The Holy Spirit: Pentecost
Acts 2:1-13
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
What was Pentecost?
OT - feast related to the Law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In one sense, the old covenant.
NT - Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us change our lives, grow in our faith, become disciples and disciple makers, & set us free from the control of sin.
Jesus instructions: Acts 1:3-8
Do not leave Jerusalem
Wait
Baptized with the Holy Spirit
Question: Baptism and Filling
Note: Still struggling with God’s plan
Receive power
Be my witnesses
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth
Spirit like a dove descending on Jesus at His baptism - Matt. 3:16-17
Spirit descending - wind and fire - on His disciples
Baptized and filling - what does that mean?
Something Happened!!!!
Acts 2:40-41 New International Version (NIV)
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Closing Prayer
O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen
Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti
TODAY’S PREACHER
Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC