The Spirit Poured Out

Scripture: Genesis 11, Acts 1:8; 2:1-13

Introduction

We’ve been on a journey together over these past weeks, tracing this awesome story of God’s redemptive plan.

From how the disciples responded to Jesus coming back to life. Thomas doubting...but then believing. How Jesus brought Peter to an understanding of forgiveness and purpose. Jesus kept saying … I’m doing something big here. You all have a purpose in this. Don’t doubt me. Believe. Be ready.

We talked about how Jesus said this Good News is going out to the world. And the way it is going out is like this...make disciples as I’ve made you disciples. Followers of me.

Jesus then rose from their sight...and as Paul wrote, he ascended to the right hand of the Father. The Christ. The long awaited and anointed King. All authority in Heaven and on Earth. And with that authority He sends them out with the purpose to blanket the world with the good news that His Kingdom is moving forward and recreation is beginning.

But before he ascended He sent them to Jerusalem to wait for something huge. The went, trusted, maybe a bit confused...but they waited and prayed.

He had prepped them for this moment by letting them know that the Father would be sending them His spirit. That in this way, He would always be with them.

We looked at the Old Testament prophecies concerning this moment in history...God putting His spirit in humanity. God living with us...not just among us any more. With us...in us.

Now, the day of Pentecost. Now we know this day as the day when God’s spirit came to those disciples hanging out and waiting in the upper room. To them back then, it was 50 (pentekonta GREEK) days...the word means 50 days....50 days after Passover. In the OT they celebrated this as the Feast of Weeks....then added on to that...it was a rememberance of when God gave Moses the commandments on Sinai. So many Jewish people were still there from the celebration of Passover (associated timewise with Easter for us).

Many Jewish people from different nations and languages had gathered in Jerusalem for this celebration. Which sets up Jesus’ next chess move in history.

And now, we’re here. Pentecost. The waiting is over. God moves. The Holy Spirit, the very breath of God, is poured out—not just to make a statement but to ignite a movement. The Church is born.... nothing would ever be the same.

Today, we celebrate Pentecost, and remember the ongoing reality of the Spirit’s power in our lives. The same Spirit that fell on that day is available to us right now, equipping and empowering us to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. So let’s lean in and remember that Pentecost is not only a past event—it’s a present invitation.

Main Teaching

Read

SLIDES

Acts 2:1-13

Acts 2:1–13 CSB

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

The Promise is Fulfilled

"Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:2, NIV)

The arrival of the Holy Spirit was not an accident or a surprise—Jesus promised this. And here this promise is coming true. Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus told His disciples:  "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NIV)

When the Spirit came and rested on the disciples on Pentecost, it was like a confirmation....Yes...You can trust Jesus’ promises.

They weren’t just witnessing an event … this was happening to them.

The fire of Pentecost was more than just a sign—it was a declaration that God's presence would no longer be confined to temples or specific places.

The Spirit would now live in His people, empowering them to fulfill their mission...and beginning the return to the image of God being in people as it was in the beginning.

Pentecost serves as a powerful reminder; We serve a God who keeps His promises. When God says He will move, He does… and His timing is always perfect. Maybe you’re in a season of waiting—wondering when or if God will act. Pentecost reminds us that God’s Spirit will move in power when the time is right.

Our role is to remain faithful, to trust, and to be prepared for when that moment comes. Are you waiting in faith, like the disciples? Or are you doubting whether God will come through? Hopefully this account is a good solid reminder that God’s right there for you...transforming you. That’s the good news.

The Spirit Empowers Bold Proclamation

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."(Acts 2:4, NIV)

When the Holy Spirit came, it wasn’t just a really cool event happening...like the best magic show ever—

This was a mission-launching event. The same men and women who had been hiding behind locked doors just weeks earlier were now experiencing this event. The disciples are speaking different languages. Why? Yes, for wonder...amazement...but for purpose. The news is going out to all nations...remember the commission...take this to all nations/languages.

