The Holy Spirit empowers believers

Introduction

Good morning LaFayette Baptist Family. It is so good to be here with you all today and celebrate this Lord’s day with you all, singing hymns to Him, learning of Him, and reading His Word, and praying together. Our passage today will be from Acts 2, Acts 2:1-13 and we will go to the end of the chapter, please go ahead and turn there in your bible’s and following along as we go through the message. In a few moments it will be on the screen for us to read from the screen together as well.

While you are turning to that place in your bibles I want to put an image in your head. Imagine the most powerful and important nation in the world. See their great cities, their great works of art, their huge libraries, their great knowledge, and their proud people. See how they prosper. See how they grow greater and richer every year that passes. Then imagine, what this would really be like, don’t idealize this nation, think about what it would be like if it was ruled by real life humans (as we are). Well, sooner later, don’t you think that this nation would want to build a great monument and testament as to how great they are? Imagine that they all come together, and decide on one great big project. Hear them saying in all stages from the start, “When we finish, then we will prove that we are just like God.” Remember how our earliest mother (Eve) and Father (Adam) were like this too, wanting to be just like God. This though, isn’t in our wheelhouse or ability…. Maybe this story is seeming very familiar to you. Well, this is because it is the story of The Tower of Babel, where men came together trying to become equal to God, by building together a tower that reached all the way to heaven. We know we can’t be like Him, but we tried anyways. Then God changed mankind , if anything to both punish and protect us. Instead of speaking one language that all understood, He divided our tongues/languages and made it to where we could no longer work together on this large project. In our passage today, we see this curse overcome, but only through the empowerment and work of God, God the Holy Spirit. In today’s text He allowed people from other nations and languages to understand one another fully, this gift he gave on this special occasion. This brings us to our main point today, The Holy Spirit empowers believers.

Scripture

If you would all please rise for the reading of God’s Word today. The words to the scripture will be on the screen, please read along with me as we are reading. When I am done I will say “this is The Word of The Lord” if you will all please respond with “Thanks be to God.” First, let’s pray. Father God, we thank you for this time and this place together, where we can come together and read and delight in You and Your Word. May we be a people who read and delight in it, not just here but in all the places we go. Father, as we are about to read Your Word together, we ask that You refine us with it Father, refine us with the truth that can only be found in it. We also ask this day that you would remove any distractions from us today, help us put it all aside and focus solely on You and what You are going to reveal to us this day. Make this time together all about You and Your Glory and that being furthered in our hearts in minds. Makes this a message that we keep Father, but not one that we keep to ourselves, but one that we keep for sharing with others. We look expectantly towards knowing and understanding You more this morning, help us apply this to our lives as You see fit. Move us, motivate us, Push us if need be to be better instruments of and pursuers and lovers of Your glory. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious Name that I pray, Amen. 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[a] 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.”

Context

We continue this week through our expository Journey together through the book of acts, beginning the second chapter of this historical book within the bible. Many of you may already know this, and if not your Bible’s may make this very clear, but “Acts” is actually the short name of this book, the full name is “The Acts of the Apostles.” Meaning, this is a historical account what happened in the lives and ministries of the Apostles of Jesus Christ after His ascension into heaven which was itself 40 days after His (Jesus’) resurrection from the Grave.

This account of the acts of the apostles was written by Luke the Evangelist who was also the author of The Gospel of Luke. To this point in his writing, not much time has passed. Whereas the ending of the book is decades later, here we find ourselves still in events that happened just a few days, in today’s case 10, after Jesus ascension. So, we still find ourselves in roughly the early 30s AD. This time and place would have been one of great tension. Remember just 50 days before the some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had conspired against the Christ and conspired with the great worldly power of the time, Rome, to execute Jesus who at this point was gathering a large following. So, you can add that to the tension of the time, on top of the obvious tension of a people and city who were under occupation and rule from a power they did not recognize as legitimate or one they necessarily wanted to be subject to.

In last week’s text in particular, we looked largely at commitments. Specifically, committing ourselves as individuals and as a church body to things that really matter in Christ. The first was prayer, that every great work of God through us either on a large scale or small scale with prayer. So, we should all be committed to prayer. The second was The Word (meaning the scriptures or our Holy Bible), that we are to commit ourselves and steep ourselves continually in the Word of God in all things. That we would be church that turns to Prayer and God’s Word in every decision and mission we get in, which should always be in some way to point others to Christ. The last thing we addressed was committing ourselves to our witness, that we are a people who should know who are witnessing about (Jesus) and to whom we are to witness to, the World (no matter how far or how near that person is to You). These three things, Prayer, The Word, our Witness are things that matter and what we should commit ourselves to. So, with those things in mind, let’s dive deep into this week’s text.

Message

The first point, The Holy Spirit at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

We find ourselves now finally at the day of Pentecost. This day in Jewish tradition was an annual feast, this day was an annual feast that followed the Feast of Firstfruits by a week of weeks (i.e., seven weeks) and therefore also was called the Feast of Weeks (cf. Lev. 23:15–22). The name “Pentecost,” of Greek derivation, means 50 because it was the 50th day after the Firstfruits feast (Lev. 23:16).[1] This in itself, was a celebrated day, and would have been an occasion where travelers and pilgrims would have come into the city for celebration. This is a holiday that is still celebrated in some Christian sects, and this year will be celebrated May the 28th, 50 days after Easter Sunday.

Let’s not dwell on that for two long though, instead, lets dwell on what was happening to the apostles and disciples. It says here that they were all together in one place. Once more, you will remember what we studied last week, that they were all together in one accord. This means they were committed to the command of Jesus to wait, “Not many days from now” as He had commanded, they saw the importance of Prayer in their lives and committed to it personally and corporately, they spent time in study and sharing the Holy Scriptures (perhaps even sharing stories and words shared by Jesus) and they took their witness of The Christ very seriously. What were they doing, they were making, “The Main thing, The Main thing.” They were focused on what binds them together Christ, and were not focused or even giving the time of day to whatever separates them.

This for them and for us is enough to making a binding love for each other. Not just with the members of this particular church, LaFayette Baptist Church, but also with believers everywhere. What’s more, the believers were about to be given a wonderful gift, one that Jesus said we could not receive until He was with the Father again. This of course, is and was the Holy Spirit, the third person of the God-Head, who comes and lives within every believer. We all have this in common to, not only are we image bearers of God, being made in His likeness, we are also temples/living spaces/houses for God The Holy Spirit. This unites us as well. So, with all that in common, why do we need to focus on other things like: personal preferences in the color of something, whether “this” belongs “here” or “there,” what numbers say on a board, he said/she said things, and feelings or words that we used to hurt one another? With such a great God, such a great message (the gospel), and the Holy Spirit empowering and moving us, why do we war with other brothers and sisters? Instead, we should be turning to one another, seek to make amends and unite in Christ and come to a mutual and God-Honoring understanding and forgiveness. Trust in The Holy Spirit, and He will make all things right between the brethren, because He is the best at keeping us on target and “keeping the main thing, the main thing,” pointing others towards Jesus. If you have been guilty of this, you have nothing to fear if you confess, make amends, and repent. Seek peace, as The Spirit urges us too.

The second point, The Holy Spirit had finally come

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[a] 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.

Now we find ourselves at the exact moment! The promise from Christ and The Father had come, and many say that is the moment The Universal Church begun. This was the moment where from then on God the Holy Spirit came to dwell within believers. It says here that at first there was a sound, like a mighty rushing wind. It filled the area, notice it doesn’t say that they “felt the wind” rather, it sounded like it. Then, something looking a great much like tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. You will recall, that often when God make’s His presence known, he uses either fire or the appearance fire to show that he was very present. We saw this in multiple occasions throughout the bible, including Gen 15:17, Ex 3:2-6, 13:21-22, Matthew 3:11, and many more times. So, this was a thing, it is was likely that those experiencing this knew that God was there and amongst them.

Then notice something else, verse 4 says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” On this moment, the theologian Hamilton says, “In most cases, to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” means to be empowered for service, usually that of proclamation or mission. This does not imply an initial lack but merely communicates a special experience of the Spirit in order to carry out the mission from Jerusalem and Judea to Samaria and the ends of the earth.”[2]So, they were filled with The spirit (as we are) for a reason, to carry out the mission that was before them and for us, the mission that is before us. Which is what? Jesus tells us, “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We are to GO and make disciples and teach them. We are to point others towards Christ and provide ways both collectively and in our own lives to teach and help the new believers how to grow. We would call this discipleship; and this isn’t a process that has an end date, new believers are to grow in their fondness, devotion to, witness, and love of the Lord for the rest of their lives, and everyone else does too….. How great is this that is the moment that The Church was made? Because these are two of the most essential ministries it has. Evangelism and discipleship.

Noticing something else, it says here that they uttered in the tongues as “The Spirit gave them utterance.” This means that this miraculous event that is unique in the bible was what? It was empowered by The Holy Spirit. They didn’t choose to speak, rather The Spirit chose to make them speak as He deemed right. All of that being said, one things is clear, we need the Holy Spirit, as the want and sin in our own flesh is so strong. Without Him pushing and guiding, directing, and empowering us, we are weak. With Him we are strong. Say that to yourself to, Without Him pushing and guiding, directing and empowering you, you are weak. With Him, You are strong. So, look deep down believer, what do you have that keeps you from trusting, fellowshipping, and being empowered by? Whatever it is, turn from it and turn to Him and find a better relationship with The Father.

Another point is, The Holy Spirit at work

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.”

As you will remember, the city that all of this is happening in, Jerusalem, was at this time an epicenter of feast and festival, so this was a crowded town with those that practiced Judaism from all around. Examples of this are given in the text, and a great many of these people would not have had the same native language or even dialects for that matter. Many of these though, as The Holy Spirit willed and called, heard and saw something that would have been very unusual to them. In this town, which would have been possibly very far away for them, they heard their own native language or tongue being uttered. These people noticed that the people speaking, were people not of any learning or elegance (which was common and expected of Galileans), either way, they heard with their own ears these unlearned people telling of the mighty works of God, what we would call praising God today.

