Pentecost

Getting Ahead of God

How many like to wait?

Genesis 15:1–4 “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”” “Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.””

Genesis 16:1–4 “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.”

Not such a big deal except.......

Muslims believe that Mohamad the originator of Islam and revealer of the Quran is a descendant of Ishmael

Hmmmmm

Waiting

Exodus 12:5 “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.”

Exodus 12:7 “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.”

Exodus 12:12–13 ““On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

3300ish years ago the first Passover

symbol of what is to come

Over 1000 years from the first Passover to the death of Jesus

1 Peter 1:18–19 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Over 1000 years from the covenant God made with Moses until the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 19:3–6 “Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.””

Acts 2:1–4 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

1. Manifestation of God's Presence:

Mount Sinai:. God descended on Mount Sinai in fire, smoke, and thunder, causing the mountain to shake and the people to fear. 

Pentecost:. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in a rushing wind, accompanied by tongues of fire, causing them to speak in different languages. 

2. Giving of Law/Instruction: 

Mount Sinai:. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, providing the foundation for the covenant between God and Israel.

Pentecost: The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, empowering them to fulfill the law through faith and grace.

3. Response of the People: 

Mount Sinai:. The Israelites initially worshiped the golden calf, demonstrating their unfaithfulness and fear, leading to God's wrath.

Pentecost:. The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel, leading many to repent and be baptized, marking the beginning of the church.

Waiting

Thousands of years mankind waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise.....… They waited

Acts 1:4–5 “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Do not move

Wait

How hard

Fast paced world right now

YOU

ARE

NOT READY

Tools

But God’s promise never fails

We just have to wait on it

Ephesians 6:13–14 “when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.