Podcasts about pentecost god

"From Babel to Pentecost: God's Plan for Unity In our pride, we build towers to make a name for ourselves. But God's plan is greater:• Self-provision → Christ's sacrifice • Self-promotion → Christ's humility • Self-protection → Trusting God's willWhat sin separated at Babel, Jesus reconnected at Pentecost. Through Him, we become one faith, one people, united in diversity.'Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...' - Philippians 2:5

"From Babel to Pentecost: God's Plan for Unity In our pride, we build towers to make a name for ourselves. But God's plan is greater:• Self-provision → Christ's sacrifice • Self-promotion → Christ's humility • Self-protection → Trusting God's willWhat sin separated at Babel, Jesus reconnected at Pentecost. Through Him, we become one faith, one people, united in diversity.'Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...' - Philippians 2:5

Ministered by Pastor Jonathan Skiles at New Life Church of La Habra in La Habra, CA. God bless you and thank you for listening! If you would like to learn more about our ministry or give an offering, please visit our website at www.nlclahabra.com Visit us on Instagram: @nlclahabra Our Address: New Life Church of La Habra 740 E. Lambert Rd. Unit E  La Habra, CA 90631

Celebrating Pentecost, we look with fresh eyes and fresh awe upon the awesome truth that God loves to pour out his explosive power upon ALL flesh.

You are prosperous! During the appointed time of the Jewish feast Shavuot, or Pentecost God releases His power, anointing, protection, and prosperity. Join Pastor Larry as he receives the First Fruits offering and reminds you that the windows of Heaven are open over your life. To learn more about Larry Huch Ministries, our broadcast, podcast, outreaches, current TV offers, other resources, how to give, and so much more visit larryhuchministries.com. Stay connected with us at Stay connected with us at: www.larryhuchministries.com

Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost

Please join us for the Sunday morning message from Ridgefield Baptist Church.Learn more about Ridgefield Baptist Church at: http://www.ridgefieldbaptist.org/web/Follow us on Twitter @RBC06877

Please join us for the Sunday morning message from Ridgefield Baptist Church.Learn more about Ridgefield Baptist Church at: http://www.ridgefieldbaptist.org/web/Follow us on Twitter @RBC06877

Acts 2 shows us people waiting on God's promised Spirit. When the Spirit came it was far more than they could ever have imagined! We can trust God to keep his promises.

