HOW TO HAVE THE FIRE OF GOD IN YOUR MINISTRY
Acts 2:1-13
I. INTRODUCTION
Each of us in this room is a unique individual. We each have different talents, different tastes, and different personalities. We have different strengths and weaknesses. But, there is one thing we all share in common, one thing we all long after. We all deeply desire to have the fire of God in our ministry. Every one of us here longs to have a fruitful ministry. We want to be mightily used by God. We want more than anything for God to be glorified in our life and ministry. We earnestly long for the fire of God!
Yet, what does it take to have the fire of God in your ministry? What are the absolute essential ingredients in a fruitful ministry? If we could boil down all the aspects of a successful ministry, what would be left as the essential ingredients? What would be the irreducible minimum? Would it be our theology? Would it be our personal chrisma? Would it be our charming personality? Would it be our sheer determinism? Would it be our church situation? Would it be something else? Our text today, Acts 2:1-13, gives us the answer.
As we consider the context of this passage, there are several levels we should consider. First, as we look at its canonical context we see the events of this chapter are a dramatic reversal of the curse of Babel. At Babel human languages were confused and the nations scattered; in Jerusalem the language barrier was supernaturally overcome as a sign that the nations would be gathered together in Christ. At Babel the people tried to proudly ascend to heaven; but here we see heaven humbly descended to the people. Next, as we look at its context in the Book of Acts we first see it is a bridge connecting Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit in chapter one and Peter’s sermon in chapter two. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised the Holy Spirit would soon come upon them empowering them to be His witnesses. In our passage, the Holy Spirit comes upon them and Peter is empowered to preach boldly the gospel. In addition, when we consider Luke wrote Acts to set forth for Theophilus an account of the origin and development of the early church, we realize this passage is central to his purpose. Near the beginning of each part of his two-volume work, he demonstrates the indispensability of the Holy Spirit’s enabling. Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus when John baptized Him, so that He entered His public ministry “full of the Holy Spirit”, “led by the Spirit”, “in the power of the Spirit”, and “anointed” by the Spirit so now the same Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus to equip them for their mission in the world. The passage shows the crucial role the Holy Spirit had in the formation of the early church. Luke wants Theophilus to know that clearly everything that follows in his account is a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Apart from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit there would be no church, there would be not book of Acts—because Luke’s account is not so much the Acts of the Apostles and the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Last, we must consider this passage’s contemporary context. What does it say to the church today? Because of the continuity of the church and the covenant of redemption, this passage reaches across the pages of church history and speaks to us today even as it spoke to the original audience. When we look beneath the historical particulars we see contemporary truths—we see the essential ingredients for the fire of God in our ministry. The same essential ingredients that brought the fire of God into the early church will bring the fire of God into our ministry.
What are those essential ingredients? They are the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. Warren Wiersbe notes, “The early church had none of the things that we think are so essential for success today - buildings, money, political influence, social status - and yet the church won multitudes to Christ and saw many churches established throughout the Roman world. Why? Because the church had the power of the Holy Spirit energizing its ministry. They were a people who "were ignited by the Spirit of God." For combustion to take place you must have two essential ingredients: fuel and heat. In our text, we will see the Apostles were spiritually ignited as the two essential ingredients for spiritual combustion came together on that Day of Pentecost---the fuel of Spirit’s presence and the heat of His power.
II. THE FUEL OF HOLY SPIRIT’S PRESENCE—HIS BAPTISM (1-3)
If our ministry is going to be on fire for God, the first ingredient we must have is the presence of the Holy Spirit. In these verses Luke records for us the dramatic event of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Though the Holy Spirit had been at work in the Old Testament days, this day signaled a new method of working for the Holy Spirit. He would no longer work from the outside on individuals but He would work from within them. Jesus anticipated this day of the outpouring of the Spirit’s presence when He told His disciples in John 14:17, “that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
This initial coming of the Holy Spirit’s presence to dwell within the believer was accompanied with supernatural signs and wonders. First, let us look at the day of His presence. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, which was also called the Feast of the First Fruits. On this day the first fruits of the harvest were given to God. This day is significant because here on this Feast of the First Fruits we have the Holy Spirit given as the first fruits of the believer’s inheritance. Paul wrote to the Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will complete our salvation. He is the first fruits of our salvation, which is God’s pledge that we will have the full harvest of our salvation someday. Also on this day 3,000 persons were gathered into the church as the first fruits of the full harvest of believers yet to come.
