Preparation for Pentecost (2)

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The purpose of communion is essentially to renew your vows to God. In the Christian life people often fall in to a rut spiritually or lose their first love. This is why we meet with God regularly to re-commit in the process of communion.

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Several centuries ago, a Japanese emperor commissioned an artist to paint a bird. A number of months passed, then several years, and still no painting was brought to the palace. Finally the emperor became so exasperated that he went to the artist's home to demand an explanation. Instead of making excuses, the artist placed a blank canvas on the easel. In less than an hour, he completed a painting that was to become a brilliant masterpiece. When the emperor asked the reason for the delay, the artist showed him armloads of drawings of feathers, wings, heads, and feet. Then he explained that all of this research and study had been necessary before he could complete the painting.
Our Daily Bread.
Powerful experience
continual study
What happened?
How did it happen?
Can it be repeated?
Start from beginning...
Acts 2:1 ESV
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
Other version
NKJV
Acts 2:1 NKJV
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Adds detail
With One Accord
How did they
get to be
in one accord?
Previously,
division
in-fighting
competition
rivalry
Now… Perfect
unity
harmony
accord
How did that Happen?
How did Pentecost Happen?
These answers...
Seem to be related.
Back to first question.
How did they get united.
God had made a promise:
Luke 24:49 ESV
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
They didn’t know much...
stay in Jerusalem
power
Holy Spirit
Go to Jerusalem
wait
what to do while waiting.
had time to think...
What else would they do?
Acts 1:12–14 (ESV)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James... together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
The group
11 disciples
women
Jesus’ family
First step?

Small Group Meeting

They came together.
small room
small group
Step one...
Get together.
Unity doesn’t happen
without being together.
Marriage
Takes effort
Take intention
But is rewarding
And Powerful
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ESV
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
To grow together...
spend time together.
As a church,
spend time together.
working
social
small groups.
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Small Group Advertisement
It goes further
what were they doing?
Step Two
Acts 1:14 (ESV)
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer...
Spending time
earnest prayer.
Something special
when a group
prays together.
Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 4—Pentecost)
They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Advocate at the throne of God. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.
10 days of prayer
intimate
meaningful
personal
unity
What did they pray about?
Multiple things…
we will see.
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Small group prayer time.
What else did they do?
Step 3
Acts 1:15 ESV
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

Meeting in Larger Church Group

Came together
larger group
met for church.
Revival happens in stages
personal
small group
church
community
Take power of
small group revival
to others...
How,
testimonies
reproducing experience.
What is Revival Anyway?
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 5—The Gift of the Spirit

It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love.

Revival is not feeling.
It is renewed experience.
of conversion.
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Step 3: Church Meeting
Preparation takes effort
We are told that when John Huss was arrested and informed that he would be burned to death for his faith, he purposely practiced holding his hand over fire to prepare for his final test. He burned himself in preparation. He wanted to be faithful to the end.
Moody Monthly, April, 1990, p. 76.
What else did they do?
Step 4
Acts 1:15–17 ESV
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”

Study God’s Word

(prophecy)
(Judas)
Bible Study
They had added benefit.
Study scriptures...
Also,
Remember Jesus words
spoken to them.
They recalled
words of humility
patience
love
Words they
slighted...
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Step 3: Church Gathering
Step 4: Deep Bible Study
What happened as
they studied and prayed?
Realized
made mistakes
false assumptions
inaccurate ideas
study prophecy
understand God’s will.
Step 5:
What happened to them
in the upper room
happened to all
during Pentecost.
Acts 2:37 ESV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Step 5: Repentance

As they studied,
realized their error
convicted
confessed
repented
cut to the heart
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 4—Pentecost

As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief.

Confessed to God
Wished they could
have the time back.
Repentance with each other.
Imagine
Peter
denied Christ
James & John
fought for 1st place
Thomas
doubted resurrection
Everyone
Bickering
Selfishness
lack of faith
REGRETS!
This was chance...
wrongs righted.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 4—Pentecost

Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.

Many tears shed
in the upper room.
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Step 3: Church Gathering
Step 4: Deep Bible Study
Step 5: Repentance
As they thought
about their failures
repented of them.
They thought
redeem their actions.
make right choices.
How?
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 4—Pentecost

But they were comforted by the thought that they were forgiven. And they determined that, so far as possible, they would atone for their unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world.

Step 6

Plan to Witness

Pentecost
not just about
Jesus disciples
That is where it started
but the result
so much more.
Acts 2:6–12 ESV
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
The result
of Holy Spirit Power
evangelism...
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 4—Pentecost

The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ.

Their prayer time
Confession
Power to witness
I suggest
result of revival
always evangelism.
Revival is not just
about me and you.
It is about
sharing experience
with others.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 4—Pentecost

As they meditated upon His pure, holy life they felt that no toil would be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in their lives to the loveliness of Christ’s character.

In Summary...
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Step 3: Church Gathering
Step 4: Deep Bible Study
Step 5: Repentance
Step 6: Plan to Witness

Can We Experience Pentecost Today?

On the day of Pentecost
Peter was preaching
said to them.
Acts 2:38–39 ESV
And Peter said to them, “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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Peter said to them.
For you
Your Children.
Just them
No,
Still holds true.
For us
our children
We can have
same experience.
How? Follow same steps.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 5—The Gift of the Spirit

The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude.

Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give.

Anyone
who wants Spirit
will be filled.
If we are not filled
it is because
we didn’t
care enough
prioritize it enough
prepare enough
PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE
I once read how, in the spring of 1981, a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He took along 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions.
As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare. In August he wrote, "I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure. I'll soon find out."
In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out.
Difficult to imagine, isn't it? How could anyone be so foolish? He made every provision for his journey except how to get home! Unbelievable! "How tragic," we say. And yet, how many people make every provision for life here on earth but no preparation for their departure?

Appeal

Follow Steps
Step 1: Small Group Gathering
Step 2: Earnest Prayer
Step 3: Church Gathering
Step 4: Deep Bible Study
Step 5: Repentance
Step 6: Plan to Witness
Participate in Ten Days.
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