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:12 - 2:13 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away). 13 When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. 14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about 120 people) and said, 16 “Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas—who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man Judas acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed, and falling headfirst he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language they called that field Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood.”) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his house become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,' and ‘Let another take his position of responsibility.' 21 Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with us, 22 beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.” 23 So they proposed two candidates: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was counted with the eleven apostles.1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Completely baffled, they said, “Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” 12 All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others jeered at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!”Main ThemesWAITING ON THE PROMISE AND SELECTING A NEW APOSTLEThe fulfillment of Acts 1: 8 is interrupted by a problem left over from the gospel. One of the twelve witnesses must be replaced. Yet there is also a sense in which 1:12-26 is not simply a “problem” but part of the preparation for Pentecost. The disciples pray together (which is often linked with the Spirit's descent) and the leadership structure for the righteous remnant of Israel is restored.The Physical Setting—The Upper RoomOne might suppose that the entire group was staying in one upper room, but surely Luke means only that they habitually met there. No upper room would accommodate 120 people, and certainly the women would not have stayed with the men. One may also ask: which upper room? The definite article might suggest that this was a well-known upper room. The reader of Luke-Acts will infer that it is probably the same upper room that hosted the Last Supper (Luke 22:11-12).The Theological Setting—The RemnantWhat do I mean by a righteous remnant? Throughout the rocky history of the nation of Israel, full of disobedience to God, a small contingent always remained faithful. This was the remnant—quite literally, what remained and rebuilt after each of God's judgments. One can hardly avoid connecting this idea of a righteous remnant to the apostles, particularly given their number (12, just like the tribes of Israel). Thus, selecting a twelfth apostle was important to restore the symbolic value of the first leaders of the church. Israel's remnant fits well into the context of the Spirit and Israel's restoration and role in salvation. In fact, this is the fulfillment of God's first covenant with his people. All the way back in Genesis, God promised Abraham:Now the Lord said to Abram,“Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's householdto the land that I will show you.Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you,and I will make your name great,so that you will exemplify divine blessing.I will bless those who bless you,but the one who treats you lightly I must curse,so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you.” Genesis 12:1-3The continuity between Genesis and Acts is incredible.12 out of (Approximately) 120 and the Language of CallingThe connection between the apostles and the remnant is reinforced when we notice the number of apostles and how Peter spoke of their calling. Peter notes that Judas the traitor had received the same privileges of calling that the other eleven had. Judas is described as being “numbered.” Peter describes the apostolic calling here as a “service” in which Judas once shared. Peter also describes this calling in terms of a “portion” or “lot” in the service. This description reinforces the fact that possessors of the office of apostle were chosen by divine purpose, including the betrayer. There is a beautiful connection between Peter's language and the Old Testament. In Numbers, for example, God chooses the Levites to serve as his priests:5 The Lord spoke to Moses: 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7 They are responsible for his needs and the needs of the whole community before the tent of meeting, by attending to the service of the tabernacle. 8 And they are responsible for all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and for the needs of the Israelites, as they serve in the tabernacle. 9 You are to assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they will be assigned exclusively to him out of all the Israelites. 10 So you are to appoint Aaron and his sons, and they will be responsible for their priesthood, but the unauthorized person who comes near must be put to death.”11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 12 “Look, I myself have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites. So the Levites belong to me, 13 because all the firstborn are mine. When I destroyed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They belong to me. I am the Lord.” Number 3:5-13Furthermore, notice the numbers involved. Twelve are chosen out of approximately 120. A tenth. Like the tithe.Any tithe of the land, from the grain of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30Or exactly like in Nehemiah (during the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile).So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in other cities. The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:1-2Sometimes I think we miss the point that Acts is the restoration of Israel through the remnant of the people of God. Put simply, the Spirit comes, the sick are healed, the remnant rebuilds. Acts is the coming of the kingdom.CHOOSING A SUCCESSORMany church assemblies in Acts addressed controversial issues (Acts 6:1; 11:2-3; 15:1-7; 21:21-22); the matter of choosing Judas's successor, however, seems not so much controversial as necessary to prepare a united witness for the time when the Spirit would come.The Problem—Judas the BetrayerIn Acts, Peter speaks of Judas as a guide to those who arrested Jesus. However, Luke's audience would surely think of the fuller account of this betrayal in