Next, we have the phenomenon of His presence. The supernatural phenomenon of both sound and sight accompanied the Spirit’s presence. First, there was the sound of a violent rushing wind probably like that of a tornado. I experienced just such a sound when I was in Louisville in 1974. In April a massive tornado came through the campus uprooting huge trees. I remember the sound it made as it passed through the seminary. It was like the roar of a jet engine or a locomotive. This sound on Pentecost was a similar sound that filled the whole house where they were sitting. It was designed to get everyone’s attention and it certainly did. It even got the attention of the crowds in Jerusalem, as we will see in a moment. Second, there was the sight of tongues as of fire. From the Greek it seems there was the initial appearance of a single flame that was divided and rested on each one of them. This was signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit on each one individually. As you know, fire is often used in Scripture as a symbol of God’s presence. Remember how God came to Moses, He came to Moses in the flaming bush. Notice, Luke says the fire “rested” on each of them. The Greek word for “rested” e)ka/qisen means to remain for some time in a place, often with the implication of a settled situation. Luke uses this word because he wants the reader to understand the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Apostles was a permanent reality. Luke used this word again in this chapter in Peter’s sermon were it is translated “sit” (v30). Peter is speaking of God raising Christ to sit on His throne. We know this is a permanent reality; Christ will forever remain on His throne. Therefore, Luke is telling us the Holy Spirit’s presence inhabited them on this day and would remain in them. Hence, the first ingredient for the fire of God was present; the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Though we are separated from Pentecost by almost 2,000 years, we too can have the Holy Spirit’s presence just as they did. If we look beneath the historical phenomenon, we see the spiritual truth that the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. It is not the sound of the wind or the tongues of fire that are normative for the church. What is normative is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This event at Pentecost has become known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This initially occurred on this occasion and it continues to occur at each person’s spiritual birth. Speaking about our life in the Spirit Paul told the church in Rome, Rom 8:9 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Paul clearly says if we are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit we are not Christians. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is a once and for all occurrence that happens at our regeneration. The Bible never speaks of a second baptism, nor are we ever commanded to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If you are born again, you have the presence of the Holy Spirit. You have the fuel necessary for the fire of God in your ministry.
III. THE HEAT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER—HIS FILLING (4-13)
It is not enough just to have fuel. If you are going to have combustion, you must also have heat. If you are going to have the fire of God in your ministry, it is not enough just to have the fuel of the Spirit’s presence, but you must also have the heat of His power.
First, let us look at the condition of His power. Luke says, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” The condition for the power of the Holy Spirit is to be filled with Him. Next, notice the manifestations of His power. The Apostles spoke in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. Luke explains what this means in the verses that follow. Because of the sound of the violent wind, a crowd had gathered. The Apostles began to speak of the mighty deeds of God. Amazingly, the people from various countries could hear the Apostles speaking in their native tongue. These men were speaking perfectly languages they had never studied. The effect of His power was the complete bewilderment and astonishment of the men gathered there. Luke makes a great deal of this effect of the Spirit’s power. In verse 6 he uses the word “bewildered” which in the Greek means to cause such astonishment as to dismay and bewilder. In verse 7 he uses “amazed” and “astonished.” The Greek word for “amazed” means to be so astonished as to almost fail to comprehend what one has experienced. What was happening was beyond their comprehension or understanding. Luke also says they were astonished. This Greek word means to wonder, to be amazed, or to marvel. These men were beside themselves with wonder over what was happening. Again, in verse 12 Luke says, “they all continued in amazement and great perplexity.” Luke adds a new word when he adds “great perplexity.” The Greek word means to be very perplexed, not to know what to do, to be very confused. Luke makes it perfectly clear the effect of the Spirit’s power on that day was to throw this crowd into total astonishment and amazement.
