Transformed by the Holy Spirit (2)

Transformed by the Holy Spirit

Acts 2

Goal: To introduce the work of the Holy Spirit and to encourage the attendee to allow God’s Spirit to flow through their ministries, by highlighting the work of the Spirit in Acts chapter 2

Introduction:

? Have you finished Christmas shopping yet? Who are the people in your life that are hardest to shop for? (The people who have everything)

1. Sometimes the people who have everything are not appreciative of the gifts that they receive.

In our bible study today, Peter talks about another gift (Holy Spirit) that we don’t know what to do with.

There is much confusion about who the Holy Spirit is, the work of the Holy Spirit, and what do we do with the Holy Spirit. This morning, I want to explore a limited study of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.

BACKGROUND:

1. Jesus has ascended back to the father but promised that He would send another to comfort them.

a. Acts 1:8

2. The disciples were to wait in Jerusalem until the comforter came.

3. It’s been 50 days since he ascended.

4. The disciples were not idle:

a. Replaced Judas with Matthias (Acts 1:26)

b. The disciples were meeting (120 )

5. Pentecost: = 50

a. Represents the beginning of the harvest season-

b. A time of giving thanks for the harvest season

WHAT WAS PENTECOST?

1. Brought to the disciples the equipment necessary to do their jobs (evangelization)

2. The beginning of a new era of the spirit

3. It was the first REVIVAL ; the visitation of God upon mankind

BROAD SCOPE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

1. The Holy Spirit was visible and working in the Old Testament

a. Part of the creation experience: Gen. 1:2 “ and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”

b. The Holy Spirit was present with various peoples:

i. I Sam. 16:14 “Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul” (and left them)

ii. I Sam. 16:13 The scripture indicates that the Holy Spirit stayed continually with one person; David

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the presence of his brother, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power”

2. The Holy Spirit was visible and working in the New Testament:

a. HS came in a NEW WAY AND FORM when Jesus ascended:

i. John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the COUNSELOR will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”

3. The work of the Holy Spirit (GENERAL TERMS)

a. John 16:8-11 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

b. John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

c. Acts 1:8 But 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."

Today, we are focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Dr. John R.W. Stott said this, Without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible. There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness of character apart from his fruit, and no effective witness without his power. As a body without breath is a corpse, so the church without the Spirit is dead.[1]

I. The Holy Spirit indwells and fills God’s people Acts 2:1-4

And 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.

A. Pentecost can be confusing.

1. Often clouded in discussions about tongues and spiritual gifts

a. John 14:26 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

b. V-26 speaks of preparing us for sharing our lives with the world.

2. ? (v-26) What does this verse say about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today?

a. The Holy Spirit is a helper, who teaches us all things, and brings to remembrance the things that God wants us to say.

3. V-4 Holy Spirit was in control of the unusual circumstances

a.? What three peculiar events happened in these verses?

i. Noise

ii.Fire

iii. unusual occurrence of being able to understand what the other was saying.

b. Represented the new era of the Holy Spirit

i. Luke 3:16 Luke 3:16 (NASB) 16 John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

ii. Luke 24:49 (NASB) 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."

c. All of the events that occurred on Pentecost depended on the people OBEYING the Holy Spirit.

3. ? Why should we obey the Holy Spirit?

a. Because He is God

i. Ephesians 1:3 (NASB) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

b. We obey the Holy Spirit because he reminds us of the Gospel

i. John 14:25-26 (NASB) 25 "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

c. We obey the Holy Spirit because He has the proof that we are connected to the

father and Jesus by faith.

i. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB) 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

B. Life Lessons:

1. Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit, there would be no unusual occurrences

2. What happened at Pentecost occurred with like believers and can occur within our own church and ministries.

3. There is a difference between a gathering of people and the moving of the Holy Spirit in a church.

Ill. “Mission in the Little Village area of Chicago. Preached a revival in the church (in English) and those who spoke only Spanish understood the message.”

II. The Holy Spirit empowers lives and events Acts 2:22-24, 36-40

Acts 2:22-24 (NASB) 22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

Acts 2:36-40 (NASB) 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"

A. A few weeks prior to this moment

1. Some of the disciples had abandoned the Lord’s work altogether

2. Some of these Jews that were listening to Peter’s message had been apart of the shouting to “crucify Him”

B. Outline of Peter’s sermon:

1. His life and Ministry 2:22

2. His death 2:23

3. His resurrection 2:24-32

4. His exaltation 2:33-36

5. Their salvation 2:37-39

C. Through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Both the disciples and those that heard the sermon were changed.

1. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples now had a boldness to proclaim the Gospel

a. Some of these same people could have been in the presence of Peter when he denied Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit Peter was preaching with boldness.

b. V-37 “They were pierced to the heart”

i. Convicted of sin and asked what they could do

ii. They had completely changed their minds and heart about Jesus.

iii. See John 16:8 Convicting the world of sin.

2. ? Could it be possible to bring about conviction without the Holy Spirit

3. ? Is it possible to be “saved” without the Holy Spirit?

Illustration: It is amazing how people who come to a Billy Graham Crusade walk the isle at the invitation time. Some are noticeably crying and under conviction (ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT)

III. The Holy Spirit works through God’s people to grow the church Acts2 41-47

Acts 2:41-47 (NASB) 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

A. ? What are the charactistics of this church that led to spiritual and numerical growth?

1. They were a learning church- v-42

2. They were a loving church V-42 (and to fellowship)

3. They were a worshipping church v-42 (To the breaking of bread and to prayer)

4. They were an evangelistic church V-47

B. ? How does numerical growth in the church relate to growth in spiritual health and vitality.

1. Both are the work of the Holy Spirit

C. Life Lessons:

1. We are to love one another

2. We are to be in the word of God

3. share our lives with one another

4.. We are to make disciples of all nations

D.? If you were to write a conclusion to this Bible Study what would you say?

1. The work of the Holy Spirit is critical to a growing church

2. As we allow God’s Spirit access to our lives, we will do the work that He desires.

3. Without the Holy Spirit, a church is just a gathering of people much like a country club or a social club.