The Power Of Pentecost

They were willing to risk everything if it meant that the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ would reach you and me. And thank God they were willing! Amen? Amen!

We heard some of what Peter said earlier on this first birthday of the church, this Pentecost.

To get an idea of the transformation Peter went through, let’s listen to some more of what Peter said that day.

Remember, this is the same Peter we talked about last week who denied Christ three times and who was eventually restored, reinstated by Jesus.

Let’s listen to the words of this transformed man: [PPT – “Peter’s Message”] Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

So this is Pentecost. This is the day the church was birthed into being by the Holy Spirit. This is how you came to hear the message of the gospel.

It started with the Holy Spirit filling the people of God and empowering them to, against the grain, against what was popular, against all cultural norms, share the hope of the gospel to this broken needy world.

And so it does come around, back to you and to me today. This question:

What is your calling in the light of the resurrection of Jesus, in the light of the coming of the Holy Spirit both on this original day of Pentecost when the church was born but also in the light of the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, if you have received Him as your Lord and Saviour, then the Holy Spirit of God lives in you. He lives in us collectively as the body of Christ, And YOU have a calling to fulfill.

For some, you may have the calling of a missionary on your life. That’s why I’m here. A long time ago God called me to be a missionary and over time I learned that the mission field I was called to was my own backyard.