This is the manuscript of the sermon delivered on Pentecost Sunday June 5, 2022.
Power can be used in at least two ways: it can be unleashed, or it can be harnessed. The energy in ten gallons of gasoline for instance, can be released explosively by dropping a lighted match into it. Or it can be channeled through the engine of a car in a controlled burn and used to transport a person 350 miles. Explosions are spectacular, but controlled burns have lasting effect, they have staying power.
The Holy Spirit works both ways. At Pentecost, he exploded on the scene; His presence was like “tongues of fire”. Thousands were affected by one burst of God’s power.
But He also works through the church—the institution that God started to tap the Holy Spirit’s power for the long haul. Through worship, fellowship, and service, Christians are provided with staying power.
You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/jOmK_cRp9fI
Scripture
Acts 2:1-13 NIV When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Text
Acts 1:4-5 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
INTRODUCTION
Power can be used in at least two ways: it can be unleashed, or it can be harnessed. The energy in ten gallons of gasoline for instance, can be released explosively by dropping a lighted match into it. Or it can be channeled through the engine of a car in a controlled burn and used to transport a person 350 miles. Explosions are spectacular, but controlled burns have lasting effect, they have staying power.
The Holy Spirit works both ways. At Pentecost, he exploded on the scene; His presence was like “tongues of fire”. Thousands were affected by one burst of God’s power.
But He also works through the church—the institution that God started to tap the Holy Spirit’s power for the long haul. Through worship, fellowship, and service, Christians are provided with staying power.
I. PENTECOST- THE AWAITED TURNING POINT
Let’s first look at the origin of Pentecost which we are commemorating today. In the book of Leviticus, God commanded the nation of Israel to celebrate 7 feasts.
Passover
Unleavened Bread
First Fruits
Weeks (Pentecost happens then)
Trumpets
Day of Atonement
Tabernacles
The first four feasts happen in rapid succession at the beginning of the Jewish religious year which starts with Passover. The Feast of Weeks happens 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits.
Leviticus 23:15-16 NIV “ ‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.
The word “Pentecost” means “fiftieth,” and since the feast was held seven weeks after firstfruits, it was on the first day of the week, or Sunday.
The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was primarily a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, but it was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The church’s transformation of the Jewish feast to a Christian festival was thus related to the belief that the gift of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus was the firstfruits of a new dispensation that fulfilled and succeeded the old dispensation of the Law.
With that background let's get to today's message.
The Holy Spirit was something that was promised to the disciples. Jesus had spoken about this counselor that would come. Jesus promised that He would not leave these men alone, but that they would have a constant companion to aid them in all their efforts for God.
John 14:15-17 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 16:12-16 NIV “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
John 15:26-27 NIV “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
Acts chapter 1 records, as we see in our text today, that Jesus commanded the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for this wonderful gift. Jesus promises the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises these men “power” when the Holy Spirit is given to them and they will be powerful witnesses for Christ in Jerusalem and in the surrounding areas and in the entire world.
Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
So, the disciples wait. It was the fiftieth day of these feasts and they were gathered together. All of the feasts would soon take on a whole new meaning, for these Jews who were celebrating Pentecost together. This Day of Pentecost would soon have new meaning to these people sitting there—they would be witnesses and participants to the birth of the Church.
The Holy Spirit came in a fantastic way that day.
We find that the Holy Spirit came in the wind. There they were together when the whole house was filled with the sound of a rushing wind.
Acts 2:2 NIV Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
The Holy Spirit has been associated with the wind before hasn’t it? Jesus talks about the Spirit and wind in his conversation with Nicodemus and the need to be born again
John 3:8 NIV The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is like the wind, in that
It goes wherever it pleases and you cannot see it. The Spirit, like the wind, can be and is a powerful force. Just ask anyone who’s ever had their roof torn off or a building blown down, or been in Chicago on a windy day. The wind is powerful. So is the Spirit. The Spirit came in power on this day of Pentecost and everyone heard it.
We also find that the Holy Spirit came in the fire. Not only did they hear the Spirit come but they saw it as well. They saw fire appear and a little flame came to each of them and rested on them.
Acts 2:3 NIV They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
The fire meant something very important. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush—it meant that Moses was in the presence of God.
