PENTECOST: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH
(FOLLOW-UP TO CHRIST'S GREAT COMMISSION)
Good Morning Family,
I’m praying that everyone is doing well. I know that you, even as I am, are anxious to be at the church building worshipping together as a family. But, sadly, we will still be home again next Sunday on May 3rd as our governor is slowly lifting the “stay-at-home” order, but we are hoping and praying to be back together again on Mother’s Day; with safety protocols still in place. The elders will make that decision very soon, and I will let you know as soon as I know by email and Facebook—so stay tuned.
It was good to see and speak to some of you last Sunday at the Drive-thru communion service. And, remember, the communion is being offered again this morning from 10:00-11:00, if you want to venture out to the church parking lot.
Next Sunday on May 3rd Ben Noll, our youth minister, will delivering the video sermon. You have been able to see and hear me preach, and for the last two Sundays to see and hear Don and Bonnie Marter lead us in praise and worship. So, this will be a great opportunity for you to also see and hear Ben share a message from God’s Word. As I have been doing, I will send the link to the sermon by email.
Let’s get to our lesson. Turn your Bibles to Acts 2.
A. Last Sunday as we concluded the Gospel of Mark, the apostles witnessed Jesus ASCEND into Heaven,
and 10 days later the CHURCH of Jesus Christ was BORN.
1. The church was ESTABLISHED in AD-33 on the Jewish holiday known as “SHAVUOT,” which is the Hebrew word for “WEEKS” signifying the Jewish holiday (HOLY DAY) of “The
Festival of Weeks.”
a. The New Testament refers to this day as “PENTECOST,” which means “FIFTY”—the 50th day
after the JEWISH PASSOVER, and, on this day in HISTORY, 50 days after the CRUCIFIXION
of Jesus Christ.
COMMENT:
Originally the Day of Pentecost or Shavuot was the CELEBRATION of “the first fruits of the
wheat harvest” as recorded in Exodus 23:16 and Leviticus 23:16.
However, by the time of Christ it had become a commemoration of the giving of the Law to Moses (The 10 Commandments), which took place on Mt. Sinai FIFTY DAYS after the original
PASSOVER and EXODUS from Egypt where the Israelites were held in bondage- Exodus 20:1-17.
b. So, for the Jew it was the celebration of the LAW and the renewal of the Mosaic Covenant.
2. Now, it was no accident of HISTORY that this was the DAY that God chose to send the HOLY
SPIRIT upon the Apostles and to ESTABLISH His church.
a. The contrast between the Law (the OT covenant) and Christ (who is the fulfilment of the Law)
and the NT covenant is sharply focused on the day of PENTECOST.
b. Under the old covenant the day signified the coming of the LAW, but under the new covenant it
signified the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT upon the church of Jesus Christ.
c. PENTECOST was always CELEBRATED on the “FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK”—Sunday.
B. In Acts 2:1 we see “the apostles together in a house on the Day of Pentecost.”
1. Over the last 50 days the apostles had been RIDING an emotional ROLLERCOASTER.
a. They had witnessed the brutal CRUCIFIXION and then the magnificent RESURRECTION of their
Lord and Savior.
b. They WALKED with the resurrected Lord and TOUCHED Him and LISTENED to His Words.
c. They watched as Jesus left them alone as He was taken up into Heaven to be with His Father.
2. Ten days had passed since Jesus’s ASCENSION, and the apostles are waiting for the PROMISE that
Jesus made to them before being taken up into heaven.
a. Acts 1:8- “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
b. Although the apostles as faithful Jews celebrated PENTECOST many times before, this day was
going to be different.
COMMENT:
The events on the Day of Pentecost AD-33 were going to change the COURSE of mankind for all ETERNITY. On this day the church of Jesus Christ will be BORN, and the “followers of Christ that numbered only 120 at the ascension of Jesus”- Acts 1:15, will grow over 3,000 in just one day.
MESSAGE:
I. THE COMMOTION OF PENTECOST- Acts 2:1-13
A. Thousands of Jews traveled to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate Pentecost—the giving
of the Law of Moses. Many would come for the PASSOVER and stay through PENTECOST.
