Suddenly.
Acts 2:1-8TPT
One man stated, There is no comparison between the power of satan and the power of the Holy Spirit in you. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you is like a nuclear bomb!
—Charles Spurgeon, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.”
In 11 days, on June 5th, the church will celebrate Pentecost. The Greek word for Pentecost, is fiftieth. Fifty days after Passover. There’s two primary colors associated with, Pentecost. Red, represent fiery tongues, or tongues like fire. The second color is white, represent purity mixed with holiness.
The purpose of Pentecost is to supernaturally equip every believer.
Acts 2:1-8TPT On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. 2 Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! 3 Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. each one of them. 4 They were all filled and equipped to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned! 5 Now, at that time there were Jewish worshipers who had emigrated from many different lands to live in Jerusalem. 6 When the people of the city heard the roaring sound, crowds came running to where it was coming from, stunned over what was happening, because each one could hear the disciples speaking in his or her own language. 7 Bewildered, they said to one another, “Aren’t these all Galileans? 8 So how is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages?
Jesus’ disciples heard His command in, Luke 24:49AMP Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”
Notice this equipping comes from God. “I (Jesus) am sending the promise of the Father…”
The Lord has equipped His church with God called men and women of God:
The Apostles Paul spoke of equipping. Ephesians 4:11-13AMP And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].
When you stop and consider Pentecost, and the work of the Holy Spirit there are three direct dimensions:
First, the Holy Spirit does an inward work in us.
He is the One who administers justification, regeneration, and the new birth in our lives. He is the One who cleanses us within, who comforts us, and bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
John 6:63AMP It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life].
Think about it, God’s Word is spirit and life (John 6:63); it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
God’s eternal word produces spirit. Why? “Because something birthed in the spirit is always spirit. (God).”
2 Timothy 3:16AMP All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
All Scripture has been breathed upon. In other words, “God’s word is anointed.”
Romans 8:16AMP The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God.
God’s word bears witness that we are children of God.
Again, the Holy Spirit does an inward work.
Malachi 3:2bAMP For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness].
Secondly, the Holy Spirit does an upward work in us.
Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, John 16:14AMP He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.
The first movement we make as we’re filled with the empowering of the Spirit, is up.
I call it, a call-up, a shout-up, a hand-up!
Isaiah 11:1-2AMP Then a Shoot (the Messiah) will spring from the stock of Jesse [David’s father], And a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,?The Spirit of counsel and strength, The Spirit of knowledge and of the [reverential and obedient] fear of the Lord—
The Holy Spirit is ever pointing us heavenward, to glorify Jesus and the Father.
Third, the Holy Spirit does an outward work in us.
The apostles Peter is preaching after the initial infilling: —Acts 2:37-39AMP Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
The empowerment that took place in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost resulted in a powerful gospel at which, 3,000 were saved. And then Peter’s second message, 2000 were saved!
This empowerment is what points people to Jesus!
Before the church could be empowered to teach and preach this gospel, she had to be filled, Luke 24:49. Jesus states, 49 Tarry ye in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power on High, Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:16-20AMP Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted [that it was really He]. 18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Salvation always confirms the reality, and the relevance of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-8AMP When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, 2 and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. 4 And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].
5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout and God-fearing men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound was heard, a crowd gathered, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing those in the upper room speaking in his own language or dialect. 7 They were completely astonished, saying, “Look! Are not all of these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears in our own language or native dialect?
Several things I want to remind you:
* God’s people waited…
* They waited together…
* There was a suddenly.
* The Spirit of God came from heaven. A sound from heaven… It was God endorsed.
* The Spirit of God filled the whole house.
* Tongues of fire, came upon each person.
* These men and women spoke other language’s as needed. It was the witness of God.
* Aramaic and Greek may not have been the only native languages represented among the worshippers in Jerusalem. Perhaps the two most likely additional candidates are Latin and Parthian.
Ask any theologian about the level of difficulty in understanding and learning these languages. -- These men are Galileans.
This was the God of breakthrough making way!
1 Corinthians 2:4KJV “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
1 Corinthians 2:4NLT And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Real men and women of God, rely solely upon the Holy Spirit.” P.H
What does that look like?
* First of all, Knowing for sure that the Spirit is enough.
Relying solely on the Holy Spirit, means by faith you are led by the Holy Spirit.
Relying upon the Holy Spirit is continual act of surrender.
* Relying solely upon the Holy Spirit is a fruitful life.
* Relying solely upon the Holy Spirit is a gifted life.
God’s gifts are many... He loves to give them away.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11TM 1-3 What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say “Jesus be damned!” Nor would anyone be inclined to say “Jesus is Master!” without the insight of the Holy Spirit. 4-11 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
“Do you need a suddenly in your life begin to ask Him.”
Benediction.
