The Sounds Of Pentecost.
Acts 1:8TPT
The Holy Spirit baptism is and always has been the empowerment for evangelism. Jesus made clear to his disciples the purpose of the infilling of the Holy Spirit they soon were to receive.
Jesus said, Acts 1:8TPT But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will be seized with power. You will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!”
Again Jesus say’s, You will be seized with power, or You will seize power.
You will be clothed from heaven—Endued with Power from on high.
Jesus stresses you will be my messengers, or witnesses. The Greek word can also be translated—“Martyrs.” (Stephen, James)
You will receive power (dynamite),to live for Me and even to die for Me. Again, Jesus states, you will be ready to live or, die for My name.
If you say, In the name of Jesus. Watch out—because Jesus is the cure!
Jesus can and will heal a broken heart, He will lift up the frail and fragmented. His hands are steady—They can be trusted. He loves marriages, He loves unity—The two being one.
Jesus loves to hang out with everybody. Single, Young at heart—Seniors. He loves our nursery. He loves children’s church with Pastor Chris and his crew. He loves our middle school youth group—Dennis and Samantha Henry are doing a fantastic job, those kids love them. Jesus is all about youth, and Pastor Kim and Justin Hawkins are leading our youth into adult-hood. Pastor Kim is teaching our youth God’s word! It’s eternal, it never fades away.
Again, Jesus speaks to His disciples—Luke 24:49KJV And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
These young disciples plus 108 more followers journeyed to to Jerusalem and found the upper room where they would stay for 10 days.
Peter would preach the first message and 3,000 were saved. He preached again, and 2,000 were saved.
You cannot deny it, the Holy Ghost baptism brought salvation, fruit and signs and wonders. It produced what we know as church today.
First, the purpose of the Holy Spirit baptism is to give the church power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ!
Can I relay something to you? Your story is very important. P.H
Secondly, the purpose of the Holy Spirit baptism is to give the Church power to fulfill the great commission.
Matthew 28:18-20NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
This call from Jesus was one of His last. He spoke this in a matter of fact way. He spoke with power and authority.
Without a doubt—the Holy Spirit has enabled the church for these times, so why should any believer yield to the intimidation of Satan?
Jesus made this promise—Acts 10:38NKJV 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.
As a believer you should never be intimidated by the devil.
I have heard it said that the average Christian and the average church are bogged down somewhere between Calvary and Pentecost. They have been to Calvary for pardon, but they have not been to Pentecost for power.
The average Christian is much like the Ephesians believers, when the apostle Paul came to them in Acts 19:2, and asked: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied that they didn't even know that there was a Holy Spirit.
This I understand, many Christians do not understand the role of the Holy Spirit, and they have not appropriated the power of the Holy Spirit in their personal lives.
Hear this, As much as Bethlehem revealed God with us, and Calvary displayed God for us, Pentecost manifests God in us.
Colossians 1:16-18KJV For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Again, Pentecost manifest God in us!
Colossians 1:27NIV To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
* Our prayer should be articulated in the words found in Acts 11:15 “Holy Spirit, fall on us as you did on the early church.” P.H
Please hear this, “We don't need to re-capture Pentecost. God’s people need to be re-captured by Pentecost.”
Let us pray to be recaptured by all that happened on the day of Pentecost.
Again, Jesus commanded in Luke 24:49, to tarry in Jerusalem. Of all places, why Jerusalem?
It was a place of resistance.
It was a place of betrayal.
It was a place of crucifixion.
Why not Bethany where Jesus had raised the dead or where He turned water into wine? Why not someplace near Galilee where so many miracles were wrought by His power?
Being the second member of the Godhead, Jesus, strategically chose Jerusalem for the dramatic multi-national impact it would make resulting in a greater global harvest! Jesus is all about salvation.
Acts 2:5NIV Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
Listen, “No visitation of the Holy Spirit is accidental, but it comes with purpose response to prayer and God’s destined plan for nations, churches, and individuals.”
Let’s look at several aspects of Pentecost:
1. The sound of Pentecost.
Acts 2:2KJV And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Note the source of the sound: A sound from heaven!
The Lord spoke this to me, “We need to investigate the source of the sounds we are hearing today. Are they heaven sounds, or earthly sounds, mixed with anxiety sounds?”
2. The strength of the sound:
Again Verse 2, A mighty rushing wind.
“Ever been down to the beach, maybe walking and a powerful storm moves in? —The wind is vigorous. It can be life-changing!” P.H.
3. The results of the wind.
“My first pastorale role was at Towes Chapel Church of God, in Adairsville Georgia.
We had very humble beginnings. Our first church service we had 7 in attendance. However, I preached the word with power! After about 18 months, God did some amazing things!”
We needed $65,000.00 for eleven acres of land in a better location.
We needed land, so God brought a cloud.
God lifted the top of that church on a Sunday afternoon and sat it back down. We received thirty six thousand dollars. We proceeded to sell the church for another $36,000.00 to another church. We bought 11 acres of land debt free, and built a new church on it. Today that church is called Graceland. TGABTG!
“That little wooden church would get to shaken, while God was bringing salvation and deliverance! I’ve baptized in many of Creek. “O God has been good to me!”
The best is yet to be—A word from God All Mighty—CECC, God has been good to you!” This body has laid a foundation for over a century, let me tell you CE, God has been good to you! God’s not through, He has many of task for us to do.
From God to you—Thank you CECC leaders!
CECC, feel the results of His wind, it’s His approval, kiss His kiss, bow low, and follow God’s heart hard.”
1 Peter 5:6NIV Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
4. The Saturation of the sound:
It filled all the house. Say it, “It was in the walls!” P.H
What are the sounds of Pentecost today?
It's a sound of power that cannot be denied.
It's the sound of unity that cannot be stopped.
It's the sound of intercession that cannot be ignored.
It's the sound of revival that cannot be quenched.
The sound of praise that cannot be quelled.
5. What are the sights of Pentecost today?
Acts 2:3KJV And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Imagine seeing fire from everyone’s mouth. As they spoke fire came forth!
6. The experience of Pentecost was visible.
Remember, There were 120 eyewitnesses!
Pentecost needs to be seen again—Do You Agree?
Vs. 3, Their tongues were on Fire! Is your tongue on fire for God? If it is, now what? We keep moving ahead in the spirit.
Romans 8:13KJV For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
7. The significance of Pentecost.
Doctor Tim Hill said, We need to understand that we are not filled with the Holy Spirit for our enjoyment, but we are filled for our employment.
Acts 1:8KJV But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
8. Pentecost needs to be seen again.
Seen in our love for one another.
Seen in our witness to the world.
Seen in the miracles we experience.
Illustration—The Holy Spirit is like a glove, pick up glove, and try to pick something up. Now put the glove on my hand, with me and the Holy Spirit working hand n hand.
“Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit has empowered, Crane Eater Community Church for these times. My prayer is that, We may go forward in the power of the Holy Spirit!” P.H
Benediction.
