"Heaven Came Down" Acts 2:1-13

God’s Church is the Intersection of History and Eternity.

God’s Church is the intersection between History and Eternity. This eternal truth is evident in the lyrics written by John W. Paterson, as he recounts the testimony given by and elderly man, named Jim, while attending Montrose Bible Conference in Pennsylvania. Jim shared this about his conversion experience: “It seemed like Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.

This eternal truth is proclaimed through Scripture, and through a familiar hymn, Sunday to Sunday. Hear these words:

O what a wonderful, wonderful day Day I will never forget After I’d wandered in darkness away Jesus my Saviour I met

O what a tender, compassionate friend He met the need of my heart

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling He made all the darkness depart

Born of the Spirit with life from above Into God’s family divine

Justified fully thru Calvary’s love O what a standing is mine

And the transaction so quickly was made When as a sinner I came

Took of the offer of grace He did proffer He saved me, O praise His dear name

Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure After the passing of time

I have a future in heaven for sure There in those mansions sublime

And it’s because of that wonderful day When at the cross I believed

Riches eternal and blessings supernal From His precious hand I received

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul) When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole)

My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul)

My sins were washed away And my night was turned to day

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

What a day for you and for me, as we recall how God led us from darkness into His beautiful light. What a joy so delectable and sweet! Can you imagine such a day as Pentecost? Can you imagine the church singing of the mighty deeds of God in such a way that the whole world is turned right-side-up? Is that so far removed from God today, that to expect His mighty power is too great a thing for us to expect? Is God able to do great things, or has God been shackled and restricted in your mind, as you pray in His name by His will?

God’s Church is the Intersection between History and Eternity.

Acts 2:1-13

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

God Keeps His Word.

In true fashion to our Lord and Savior, God accomplishes the fullness of His purpose about Pentecost, while reminding us of His promises and laws in the Old Testament:

Exodus 34:22 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.” The same command is given in more detail in Leviticus 23:15-21, Numbers 28:26-31, and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. God marks the beginning of the new year with the ingathering of the fruit He has so graciously given to His children. This is the promise of the seal that is the “downpayment on our eternity alongside Him. The Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles and their companions. Then God sets out the winnowing fork to the nations.

Where the Feast of Weeks points to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, Pentecost after the once-for-all passover symbolizes God writing His law on our hearts by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Where God confused the tongues upon the tower of Babel, at Pentecost God made all languages conduits of His grace, mercy, and love to proclaim the gospel to the nations!

The Church is the Intersection between History and Eternity.

God’s Word is Powerful to Accomplish its Purpose.

The church has one purpose in two stages: 1. Rejoice in God through faithful obedience, and 2. Glorify God by spreading the Gospel to all who can and will hear. The Gospel accounts, namely Matthew 28:16-20, tells us the scope, height, depth, and breadth of the mission we each have to share such great news. These are the people groups hearing the mighty works of God in their language on Pentecost:

Parthians; Medes; Elamites; Mesopotamians; Judeans; Cappadocians; Pontus; Asia (Minor); Phrygians; Pamphylians; Egyptians; Lybians; Cyreneans; Romans; Cretans; and Arabs. In total 16 people groups from the known world, at the time, are hearing the Gospel and the great works of the God among the people of Judea! Heaven has come down to earth!

And yet, our work is not done. There remain many more people groups of various languages and dialects who have not heard or received the Word of God in their language. Our task to bring a taste and warm embrace of eternity into their here and now remains as critical to our church DNA as it did back in the day of the Apostles.

The Church is the Intersection between History and Eternity, and we have the privilege of play a part in it.

God’s word will leave you undone and changed.

The matter is quite simple: Once you come face to face with the hand of God you will not be the same person. You will respond in a number of ways as we see from the apostles, and the two responses from the crowd experiencing the power of God among them. Which response are you landing on as you come face to face with the power of God in your life?

Are you left with joy? Are you faced with the irresistible grace of God as His mercy covers you with forgiveness and grace? Then, join the many faithful before us to proclaim the graces of the one who alone is the source of our eternal glory and joy! Share the good news and be bold about the Kingdom Jesus inaugurated!

Are you flabbergasted? are you beside yourself, not knowing what in the world has happened as God works among you and you do not know what to do next? Come, taste and see that God is moving among those who are willing and able to hear the word of God and live according to it. Fear of the unknown vanishes with God when you see that He is pure light. Come and see that this work of the spirit is not something causing us to scurry away, but to come and bask in the love of the Father!

Lastly, there is a sense of fear of the unknown that leads us to deride and ridicule that which God is doing among those who are enslaved to the power of the flesh, the world, and bound to the kingdom of hell. Those “Christians are dumb;” “They are narrow-minded;” “they are the scum of the earth;” “They are drunk with the latest booze!” Dear ones, if any among you present in this house of worship, or joining online, are of this mindset, please reconsider. God is extending love, mercy, and grace today. Turn from the mocking and jeering to seek repentance and forgiveness.

The Church is the Intersection between History and Eternity.

Will you follow the Spirit’s lead and join yourself to the family of God? Will you go on mission to your homes, your workplaces, your schools, and public squares for your perfect Priest, Prophet, and King? As imperfect and broken as the Church might be at this time in history, when the Church enters eternity all imperfections will be wiped away and the Lord will rejoice over His perfect bride; comprised of all the saints who live by faith and not by sight!

The Church is the Intersection between History and Eternity.

Invitation

Will you come and see that you are at the crosspoint between now and forever, as you live for your Lord and Savior? Come, surrender your life, and live on the brink of eternity, as we pray.