What The Holy Spirit Says

Acts 02:22-47 Basingstoke Baptist What the Holy Spirit Says 11th May 2008

The Gossamer Albatross was a human powered aircraft which on Jun 12th 79 completed a successful crossing of the English Channel.

The aircraft was powered using pedals to drive a large two-bladed propeller.

Piloted by amateur cyclist Bryan Allen, it completed the 22.2 mile crossing in 2 hours and 49 minutes, achieving a top speed of 18 mph and an average altitude of 1.5 metres (5 feet). He landed exhausted after 22 miles on French Coast.

Q? Why hasn’t man powered flight caught on? Never maintain energy!

Jesus Christ calls us to be His disciples.

He knew we could never keep it up by Pedalling our own way through life.

He knew how necessary it was for Him to return to his Father to send His Spirit

Acts 1:8 "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit Comes on you!"

Power to live Christ filled lives! Power to be His witnesses in the world

Often said “It’s not difficult to live the Christian life - its impossible without God’s Spirit!

Q? Are you relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to live your life as a Christian?

Could you be described as a Spirit filled Christian?

Or are you feeling defeated and struggling in own strength?

Today we celebrate Pentecost – The Day Jesus fulfilled His promise.

When the Holy Spirit came – at 9 O’clock in the morning during feast

when timid frightened disciples were filled with joy - looked drunk

when the Gospel was proclaimed with bold clarity, all heard in own language

when 1000s responded to the good news of Jesus Christ

when the Church was born - community of believers created by the Spirit.

We’re part of same community – the same faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord

We share in the same birth right! We too can know God’s power & receive His Spirit.

Look at the message Peter preached that morning:

Notice how the powerful ministry of the Spirit - did two things through Peter:

1. The Holy Spirit revealed Jesus Christ

2. The Holy Spirit brought a response to Jesus Christ.

Revelation and Response. Or put another way ....

1. What Spirit says about Jesus. 2. What the Spirit says to us.

1. WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS ABOUT JESUS v22-35

It may seem obvious but must say - The Holy Spirit is a person - not an “it!”

Jesus calls Him "Another" counsellor- “another” of the same kind as Jesus Jn 14:16

We’re told in scripture that the Holy Spirit can be grieved, resisted, lied to, - a person!

We’re also told that He witnesses and also speaks!

We’re talking about someone with personality and with the ability to communicate

The person of the Holy Spirit points always to Jesus.

"He’ll give glory to me". Jn 16:14 He’s not the star, He’s the floodlight

He’s not the TV presenter, He’s the camera man. Hidden pointing to Jesus.

You can tell if someone’s word is prompted by the Spirit if it honours glorifies Jesus.

In Peter’s sermon that first Whit Sunday – He’s not preaching about the Spirit but Jesus!

(i) Jesus ministry v22

"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.

Miracles: Jesus ministry was full of miracles = dunameis dynamite power

Wonders: Cause astonishment so often people reacted amazement to Jesus

Signs: Often there’s spiritual truth behind miracles. Lazarus Feed 5000, Wine

What does Peter say? "Jesus was accredited by God by these things"

Word ACCREDIT means demonstrate, show off or exhibit.

Power of God at work in Jesus ministry demonstrates Jesus Christ is God’s son!

You want to know who Jesus Christ is, look at His credentials!

You want to know if He truly is God - look at His powerful ministry!

Spirit shows Jesus ministry has God’s seal of approval. It was the Genuine article!

(ii) Jesus’ Death v23. “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.

On one hand "wicked" men nailed Jesus to cross = "lawless" implies Romans not Jews

Later v36 Holds Jews responsible "This Jesus whom You crucified!"

Men were responsible for Jesus death - but listen the cross was no accident.

Not an emergency plan when things went wrong. Plan B!!

God had planned the cross from before creation! His set purpose & foreknowledge

God knew when He gave us freedom that we’d choose disobedience -

He knew sin must be punished, justice handed out,

Knew that His Son must die if we were to be forgiven & enjoy fellowship with Him.