God: His Person and Power

Acts 2:1–13 NASB95

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

——

Introduction

For those who may not have heard, we’re starting a short (5-week) series this week called “How do I share my faith?” Scripture has a lot to say about what it means to be witnesses, but over the next month or so we’re going to focus on Acts chapter 2.

The preface to this section of narrative includes Jesus’ own words that essentially states, “This is how you will be my witnesses.”

Acts 1:8 NASB95

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

—-

From that very day until the now, the church has been advancing the faith once for all given to the saints by these fundamental means.

The power and presence of God. (you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you)

The proclamation of Christ. (you shall be My witnesses)

The pursuit of the nations. (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the remotest part of the earth.)

In due time we’ll get to some of the practical considerations of our witness, but we need to lay that lasting foundation first.

If we miss that lasting foundation, we can easily overlook the power of God given to us in the Spirit.

When we build on that lasting foundation, we ensure our message doesn’t drift from the person and work of Jesus Christ.

And when we don’t overlook the foundation, we get to enjoy the gospel which unites people of every tribe and tongue.

You’ll see all of these themes running through the whole of Acts 2, but we begin with an emphasis on the person and power of God.

When we think of the beginning however, I’m afraid we naturally start looking to the beginning of the conversation with that unbelieving neighbor, friend, or coworker. “What do i say?” It’s not a bad place to start, but I think we’ll find that the beginning of the bold witness of the apostles and the disciples is found before even the first word is spoken. The mighty deeds of God are indeed some of the first words from the mouth of the disciples at Pentecost, but the presence and power of God are at work in that humble gathering before the crowd ever hears a word. That’s the beginning of this firm foundation, and that’s where we start.

When God comes to dwell among His people He comes in power that the world may see and hear of His glory.

The Person and Power of God with us.

The Person and Power of God working through us.

The Person and Power of God proclaimed.

The Person and Power of God with us.

Let’s paint the scene here to start with. From chapter 1 you can see there’s a gathering of about 120 of Jesus’ disciples. The apostles are there, both men and women, even Mary, Jesus’ mother is there. They’re doing just as Jesus told them at the end of Luke’s gospel.

Luke 24:49 NASB95

49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

——

They’re waiting for the promised seal of the Father. They’re waiting for the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn’t exactly provide them a timeline so they wait a week. They wait 2 weeks. They wait 3 weeks. How many of us would have started to feel a little anxious after 3 weeks? “Did we miss something?” Is the Holy Spirit here and we don’t realize it? Are we supposed to be doing something? I don’t know about you, but I’d be inclined to start problem solving after 3 weeks of nothing. “What exactly did Jesus say again?” “Are we supposed to meet him somewhere?”

The disciples patiently wait 7 weeks. It’s 7 weeks after the death of Jesus that Pentecost rolls around. Jews from all over the known world who’ve settled in various places during the exile are returning to Jerusalem to celebrate this harvest festival. It’s a holiday of first fruits in which everyone brings to God sacrifices of thanksgiving for the harvest that's about to come in. For everyone attending Pentecost there’s a sense of anticipation for the harvest that’s about to come in, but also a realization that there’s about to be a lot of work to do. It seems somewhat misplaced in the ordinary way of doing things. Normally you would celebrate after the harvest has come in, but God has called his people to gather together and give thanks for what the Lord has done and is about to do.

Maybe you can start to see the parallel. Jesus’ disciples have been waiting with anticipation for 7 weeks. They’ve been given this extraordinary job description. They’re going to be witnesses to the remotest part of the earth. That’s a lot of work to do. That’s a big harvest to bring in, and yet much like the harvest that followed Pentecost for thousands of years of history in Israel no matter how big it was, the first fruits needed to be gathered first and brought before God.

That’s what God is about to do here, but this is no ordinary harvest. This is a harvest of men and women. This is a harvest of disciples who’ve been changed from the heart through a work that only God can accomplish, and yet it’s a harvest that God has called his church to gather in. These humble disciples will be instrumental in the task, but alone, without the Holy Spirit, they’re helpless to accomplish the task. The person and power of God with them, with us, is necessary if we are to hope to bring in such a great harvest from the far reaches of the globe.

To make it absolutely clear to everyone that this harvest of first fruits is God’s doing through His saints, He’s going to make his presence known to everyone.