One thing I do also want you to note, as this is a question that did come up the other day, is the difference in this occasion and the tongues mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The theologian Longenecker says here that Luke is , “portraying a special outpouring of God’s Spirit, the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37. And this is exactly what Luke portrays as having taken place at Pentecost among the followers of Jesus: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.[3]But the words spoken at Pentecost under the Spirit’s direction were immediately recognized by the hearers as being languages then current, while at Corinth no one could understand what was said until someone present received a gift of interpretation.”[4] So, these two occurrences are very different.

Once again though, what does this all come down to? It comes to the Work of the Holy Spirit in them and the work of The Holy Spirit in us. He caused them utter praises of God publicly without fear. He can do the same and much greater for you though. For us to be the best instruments for God we can be though, we must put aside anything to us that is more important than God in our lives. This means that we must not only come to church, do good things, have devotionals, and all the good things that Christian’s do. It also means that we must seek the personal sin that we have in our lives and do our upmost to remove it. This helps us hear from and understand what it is that the Holy Spirit is push and calling us towards. When you do this, do not do it only to be a better instrument for God, do it for the Glory of God that others may know that yes we are sinners; but in us we have great power to overcome any and all things with the one living inside of Us. To God be the honor and Glory forever Amen.

Our next point is, The Holy Spirit speaking to some

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.”

I can only imagine what it must have been like, being someone in the crowd who was seeing this. It must have been a very odd thing to observe, one that would cause you to look on in disbelief. To others though, those that had a hardened heart, who do not seek or desire to know or have a relationship with God, they came to their own conclusion. They thought, these men must be drunk. Why would they come to that conclusion though? Because they were in rebellion against God and did not want to subject themselves to any self-inkling that there may be or is a God worth worshiping. They doomed themselves, and God chose not to reveal some part of Himself to them that day. Why would He do this? The answer is not for us to know, remember what the Psalmist says, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

Friends, unfortunately not all are called into the kingdom of God. Not all will be children of God. In fact, I would say that most are not. This is a hard sad truth for us, but in the same way we can also be comforted. We know that on top of God’s call, we have our own ability to choose whether or not to choose to answer. I don’t want to get into a big Calvinism or Arminian debate here. Instead, I want to point out that when you do go out, when you go as Jesus commands, don’t be to surprised if you find that most are not warm or open or true. You are not responsible for the results, and don’t let anyone ever think that you are. God is responsible for the results and the warming of hearts, we are only responsible for the going and the sharing. So, take heart, even in the scariest moments of sharing your faith, no matter how badly it went, know that you did not fail. Your heavenly Father is looking on at You and He is very proud. Also, let me encourage You, keep trying if you can. We do not know which time will be the time that the heart and mind have been softened, so just keep praying and keeping going and sharing your faith. I can’t guarantee that the person will be saved, but I can guarantee that you did the right thing if you did it for God’s glory.

Conclusion

Beloved, these are lessons that were true for the Early Church and they remain so for us today. We saw The Holy Spirit at Pentecost and what he did, We understood that The Holy Spirit had finally come and that means he is working in and through us, working and speaking to some (those that will turn to Him). Out of all of this, we know most importantly that The Holy Spirit empowers believers. Without Him, we are a sailboat without wind, we are dead in the water. So, do whatever you must to hear and know Him more. Let me share with you one last piece of Wisdom. If you haven’t heard from God in a while, Go back to when you last did. The odds are very good that you missed something.

To the unsure or those that are not yet ready to place their trust in Jesus Christ just yet that are here, friend I am speaking to you right now. Everything you have ever seen in your life all points towards one thing, that there is a creator. He is the God in which we are referring, He is the God in which is the only safe place to put your trust. Know Him and seek Him… The only way you can do this, is by putting your faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ to pay for your sins that you would be redeemed and clean before God, able to withstand His holiness and come into adoption into His family. Do this, and all things that were formerly dark will soon be well lit.

Let’s conclude. Brothers and sisters, I love you all, let’s Pray. Father God, thank you for these words today. May they go deep into our mind and hearts and move us in many new and unexpected ways. Make us be more in tune and more trusting in The Holy Spirit that lives inside of all believers everywhere. Help us trust Him to the point that He moves us to do things that we had formerly thought were impossible. May we grow in the love of You and share You with others. Put opportunities to witness about You to others in front of us. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1]Toussaint, Stanley D. “Acts.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2, Victor Books, 1985, p. 357. [2]Hamilton, James M., Jr., and Brian J. Vickers. John–Acts. Edited by Iain M. Duguid et al., vol. IX, Crossway, 2019, p. 353. [3]Longenecker, Richard N. “Acts.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 10, Zondervan, 2007, p. 735. [4]Longenecker, Richard N. “Acts.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 10, Zondervan, 2007, p. 735.