1. Historians estimate that during PENTECOST Jerusalem would swell to over 2 million people.
2. Luke lists at least “15 different countries & regions represented among the crowd”- Acts 2:9-11.
B. The excitement and festivities of the holiday was already building among the CELEBRANTS when a
COMMOTION occurs in a house where the followers of Christ are gathered- 2:1-4 (READ)
1. Shortly before His ascension, “Jesus told His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for what the
Father had promised, the BAPTISM of the Holy Spirit”- Acts 1:4-5.
a. The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” that the apostles received at Pentecost is different from the
“gift of the Holy Spirit that you and I receive when we were baptized into Christ”- Acts 2:38.
COMMENT:
With the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” comes the EMPOWERMENT of the Holy Spirit to speak in different languages (“various tongues”) and to perform miracles. This was promised only to the APOSTLES and to those on whom “the apostles IMPARTED the empowerment of
the Holy Spirit by the LAYING ON of hands”- Acts 8:17.
The “gift of the Holy Spirit given to us when we obey Christ in BAPTISM” (Acts 2:38 and 5:32), is the INDWELLING of the Holy Spirit—it’s when the Spirit of Christ lives within us to
GUIDE us, to CONVICT us, to STRENGTHEN us in our daily walk with Christ.
b. Every Christian has God’s SPIRIT living within them.
2. Luke describes a “sound like a violent wind and what seemed like tongues of fire that came to rest upon each apostle, which enabled them to speak different languages” that none of these men
had previously learned.
a. The crowds took notice of what was happening and inquired, “Are not these men who are speaking . . . Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native
language?”- Acts 2:7-8.
b. Again, in vv. 9-11 Luke lists at least 15 different nationalities present that were hearing the
first GOSPEL MESSAGE in their native language.
COMMENT:
The very purpose the Holy Spirit gave the apostles and other disciples the “gift of tongues” was so that WHEREVER the gospel was spread throughout the WORLD, people could hear and understand it in their own language.
C. This Day of Pentecost was unlike anything the people had ever experienced before while celebrating
this special Jewish HOLIDAY.
1. Luke describes the PEOPLE as being “BEWILDERED. AMAZED. PERPLEXED.”
2. And then in v. 13 some in the crowd began to JOKE around and said that the APOSTLES were
DRUNK—“they have had too much wine.” (If all of a sudden I started preaching in German,
you’d probably be thinking the same thing. “SPREKEN ZE DEUTSCH?”)
COMMENT:
This was such an extraordinary EVENT that the people had difficulty GRASPING as to what all this COMMOTION really MEANT.
II. THE COMMUNICATION OF PENTECOST- Acts 2:14-36
A. On the Day of Pentecost Jews had come to the city of Jerusalem from all over the known world to CELEBRATE the giving of the Law of Moses, but little do they know that the MESSAGE they are
about to receive will be far greater than what their forefathers received from Moses on Mt. Sinai.
1. John 1:17- “For the LAW was given through Moses, GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus
Christ.”
a. Although the Apostle Paul described the LAW as “holy, righteous and good”- Romans 7:12,
the problem is, as Paul goes on to say, “HE WASN’T”—and nor are we.
b. We are SINFUL people, and the Law of Moses demanded PERFECTION- Galatians 3:10-11- “All who rely on observing the Law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one is justified before God by the Law, because ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
2. The COMMUNICATION of PENTECOST is that Jesus Christ came to set the people FREE from the CURSE of the LAW and extend to them GRACE.
B. Peter stands before the CROWD of people and begins to PREACH.
1. He first reproves the “ACCUSATION that they were DRUNK, because it was only 9:00 in the
morning”- Acts 2:15.
a. Now, I don’t DRINK, but I think it is SAFE to say that if you are DRUNK by 9:00 in the
morning, you have a DRINKING problem.
b. Peter wanted to make it very CLEAR that they weren’t DRUNK on WINE as some were saying, . . . . . . . but they were certainly HIGH on the Spirit of the Lord.