As they’re gathered together the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with them.

Acts 2:2–4 NASB95

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

—-

Firstly, let’s notice the progression here. Firstly, the Holy Spirit comes with a rushing wind to fill the house. At that point the disciples could say the Holy Spirit is among us. But then the Spirit’s presence comes with a tongue of fire resting on each one of them. Every single one of those 120 some disciples had the presence of God not just among them, but near them. And most importantly,

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...”

God is not only near, He is dwelling within each of His saints as His Holy Temple. By the blood of Christ, the church of Christ has been sprinkled clean, made holy, and made worthy of the presence and power of God! Put yourself in that room for a moment. You’re not an apostle, you’re one of the 100 other disciples that never gets mentioned in the pages of Scripture, but you’re no less a follower of Jesus. Just like everyone else there, you believe that the death of Christ has atoned for your sins, and you witnessed his bodily resurrection that promised you eternal life. And now, the signs of the presence of the glory of God which have been given to Israel for thousands of years have come to you, personally, individually. God has made it evident to you, that “I am with you!” Jesus’s words have been affirmed in the most tangible way, “And behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Can you imagine the confidence and encouragement that would have brought to that humble gathering?

The point here of course, is that we should be no less confident! Have we not received the same benefits as they did in Jesus Christ? We may not be in the room with the apostles, but we are no less followers of Jesus. Just like everyone else there, we believe that the death of Christ has atoned for our sins, and the bodily resurrection of Christ has promised us eternal life. Through faith in Jesus Christ we too have received the presence and power of God in the Holy Spirit. We too have been made holy and worthy of His presence by the blood of Christ. What the Holy Spirit made evident to that humble gathering with the sound of wind and fire wasn’t just a testimony to them, it was a testimony to all of Christendom - to us! “Behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It’s good for us to ask ourselves, “Is this the root of my confidence?” “Is “God with me” what comes to mind when I go searching for confidence?” When we think about sharing our faith, witnessing to a coworker - for myself- when I come to preach is our confidence in the presence and power of God with us?

When we talk about sharing our faith and begin with the conversation asking, “What do I say?” we can tend to find confidence in a script. Preparation and training and teaching is no doubt important. Jesus took 3 years to teach his disciples, but even with all that preparation he told them to wait. There was something missing. There was a source of power and confidence that they did not have yet!

Even for those who’ve been preaching and evangelizing for decades, that confidence really shouldn’t change. No amount of experience is a substitute for the presence and power of God. For those who were here last week, the centurion and the leper both knock at the same door.

In our day and age I believe in some sense we’re taught to put confidence in our competencies. If you have skills to compete with everyone else then there’s reason for confidence.

There’s an element of truth to that in the Christian faith, we can rely on the truths we’ve been taught, we can rely upon the wisdom we’ve gained over time, but the fundamental confidence of the church from day one has always been in company not competency - that is the power of God with them not any potential they had in themselves.

I’m sure some of you here have played a golf scramble before. For those who don’t know, a golf scramble allows 4 guys or gals to play a round of golf together, but you always play the best ball. You can be the worst golfer in the world, and still win because it only takes one good golfer to make a good scramble team. It’s great! Very few people walk up to a golf scramble thinking today my potential is going to win the day. No, your confidence is in your company.

If I may, it only takes one good God on our team to have confidence going into the harvest. There is only one God and He is with us!

Now, it’s one thing to recognize He’s with us, it’s another thing to recon with His power.

Consider for a moment how God has revealed Himself to His people in years past that would assure this gathering that the power of God is with them.

The Holy Spirit could have come quietly and without the display, but in God’s good design the Spirit came with the signs of the presence of the glory of God given to Israel for over a thousand years.

Consider how the Psalmist describes God’s dwelling place in Psalm 104

Psalm 104:1–4 NASB95

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; 4 He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.

——

The Holy Spirit has chosen to reveal Himself in a very particular way to this gathering at Pentecost. It’s not simply for dramatic effect. “Let’s get some sound effects and some fire to spice things up a bit” No, God is reminding His people who He is. He’s very great and clothed with splendor and majesty. The power of God which is able to bend the wind and the fire to do His will is now among men. And now it is the church who will do His will, It’s the church who will serve as messengers to the nations and holy ministers to God by the power of God which now works in them.