Exodus 3:1-6 NIV Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
It means the same thing here. The very Spirit of God was among them and was about to take up residence in their hearts. They actually saw the fire come to each of them. They saw that God was there and was about to anoint them to do the work of the church. The Spirit came in power this Day of Pentecost and everyone saw it.
We find that the Spirit came and empowered those who were there to speak in tongues.
Acts 2:4 NIV All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
What an amazing miracle for the beginning of the church! And really, if you think about it—the Holy Spirit was providing exactly what the apostles and other’s needed to proclaim the Gospel.
You see, there were Jews from 14 different nations around the world there that day. The were there because 3 times each year all Israelite males were required to be in Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 16:16 NIV Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed:
Acts 2:9-11 NIV Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
That’s at least 14 different languages that had to be learned so the Gospel could be preached. Through the power of God, these apostles were given the gift to speak and be heard by everyone in their native language. All the thousands and thousands of Jews who were in Jerusalem would be able to hear the Gospel and understand it. Amazing and wonderful! The Holy Spirit came in power this Day of Pentecost and everyone saw it demonstrated.
So, the church was born that day. The Holy Spirit had now come to rest on the followers of Jesus and they could now go out and do as He had commanded to do—spread the Gospel.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So, what is the church?
Let me give you a quick illustration that I found as I was preparing this sermon. Russ Blowers is a minister who is active in his local Indianapolis Rotary club. At club meetings each week a member gives a brief statement about his job. When it was his turn, Russ said: "I’m with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every parliament and boardroom on earth. We’re into motivation and behavior alteration.
We run hospitals, feeding stations, crisis pregnancy centers, universities, publishing houses, and nursing homes. We care for our clients from birth to death.
We are into life insurance and fire insurance. We perform spiritual heart transplants. Our original Organizer owns all the real estate on earth plus an assortment of galaxies and constellations. He knows everything and lives everywhere. Our product is free for the asking. (There’s not enough money to buy it.)
Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn’t own a home, was misunderstood by his family, hated by enemies, walked on water, was condemned to death without a trial, and arose from the dead--I talk with him everyday."
II. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Now let’s talk about the power of the Holy Spirit
A. Let's look at Stephen in Acts 6:8-15
Acts 6:8-15 NIV Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and was the first Christian killed for His faith. Stephen was a teacher and wonder worker for Christ and was so persuasive that no one could refute his arguments. Some of the Jews began to resent him and his teaching and brought false accusers to get rid of him. These Jews wanted him condemned for preaching about Jesus.
When asked if these charges against him were true, Stephen preaches a wonderful persuasive sermon on the identity of Christ and does so by way of the Old Testament Scriptures. He called them “stiff-necked people” and made them see clearly that they had ignored Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. Even in the midst of this trial and all of this hate and doubt, Stephen had the composure and confidence to preach this powerful sermon. Not only that, but had the compassion for them to ask God to forgive them while they stoned him.
Acts 7:57-60 NIV At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
We see the power of the Holy Spirit in Stephen’s life.
B. Let's look at another disciple Philip, in
Acts 8:29-35 NIV The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Philip, like Stephen, was a man of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. He was a man sensitive to the desires of the Spirit. Philip started out down the road with no idea of what lay ahead of him. He met a man who “just happened” to be reading from the Old Testament and “just happened ” to be reading a passage prophesying about Jesus.
Philip was able to explain to this man all about Christ and how He fulfilled the Old Testament promises and this man was saved. In fact, this man was baptized that hour when they traveled together and came to a pool of water. Philip was in the exact place God needed him… all because he listened to the Holy Spirit. Philip knew what needed to be said to this man because he listened and was guided by the Holy Spirit.
C. Let's look at one more Peter
Acts chapter 10 records for us the Apostle Peter preaching to Gentile (non-Jewish) believers in the house of a man named Cornelius. Peter is convinced that God wants him to preach about Jesus to these people and he does it.
Acts 10:34-35 NIV Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
Peter states that he is a witness to all of the things that Jesus said and did and that Jesus was the Messiah. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon these Gentile believers and they spoke in tongues and praised God.
Acts 10:44-48 NIV While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
It was the power of the Holy Spirit that showed Peter and other Christians that Jesus was available to anyone, not just Jews. Christians are found in all nations and in all languages and it is a free gift to anyone who accepts it. Peter saw, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the Savior and Lord of all people and not just the Jews. Peter baptized all these people and they were added to the number of the Jewish Christians.