2. Peter tells them that what they are witnessing is actually the fulfillment of PROPHECY- vv. 16-21.
a. He quotes Joel 2:28-32 where the “PROPHET foretells of a time when God’s SPIRIT
will be POURED out on His people and will manifest Himself through PROPHECIES
and MIRACLES.”
b. Throughout the book of Acts as we follow the Apostles and the church of Jesus Christ, we see how the Holy Spirit dispensed SPIRITUAL GIFTS among God’s people to spread the GOOD NEWS of Christ and as CONFIRMATION of His Word.
3. But then Peter gets to the HEART of the MESSAGE of Pentecost- Acts 2:22-24 (READ)
a. Just 50 days before, MANY in this CROWD witnessed Jesus being brutally BEATEN and
dragged through the streets CARRYING His CROSS.
COMMENT:
They observed as Roman soldiers NAILED 7 inch SPIKES into Jesus’ HANDS and FEET, and lifted Him up on that CROSS where they then watched him DIE in AGONY.
b. Then Peter said, “But God raised Him from the dead…”
COMMENT:
Peter wants the crowd to understand that this Jesus whom they saw CRUCIFIED 50 days before, is indeed the Christ—the Son of God. He DIED and ROSE from the DEAD. The TOMB of Jesus is EMPTY—the GRAVE could not hold Him.
c. Acts 2:32-33- “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted
to the right hand of God…” (Jesus came to fulfill the LAW and now He REIGNS on the throne of David at the right hand of God.)
III. THE CONVICTION OF PENTECOST- Acts 2:36-41
A. Peter looks over the crowd of people standing before him and said, “Therefore, let all Israel be
assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ”- Acts 2:36.
1. Undoubtedly some of the people standing there were among the MOB who, just 50 days before,
angrily CRIED out to Pilate the Roman governor, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
COMMENT:
Can you imagine what is going through these people’s MINDS as they come to the REALIZATION that this Jesus, whom they CHEERED on to be CRUCIFIED and watched in GLEE as He DIED in AGONY on a CROSS, is truly the Son of God?
He is the MESSIAH that they and their FOREFATHERS had been LOOKING FOR His COMING for MILLENNIUMS. And now Peter says to them, “You KILLED Him!”
2. The fact is we are all GUILTY of CRUCIFYING the Son of God.
a. 1 Peter 1:24- “He [Jesus] Himself bore OUR sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…”
b. Our SINS put Jesus on the CROSS. He DIED in our PLACE so that we can be SAVED. (THAT’S THE MESSAGE OF PENTECOST.)
B. Listen to how the people RESPOND when they heard this MESSAGE - Acts 2:37 (READ)
1. Luke records that “they were cut to the heart.” In the Greek it describes “deep, penetrating
emotion”—a GODLY SORROW!
COMMENT:
These people whole-heartedly BELIEVE that this ITINERATE PREACHER that was EXECUTED just 50 days before is truly the Son of God and that God RAISED Him from the DEAD.
2. In their DEEP sorrow they ask Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
a. This is the QUESTION that every living PERSON should be ASKING.
b. Jesus went to the CROSS for us, and we should be asking: “How can I be forgiven? What can I do to be saved?”
C. The answer is the same for us as it was for the people at Pentecost 2,000 years ago- Acts 2:38 (READ)
1. “Repentance and baptism” takes us back to the cross. It is “DYING to self, being BURIED with
Christ, and RAISED to a NEW LIFE”- Romans 6:3-6 that we studied last week.
2. As soon as they hear what Peter said they must do to be SAVED, thousands of them OBEY-
Acts 2:40-41 (READ). They heard the message, believed the message, and obeyed the message.
COMMENT:
And did you notice that they didn’t QUESTION Peter? “Ugh, Peter, repentance we understand, but do we really have to be baptized? I didn’t bring an extra CHANGE of
clothing.” There was no QUESTIONING. There was no DEBATING. They simply OBEYED.