If you take the time to look at the numerous examples through the Old Testament of the presence and power of God being revealed to His people, there’s very often mission laying on the other side of that revelation.

God reveals Himself in extraordinary ways to Israel as they come out of Egypt so that they would be his holy priesthood.

God reveals Himself to Moses, in extraordinary fashion that He might lead a wandering people.

God reveals Himself to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1 and 2 in very similar fashion so that He would go and minister to the exiles.

The nature of God’s person and power with His people is the equipping of His people for service, and that’s what we see here.

The Person and Power of God working through us.

The filling of the Holy Spirit has immediate effect as we’ve already seen. They begin to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit has a specific intention here. Again this isn’t for dramatic effect. It’s not validating someone’s ministry. It’s not validating someone’s conversion. It’s God wanting His glory to be known among the nations! There’s a very specific audience.

Acts 2:5–6 NASB95

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.

—-

Let’s remember many of these Jews are in town for a long holiday. They’re here with the first fruits of the harvest to be presented at the temple, that place where the presence and glory of God was for hundreds of years, and out of nowhere they hear a violent rushing wind burst through the house down the street. If you heard a hurricane in your neighbor’s backyard would you go check it out? Maybe go knock on the door and make sure everyone’s ok? I probably would. It was so violent apparently that an entire crowd gathers together - mind you the crowd that was planning on gathering at the temple in Jerusalem - comes to gather at the door of a new temple you might say.

And at the door of this new temple they hear the priests and ministers of God speaking to them in their own language.

Bewilderment is certainly expected! For perspective it was quite common at that time for many Jews to be multilingual. There was a trade language like Aramaic or Greek that most everyone knew depending on where you were coming from. If you wanted to appeal to a crowd like this someone would likely make an announcement in a trade language. Most of them would have understood, but the Holy Spirit equips the church to go the extra mile. No longer would God’s people say, come and see God’s glory in this temple. Come and hear of God’s glory in this tongue. Now the temple of God and the priesthood of God has everything they need to go the nations. God’s dwelling is among his people. God is not left behind in some land or temple. And the message of the gospel is proclaimed in every tongue.

Maybe you can see the recurring theme here.

No longer is the presence of God merely among His people, over there in the tent. The presence of God is near to each person and dwelling in every person in that gathering. Perhaps bewilderment could describe those who experienced the Spirit of God fill them. “Me? God in me?”

This theme continues as the crowds gather, and what they expect is a tongue common to everyone, but then the message comes to them personally in their own native tongue. “Me? A message from God .. for me?”

When God comes to dwell among His saints His power and presence is with all His saints, and when He works through His saints, he intends for all the world to hear of His glory.

Now to those who may find this task intimidating there’s an encouraging word here, though it may not appear that way.

Acts 2:7 NASB95

7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

—-

This amused observation isn’t merely factual, in fact it’s a bit derogatory. During that time Galileans were known as the plainest of people, many of whom were uneducated, and may have a little Gentile mixed into their heritage. They were often looked down upon. That’s the tone here.

You’ll notice their humble upbringing doesn’t make them any less instrumental to God. In fact it only accentuates the work that God is doing through them. The contrast is the source of astonishment. “Aren’t these all Galileans?” What is this glorious work of God doing amongst such an inglorious people?

For all of us here this morning, we must certainly recognize the extraordinary task we’ve been called to in bringing the gospel to the far reaches of a dark world, but God doesn’t need extraordinary people to do His extraordinary work. He needs willing servants. He needs humble instruments. From the context, he needs praying people of faith. None of these descriptors say anything about what we look like. It says nothing of our vocation, our schooling, or our competencies. Being a servant, being an instrument, being a people of prayer - all of that puts the presence and power of God on display whether people recognize it or not.

A servant is little without his master.

An instrument is useless without hands to direct it.

Prayer is just wishful thinking without a God to hear.

Faith is without a foundation unless there is indeed a God.

In the end, might we make it our ambition as instruments of God that when people see us they’re astonished by what God has done, not by what we look like. A fine piece of craftsmanship doesn’t bring glory to the tools, it brings glory to the craftsman. We’re tools in his hands and His glory is our ambition.

