerunners of all flexible pipes used in the development of offshore oil fields.
Today is anniversary of “Operation Pentecost”!
Read passage – Acts 2:1-2
In verse 12 --- the question is asked “what does this mean?”
1. The Pentecost Back-Story…
In the OT, Pentecost marked the time when God gave the 10 commandments to Israel.
This formative event in Israel’s relationship with God occurred 50 days after the escape from slavery in Egypt -when the blood of a lamb was spread on the doorframes of houses.
Passover meant during the judgment of God on Egypt, he would Pass-over Israel and open the door for their escape – after 430 years of slavery.
50 days later, Israel arrives at Mt Sinai and Moses receives the 10 Words… written on stone.
The “new Pentecost” – is also 50 days after the “new Passover” … when Jesus the Passover lamb was crucified –
The new Pentecost is about the giving of the Spirit – instead of the law… it's now an internal experience not an external one. It's not intended to be burdensome but quite the opposite - empowering. And furthermore, it's not only for Israel now…but all the world.
It's not only for select leaders but for all God’s people. It is marked by an invitation to both men and women – young and old… barriers that we still have difficulty seeing past.
And, it signals the beginning of the “last days” – and therefore has eschatological significance – that is, it looks forward to the second coming of Christ. It indicates the scope of the mission of God into the whole world – by all God’s people, now Spirit empowered! It is a new day of kingdom expansion …bursting Israel’s borders with a global reach and impact.
Language once confused at Babel (Babylon) is now going to be empowered to proclaim the gospel – not {in essence} via “unintelligible tongues” but via Spirit empowered speech/language – i.e. gospel proclamation….
The tongues (or languages) of Pentecost serve as a sign of the Spirits’ arrival – as in the OT when the Spirit came on individuals, they prophesied/preached … and is indicative of the global application of the gospel message – everyone is included by hearing the gospel in their own language … and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…”
Other signs of the Spirit on Pentecost include wind and fire…
In that upper room the blowing of the strong wind reminds us of Jesus words to Nicodemus…
“the wind blows where it wills and you do not know where it comes from or where it goes- so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)…
wind is seen as “the breath of God”…
and…God is reminding us of creation when be breathed into mankind and we became “living beings” …
and so now on this new Pentecost - a new creation is occurring.
God is birthing the church!
And God is re-creating humanity with the life of the Spirit.
A very dramatic moment indeed. And you and I are a part of this incredible plan.
Then, we see fire … Fire speaks of his purity and presence.
• Think of God calling Moses at the “Burning Bush” (in Exodus 3) … take off your sandals, Moses, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. (God’s presence = fire)
• Think of the Exodus once again… a pillar of fire leading Israel through the desert by night.
• Think Elijah on Mt Carmel –“the God who answers by fire, let him be God.”
• Think of John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation (1) “his eyes are like “blazing fire.”
And so the presence of these “individual flames of fire” dancing over the heads of the 120 in the upper room and then resting on each of them, speak of God holiness… his presence, his power, and his judgement upon sin.
2. Peter Is Changed By The Spirit’s Presence…
Peter himself is a “Case study” of what can happen when the Spirit empowers God’s people…
… his resume from the 3 years with Jesus gospels isn’t terribly impressive…
…he tried walking on water (good try!...”sort of”)…
…he understood who Jesus was (“sort of”)… “you’re the Messiah” …
…then got himself called out by Jesus for thinking in a Satan-like manner… (get behind me…get out of my way, Satan)
… while part of Jesus inner circle and privy to the Mt of transfiguration experience (when Jesus revealed his divine glory) he put his foot in his mouth (lets build 3 monuments) and had to be corrected once more.
At the arrest of Jesus he took up a sword to defend Jesus, cutting off a soldiers ear – Jesus told him to put the sword away --- and then in a quick and inexplicable about face peter denied even knowing Jesus -- to a servant girl no less, inside Herod’s courtyard…
Now, here in the Pentecost chapter, we meet Peter the Preacher… and what a sermon it is… Peter speaks Spirit empowered “prophetic speech” (not merely a “sermon”)… would that all preaching had such anointing…
I like how one writer puts it (Darrell Johnson, in his book “The Glory of Preaching”), “When the preacher speaks God’s speech, God speaks.”
And so Peter stands up to explain this explosion of sounds, images and symbols…his audience is a diverse gathering from all over the Mediterranean Basin. (Egypt…Rome…Arabia…Mesopotamia vv. 9-11)…
Luke describes them as “God-fearing Jews from a every nation under heaven” - and you can see the potential ripple effect of these people bringing the gospel message home with them and becoming witness bearers themselves. They have heard the “marvellous works of God each in their own language.” (v. 11), but they are also somewhat perplexed and have questions, so they ask, “what does this mean?” … but, lest we think everything is coming up roses, a few cynics are quick with a poke… “they are drunk, I tell you!”
***yes, there were even cynics even at Pentecost…!
Peter is unfazed and unintimidated; it simply provides him with a tidy segue…
“it's only 9 o’clock in the morning”… who drinks at this hour? The bars are not even open!
