The Breath of God

Welcome

I want to thank you all for worshipping with us today. Will you help me welcome our first time guests and those joining us on online. We are so glad you are here with us today. What an amazing day it is...

Introduction

Today is the Day of Pentecost. The word essentially means 50 and is a sacred day as it marks the 50th day after Passover, what we commonly refer to as Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Historically this was a time designated to celebrate the Israelites going into the Promised Land; the place that represented abundance and wholeness. It is at this time, the people of God would gather, celebrate their freedom and blessings and give an offerings to God. However, there was this underlying thought that there could be more.

It was spoken of by the prophets...

Scriptures

Joel 2:28–29 CSB

28 After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days.

There was an expected moment when God would be accessible to everyone. Equality. Unity. The Messiah was to usher in a new era. A new season. A new dispensation. Jesus arrives and shares with His followers. He tells them.

Acts 1:5 CSB

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

Acts 1:8 CSB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1–4 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Prayer

There was much anticipation for the Spirit of God to be made available to all people. Before that, certain people would be empowered by God’s presence. The Feast of Pentecost was meant to foreshadow this powerful day as this is the day when the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the Church.

Today I want to spend a few minutes talking about the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and I have entitled today’s message, The Breath of God.

Spirit of God, we are so thankful for your presence. I pray that you speak to us today. Give us open eyes, open ears, and open hearts. Have your way. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Illustration

I have really grown to appreciate TikTok. I know, just what I need, another social media platform to consume my time. What I appreciate about this one is I can really zero in on my interests and see quick, funny, quirky, helpful videos on several subjects. Dance, it’s there. Comedy, it’s there. Encouragement, it’s there. It’s like the Walmart of social media. (Ketchup and an engine) I have a special place in my heart for life hacks. When someone shows you an easier way to do a common task. I follow some financial pages and came across one that highlights perks that come with certain credit cards. I know…the borrower is slave to the lender. Debt is dumb in my Dave Ramsey voice. I typically use cards for points and immediately pay it off. Here is the thing, I didn’t take the time to really explore what “points” meant and what I could do with them. I logged in and was floored at all the perks I had. Free stuff, gifts, trips, etc. I had access to it, but I never engaged it. Imagine having so much power, access, and support available to you, and you don’t even scratch the surface on access it.

Transition

Our faith has so much to offer. Salvation. Forgiveness. There are times, I feel like I am doing a late night informerical. Speaking to your feelings. Make you laugh a little. We can grow content with glimpses of growth.

Here’s the thing, I am not a salesman and you are not consumers. I am a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are the people of God and God has so for us. …but there is more. I believe the Holy Spirit is the one that gives us access to the things of God. The Holy Spirit is the one that brings on earth as in heaven. There is more...Healing. Freedom. Purpose. Peace. Redemption. Restoration. Scripture says...

2 Peter 1:3 CSB

3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

We have access but we have to engage Him to activate what He has for us. Hope is available but we have to engage Him. Healing, restoration, power, purpose…we have to engage His Spirit if we want His power.

Observations/Points

That is the significance of Pentecost. It is the day that the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the Church, to me and you to empower us and equip us.

There Was a Sound

They were all gathered together in one place. On one accord, unity and equality. The text says, suddenly, there was a sound. God operates with rhythms. (Passover, Pentecost) One of them is sound. Many times before there is a move of God, there is a sound. When God descended on Mt Sinai, there was a sound. When the people of God was about to enter the promised land, there was a sound. Gideon was outnumbered, but there was a sound. Elijah heard a sound before there was an abundance of rain. The sound ushers freedom.

There is a story of a marine base in South Carolina where there are jets. Naturally, it gets noisy as they fly in and out. They have a sign that says, “pardon the noise, it is the sound of freedom.”

Freedom isn’t silent. Paul and Silas were in prison but there was a sound…sound of their praise ushered in the presence of God and brought freedom. (Acts 16:25-26) This is a good spot for a praise break.

Pardon my praise, but it is the sound of freedom.

There Was a Wind

Biblical language is a tad more complex then common English. Words get translated but mindset can get lost. We have probably uttered the words, lost in translation. Ever get an email or text message and thought it had a different meaning then intended? Spirit is frequently transliterated to wind or breath. (Ruach/Pneuma) It is meant to communicate something specific about the presence of God. Wind is unrestrained power.

Breath speaks to the energy or life force of God. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God!

The Holy Spirit Gives Life

Job 33:4 CSB

4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Prior to God breathing on Adam, he was an inanimate object. But God breathed! It activated Adam and empowered him to complete his mission to be fruitful and multiply. Gen 2:7

Genesis 2:7 CSB

7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

When we lack the breath of God, we lack the power of God.

Ezekiel 37:9–10 CSB

He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath,A prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live!” So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.

The bones responded to the word. Muscles and skin grew, but it lacked breath. You can have all the plans and structures and strategies but if it lacks breath, it lacks power. But God breathed and the army arose.

All you need is the breath of God. The breath of God gives life, power.

Closing

A balloon can be used to celebrate many things. Birthdays, weddings, graduations. However, without air, breath, it can’t perform its’ function. Without the breath of God, we can’t perform what God purposes us to do.

Jesus breathed on His disciples to empower and activate them to function.

John 20:22 CSB

22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

He later tells them not to take a single step until the Holy Spirit comes because then they will be empowered to walk in their calling.

You are called to produce fruit. You have gifts, but you have to engage the presence of God so that it can be activated in your life.

The Holy Spirit is the breath of God and He brings life, He brings power. God has so much more for us but we must access it, engage it if we want to see it activated in our lives.

Altar

Where do you need the breath of God in your life? Let me pray for you.

We all need the breath of God…have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed. (Acts 19:2)