Might the world see a joy and a contentment found in us - a joy found in God with us - though we may have little in the worldly sense. Contentment is an extraordinary witness! People may not ever see us speaking in tongues before a crowd, but they can be astonished by joy. “Why are you so happy all the time? You’re life is so simple.”

Let’s offer to pray for people. Let’s show them the faith we have in God and point their eyes to something far greater than ourselves through a simple prayer.

In the end, It’s ok to be a Galilean.

If I could step back here and connect the dots. The person and power of God works through humble people to reach far off people. The people you would never expect God to use are going to the people you would never expect God to reach. The church really is an amazing and astonishing thing when God works through His people.

Hopefully now we can all be convinced to some degree, God can use me. God can work through me because it’s more about God than me in the end, but let’s ask who? When God works through us He’s almost always directing us toward someone. Who should we be looking for who, but also how we should be reaching them?

Let’s close this point by looking at verses 8-11

Acts 2:8–11 NASB95

8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”

—-

Three times throughout this whole text, the emphasis is made that these Jews of the diaspora from far off places are hearing these disciples speak in their own language. (vs. 6, vs. 8, vs. 11) We see the latter two here in these verses bookending this extraordinary list of places these people are coming from. The Spirit works in the disciples not simply to speak with other tongues. They speak with very specific languages in order to communicate to very specific people. This work of God in His people in His church is spectacular, but it’s not a spectacle. It’s not simply meant to be watched, it’s meant to be heard and received personally.

God had in mind every single person in that gathering that day and made sure that each and every one of them heard of His mighty deeds. The Holy Spirit uniquely equipped the disciples to reach every single person there in a personal way - in their own language.

Practically speaking the presence and power of God in us should orient us toward reaching people where they are and connecting with them personally.

For some that may very well mean learning a new language, but for most of us it’s likely more plain than that.

What would it take for us to invest the time and energy in someone so that when we share the good news of Christ and the glory of God they would know, this gospel is for me!

People these days are so used to the announcements made in the common trade language you might say. It’s just another ad to skip or another billboard to ignore, but when someone speaks up who knows them, knows their language, knows where they’ve come from, knows them personally. That’s a message that’s not so easily ignored.

Have you ever received those spectacular ads in the mail? I don’t know about you, but generally the more spectacular the mailer the faster I throw it away.

But that letter with my name hand written on the front, I’m opening that one! That person knows me. That person I want to hear from.

If we really step back, the person and power of God working through to reach people personally looks like Jesus. We shouldn’t be surprised.

Jesus came and walked among us.

He even took on a trade like any ordinary man would.

He went out into the highways and byways to reach the leper, the fisherman, the farmer, and the shepherd and he taught them by pointing them to their own lives. He knew them and he spoke their language.

“A farmer went out to sow...”

“A man built his house on a rock...”

“Beware of the wolf...”

“Every tree bears good fruit...”

“I call my sheep and they hear my voice...”

As God works through us we bear witness to Christ and His glory, but we also bear witness like Christ for His glory.

Practical question for everyone to take home with them. As we ask ourselves that question, “How do I share my faith?” Let’s make it personal. “How do I share my faith with that person?” God can work extraordinary things through ordinary disciples who faithfully orient their lives toward people.

That kind of faithfulness isn’t often all that remarkable. It’s time with people. It’s finding out what people enjoy and doing those things with them. It’s inviting them over for dinner. It’s getting to know their family, their work, their dreams and their struggles so that when the glory of God and His love and His grace is proclaimed it’s personal. “This is for you!”

This is the trajectory of this whole passage, the personal connection which the Spirit enables between these humble disciples and these people from every corner of the globe is for the purpose of proclamation. That the nations may hear of the glory of God and be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.

The Person and Power of God proclaimed.

It’s a minor detail, but it’s an essential detail. What did all these people hear in their own language as the disciples speak?

Acts 2:11 NASB95

11 ...—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”

——

Here you might say we begin to engage in the conversation. When it comes time to share the substance of our faith it only makes sense to begin with the object of our faith that is the person of God.

Maybe you’ve heard this story, but an evangelist approaches a pastor on the street and asks, “Are you saved?” The evangelist doesn’t know he’s approached a pastor and so the pastor decides to use the question as a teaching moment, and he responds, “Saved from what?” The evangelist is a little caught off guard, and states simply, “Are you saved from your sin?” The pastor goes further, and asks, “Well, sin against who?”

