Pentecost - The Promise of the Father
Notes
Transcript
Today is what we now call “Pentecost Sunday.” It commemorates that powerful day in Church History when the Promise of the Father was realized.
in early days of Christianity called, “Whitsunday” or “White Sunday” after the practice of wearing white baptismal gowns for water baptism.
E. Stanley Jones siad, “There was a time when the Christian Church celebrated Whitsunday (Pentecost), the anniversary of the coming of the Spirit, more than it did Christmas, the anniversary of the coming of Christ. Now Whitsunday has largely dropped out.”
He goes on to write, “Did we find it easier to celebrate Christ’s birth than to transfer to Him the full control of our life? …Did it cost less to give gifts at Christmas than to give ourselves at Pentecost? Christmas is the festival of God with us. Pentecost is the festival of God in us (The Christ of Every Road, 47)
What a day that must have been, to have seen, to have heard, to have witnessed and experienced the day of Pentecost. What a day that was, but, oh, what a day it is when the Holy Spirit moves into our heart and life.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Here is what I want you to see from our reading:
Luke 24:49 “I send the promise of my Father”
Acts 1:4-8 “wait for the promise of the Father”
Acts 2:33 “having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost.”
It has been said that the life and teachings of Jesus were a preparatory stage for the birth of the Church—the Church in the womb.
The cross represented the birth-pains of the Church, preceding the resurrection victory of the church’s Founder.
Pentecost marked the birthday of the Church.
The central purpose of Pentecost was empowerment to be the kind of witnesses for Jesus that He desires us to be (Acts 1:8).
Sometimes we get so caught up in methods, practices, even legal approaches to soul winning. Often neglecting or forgetting that all the learning, memorizing, practicing, witnessing, outreach, methods are all wasted time and effort if not energized and anointed by the Holy Spirit.
These 120 individuals were talented, gifted, and amazing people, but they could never have pulled this off by themselves. They might have attracted attention to themselves, it took the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to make them effective and powerful soul winners.
I want you to notice two aspects of God’s presence that came that day:
Fiery Presence (Acts 2:1-3)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
This “fiery” presence of God was prophesied by John the Baptist (Mat. 3:11; Lk. 3:16). The Messiah, said John, would baptize His followers with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The role of fire, according to Peter, provided the means whereby the inherited depravity remaining in the hearts of the assembled believers was cleansed (Acts 15:9). And it is important to notice that Peter connected the cleansing of their hearts with the exercise of faith. Without expectant and obedient faith, no one’s heart would have been cleansed.
This speaks of cleaning and purifying
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
But it wasn’t just a fiery presence
A Filling Presence (Acts 2:4a)
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It is only after a believer is cleansed from inward depravity that he is able to yield himself to the full control of the Holy Spirit. Far too many people mistake the phrase, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” to mean that a believer receives more of the Spirit than he had in regeneration. In reality, to be filled with the Spirit means that the Holy Spirit assumes full control of your life. The key word is “control.” A person who is filled with the Spirit is fully committed to do anything and everything that God wishes him to do.
Next I want us to notice the Power of God at Pentecost
There were three main characteristics of God’s power
It was a propulsive Power (Acts 2:4-11a)
Those filled individuals spilled out of that upper room and had a new desire to share the good news of Jesus and the joys of the Spirit-filled life with anyone who would listen.
It wasn’t just a rejoicing among themselves - the Holy Spirit propelled them out of the security of the building and assembly into the crowd who had gathered to see what was going on.
It wasn’t just a propulsive power it was also
A proclaiming power (Acts 2:11b-13)
This doesn’t mean that all Spirit-filled disciples become “preachers” but they did all become “proclaimers” and “praisers”.
There was only one Peter that day, but all the 119 others still proclaimed and praised.
It was a pungent power (Acts 2:14-41)
It wasn’t a power to manipulate people to follow Peter’s program, and methods.
It was a pungent power that convicted their hearts for crucifying the Son of God - their Savior.
If Peter had tried to draw a crowd and preach this message unaccompanied by the filling of the Holy Spirit it would not have been anywhere near as successful -
But with the Pungent power of the Holy Ghost - 3000 souls were added to the Kingdom of God that day.
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Weakness is a reproach when such might is at our service. Defeat is dishonour when the partnership of God is rejected. With the communion of the Holy Ghost at our command, what manner of men we ought to be! With such a partnership what mighty works we ought to do! There are no limits to His power. There are no reserves in His communion. There is no respect of persons with Him. Why do we set boundaries to His work, limit His activities, and refuse His appeal? He brings all, let us give all.
Samuel Chadwick, The Way to Pentecost (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1932), 49.
Back around 1999 early 2000 Pen View Bible Institute came to Troy Camp for a special service of singing. I so enjoyed their singing and testimonies and was my first real introduction to the school.
I remember the PR person and his wife Bro. Dan Durkee who is now the president of the school, had made a cassette tape that was made for sale following the service.
I went to the table and seen several different albums by the school, I might be wrong, but I think I purchased a copy of every album they had available that day.
But on the album by the Durkees was a beautiful song written by John W. Peterson. I don’t remember ever hearing it until then, but I want to share the words with you today - Listen to this -
1. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost,
He came in mighty fullness then;
His witness through believers won the lost,
And multitudes were born again.
The early Christians scattered o'er the world,
They preached the gospel fearlessly;
Though some were martyred and to lions hurled,
They marched along in victory!
2. Then in an age when darkenss gripped the earth,
"The just shall live by faith" was learned;
The Holy Spirit gave the Church new birth
As reformation fires burned.
In later years the great revivals came,
When saints would seek the Lord and pray;
O once again we need that holy flame
To meet the challenge of today!
Chorus:
Come, Holy Spirit, Dark is the hour;
We need You filling,
Your love and Your mighty pow'r!
Move now among us, Stir us, we pray;
Come, Holy Spirit, Revive the church today!
John W Peterson, 1971 John W. Peterson Music Co.
I have been hungering and thirsting for a fresh out pouring of the Holy Spirit - I believe that there will only be one Pentecost - that historic day where the Church was Born
But I know Biblically and Historically there have been innumerable times when God’s Spirit has been poured out on His hungry people
Lord send it again, I pray
Chorus:
Come, Holy Spirit, Dark is the hour;
We need You filling,
Your love and Your mighty pow'r!
Move now among us, Stir us, we pray;
Come, Holy Spirit, Revive the church today!