The Purpose of Pentecost

Many people have heard about the Holy Spirit, many have heard wrong things about the Holy Spirit, even many Christians think that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal, impractical force that is mostly useless & just makes you weird or overboard - So... many people live without the Holy Spirit!

Today is Pentecost Sunday and we recognize when the Holy Spirit was first poured out from Heaven into the earth…and He is STILL here!!!

Why should I care about the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the One that God chose to take the place of Jesus on the Earth.

The Holy Spirit is God’s choice for you & me

John 14:15-18 NKJV “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Many people view the Holy Spirit as a downgrade from having Jesus walking with us on the Earth.

If you were to ask most Christians, if they would rather have Jesus walking with them or have the Holy Spirit with them - nearly 100% would say that they would rather have Jesus.

The Holy Spirit was not like the 7th man on the volleyball team (just not quite good enough to be first string)

He is more like the anchor runner in a 400m relay race!

Listen to what JESUS said about the Holy Spirit:

John 16:7 AMP However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

Jesus was Emmanuel - “God With Us.”

The Holy Spirit is God IN us!

What Was the Purpose of the Day of Pentecost?

Along the journey to find the purpose of Pentecost, let’s look at some important things about the pattern of Pentecost that will bless your life:

Acts 2:1-2 NKJV When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

The Holy Spirit is looking for unity in your home

•in your church

•In your connect groups

•in your personal relationships

2. The Holy Spirit wants to fill your home with His Presence

Acts 2:3-4 NKJV Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

3. The Holy Spirit wants to rest on you & burn out the stuff that doesn’t make you who you are meant to be. (XR - Luke 3:9)

4. The Holy Spirit wants to fill you

Filled = “Controlled by”

5. The Holy Spirit will wants to change your words into Spirit Inspired, Spirit Led, & Spirit Breathed words that will bless people around you (XR - Eph. 4:29; Proverbs 18:21)

Of course, I’m saying that this is the ONLY reason for the day of Pentecost, but it’s at least a good one: HERE IT IS!!!!

God doesn’t just want to be with you, He wants to be IN you & In control of your life

We have nothing to fear regarding this because God is PURELY GOOD in His character:

-This is the gospel God is light & there is no darkness in Him at all

-God has thoughts of peace and not of evil, and hope and expected end

It Doesn’t Stop With Me:

The rest of this passage shows the result that God wants from us receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit!

Acts 2:5-11 NKJV 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Acts 2:41-43 NKJV Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Acts 1:8 AMP But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses [Proof-providers] in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

Luke 19:10 NKJV for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus, has tagged you and me to be the anchor runners in the relay race of salvation through the help of the Holy Spirit!

Just One Thing:

Jesus, through putting the the Holy Spirit in us, wants to change us so we can save the world through His Gospel - Let’s let Him!!!

Discussion Questions:

What app can you not believe someone hasn’t made yet?

What does the Holy Spirit mean (e.g. indicate, signify, or represent) to you?

Please read Acts 2:2-4. Realizing that the definition of the word “filled” is “Controlled By,” how does that make you feel? Please explain a bit.

How can you believe for the Holy Spirit to change, empower, or help you to complete the mission that Jesus began 2000 years ago?