Luke tells us that there were "God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5, NIV) gathered in Jerusalem. As the disciples began to speak, the crowd was in awe...slighty confused... because "each one heard their own language being spoken" (Acts 2:6, NIV). Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?" (Acts 2:7-8, NIV).

This is huge because God could have chosen to work through one language or one culture, but instead, He demonstrated that His message was for everyone. The miracle of Pentecost wasn’t just about the phenomenon of speaking in tongues—it was about the message of Jesus reaching the entire world.

The nations listed in Acts 2:9-11—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and more—represent the people of the known world at that time.

Some scholars note this...and I kinda like the reference....do you remember the tower of Babel? A separation of humanity...different languages....

This miracle can be seen as a direct reversal of the confusion of languages at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). At Babel, human pride moved God to separate and divide people through language.

At Pentecost, God’s grace brought unity through the Spirit, allowing the Gospel (Good News that everything’s changing) to bridge the language barrier_______unite people in Christ. We now call these people the called out ones. We are the called out ones. Ekklesia...or church.

Pentecost wasn’t only about bold proclamation—it was also about building something entirely new. As the disciples spoke in different languages, God wasn’t just demonstrating His power—He was signaling a new reality. The Church was being born, not as a single, isolated group, but as a global, Spirit-filled family, united by Jesus and His Good News.

So we have this idea that The Church is Born for the Nations...for all people.

"We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" (Acts 2:11, NIV)

At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), humanity’s pride led to division and confusion as God scattered the nations by confusing their languages. But here at Pentecost, God was reversing that effect—uniting people from every nation through the Gospel...the truth about Jesus....not with language but with substance.

The Sin of Pride had separated people...now God is uniting people with truth.

This is the birth of the global Church. People from every corner of the known world heard about God in their own languages.

And this wasn’t just a miracle for communication—it was about a new community. The disciples had started in a small upper room, praying and waiting. Now, their mission was expanding beyond anything they could have imagined.

SLIDES

This reality is further confirmation of ancient prophecy;

We read in Joel 2:28 about the Spirit being poured out and later in

Joel 2:28 CSB

...I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.

SLIDES

Then .… a confirmation was given to John when he was receiving the book of Revelation 7:9-10

Revelation 7:9–10 CSB

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!

This is a reminder that this is for everyone. The same Spirit that brought unity at Pentecost is still working to bring people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into God’s family.

Are we willing to break out of our comfort zones to share the Gospel beyond our own circles to be a part of this movement to the world?

Conclusion

Pentecost was not just a one-time event—it was the launch of a movement that continues today. The same Spirit that filled the disciples in the upper room fills us now. The same power that gave them boldness, encouragement, energy, faith, focus.....and courage is available to us every single day.

But Pentecost challenges us with a question: Are we living empowered lives? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us, or are we still waiting in fear and doubt?

Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy, God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

The Spirit does not just give us goosebumps or stir our emotions—the Spirit equips us to go out and make disciples, to proclaim the Gospel with clarity and courage, and to build a community that reflects God’s heart for the nations. And remember...we live faithfully...God brings the transformation. We don’t change people...God does.

So what does it mean for us today?

Live Empowered - The Spirit is not just for special occasions or extraordinary moments. He is with us in the mundane and the miraculous. Surrender daily to the Spirit’s guidance and allow Him to fill you afresh.

Boldly Proclaim - Just as the disciples didn’t keep the message to themselves, we must not hide our faith. Whether it’s in conversations with friends, sharing our story, or simply living with integrity, let your life and words reflect the hope you have in Christ.

Embrace the Global Mission - Pentecost reminds us that the Gospel is for every tribe, tongue, and nation. Let’s break out of our comfort zones and intentionally reach out to those who are different from us. The Spirit unites us in diversity, and the Church is called to reflect that unity.

Today, as we celebrate Pentecost, may we be stirred with a passion to live empowered by the Spirit. Let us be a Church that boldly proclaims the name of Jesus and embraces our calling to take the Gospel to the world.

Let’s pray together.