…what does this mean, they ask? –
3. Pentecost Is The Fulfillment Of The Long-Awaited Promise Of The New Covenant …Marked By The Outpouring Of The Spirit!
And then Peter starts his sermon with the prophet Joel – a well-known figure in the Jewish world – quoting Joel 2:28…
28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days
Peter says this event (on Pentecost) is a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…
…a prophecy remarkable for… (1) its inclusion of women… (2) and the young – (3) and the poor!
3 groups not typically given much respect in Jewish culture.
These people, humble though they are, will be given God-anointed words to speak… “they will prophesy… meaning - they will preach.” (with the HS - the helper, the great communicator, helping).
What does this mean? (they ask)
4. These innovations signal a period known as “the last days” – a period prior to the Messiah’s kingdom reign (at his return).
It's important to note here that the OT doesn’t clearly delineate between the Messiah’s first coming and second coming.
This I believe, is one of the reasons why so many people (Jews in particular) had difficulty believing Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah…
***take note of the following facts…
(1) as Messiah… he didn’t overthrow the Romans
(2) as Messiah…he didn’t set up a military kingdom
(3) he looked like a peasant, born in poverty (he didn’t even own a house)
(4) his life comes to a tragic end by crucifixion on a Roman cross… with his fellow Jews shouting “crucify him, crucify him.”
Not exactly the profile of a conqueror!
So, in the minds of most people—Jesus is simply a failed messianic pretender...
And therefore any “rumours” of his resurrection are completely absurd and merely the feeble efforts of his idealistic, but naive friends to preserve the deception.
After all, no one ever rises from the dead – how could someone tortured and pierced on a Roman cross overcome death?
The mere notion is ridiculous.
So, you can see Peter has some explaining to do…
“What does this mean? They ask…
5. God has a plan to rescue us from sin - and this outpouring on Pentecost is part of his plan of redemption and reconciliation.
We are now 2000 years into the era of these “last days” – and there may be many more years and decades yet to come – yet this entire period is understood as the time preceding the return of Christ and his reign upon the earth. (we simply call it the era of the church and it's mission -- gt. (co)mission).
So then, the “last days” are not about “how long till we leave?” … rather, it's about - “how long do we have to share the gospel?”
The coming of the Lord will be good news for some -(believers in Christ) and quite horrible days for those who call him their enemy and who mock his message. … the prophecy of Joel, included in Peter’s sermon, says … “there will be blood, fire and smoke, the sun will be darkened, and the moon turned to blood.”
Ominous words indeed – all speaking of judgement.
So, the great commission has urgency attached to it!
We have to get the message out! … into the whole world!
What does this mean?
6. Then Peter connects this (new) “Pentecost” to the crucifixion of Jesus… (just 50 days earlier).
Remember he is speaking to “God-fearing Jews” …scattered throughout the Mediterranean world.
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen… Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Notice Peter’s words …
(1) Jesus was Accredited by God
(2) Handed over by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge (3) You (with the help of wicked men), put him to death…. But (4) God raised him from the dead.
Peter is establishing that Jesus is indeed the Messiah – and this places him within OT prophecy – and connects this event (Pentecost) to Passover and Jesus crucifixion as the ultimate Passover lamb.
It was God’s deliberate plan says Peter – it wasn’t ultimately a conspiracy of the Jews and Romans against a peasant preacher… it was God’s deliberate plan.
Peter…people might have trouble swallowing this story!
Much of the evidence (if not all of it) favoured the victory of the Romans/Jews – how could a cross ever indicate the victory of anything?
Absolutely brilliant!
Peter provides A wonderful and succinct summation of the gospel. (needing only a little more explanation of sin – that will come out in just a few minutes.)
What does this mean?...
7. I’ll tell you more says Peter… remember of great King of Israel - King David.
Well David saw this day coming… and then Peter quotes David’s Psalm – number 16 – and Peter says this psalm is speaking of Jesus himself!
Peter quotes psalm 16:8-11
“you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”
Peter continues…
Verse 30ff…
30 … he (David) was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. … ] 36 …
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
… what insight!
So, Peter affirms Jesus as the long-prophesied Messiah, son of David, who sits on David’s throne and fulfills the covenant made to David!
What does this mean? …
8. It Means The Jews Listening To Peter Need To Understand That Jesus Of Nazareth Whom They Crucified – Is Indeed The Promised Messiah – And They Had It All Wrong!
(what about you – do you understand who Jesus is?)
Peter continues… Jesus … now exalted to the right hand of God - has poured out this Holy Spirit!
• Jesus not only came as a baby
• Jesus not only walked this earth in full humanity for 33 years
• Jesus not only (voluntarily) died of torture on a Roman cross
• Jesus not only rose from the grave
• Jesus not only ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of his Father
• Jesus also gave us this amazing gift – the gift of the Holy Spirit – the same Spirit that empowered Jesus – now empowers us!
What does this mean?
Here’s Peter’s Conclusion – verse 36;
9. “God has made this Jesus, (whom you crucified) both Lord and Messiah!”