They REPENTED and were BAPTIZED. And by doing what Peter said, they were FORGIVEN of their SINS and received the INDWELLING of the Holy Spirit. THAT IS CONVICTION!!
IV. THE COMMUNITY OF PENTECOST- Acts 2:42-47 (READ and COMMENT)
A. Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t the CHURCH that Luke describes look DIFFERENT from the church
of TODAY?
1. There seems to be an intense UNITY among these new Christians that is very RARE today.
COMMENT:
Here were complete STRANGERS who are now FAMILY willing to make great SACRIFICES to help those among them who are NEED. Whatever region they came from, whatever background, whatever past, whatever color, whatever former views, all the people, despite their DIVERSITY, became ONE in Christ.
2. In v. 42, Luke describes a unity of PURPOSE within this new COMMUNITY of BELIEVERS.
(1). The people were UNITED through the INSTRUCTION of the Apostle’s TEACHING.
COMMENT:
It seemed that the people could not get enough of the WORD from the Lord. There was no New Testament to read (it hadn’t been written, yet), but God’s INSPIRED MESSAGE was coming through His spokesmen—the Apostles. These new BELIEVERS expressed a genuine
HUNGER for the WORD of God.
(2). There was a deep abiding UNITY seen in their FELLOWSHIP.
COMMENT:
The church enjoyed spending TIME TOGETHER. They WORSHIPED together and ATE
together. They spent time in each other’s HOMES. A BOND was created between them.
Fellowship should not be something that we are NERVOUS or FEARFUL about. FELLOWSHIP is not a time of COVERING UP and PUTTING ON a FAKE smile. It is a time of being KNOWN and KNOWING. It’s CARING, SHARING, and BEARING with one another
in LOVE.
Today’s CHURCH, for the most part, seems to have LOST this DEEP sense of COMMUNITY.
(3). They were UNITED in their WORSHIP. “The breaking of bread” in this verse refers to the
Lord’s Supper—a central part of Worship.
COMMENT:
Luke records that the Jerusalem church came together CORPORATELY in the “Temple Courts” and PRIVATELY in “House to House” (individual homes) to WORSHIP God and ENCOURAGE one another. In fact, Luke said that “they met daily to worship.”
They YEARNED to be in the PRESENCE of God COMMUNING with Him and each other, SINGING His PRAISES, LIFTING each other up in PRAYER, and HEARING God’s message proclaimed. It was a time of SPIRITUAL REUNION and CELEBRATION.
ILLUSTRATION:
Isn’t that what you are LONGING for right now? For SIX Sundays we have been APART. And I know that most of you, like me, can hardly WAIT to back together again as a FAMILY WORSHIPPING and COMMUNING together.
(4). Nothing brought them closer in UNITY than PRAYING together—LIFTING up each other’s needs and hurts, CONFESSING their sins and struggles, OPENING up their hearts and lives before God and their BROTHERS and SISTERS in Christ.
B. Here in Acts 2 Luke presents the church in its PUREST FORM, but sadly only 4 chapters later you
see “DIVISION rising among the church due to DISCRIMINATION”- Acts 6:1.
1. The church is made up of PEOPLE, and where there are PEOPLE there will be PROBLEMS.
2. I think the reason God inspired Luke to put this DESCRIPTION of the early church in his letter,
was to show the world what the BODY of Christ—His church is supposed to LOOK LIKE.
a. The idea of Christ’s CHURCH is so much bigger than our MODERN expression of CHURCH.
COMMENT:
RELATIONSHIPS run deeper, COMMITMENT to each other is greater, and the LOVE for each other transcends anything the WORLD understands.
b. The idea of CHURCH as merely being a PLACE to come once a week to SING a few songs, LISTEN to a sermon, SWALLOW down a piece of bread and juice, DROP a few bucks into a basket, and have SHALLOW conversations, is not what God intended for His church.
c. I think we are beginning to understand that more and more as we are having to SHELTER into our HOMES and not being able to be together as a CHURCH FAMILY.