Why does Luke make so much of their bewilderment and utter confusion? Luke is preparing us for the results of the Spirit’s power, the conversion of 3,000 souls. God used the Apostles speaking in these various languages to set the stage for Peter’s sermon. This crowd had been so amazed and confounded by what they had witnessed, there mental and psychological defenses had been broken down. Because they had just confronted a phenomenon they could not explain or understand, they were mentally and psychologically open to the truth Peter was about to proclaim. The Holy Spirit’s power had broken up the hard soil of their hearts and prepared them for the sowing of the seed of the Word. The Holy Spirit used the imperishable seed of the Word to bring about the spiritual birth of 3,000 souls that day. Therefore, because of the fuel of the Spirit’s presence and the heat of His power, the fire of God was on Peter’s preaching and 3,000 souls were added to the kingdom of God.
The second essential ingredient to have the fire of God in your ministry is the power of the Holy Spirit. When we look beneath the historical particulars of the manifestations of Spirit’s power, we find the particular truth that we too must have the power of the Holy Spirit in our ministries. It is not the speaking in tongues that is normative for the church today. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that is normative for the church, and that power comes when we are filled with the Spirit.
Luke gives us several examples in Acts to show the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit if the power of God is going to be on our ministry. One is found in chapter 4:8 where we see Peter again being filled with the Holy Spirit. He is brought before the Annas the high priest and other Jewish leaders to be questioned about his witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. Luke records, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them." Peter was empowered by the Holy Spirit to give a bold witness before these religious leaders. Because Peter had the presence and power of the Spirit, his words were so filled with the fire of God the leaders were amazed at his confidence and his knowledge. If time permitted, we could go through Acts and see other examples of the fire of God coming on individuals who were filled with the Holy Spirit.
This brings us to our initial question, “How can you have the fire of God in your ministry?” You must have the fuel of His presence and the heat of His power. As a Christian you already have the fuel of His presence. What is left is for you to have the heat of His power, which comes as you are filled with the Spirit. Therefore, the crucial question is “How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit?”
Our answer is found in Ephesians 5:18. Even though God commands us to be filled with the Spirit in this verse, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” God does not give us a formula to being filled. Yet, I believe there are some spiritual principles in this verse that will guide us. First, the verb “be filled” is in the imperative mood. This brings us to the first principle; it is a command. To be filled with the Spirit is not an option for the believer. God commands us to be filled with His Spirit.
Second, the word “filled” has the connotation of total control. The person who is filled with sorrow (John 16:6) is no longer under his own control but is totally under the control of that emotion. In the same way, someone who is filled with fear (Luke 5:26), anger (Luke 6:11), faith (Acts 6:5), or even Satan (Acts 5:3) is no longer under his own control but under the total control of that which dominates him. Therefore, to be filled with the Spirit is to be totally dominated and controlled by the Holy Spirit. To be filled does not mean we receive more of the Holy Spirit, rather we allow Him to have more of us. This means we must empty ourselves. Therefore, the second key principle is complete surrender. We must yield ourselves completely to the control of the Holy Spirit. We must surrender our will to His will, all we are to all He is. This involves confession of sin and dying to the self-life. This means living in obedience to the Word of God. This means surrendering to the Lordship of Christ.
Third, from the verb tense we see the filling is to be a continuous filling.
Thus, the third key principle is continuous surrender. We are to be filled moment by moment with the Holy Spirit. It is not a once and for all surrender but a daily surrender that allows us to continuously be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, to be filled with the Holy Spirit means that in obedience to God’s command to be filled with the Spirit, we completely and continuously surrender ourselves to be controlled moment by moment by the Holy Spirit. This means we consciously practice the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ trusting the Holy Spirit to live the life of Christ through us. It is no longer our ministry but His ministry through us. The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-empowered life. We no longer look to ourselves for the power to minister but look to Him to minister through us. Hudson Taylor called it the exchanged life. He exchanged his life for the life of Christ in him. From China he wrote his sister, “The sweetest part, if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this; for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest position He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient. His resources are mine, for His is mine and is with me and dwells in me.”
If you want the fire of God in your ministry, you must add the heat of His power to the fuel of His presence that you already have. You add the heat of His power as you in obedience to God’s command to be filled with the Spirit completely and continuously surrender yourself to be controlled moment by moment by the Holy Spirit. You commit to depend upon Him moment by moment to minister the life of Christ through you. Are you willing to make that surrender today?