Now the Response …
(v 37) …People are “cut to the heart.”
And ask… what shall we do?
**They move from “what does this mean?” … to “what shall we do?”
What does this mean you ask?
Peter?
10. “Repent and be baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Repent ? admit that you were wrong about Jesus ! … and that you now understand who he is! (Lord and Messiah)
Notice these steps to salvation; (we also need to hear and believe and repent.)
Maybe we don’t fully appreciate this concept “repent”
Turn away from sin (yes)
But more than that… it's about turning to Christ – understanding who he is and what he has done for you on the cross!
Do you believe in him?
Do you understand who he is?
Do you understand what he has done for you?
I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Pentecost and the gospel than have someone repent and be saved!
Because, it's a promise for you …and your children and for all who are afar off (coming generations) … for all whom the Lord our God will call.
I’m going to invite to believe and repent!
Peter continued preaching it seems… warning and pleading…
“save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
3000 accepted Peter’s message!
…is this gospel proclamation a “one-off”? (unique moment?)
… or is it a paradigm for what God can do when the HS empowers his people?
What does the record show over the past 2000 years of the church?
A lot of amazing growth! (Courageous mission)
A lot of horrible tragedy (Corrupted mission)
But the church is expanding… thriving in the face of great persecution
South America
Africa
China…
The church is always in a tension between a “this world agenda and a kingdom agenda”.
No surprise really – since we live in two worlds – and we have these two voices asking for our allegiance… and sometimes we have 1 foot in each kingdom – if not always.
All the more reason why we need the Holy Spirit to renew us and re-focus us to…
(1) love God (and believe in Jesus)
(2) love neighbour
(3) introduce neighbour to God!
I’m encouraged when I read Acts because it teaches me that God can do extraordinary things with ordinary people!
You are part of that!
When you teach SS… when you usher… when you show hospitality… you are going kingdom work… and the HS is helping you!
But we also get tired and empty and need refreshing… today is a day of refreshing and allowing God to pour his love and his Spirit into us again!
** we cannot be about the mission of the church unless we first Jesus love deeply and worship deeply…
as Jesus himself says… “God is Spirit… and. They that worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth”
When we come together on Sunday – we come to worship
When we scatter Monday to Saturday – we are still worshippers!
As we worship …
As we love God…
… our love for our neighbour will increase… and the greatest expression of love for our neighbour is to introduce our neighbour to Christ himself!
** Let’s have another Pentecost, church… another 3000 salvations!
I’d like to share a story from China…Story from China…
30 years ago – Tiananmen Square massacre ( I visited T Square in 2007)
Today things are not going well for the church in China – at least not it's relationship with the govt.
But The church is exploding in spite of persecution
Two of the leaders of T Square are now believers… they were recently interviewed by CT…
(how did you become a Christian? -- ZHOU: I read the Bible in high school, but I didn’t understand it. Later, after prison while I was in China, I read the Bible, and there were people trying to bring me to faith.
In June 1995, my first Tiananmen anniversary in the United States, I was looking for a place to commemorate, so I walked into a church in San Antonio. That left a big impression on me. I was welcomed.
I felt a connection and relief from the pain while I was at the church. It was the first time after the massacre for me to think, “Is there a God? Why would God allow Tiananmen?”
The values we believed in China at that time were based on patriotism, love of country, but the government, the country, betrayed us. Where is this value of our life? This was the turning point.
After I moved to Chicago for business school, this brother from the church in Texas kept writing to me, saying that he was praying for me. I remember him asking me every time: “Are you ready to believe in Jesus?”
I just tried to dodge the question. After business school, I thought if I could find a job, I would believe in God. But when I found a pretty good job at a Wall Street firm [Bear Stearns], I forgot all about that, thinking this is all my own achievement.
Later, my life began to stabilize, and I could feel this void in my heart. I was always following what was happening in China, the Tiananmen movement, the people who were still in prison, and China’s political situation. As the years dragged on, it seemed hopeless. I was filled with hatred toward Communists because of the injustice, of what they did to us, to me. I couldn’t see that it could change. I felt powerless. That’s the other reason I turned to God. In 2003, we went to a church. When the pastor gave a very good sermon and afterward, he asked, “Are you ready to believe?” I raised my hand. That moment I felt a big burden coming off my shoulders.
How did you come to Christian faith?
ZHANG: I was raised with no God, no religion, nothing—well, other than believing in the Communist Party. When I was hiding (from the govt) out in Heilongjiang for those two years, I met an old lady farmer who introduced me to Christianity and talked with me about Jesus. She had the Gospel of John, not even the full Bible, which had been hand copied onto paper. She was illiterate actually, so she gave it to me to read aloud and then she would explain it to me. In about a year, I became a Christian.
Invitation…
(1) salvation – believe!
(2) refreshing…
(3) in the spirit of Pentecost …will you spread the good news of the gospel? …
that’s why the Spirit was given… (1) holiness and love for us (not to become religious / hypocrites!) (2) boldness in witness (love for lost people)