Luke. Treachery or betrayal was considered one of the most heinous offenses in antiquity, a breach of sacred trust. Notice that just like in the Gospel John, this treachery is not treated as a surprise. Instead, it was foretold. Jesus knew what would happen if he remained with Judas. Jesus went intentionally to his grave.How Did Judas Die?In the Bible, we have multiple accounts of Judas's death. Yet Matthew's version of Judas's demise seems to differ at key points from Luke's. Is it possible to reconcile these accounts?Now when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he regretted what he had done and returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!” So Judas threw the silver coins into the temple and left. Then he went out and hanged himself. The chief priests took the silver and said, “It is not lawful to put this into the temple treasury, since it is blood money.” After consulting together they bought the Potter's Field with it, as a burial place for foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the “Field of Blood” to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the 30 silver coins, the price of the one whose price had been set by the people of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.” Matthew 27:3-10The major differences are (1) whether Judas obtained the field himself (Acts 1:18 vs. Matt 27:7) and (2) how he met his end (Acts 1:18 vs. Matt 27:5). Regarding the first problem, perhaps Luke's narrative stems from his (or his sources') abbreviation of a longer account that could have included the high priests or that the priests, counting the money as legally belonging to Judas, could have bought the field in Judas's name. Regarding the second problem, plausibly, if Judas hanged himself from a tall tree or building in the sort of rocky field natural in Judean hill country, his innards might well spatter (assuming that the tree was tall) when someone cut or (less likely) untied the rope (or it eventually broke). (This assumes that the body was cut down before it decomposed or before it was picked apart by scavengers; in view of Judean piety, this assumption is likely, again assuming that the corpse was found, as it probably would have been if near Jerusalem.) Others have suggested the possibility of the body's being torn down and opened by wild dogs, fitting both versions. Luke or his source would then report the gorier fate of Judas's corpse rather than his actual mode of death.Qualifications for ApostleshipPeter lists the qualifications (1:20) for Judas's replacement. This gives us great insight into the requirements to be an apostle, so we should spend a minute or two making note of them.Antiquity was no stranger to lists of qualifications, particularly for reliable witnesses. Peter could have safely assumed that Judas' replacement had to be of good moral character and male. (Male testimony was nearly always accepted most highly. There could also be theological reasons to select a male.) But, what were the special qualifications to be not simply a witness but an apostle?Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with us, beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us. Acts 1:21-22This looks like one requirement but, in a sense, it is two. First, an apostle had to be a firsthand eyewitness of all of Jesus' ministry—from his baptism to his resurrection. Choosing those who had spent the most time with Jesus was important so that they could guarantee and interpret the message about him. Moreover, in antiquity just like now, eyewitness sources were considered the best, and those further removed from the witnesses were considered weaker.Second, and this is implied but it is no less important, an apostle had to be one of those who persevered. At the cross, all disciples deserted Jesus. So that desertion could be ignored (or all persons would be disqualified from discipleship). Nevertheless, throughout Jesus' ministry many of his followers left him. Recall, for example, the crowd's reaction after Jesus fed the five thousand and taught them that he was the bread of life:I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that has come down from heaven, so that a person may eat from it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”Then the Jews who were hostile to Jesus began to argue with one another, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves.…Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said, “This is a difficult saying! Who can understand it?” When Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining about this, he said to them, “Does this cause you to be offended? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending where he was before? The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had already known from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)…After this many of his disciples quit following him and did not accompany him any longer. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You don't want to go away too, do you?” John 6:41b-53, 60-64, 66-67Two Are Proposed, Lots Are CastTwo candidates are proposed by the community: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias. (“Joseph” was a very common name, hence requiring some further description. Historians often provided additional names for historical figures with common names.)How did the apostles choose between the two men? First, they prayed in recognition of two facts: (1) God knows the hearts of all men, and (2) God selects the apostles.Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” Acts 1:24-25I discussed God's election of his apostles above. The idea that God knows men's hearts is also not new. We read statements to that effect in John, and it appears throughout the Old Testament. For example:But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7So, the assembly's prayer indicates that they are depending on God to provide the right replacement for Judas. The Lord's “choosing” Matthias provides continuity with his “choosing” other apostles. The question we often have is whether casting lots was the proper way to let God choose or communicate his decision.