COMMENT:
The CHURCH is not a PLACE to go, it is WHO WE ARE. The CHURCH is to REFLECT Jesus Christ daily—His LOVE, His DEDICATION, His SERVITUDE. And we have seen this DEMONSTRATED more and more during this PANDEMIC.
3. Luke closes this chapter with these words: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved”- Acts 2:47.
COMMENT:
When people in our COMMUNITIES can finally see past the VENEER of the MODERN EXPRESSION of CHURCH and SEE the true BODY LIFE of Jesus Christ SHINE through, that’s when SOULS will be SAVED.
CONCLUSION:
I PUT THIS POST ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE THIS PAST WEEK: Although none exists, but, hypothetically speaking, what would you look for in a “perfect” church?
I was curious to know what people thought the “perfect” church looked like. I had responses from people I have known for years, and some I don’t know at all. Several of you also responded. I want to read these responses without mentioning the names.
1. I want to feel God's presence, great love, endless grace, amazing power, and His calling for the work and
direction He wants for my life.
2. I want to know and see God is alive and present. That the people really care for each other and be reassured God takes me as I am even though I’m undeserving. A compassionate, caring group willing to share Gods love with the world and respectful of the differences in each of us.
3. A church that actively goes beyond the walls of the church and ministers to the needs of the body of Christ, and the lost in their area. With Bible based, unashamed preaching of the whole word of God. Not just the uplifting sermon, but also the hard subjects that cause a little squirming and conviction in the
congregation.
4. Having people who are not judgmental and think one sin is worse than another. And a church that truly wants to reach into the community.
5. I want a church that preaches the WORD as It is given by OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
6. Compassion is the main thing for me. Love for everyone. It doesn't mean we have to agree, but bashing anyone is the same as bullying. I honestly see a lot of it in forums on Facebook. If we are truly compassionate everything else should fall into place.
7. Teach the whole bible, not just the "fluffy" parts, and truly embrace the Spirit in worship.
8. A church that understands what Jesus meant when he preached what it means to be in the Kingdom of God.
9. To show the truth of the Bible, teach the prophecies that have been fulfilled, which reinforces the prophecies which will be fulfilled and teach those also.
10. I'd look for a Pastor that preaches God's Word straight out the Bible and not out of feelings.
11. A place of sheer freedom, as in the same freedom the presence of the Lord provides. A place of welcoming people who love God and love people.
12. My ideal church is one that explores and teaches the Bible as it is...not practice word play to make it what one wants it to mean. A church that offers different ways to feel and praise HIS Word. A church that offers people the ability to come as they are and not feel judged or required. My ideal church makes me feel like I am coming home to a Thanksgiving get together with family every Sunday morning.
13. I am in the perfect church for me. It is where God wants me, it is my family and it has problems but that is because it is full of imperfect people, including me!
14. I want God’s Word preached. I don’t want a feel good, fluff piece. I want people to represent the hands and feet of Jesus. I want a church that make people feel welcomed.
15. The Bible.
16. Less cliques, less gossip.
17. A place to be real: real towards self, real towards God, and real with others. It's okay to admit struggles (faith, others,) and know you will get encouraged. Those with disabilities are not looked down on or separate but are welcome and encouraged. The Bible is center point.
18. A friendly church who welcomes everyone.
19. No band or praise team entertainment. Scripture taught and believed.
20. More dialogue, less monologue. The participation of the many has given way to the performance by the few!
21. Big emphasis on children and teens. Mentors for young people getting close to making a decision for Christ. Couple mentors for young couples.
22. With the church being the people and there are no perfect people, I do feel a perfect feeling when I worship with people that have a heart’s desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus. These people don’t look at what we have or don’t have but knows how to love deeply, flaws and all, nothing fake, being real.
23. If the "PERFECT CHURCH" existed it would be a group of Believers who see the best in others and forgive the rest. The "PERFECT CHURCH" would be a place and people we count on to lift us up when we feel down and alone. The "PERFECT CHURCH" would be an integral part of our lives and who we are; it would be an extension of home and family. The "PERFECT CHURCH" would be a reflection of Christ in the community exemplifying God's love, patience and His forgiveness.
