Strength of Pentecost

THE POWER OF PENTECOST

Acts 17:6 (M:BCL)

6 When they couldn’t find them, they collared Jason and his friends instead and dragged them before the city fathers, yelling hysterically, “These people are out to destroy the world, and now they’ve shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear!

Introduction:

The results of Pentecost not only changed the church world but the secular world as well. In the thirty-two years after Pentecost the whole world heard about Christ. They did not have printing presses or church buildings. The same power that changed Peter from a reed to a rock changed others. In turn they changed their world. Note three things that these people had: (1) the Spirit (2) determination, and (3) willingness to work.

I. THE CHANGING POWER

A. Personalities changed (2 Cor. 5:17). This brings a change in attitude, actions, and ambition. Note the words in Ezekiel 36:26. If a man’s heart is changed his personality will change.

B. Purpose changed. After the conversion they were dedicated to a life of service. They went from house to house (Acts 5:42).

C. Practices changed (Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–6). Paul (Saul) was transformed from a persecutor to a preacher. “At once Saul began to preach in the Jewish places of worship that Jesus is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20, NLT).

II. THE COMPASSIONATE POWER

Note Paul’s compassion (Acts 20:31). Compassion is more than love. It is love that acts. It is love that does something!

A. Compassion that grows (Acts 20:31). Paul watched over the Christians for three years.

B. Compassion that gives (Acts 21:13). He was ready to give his life for Christ.

C. Compassion that goes (Mark 16:1). He obeyed God’s command.

III. THE CONVERTING POWER

To convert means “to change.”

A. Conversion from a life of sin (Acts 2:41). Here 3,000 are converted. Some of these had helped to crucify Christ.

B. Conversion from the power of Satan (Acts 19:19). The evil books were destroyed and the power of Satan was broken (1 John 4:4).

C. Conversion from a life of slavery (Acts 15:1–20). We are no longer under the law but are now under grace.

IV. THE CONTINUING POWER

“And they were faithful in listening to the teaching of the missionaries” (Acts 2:42, NLT).

A. What did the apostles teach?

1) Salvation (Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12). There is only one way to salvation.

2) Surrender (Acts 26:19). Do not be disobedient to the heavenly vision.

3) Suffering (Acts 5:41). Be happy to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

4) Sacrifice (Acts 15:26). They risked their lives for the gospel.

B. God has given us the Holy Spirit for a purpose—to advance the kingdom of God. Note the power He has given us:

1) Power to preach (Acts 1:8). This includes the power to witness and win others.

2) Power to perceive the means of advancing His work (1 Cor. 12).

3) Power to practice the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23).