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weekly sermon 7-26-09 How Much Does A Pentecost?
Last week we talked about being ourselves and how we are the only us we can be. We learned that, even though we are all individual persons, we are all one in the body of Christ because of the Holy Spirit. I want to continue on this same path for a few weeks and learn how this Holy Spirit made such a huge difference.
I mentioned the word Pentecost in the title of this message for a reason. I want us to take a look at Pentecost and what it truly means. We will be breaking this down into a few segments to make it easier to understand.
The Pentecost was promised for some time before it actually happened. John the Baptist told of it every time he baptized with water. Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33 all tell one account basically the same way. I will use Luke's version. Luke 3:16, "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:" As you can see John the Baptist was telling them all that he baptized with water but that Jesus Christ baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is the telling of the first Pentecost.
Now turn with me to Acts chapter 2. Act 2:1-5, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2)And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3)And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4)And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (5)And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."
This is the story of the very first Pentecost and not only how it happened but what happened. Just a few days prior to this event, Peter had been holding the first church meeting. He stood in the midst of the people and told them that the total number of the minister folk was a hundred and twenty. This hundred and twenty that Peter is talking about are the ones that are in one accord and in one place. This one accord means they were all in the same frame of mind.
The next thing we see is probably one of the most exciting things that we witness from the Bible. A rushing mighty wind comes down and fills the houses, causing all to speak in different tongues. I am sure you are saying, 'why is this one of the most exciting things to witness in the Bible'? Well let me tell you. That wind was the Holy Spirit. There are two things to notice here. The Holy Spirit comes in rushing, rushing into your life taking full control. It also said the wind was mighty. This should give all of us a very strong sense of safety. The Holy Spirit that rushes in to take control of our lives also protects us because of it being so mighty. What a great feeling, knowing we are so taken care of by such a great Father.
The last thing I want us to notice in this segment is who all was there in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost. There were Jews and devout men from every nation under Heaven. What does the mean to us? This shows us what I was talking about last week, that even though we are all individuals we are all brought together as one in the body of Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
In this next segment I want us to take a look at how the Holy Spirit affected those that were there. Turn with me to Act 2:6-8, "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (7)And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (8)And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"
As we can see the folks were confounded, bewildered, when they heard each other speaking to them in their own tongue. They were wondering how it was that these Galilaeans could speak to them and they could understand them. Not only were they wondering about these happenings, they were completely amazed by it. This is a long standing argument amongst many different religious beliefs, this speaking in tongues. It shows us here that they spoke in different tongues because of the Holy Spirit. The argument is always whether we can understand the tongue or whether it is a tongue only God can understand. Here it shows us that we will speak in a tongue unknown to us prior to receiving the Holy Spirit, but known to other parts of the world, plus it states in the Bible that if a tongue is used that no one can understand, then there will be an interperater to tell the others what is being said. 1 Corinthians 14:5, "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
So we have seen the day of Pentecost, how it affected the folks, and now we will see how Peter handled the affect on the folks. Turn with me to Act 2:12-21, "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (13)Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (14)But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (15)For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. (16)But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17)And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18)And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19)And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (20)The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: (21)And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
As we can see the folks were amazed, confused, and in doubt how they could understand the others talking when they were not born in the same area. They were questioning the disciples as to how this was happening. Peter stood, as we can see, and explained that the prophet, Joel, told of this event. Peter told them how that once the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them they would speak in other tongues and understand each other. He told them of all the amazing things, which we will not go into during this message, that was to happen when the Holy Spirit was poured upon us.
Pentecost happened after Easter, or the resurrection of Christ, and was the event, as we have seen, where we could be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
I titled this message "how much does a Pentecost" for a reason. I wanted us to understand what the Pentecost is and then understand what the cost was to obtain it. Notice the first Pentecost did not take place until after Jesus had been crucified and resurrected. This should give you a clue as to the cost. The death of Christ paid for our way to the Holy Spirit. This is a very large cost, the shedding of blood, the dying of a man, and the death of the King of Kings. We should recognize this cost and want to take advantage of the free gift of the Holy Spirit, especially if it means our salvation.
Do you know the cost? Do you know the Holy Spirit? Do you know the Saviour? If you do not but would like to, all you have to do is say a simple prayer with me.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ, Pastor Stone
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