Celebrate PentecostPentecost Sunday - 1999
Almon M. Bartholomew: " Christendom has developed a habit of observing meaningful days in meaningless ways. Some people celebrate Christmas while denying the Virgin Birth. ... Church doors open to receive the largest attendance of the year on Easter Sunday. Yet, many individuals hold suspect the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hollow lip service masquerades the truth."
I ask: Can Pentecost Sunday be celebrated with the same kind of empty ritualistic celebration? The obvious answer is "yes". I can say with certainty that there was no spiritual vacuum existed on the first Day of Pentecost.
As I prepare for this message one thing that impressed me was the word
"fullness". Let me go thru a list of details mentioned about this
first Pentecost.
* the upper room was filled with believers
* the roaring sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the room
* Each person was filled with God's Holy Spirit.
* People from all over were filled with wonder when they heard them speak
in over a dozen languages.
* Onlookers were filled with questions upon seeing this phenomenon.
* Peter was full of the Holy Spirit as he proclaimed a Scripture filled
message.
* The presence of God and spiritual conviction filled the place.
Satan's domain was Empty, however!
We cannot allow Pentecost to become an empty ritual. God throws the door of His fullness open so we can enjoy all that God has to offer us!
The Holy Spirit comes into the believer as a REVEALER of Christ.
How many of you know that even after three years of intense teaching by Christ the disciples were not up to speed? They knew a lot of things, yet needed to learn much more! As we read the New Testament we see that they had a knowledge deficit. They did not understand much of what the knew. In some areas they had it in their head, but not in their heart. They did not grasp the concept of being a servant. They some how confused their thinking and were thinking of political power and not spiritual power. They fully expected to see Christ set up His kingdom on this earth. One of the most important ministries of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into truth!
John 16:12-15 (NIV)"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. {13} But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. {14} He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. {15} All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."
It seems that the disciples understood better after the Holy Spirit had come than while Jesus was with them. I know, that doesn't sound exactly right but it appears to be true. Often in our learning process we have to have some experience for the teaching to make sense. In my own experience this is true. When I returned to College after being out for 5 years, I got better grades and did better!
Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit comes to make Christ real to man. That ministry is not over! As I observe the contemporary church, I can tell you that the Holy Spirit still has much work to do! The Holy Spirit is still in the business of revealing truth about Christ. Dusty liturgy can not stop the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is active today all around this globe revealing truth about Christ. He is doing the ministry assigned Him!
The Holy Spirit helps focus our attention toward God.
The Holy Spirit is seeking to help us rely upon God as our source. The Holy Spirit empowers us to appropriate supernatural power! Isn't it amazing that the same spineless Peter who had denied Christ should proclaim with power the gospel to the multitude on the Day of Pentecost. 3,000 were save as a result of that powerful message. I doubt it was very homiletical.
All through the book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit empowering the church to do miraculous things. There were healings, resurrections, deliveries from demons, And other miraculous signs & wonders
Mark 16:17-18 (NIV) "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; {18} they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
This is all possible because of Pentecost. These signs are present in our world as well. I want more than a traditional Pentecost, I want a living Pentecost! We need a living experience.
The Holy Spirit is also and empowering force.
The Holy Spirit came to empower us to be a witness. We need to understand that Christ relied on the Holy Spirit.
Luke 4:18-21 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." {20} Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, {21} and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus wants to commission us with the same power. Without it, we cannot complete our task. Pentecost had to happen before anything significant could happen in the church.
Let me read Luke 24:49 (NIV) "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
The Holy Spirit had empowered the Church to fight the enemy and win. As they prayed and sought God, they were reinforced with the power of the Holy Spirit. The list of spiritual giants is possible because of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Individuals like: Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and John.
The Holy Spirit has empowered many in our day as well. The Assemblies of God is an organization that the Holy Spirit has birthed and given supernatural power. On this Pentecost Sunday lets determine to give the Holy Spirit his proper place in our lives. Determine to keep your live hot with the fires of the Holy Spirit .
Remember, the Holy Spirit does not force Himself into our lives. We must let Him in! If you are cooling off, get with God and let the fire of the Holy Spirit set you ablaze. The heart of God is to empower each of us and give us the in filling of the Holy Spirit.