WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT PENTECOST?
ACTS 2:1-13
INTRODUCTION…Power for the Church by unknown
Power can be used in at least two ways: it can be unleashed, or it can be harnessed. The energy in ten gallons of gasoline instance, can be released explosively by dropping a lighted match into the can. Or it can be channeled through the engine of a Datsun in a controlled burn and used to transport a person 350 miles. Explosions are spectacular, but controlled burns have lasting effect, staying power.
The Holy Spirit works both ways. At Pentecost, he exploded on the scene; His presence was like “tongues of fire” (Acts 2:3). Thousands were affected by one burst of God’s power.
But He also works through the church—the institution God began to tap the Holy Spirit’s power for the long haul. Through worship, fellowship, and service, Christians are provided with staying power.
READ ACTS 2:1-13
I. PENTECOST- THE AWAITED TURNING POINT
The Holy Spirit was something that was promised to the disciples. Jesus had spoken about this counselor that would come. Jesus promised that He would not leave these men alone, but that they would have a constant companion to aid them in all their efforts for God (John 15:26-16:16). Acts chapter 1 records that Jesus commanded the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for this wonderful gift. Jesus promises the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises these men “power” when the Holy Spirit is given to them and they will be powerful witnesses for Christ in Jerusalem and in the surrounding areas and in the entire world.
So, the disciples wait. It was the fiftieth day of these feasts and they were gathered together. It seems that for these Christians celebrating Pentecost together, the feasts would soon take on a whole new meaning. The Day of Pentecost would soon have new meaning to these people sitting there—they would be witnesses and participants to the birth of the Church. The Holy Spirit came so fantastically.
We find that the Holy Spirit came in the wind. There they were enjoying a meal together when the whole house was filled with the sound of a rushing wind. The Holy Spirit has been associated with the wind before hasn’t it? Jesus talks about the Spirit and wind in John 3:8. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. It goes wherever it pleases and you cannot see it. The Spirit, like the wind, can and is a powerful force. Just ask anyone who’s ever had their roof torn off or a building blown down. The wind is powerful. So is the Spirit. The Spirit came in power this day of Pentecost and everyone heard it.
We also find that the Holy Spirit came in the fire. Not only did they hear the Spirit come but they saw it as well. They saw fire appear and a little flame came to each of them and rested on them. The fire meant something very important. We find in Exodus 3, that when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush—it meant that Moses was in the presence of God. It means the same thing here. The very Spirit of God was among them and was about to take up residence in their hearts. They actually saw the fire come to each of them. They saw that God was there and was about to anoint them to do the work of the church. The Spirit came in power this Day of Pentecost and everyone saw it.
We find that the Spirit came and allowed those who were there to speak in tongues. What an amazing miracle for the beginning of the church! And really, if you think about it—the Holy Spirit was providing exactly what the apostles and other’s needed to proclaim the Gospel. The rest of the passage after verse 5 tells us that there were Jews from 14 different nations around the world. That’s at least 14 different languages that had to be learned so the Gospel could be preached. Through the power of God, these apostles were given the gift to speak and be heard by everyone in their native language. All the thousands and thousands of Jews who were in Jerusalem would be able to hear the Gospel and understand it. Amazing and wonderful! The Holy Spirit came in power this Day of Pentecost and everyone saw it demonstrated.
So, the church was born. The Holy Spirit had now come to rest on the followers of Jesus and they could now go out and do as He had asked them to do—spread the Gospel.
ILLUSTRATION… What is the church?
Russ Blowers is a minister who is active in his local Indianapolis Rotary club. At club meetings each week a member gives a brief statement about his job. When it was his turn, Russ said: "I’m with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every parliament and boardroom on earth. We’re into motivation and behavior alteration.
We run hospitals, feeding stations, crisis pregnancy centers, universities, publishing houses, and nursing homes. We care for our clients from birth to death.
We are into life insurance and fire insurance. We perform spiritual heart transplants. Our original Organizer owns all the real estate on earth plus an assortment of galaxies and constellations. He knows everything and lives everywhere. Our product is free for the asking. (There’s not enough money to buy it.)
Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn’t own a home, was misunderstood by his family, hated by enemies, walked on water, was condemned to death without a trial, and arose from the dead--I talk with him everyday."
II. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. Stephen in Acts 6:8-15
Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5) and was the first Christian killed for His faith. Stephen was a teacher and wonder worker for Christ and was so persuasive that no one could refute his arguments (verse 10). Some of the Jews began to resent him and his teaching and brought false accusers (verse 11) to get rid of him. These Jews wanted him condemned for preaching about Jesus (verse 14).
When asked if these charges against him were true, Stephen preaches a wonderful persuasive sermon on the identity of Christ and does so by way of the Old Testament Scriptures. He called them “stiff-necked people” and made them see clearly that they had ignored Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. Even in the midst of this trial and all of this hate and doubt, Stephen had the composure and confidence to preach this powerful sermon. Not only that, but had the compassion for them to ask God to forgive them while they stoned him. We see the power of the Holy Spirit in Stephen’s life.
B. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:29-35
Philip, like Stephen, was a man of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. He was a man sensitive to the desires of the Spirit. Philip started out down the road and knew not what laid ahead of him. He met a man who “happened” to be reading from the Old Testament and “happened” to be reading a passage prophesying about Jesus.
Philip was able to explain to this man all about Christ and how He fulfilled the Old Testament promises and this man was saved. In fact, this man was baptized that hour when they traveled together and came upon a pool of water. Philip was in the exact place God needed him… all because he listened to the Holy Spirit. Philip knew what needed to be said to this man because he listened and was guided by the Holy Spirit.
C. Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10:44-48
Acts chapter 10 records for us the Apostle Peter preaching to Gentile (non-Jewish) believers in the house of a man named Cornelius. Peter is convinced that God wants him to preach about Jesus to these people (Acts 10:34-35) and he does so. Peter states that he is a witness to all of the things that Jesus said and did and that Jesus was the Messiah. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon these Gentile believers and they spoke in tongues and praised God.
It was the power of the Holy Spirit that showed Peter and other Christians that Jesus was available to anyone, not just Jews. Christians are found in all nations and in all languages and it is a free gift to anyone who accepts it. Peter saw, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the Savior and Lord of all people and not just the Jews. Peter baptized all these people and they were added to the number of the Jewish Christians.
III. THE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS AND SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL
Without the Holy Spirit’s leading and power, none of the missionary journeys would have even been started or even made possible. Everywhere the Apostles went, the Holy Spirit went ahead of them to prepare the way and soften hearts and open doors. It was the Holy Spirit that allowed them to see what towns to go to and which to avoid. Acts 13 records that the Holy Spirit selected Barnabas and Paul as missionaries and guided them in the way they should go. Acts 16 tells us that the Holy Spirit strategically planned the travels of Paul and Silas and it was the guidance of the Holy Spirit that got them through. Acts 20 describes the Holy Spirit warning Paul of the dangers he would face and prepared him for the difficult missionary journey.
CONCLUSION
What’s so important about Pentecost?
> Gift of the Holy Spirit was permanently given to followers of Christ
> The mission of the church began and continues to this day to spread the Gospel of Jesus
