"THE CHURCH GOD FOUNDED"

The Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

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.

5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

Introduction

Welcome to this Pentecost Sunday. A day in the Christian calendar to commemorate the “birth” of the Church of Jesus Christ. A day that God broke the language barrier that separated and divided the people who gather together in Jerusalem to worship and present their “firstfruit” to the God is Isreal.

As we gather together today in this house the bears His name, may we gather in oneness in prayer, praise and worship may His presence break every barrier.

Context

Pentecost means-”fiftieth”- fifty days after the passover, a Jewish holiday marking the time of wheat harvest.

-At Pentecost firstfruit was offer. Jews came to Jerusalem from all over the nations or stay after the passover.

God use this old testament holiday with it’s symbolizing to birth forth a new church, founded by God, build on His power and truth of it’s cornerstone the Lord Jesus Christ.

Founding Principles

Let’s notice some of the founding principles of this powerful Church:

Unity And Obedience

-The Church God founded on Pentecost was united and obedience. 120 early believers came together in one place to wait on the Lord as instructed by Jesus to wait for the promise of the Father. The timeline was unknown to them. - Listened to Jesus’ teaching.

** To experience the presence, power, and the influence of the Holy Spirit we must be united in our love for Christ and strive to dwell in harmony.(Psalm 133:1 “How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!”)

COMING OUT

The church God founded, started with individuals called by the Lord Jesus, gather together behind close doors waiting and praying. And when the power of God came upon them, they step out into the world- “filled the house where they were staying” to declare the wonders of God. The Church founded by God is meant to function in the power of God.

CONCLUSION

I want to conclude with these few points to consider: First, are a church founded by God?

-The Church of Jesus Christ was not build to be understood and like by the world. On Pentecost, the believers who received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit were midst understood and call dranks John 3:8 “The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The people who heard the sound and gather together and bewildered, confused and astonished. Too often the move of God will create confusion and bewilderment for the world but the Church most provide clarity and direction to wondering hearts and mind.

** What does this mean?- people genuinely interested in understanding the events of Pentecost.

** Mockingly concluded “They are filled with new wine.”

What group do you fall in whenever to see the power of God in the lives of other people? are you a seeker wanting to understand or dismissive?

How do you response to things in the church