III. THE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS AND SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL
Without the Holy Spirit’s leading and power, none of the missionary journeys of Paul, Barnabas, Silas or any of the other apostles or disciples, would have started or even made possible. Everywhere the Apostles went, the Holy Spirit went ahead of them to prepare the way and soften hearts and open doors. It was the Holy Spirit that allowed them to see what towns to go to and which to avoid. Acts 13 records that the Holy Spirit selected Barnabas and Paul as missionaries and guided them in the way they should go.
Acts 13:1-3 NIV Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 16 tells us that the Holy Spirit strategically planned the travels of Paul and Silas and it was the guidance of the Holy Spirit that got them through.
Acts 16:6-10 NIV Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 20 describes the Holy Spirit warning Paul of the dangers he would face and prepared him for the difficult missionary journey.
Acts 20:22-24 NIV “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
CONCLUSION
What’s so important about Pentecost?
Pentecost Reminds Us Of The Holy Spirit, Period.
The gift of the Holy Spirit was permanently given to followers of Christ. Pentecost is worth celebrating if, for no other reason, we celebrate the Holy Spirit.
2. Pentecost Reminds Us Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit.
If a single word could be used to describe the events on Pentecost, it would be the word, “power.” To a huddled group of discouraged disciples, there came the sound of hurricane-force winds, the strange presence of flames above each head, and then an explosion of gospel witness that catapulted the Jerusalem church to a force that was too large to ignore. When several dozen men and women proclaim the truth among thousands of people, each one hearing them in his or her own language, you know something powerful is at work.
3. Pentecost Reminds Us Of The Importance Of The Great Commission. The mission of the church began and continues to this day to spread the Gospel of Jesus. When we celebrate Pentecost, we can’t help but realize the magnificent responsibility we have been given in the Great Commission.
4. Pentecost Encourages Us In Our Labor.
The Book of Acts opens with a bang — the Holy Spirit arrives and the world begins to be turned upside down by the Church
Acts 17:6-7 NIV But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
Although the book is traditionally called “The Acts of the Apostles,” it is more appropriate to call it “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” This should encourage us.
5. Pentecost Gives Us Hope.
One of the reasons why celebrating Pentecost is such a glorious thing is because of its hope-giving power. After Jesus' crucifixion the disciples may have been a rather discouraged group. Here they were — a handful of people, invested with great truth, and commissioned with great promise. But where was the power? What could they do? The arrival of the Holy Spirit was nothing short of shocking. In His power, they had hope. Things were happening! Thousands were converted! The church mushroomed in size! The truth was proclaimed in every language! Here was hope! But what about today? Is there any hope for us today? Absolutely, yes. We have the same Holy Spirit, and He is no less powerful than He was at Pentecost.
6. Pentecost Overwhelms Us With A Sense Of Awe And Reverential Worship. Those who meditate little upon the greatness of God will little appreciate his infinite nature. But when we look — really look — at our God in all His fullness, we can’t help but be overwhelmed. This Holy Spirit whom we so easily take for granted — living in us — is God, in all His holiness, infinity, majesty, and glory.
Prayer
Lord of Power, just as the outpouring of Your Holy Spirit on Pentecost so drastically changed the lives of the disciples, may the burning fire of Your Holy Spirit refine and renew us, so that we will never be the same. May we move in the power of the Spirit, and may our lives and ministries be infused with Your divine, supernatural touch and authority. May the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation cause us to grow in our knowledge of You. Amen.
If you want the power that I have been talking about today you can have it. The Holy Spirit will come to dwell inside you the second that you accept the invitation of eternal life offered through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus Christ. The second that you confess your sins and need for a Savior and ask Jesus to be that Savior you are saved and the Holy Spirit will come in baptize you into the Body of Christ which is the Church and He will come to dwell in you. Here’s what it says in the Bible.
Romans 10:9-10, 13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Go out into the world, and labour to bring forth new life.
Dream dreams, pursue visions and speak of God’s goodness
in the words of those who would hear.
And may the God who breathed life into creation be your delight.
May Christ Jesus give hope to your dreaming, and may the Holy Spirit, your advocate and supporter,........set your hearts ablaze with a passion for peace.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.” ’
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