Pentecost - The Feast of Harvest

Pentecost – The Feast of Harvest Exodus 23:14-17 I The Feast of Harvest – v. 16a A Why Do We Call It Pentecost? – Leviticus 23:5, 6 1 We start with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread A Wave the first sheaf of grain on Sunday after Passover – v. 10, 11 B Thank God for first-fruits, type of resurrection of Jesus – 1 Cor 15:20-23 2 Then count off 50 days – Seven full weeks – Feast of Weeks – Leviticus 23:16 A Day after 7th Sabbath, a Sunday, Fifty days, Pentecost (Greek for 50) B Feast of Weeks = Feast of Harvest = Pentecost B Why Is It Called the Feast of Harvest? – Leviticus 23:16, 17 1 Barley & wheat harvest complete, a different first-fruits offering is made 2 One more name: The Day of First Fruits (Numbers 28:26) C How Does All This Apply to Christian Pentecost? 1 The sheaf of first-fruits pictures Jesus as first-fruits of resurrection. 2 Pentecost pictures the first fruits of the church, a spiritual harvest festival. 3 The Spirit is still given to empower us as witnesses to bring in the harvest. II The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 A The Holy Spirit Was Given – Acts 2:1-4 1 They were all together – probably in the temple – v. 1 2 Great manifestations herald the coming of the Holy Spirit – v. 2, 3 3 Then the Gift was given to each of them – v. 4 A All were filled with the Holy Spirit B All spoke in languages unknown to them C Each spoke as the Holy Spirit enabled them 4 This drew a large crowd of feast-goers – v. 5-13 B Peter Addresses This Crowd – Acts 2:14-21 1 Peter speaks forth under inspiration – as prophecy 2 He declares this event to be fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy A This is what was spoken (KJV – This is that) – v 16 B God had poured out His Spirit – v. 17 C The promise is for all people – v. 17, 18 D The promise includes salvation for all who call – v 21 C The First Fruits of Harvest at Pentecost 1 The crowd cries out under conviction – Acts 2:36. 37 2 Peter calls for repentance and faith – v. 38, 39 3 Harvest: 3000 believe and are baptized – v. 41 4 These are first fruits, the beginning of a great harvest that continues – v. 46, 47 III Pentecost Remains the Feast of Harvest A God Promises Power for the Harvest – Acts 1:4-8 1 The Spirit is given to provide power to be witnesses of Jesus. 2 The world today needs witnesses. We, today, need His power. B This Same Promise Is for You – Acts 2:38, 39 1 This promise is for all. You are promised the same gift. 2 You know when you receive by the same evidence. 3 Your gift is for the same purpose: To give power for the harvest as witnesses C The Harvest Is Ripe – John 4:34-38 1 The fields are ripe. Now is harvest time, the time to reap. 2 God has supplied the power, available to all who believe. Let us all receive!