Ignited By the Spirit: A Call To Missional Living

Today, we gather to reflect upon the powerful and inspiring message found in Acts 2:1-13. It is a message that reminds us of the vital importance of awakening our affections to obey the Holy Spirit and to surrender to God's worldwide mission of reaching the lost with the Gospel.

As Vance Havener, the American revivalist, once said, "We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God." Indeed, the early church succeeded in spreading Christianity not because of material wealth, social status, or political influence, but because they were a people ignited by the Spirit of God, driven by their passion for Christ.

In the midst of our modern world, it can be easy to lose sight of the spiritual matters that truly matter.

As Jonathan Edwards observed during the Great Awakening, "How heavy and hard our hearts; we can sit in here at the infinite height and length and breadth and love of God and Christ Jesus, of His giving His infinitely dear Son, and yet sit there, cold and unmoved." Our challenge, then, is to rekindle our passion for God's mission, to prioritize a missional focus above all else.

In Acts 2:1-13, we see the Holy Spirit descending upon the early believers, empowering them to speak in different languages, and enabling them to communicate the Gospel to all nations.

This miraculous event not only reversed the judgment of the Tower of Babel but also demonstrated God's desire for the Gospel to reach every corner of the world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the early church stood in awe, and the world stood amazed.

Let’s read our text this morning...

Acts 2:1–13 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

We’ll get into Peter’s message next week. But this morning we need to understand that...

It’s time for us to reawaken our affections and commit ourselves fully to God's worldwide mission. As we look to the early church in Acts 2, we see their priorities clearly laid out:

Speak boldly about the Gospel

Care sacrificially for one another

Worship wholeheartedly in spirit and truth

Multiply exponentially as the Lord adds to their number

These priorities not only led to the exponential growth of the early church but also glorified God in all that they did.

By following their example, we too can participate in the life-transforming work of God's mission in our world today.

As David Platt, former pastor of the Church at Brook Hills, urged us to consider, let us embrace a "Missional Awakening."

Let us surrender ourselves completely to God's mission of reaching the lost as the most important thing in our lives. For it is by exalting Christ in our lives and in our communities that we will experience the true blessing of God.

The driving force behind the mission of the early church was the person of Jesus Christ. It wasn’t a program, it wasn’t a project that they were going to give themselves to.

It was the person of Christ living in them, dwelling in them, and enabling them to accomplish this mission.

The passion for this mission is field by passion for the King of Kings. God has promised to bless the church that exalts His Son.

My prayer is that God would awaken our passion and burden for the mission of reaching the lost with the gospel. God awaken our affections”

Awaken our affections...

So That We Obey the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit came. However, now there would be two changes: the Spirit would dwell in people and not just come on them, and His presence would be permanent, not temporary (John 14:16–17)

John 14:16–17 NKJV

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Spirit Came (Acts 2:2-3)

The Spirit Baptized (Acts 1:5)

The Spirit Filled (Acts 2:4)

The Spirit Spoke (Acts 2:5-13)

Why did God have the Spirit do this? For one thing, Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1–9).

God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessing at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit.

At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other; but at Pentecost, men heard God’s praises and understood what was said.

The Tower of Babel was a scheme designed to praise men and make a name for men, but Pentecost brought praise to God.

The building of Babel was an act of rebellion, but Pentecost was a ministry of humble submission to God.

What a contrast!

Another reason for this gift of tongues was to let the people know that the Gospel was for the whole world.

God wants to speak to every person in his or her own language and give the saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

The emphasis in the Book of Acts is on worldwide evangelization, “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions,” said Henry Martyn, “and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become.”

A. The Holy Spirit Enables us to:

Experience God's Presence

(just like in Ezekiel 37:13-14)

The Holy Spirit brings us into an intimate relationship with God, allowing us to feel His presence in our lives.

Just as God breathed life into the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, the Holy Spirit breathes life into our spirits, renewing and transforming us.

Obey God's Commands

With the Holy Spirit guiding us, we are empowered to obey God's commands and follow His will in our lives.

The Spirit provides us with the wisdom, discernment, and strength necessary to live a life that pleases God and reflects His love to the world.

Fulfill God's Purpose

Through the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to fulfill the unique purpose that God has planned for each of us.

As we submit to the Spirit's leading, we can be confident that we are walking in God's plan and participating in His redemptive work in the world.

B. What Happens When The Holy Spirit Fills the Church?

The Church Stands in Awe

When the Holy Spirit fills the church, believers are struck with awe and wonder at the mighty works of God. (v. 12)

This awe-inspiring presence of the Spirit draws us closer to God and deepens our love and reverence for Him.

The World Stands Amazed

As the church is filled with the Holy Spirit, the world takes notice. (v. 12)

They see the transformation, love, and power that comes from a Spirit-filled life, and they are drawn to the message of the Gospel.

Secondly, God awaken our affections...

So That We Surrender to Your Worldwide Mission

Acts 2:42–47 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

In Acts 2:42-47, we see the priorities of the early church, which can serve as a blueprint for our own lives:

Speak boldly

(Acts 2:42, the apostles teaching) Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostles spoke the truth of the Gospel boldly, without fear or reservation.

We too must be courageous in sharing the Good News with others.

Care sacrificially

(Acts 2:42, fellowship) The early church members cared for one another, meeting each other's needs and sharing what they had. We must also be willing to sacrifice for the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Worship wholeheartedly

(Acts 2:42, an allusion to the Lord's Supper) The early believers gathered regularly to worship God and partake in the Lord's Supper. We should also come together to worship our Savior with all our hearts, remembering His sacrifice for us.

Multiply exponentially

(Acts 2:42, daily people were being saved) As the Holy Spirit worked in and through the early church, their numbers grew daily.

As we allow the Spirit to work in our lives, we can trust that God will draw others to Himself through us.

God promises to bless the church that works according to His plan (Acts 2:47).

Acts 2:47 NKJV

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

People were being saved, not because the church drew a crowd, but because "The Lord added to their number."

We must remember that it is God who brings the increase, and our role is simply to be faithful in following His lead.

In conclusion, the message of Acts 1 and 2 is clear: the Spirit wants this place and the world for Christ.

The Spirit's passion is to exalt Christ in this place and throughout the world.

The question for us, as a faith family, is whether we will join in this great mission.

Will we surrender our lives to the Spirit's leading and devote ourselves to God's worldwide mission of reaching the lost with the Gospel?

Let us answer that call and be a part of what God is wanting to do all around us.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, as we come to the close of this message, we stand in awe of Your power, Your presence, and Your purpose for our lives. We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who ignites our hearts and empowers us to be Your instruments in this world.

Lord, awaken our affections for You, so that we may obey Your Spirit and surrender wholeheartedly to Your worldwide mission. Help us to prioritize a missional focus above all else and to remember the example of the early church, who boldly shared Your Gospel and cared sacrificially for one another.

As we leave this place, may our hearts be filled with a renewed passion for Your kingdom, and may our lives be transformed by Your Spirit. Give us the courage to speak boldly, the compassion to care sacrificially, the devotion to worship wholeheartedly, and the faith to multiply exponentially as we share Your love with those around us.

Unite us in our purpose and guide us as we strive to exalt Christ in our lives and in all the world. May Your Spirit continually fill and renew us, enabling us to be Your hands and feet in our communities and beyond.

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and King. Amen.