The point here being apart from a righteous God deserving of all glory and worship there is no sin, and if there is no sin there is no need to be saved.

When we share our faith we must begin with God and His mighty deeds who is worthy of all of our worship.

Even before we talk about sin it’s important people understand who they’ve sinned against. We can’t take that for granted in our day and age. The world has so many presuppositions about who God is and what He requires of us. Many refuse to acknowledge God exists at all. Many have a severe misunderstanding of who God is that needs to be corrected before the gospel can be clear.

This is more than just a correction of thinking however, I believe we need to see in this simple verse not only sound doctrine, “This is who God is and this is what He has done.” It is that, but this is the sound doctrine that fuels worship!

The proclamation of the glory of God through the power and presence of God is not merely an invitation to acquire new knowledge. “Here’s something you might like to know.” “Here’s a bit of history you might appreciate.” This is a call to worship coming from worshippers.

This proclamation declares to all who hear, The God of Israel, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, The Creator of all the world who delivered His people from slavery and exile and sent His own Son in mercy and grace to die on the cross for your sins, This God - Our God is deserving of your worship.

All of God’s mighty deeds since the dawn of time have been done that His glory would be advance and that His image bearers would come to Him in worship.

God created man in His image for His glory.

God delivered Israel from Egypt that they would serve Him - that they would worship Him as His holy priesthood.

God gave Israel the promised land that they would flourish and display His glory amongst the nations of the world.

The Father sent His son to die on a cross which would redeem and sanctify a new priesthood for worship - a worship that would last for all eternity.

Colossians 1:16–20 NASB95

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

——

“All things have been created through Him and for Him.”

That includes people. All people have been made for Him and for His glory.

All that God has done is intended to display His glory. In response we are called to worship!

On a practical level, praise usually precedes proclamation. Praise precedes proclamation.

An invitation to worship isn’t going to come to from someone who isn’t worshipping.

Imagine with me for a moment what it would look like to join those two realities for us. That’s exactly what’s going on here in the text. The people of God are praising and proclaiming the glories of God at the same time.

What would it look to be immersed in looking at who God is and all He has done that it would naturally overflow into our everyday walk?

What would it take for people around us to hear from our own mouths in some way, “God is worthy of our worship!”

“Neighbor this season has been hard, but at the end of the day I know my God is good and He’s going to work this for my good. I don’t know how, but I figure the Creator of the world can handle it? How do you find peace at the end of the day?”

When someone asks you how you’re doing go beyond “I’m fine.” “You know, I’m really thankful in this season. God’s been really faithful to me and my family this past year!”

When someone expresses a concern offer to pray for them. Worship God in prayer with that person and for their good. “Father, provide for this brother or sister in ways that only you can. Show them how great and faithful you are in your provision. Lead them to trust you and enjoy you for all that you are.” Pray it right there with them. That’s something I’m working on at the moment. Why walk away, when I can pray for them right there.

There’s an extraordinary witness in the world seeing our admiration for God’s goodness and faithfulness in our ordinary lives.

As we close, we do need to recognize this is merely the first step.

When we proclaim our God who is worthy of praise.. that can be rather confusing to people.

The people watching have that very response.

Acts 2:12–13 NASB95

12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

——

Many don’t exactly know what all this means yet and there are some who put their heart on the table in mockery.

We’ll get to the implications in due time, but for the moment let’s take comfort in the fact that we have what we need to do the job. We have the firm foundation laid for us that we, the church, would be witnesses of the glory of Christ to the world.

The person and power of God is with us in the Holy Spirit. We are not alone. He will be with us always!

The Spirit is devoted to working through us no matter our background and no matter the audience. No matter our background, our humble faith in Jesus Christ equips us to be fruitful in the lives of those who may have little in common with us.

Finally, we have confidence in the blood of Jesus to come before our God in praise. Might that same confidence drive us to proclamation to all who will listen.

Let’s Pray

Church Members: Steve and Kirstin English

Bill and Kelley Housley: Missionaries with new Tribes Missions in Papua New Guinea. Their continued work at Ramu Valley Academy.

If you are a member of this church, or a baptized member of another evangelical church in good standing, where you hear the same gospel preached that you hear in this church, then you are welcome to join us at the Lord’s Table.