Now is the Time

The Wind is Still Blowing

Genesis 1:1–2 “1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”

On Pentecost Sunday we remember another day a wind from God swept over the faces of the disciples. On Pentecost the same wind or Spirit present at creation blew into the upper room. On Pentecost the same breath that God breathed life into Adam, breathed life into God’s church. That same Spirit, that same wind is still blowing today. May that same wind breathe new life into our dry bones today. Almighty God we pray for an out pouring of your Spirit on this place today. We pray for a rushing mighty wind to fill this place that we may receive power to be faithful witnesses of Christ our LORD.

As we remember the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon all flesh, there are a couple of things we need to keep in mind. The Old Testament and New Testament word often translated Spirit are also translated as wind and breath. Understanding this connects Pentecost to creation, it connects Pentecost to us today as God is still breathing life into dry bones. The Spirit fell on a community of believers, to empower those believers to be witnesses. As we wrestle with what this means for us today, may we be empowered by the same Spirit that our lives would bear witness to the life of Christ.

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

Constantly United in Prayer

Acts 1:14 “14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.”

Pentecost was a communal experience. The believers were together in one place constantly devoting themselves to prayer. This group of 120 believers was the first gathering of the church. They were united in prayer and eagerly waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4–5 “4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””

The Spirit fell on a community of believers constantly devoted together in prayer. If we want Acts 2 things to happen here and now we must be a community constantly devoted together in prayer. Suddenly things will change.

Acts 2:1–3 “1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.”

What Can This Mean?

Pentecost was another Pilgrimage festival 50 days after Passover. The same crowd that was there for the triumphal entry, the arrest, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was again filling Jerusalem.

Acts 2:5 “5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.”

The sound of a mighty windstorm and 120 people speaking seemingly all the languages on earth drew a crowd. People began to gather and marvel at hearing about all the things that God has done. Amazed and perplexed some asked “what can this mean?”

While others ridiculed them as drunk.

Peter empowered by the Holy Spirit stepped forward with the other disciples and delivered the first Spirit filled sermon of the church. These men aren’t drunk 9:00 in the morning is much to early. This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. In the last days God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh, and everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved!

Through Peter’s sermon the Spirit sparked another question among the people. Brother’s what should we do?

Acts 2:37–38 “37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

That day the Holy Spirit multiplied a group of 120 to about 3,120. The wind that blew at Pentecost is still blowing in and through God’s people today.

What Must We Do?

The same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation is at work in us today. Pentecost is the continuation of the work of the Holy Spirit in and through the church. What must we do to see Acts chapter 2 things happen here and now?

Now is the time for the church to be constantly devoted in prayer. We must be a praying church, that seeks the leading of the Holy Spirit. All who are lead by the spirit of God are children of God. As a Spirit empowered people, we receive power to be faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord here in Haverhill.

We are empowered by the Spirit to proclaim to all who would hear it, that this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. That God will pour out his Spirit upon all people, and everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.

As the Spirit moves in the hearts of people to ask “What must we do?” May the same Spirit empower us to proclaim, repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the Holy Spirit.

Almighty God may the Spirit present at creation, continue to blow in and through your people.