(By the way, what are lots? The lots may have been stones or pottery fragments shaken in a container, with Matthias's being the first to emerge.)Lot oracles (usually answering yes/no questions or other binary choices) were common in antiquity. Many cities had dice oracles for their citizens to consult in city centers. More relevant here is the use of lots for choosing public officials. Various classical Athenian officials were chosen by lot. Democracies in particular, but also other Greek cities, used lots to distribute, with a minimum of conflict, public offices among those who were equally eligible. The use of lots is also well documented in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt. In the Roman Republic, Romans could evade partisan politics by drawing lots. Romans did not use lots for selecting normal magistrates but did use them for selecting judges and other offices. Lots could be used to decide who would lead in battle, which general would go to war, which positions the legions would take in battle, which members of a disgraced cohort would be beaten to death, who might be sacrificed, and whose property would have to be sold.The point is that the apostles did not use some weird or irresponsible system to decide between Joseph and Matthias. They used a fairly standard procedure to elect officials when the candidates were equally qualified. Perhaps this is why casting lots seemed unobjectionable to the apostles and the rest of the believers. At the same time, we should notice that casting lots is not used again by the apostles. So, we should not consider its use prescriptive for the church.PentecostAll Together in One Place—Where?The Pentecost miracle happened when all the disciples were together in one place (Acts 2:1). To be honest, I always assumed that was the upper room mentioned in chapter 1. Maybe that's right, but maybe it isn't. If one inspects the text closely, the place is not specified. There are two choices for this unspecified location: the temple or a private home (presumably the one with the upper room).Before we consider the evidence, why would think the temple was their gathering place? The narrative that follows verse 2:1 implies that either they were in or at some point they enter the temple courts. Nowhere else in Jerusalem could they have drawn a crowd sufficient to produce three thousand converts, whereas the Temple Mount could fit about seventy-five thousand people. So, the disciples were either in or near the temple. Let's consider some of the evidence.The apostles frequently met in the temple (Luke 24:53; Acts 2:46; 5:12) but also “from house to house” (Acts 2:46), so both options are plausible. But maybe we can figure it out from verse two, which refers to the “entire house” being filled. Is the term “house" dispositive of the issue? Not decisively. The temple or tabernacle is called a house in Luke 6:4 and 19:46 (quoting Isaiah 56) and Acts 7:46-47; but the term also appears in contrast to the temple (Luke 1:23; Acts 2:46; 5:42), and Luke's emphasis on house meetings makes that sense more likely (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20).If we favor preceding context over following context (i.e., chapter 1 over chapter 3), as someone reading the book in sequence for the first time would do and consider the allusion to the disciples' unity, we might be pointed back to the upper room of 1:13. If this is the case, we might conclude that the disciples rushed from there into the temple, still praising God. A transition from upper room to temple is plausible. Any home large enough to host huge numbers in an upper room would have to have been in the Upper City near the Temple Mount.When? During the Festival of PentecostPentecost, another name for the Feast of Weeks, was one of the great Jewish pilgrimage festivals, and as such, it would have been heavily attended by Jews from all over the world (as they knew it) and perhaps some Gentile tourists. Its history dates to the Old Testament. As a scholar explains:The Passover feast was celebrated at twilight in the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month (Lev 23:5). It was followed on the fifteenth day by the beginning of the closely related seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6). On the next day, the sixteenth, the first fruits of the (barley) harvest had to be brought to the Lord (Lev 23:11, cf. vv. 6-7). Seven weeks and one day later, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was celebrated, during which, among other things, offerings from the grain (wheat) harvest and two loaves of bread had to be brought to God (Exod 34:22; Lev 23:1517). (The fact that this festival was on the fiftieth day later gave rise to the name Pentecost, from the Greek word for “fiftieth.”)Although many ancient estimates of festival attendance may be exaggerations (e.g., later rabbinic estimates), massive attendance (in the thousands or tens of thousands) is not disputed. Such well-attended festivals were not unusual in the Mediterranean. Both pious believers and tourists would attend. Well-to-do Greeks and Romans apparently visited sanctuaries as tourists, and it is reasonable to guess that the Jerusalem temple's grandeur may have drawn a few Gentile tourists. Nevertheless, pilgrims would constitute the vast majority of visitors for Pentecost.Although Scripture demanded the attendance of all Israelite males at these festivals (Exodus 23:17; 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:16), first-century Jews seem to have applied the requirement only within the Holy Land itself due to practical realities. Some sources suggest that more Diaspora Jews attended Pentecost than Passover because of the difficulties of traveling earlier in the season.Although Pentecost was originally a harvest festival, eventually a tradition developed that associated the occassion with the giving of Law at Sinai. Whether this tradition was known by Luke and his audience or relevant to them is disputed. Luke certainly does not acknowledge the connection. Luke mentions Pentecost for two clear reasons: he shows that, as Jesus had promised, the disciples did not have long to wait for the gift of the Spirit (1:5), and he explains why so many Diaspora Jews were present to recognize the languages spoken (2:5-12).The MiracleWind and FireOn Pentecost, God provided objective, external phenomena to confirm the internal empowerment taking place when he filled the church with the Spirit. Yet, we should notice that Luke is reserved in his description. He speaks of it “like” wind and “like” fire, just as he spoke of the Spirit coming on Jesus as “like” a dove. This might be intentional on his part, to prevent the reader from understanding the Spirit as a substance—as the