WE’VE GOT THE POWER – 1
“WHERE IT ALL BEGAN”
Introduction: Over the next few weeks I’m going to be preaching a series of messages on the Power of the Holy Spirit in Believer’s lives. How do we get that power? How do we walk in it? What benefit is it to us individually and collectively? Are tongues for today - - - are they really real? When did it all start – which is my first message in this series today: “Where It All Began”. The title of this series is: “We’ve Got The Power”. Remember Robin Williams in that hilarious movie, "Mom Forever?"
What? Don’t remember that one? Well, that’s what they call it in Italy, anyway. We know it better as Mrs. Doubtfire.
Some American-made movies and TV shows end up with very different names by the time they reach foreign turf. Often, something gets lost in the translation.
For instance, Baywatch is known as "The Lifeguards of Malibu" in Germany. Meanwhile, Growing Pains is "Our Loud Home" in Germany and "Parents Wear Blue Jeans" in Italy. (Hip, huh?)
It’s funny how different words mean different things in other languages isn’t it? (tell story about Canfield in Peru) Have you ever met someone who spoke a different language and you tried to carry on a conversation with them? It’s impossible (expound) What do you suppose would happen if today each of us came into church today and each of us spoke different languages, and we tried to carry on a conversation with each other. It would be impossible wouldn’t it? In I Corinthians 14:6-8 it gives us an idea of what might take place. I like how the Living Bible says it. It says, “Dear friends, even if I myself should come to you talking in some language you don’t understand, how would that help you? But if I speak plainly what God has revealed to me, and tell you the things I know, and what is going to happen, and the great truths of God’s Word-- that is what you need; that is what will help you. Even musical instruments-- the flute, for instance, or the harp-- are examples of the need for speaking in plain, simple English rather than in unknown languages. For no one will recognize the tune the flute is playing unless each note is sounded clearly. And if the army bugler doesn’t play the right notes, how will the soldiers know that they are being called to battle?” (TLB) (expound – about mass confusion in the church back then)
But I’m jumping ahead here of what I want to talk about today. Where did all of this start? How did it all begin? Well, it all began with the beginning of the New Testament Church. Does it surprise anyone here today that various denominations have different opinions of when the New Testament Church began? (expound). The reason they struggle with this is because of the Baptism of/in the Holy Spirit – through the evidence of speaking in other tongues. So, today, I want to try to clear this up. I think it is extremely important for us to know exactly when the New Testament Church began. Why?
Well, that is my message today - - - “Where It All Began” (pray)
I. Many denominations teach today that the New Testament Church began on the day of Pentecost. Is this true of false? So, when did the New Testament Church begin? (keep an open mind here).
A. Let’s look to the Bible for this truth. Mark 8:31, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Matt 26:61, “And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.” (KJV) Mark 14:58
“We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.” (KJV)
B. I believe that these Scriptures (and many more) clearly define exactly when the New Testament Church began. On the day of His resurrection and 1st ascension! (expound). John 20:17, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (KJV) (after this ascension he appeared to the disciples and Thomas, etc.).
1. This is clearly when the New Testament Church began! Still not convinced?
C. Then look at: Ephesians 4:8-16. “Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"-- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) John 5:25-28, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” (Expound)
1. If this is not when the New Testament Church began, then how on earth was Jesus able to take those who had died before His birth, death, and resurrection, on up into heaven with Him? It would be impossible if salvation had not already come!
D. If this was not where the New Testament Church began then how could the next portion of this Scripture go on to say in Ephesians 4:11-16, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (KJV) (expound)
II. If the church began before the Day of Pentecost then that means that the Acts 2 experience (what we call the Baptism of the Holy Spirit), is another separate baptism – totally separate from salvation. Is this true?
A. Look at John 20:21-23. It says, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (KJV)
B. Do you see what happened here? Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit (before the Day of Pentecost).
1. That means then that they had received Holy Ghost before Pentecost! (expound)
2. And so it is with every believer (regardless of denomination). When a person receives the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and Him only, they immediately receive the Holy Spirit in their lives.
3. This can only mean then that there is another baptism. It is an “upon” baptism experience; an enduement of power just like they received on the Day of Pentecost! (expound)
III. Every believer that receives Jesus Christ as their Savior receives this “breath” of eternal life! Every one!
A. Just as God the Father breathed into original man, so God the Son breathes new life into a new believer.
1. Through His blood of the new covenant this new breed of “man”
makes up the Body of Christ - - - the New Testament Church!
2. But we are also promised to be immersed in the Holy Spirit for effective service. (expound).
B. Still not convinced? Look at Philip in Samaria. He preached to the multitudes there and they believed and received the Spirit of salvation.
1. But those Samaritans did not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came in Acts 8.
IV. The New Testament Church began on Resurrection Sunday – when Jesus first brought the dead up from the bosom of Abraham (expound).
A. The devil wants to convince Christians today that the New Testament Church didn’t begin until the Day of Pentecost, and that the “tongues” experience, is/was only a one-time experience. (expound) If he can do that, then the power that the Church of God universal needs today, the power that will raise the dead, the power that will heal the sick, the power that will cast out demons, the power that will give a church a true burden for the lost, the power that will give both the individual Christian and the Church of God universal supernatural, divine teaching and direction, will be useless! John 10:10a says, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (expound)
Conclusion: It’s time for the “sleeping giant”, the church of God universal to wake up from their sleep, and to go out and carry out the great commission! (expound)
Next Message – part 2 of this series – “What’s The Purpose?”.
You can e-mail me at: Sharing_Him_Today@msn.com
