SHIPPED - PART FOUR

Acts 2:1–21 (ESV)

1 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.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on 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 even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

What is an outpouring?

The promise of Joel 2:28-32 is fulfilled in Acts 2. These “last days” began with Pentecost and have remained in effect since then.

The results of the outpouring are related to your status.

If you’re dead, the result of an outpouring is a REVIVAL. Revival brings dead things back to life. If you’re not dead, you don’t need a revival.

If you’re sleeping, the result of an outpouring is an AWAKENING. Awakening brings dormant and inactive things back to consciousness and activity.

If you’re alive and well, the result of an outpouring is a filling and equipping to overflowing that brings you to new levels of the anointing with an increased capacity. Those who are living that receive an outpouring of the Spirit of God are positioned to facilitate revival and awakening.

What are the results of an outpouring?

Repentance

Sin

Romans 2:4–5 (ESV)

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Dead works

Hebrews 6:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God...

New life

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Not the same life brought back, but a new one created by the anointing that comes with an outpouring of the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Awakening

Ephesians 5:13–14 (ESV)

13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

Have you ever tried to stay asleep in the presence of a bright light?

Perpetual filling

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit...

Be BEING filled. It’s a call to never be empty more than it is an event that happens once and never again.

Anointed preaching inspired by the Spirit (Acts 2:14, Acts 4:8)

Miracles, signs, and wonders (Acts 3:1-10)

Gathering more (Acts 2:44-46)

Church growth from new birth (Acts 2:47)

Unity among believers (Acts 3:1)

How do we keep the flow going?

Stay united (Acts 2:1)

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

John 17:20–21 (ESV)

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Keep it right and keep it tight.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)

40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

This verse follows a chapter about the deployment of spiritual gifts in church. We have to follow the Holy Spirit and do things as He leads, not as we desire to feel.

What do we do now?

Keep showing up!

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Come with expectation! (Acts 2:1)

Become a disciple (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Monday through Saturday matters!

Community and fellowship sharpen you and expand your capacity to receive.

Let your fire spread!

Fire spreads as long as it has oxygen and something in its path to catch on fire.

The Church in Acts 2 immediately moved to mission. Get involved and do something about what God is doing in you.