Suddenly.

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.