Being Driven Under the Influence (DUI)

I want to show you the comparison between the Birth of a human being and the birth of the NT Church.

Illustration:

Birth of a baby (Similarities before birth and after birth)

When you are inside your mothers womb … you’re growing physically (Developing)

Outside … you are growing physically as well.

When you are inside your mothers womb … you sleep

Outside … you sleep as well.

When you are inside your mothers womb … you can hear things.

Outside … you hear things as well.

When you are inside your mothers womb … you move around (kick)

Outside … you move around as well (kick)

There are similarities between the birth of a human and the Birth of the NT Church.

Today we celebrate “Pentecost Sunday”

The Story is found in Acts 2:1-8 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church.

John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost when Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).

Jesus confirmed this prophecy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples in John 14:26.

He showed Himself to these men after His death on the cross and His resurrection, giving convincing proofs that He was alive.

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit, from whom they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:3-8).

After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the men returned to Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room.

On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, the sound of a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit.

They were given the power of communication, which Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus had prepared him. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in the room basking in God’s glory but burst out to tell the world.

This was the birth of the New Testament church.

Before this birth what do we see?

Believers gathered together afterwards?

Before the birth we saw this!

Loud sound like a wind?

This is reminiscent of the noise accompanying God’s appearance on Mount Sinai (Exod 19:16–19).

Exod 19:16-19 “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.”

Fire was rested upon them?

I am reminded of the passage found in Isaiah 6:6-7 “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.””

Its used for a cleansing aspect.

People are amazed?

They were amazed at the miracles Christ was doing.

Truth being proclaimed?

It was being proclaimed before this event as well.

Baptisms taking place?

Being done before this event as well.

People repenting?

Being done before this event as well.

This was prophecy being fulfilled?

Was being fulfilled before this event.

Some might even say its the Holy Spirit!

John 20:22 (ESV)

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

So what is different?

Two things.

1. Acts 2:4 (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ...

“Filled” (Pimplemi) to be under full influence.

Its not the Holy Spirit being breathed UPON you .... Its the Holy Spirit having full influence IN you.

2. What is significant about the period after birth .... You are set free!

You no longer need your Mothers body for the necessities to sustain life.

In the words of Martin Luther King “Free at last, free at last ...”

Just like the infant when born .... YOU ARE SET FREE.

You are no longer being driven by the rituals and the Law

You are being driven under the Influence of the Holy Spirit.

Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realizing that God’s very life, breath and energy live in believers.

We gather together today to be intoxicate with the Holy Spirit.

We come to remember ....

Of what took place so that as it takes place again it become evident of the Holy Spirit.

We come to rejoice ....

worshipping in one accord because of our favorite God not our favorite songs.

We come to be re-sent ...

to be sized up, set up, fired up, filled up, so that when the time comes .... we go up.

Let us be a driven person that is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Here is what we see after this New Birth:

Followers of Christ being used by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Gospel

Everyday common people (Peter) sharing the Word of God and seeing thousands of people coming to the Faith.

From this moment on the world would never be the same.

Families impacted for the Kingdom

Communities impacted for the Kingdom

Leaders impacted for the Kingdom

The Enemies day being numbered.

What the world needs today is not more legislation ..... but more Holy Spirit baptized individuals who will change the world.