Greeks would have done. Instead, Luke presents a more Jewish and biblical theology, in which the Spirit is only compared to substances.Why wind and fire? Broadly speaking, this imagery would have connected with anyone in the ancient world. Theophanic storm images of wind and fire were common signs of divine presence. But, is there a more specific connection we should make?WindWind often indicates the powerful presence of God in the Old Testament. In particular, the scene in Acts evokes Ezekiel 37 (more on that in a minute).In Acts 2:2, Luke uses a rare term for “wind.” The term πνοῆς appears elsewhere in the New Testament only at Acts 17:25, where it refers to human “breath” as a gift of God (and alludes directly to Gen 2:7). It appears 24 times in the Septuagint, referring especially to the breath of life. Whereas the more common term for “wind” and “breath” in Greek provides more obvious associations with God's “Spirit,” the term used by Luke points us to Genesis and life-giving. Moreover, Jewish tradition connected the divine breath of Gen 2:7 with the eschatological wind of the Spirit in Ezekiel 37. Jewish people expected an eschatological “wind” of the Spirit to bring the breath of life into the slain of Israel. A redacted version of Ezekiel 37 is presented below:The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and placed me in the midst of the valley, and it was full of bones. 2 He made me walk all around among them. I realized there were a great many bones in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said to him, “Sovereign Lord, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them: ‘Dry bones, listen to the Lord's message. 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live. 6 I will put tendons on you and muscles over you and will cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'”7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. There was a sound when I prophesied— I heard a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 As I watched, I saw tendons on them, then muscles appeared, and skin covered over them from above, but there was no breath in them.9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath—prophesy, son of man—and say to the breath: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these corpses so that they may live.'” 10 So I prophesied as I was commanded, and the breath came into them; they lived and stood on their feet, an extremely great army.11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are all the house of Israel. Look, they are saying, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope has perished; we are cut off.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look, I am about to open your graves and will raise you from your graves, my people. I will bring you to the land of Israel. 13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. 14 I will place my breath in you and you will live; I will give you rest in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord—I have spoken and I will act, declares the Lord.'”…24 “‘My servant David will be king over them; there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my regulations and carefully observe my statutes. 25 They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your fathers lived; they will live in it—they and their children and their grandchildren forever. David my servant will be prince over them forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a perpetual covenant with them. I will establish them, increase their numbers, and place my sanctuary among them forever. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 Then, when my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.'” Ezekiel 37If you remember from our study of John, Jesus continually promised life, abundant and eternal. We need to look no further than the famous verse, John 3:16For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.Notice, therefore, that if the Spirit gives life, and we receive the Spirit now, then Acts is presenting a realized eschatology. Eternal life begins now.FireFire was also commonly associated with the presence of God in the Old Testament. Perhaps the best-known example is the burning bush:Now Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. He looked, and the bush was ablaze with fire, but it was not being consumed! Exodus 3:1-3The other major example (although many more could be provided) is the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites through the desert.They journeyed from Sukkoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the desert. Now the Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel day or night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. Exodus 13:20-22Fire was also an image associated with judgments, including end-time judgments, and purification. More importantly, Luke's informed audience would quickly connect the fire with Luke 3:16-17 (which, incidentally, contains both motifs).John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I am is coming—I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire.” Luke 3:16-17Though less common than simply “flames,” the expression “tongues of fire” is common in Jewish texts, perhaps because fire is often said to devour (sometimes translated as consumes). For example, the expression appears in the Qumran scrolls. Of course, Luke may have also selected that comparison to make a connection with the Spirit empowering the disciples to speak in tongues.EmpoweredIn Scripture, the phrase “filled with the Spirit” applied to the Spirit's gifting for skills, whether in sacred craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), for leadership (Deuteronomy 34:9), or for prophecy (Micah 3:8). Luke employs the biblical phrase “filled with the Spirit” frequently, especially for an experience enabling prophets and prophetic inspiration (Luke 1:15, 41, 67) and for power for Christian proclamation, both for apostles (Acts 4: 8; 9:17; 13:9) and others (4:31; 13:52).Speaking in TonguesIn Greek, the term for tongues, as in tongues of fire or speaking in tongues, is glōssais. Just like in English, the term can refer to a physical, literal tongue (e.g., “I burned my tongue”) or a language. The activity of speaking in tongues is glossolalia, which just means speaking (although it was often used to refer to prophetic speech).The idea of the Spirit of God enabling Christ followers to speak in tongues is rather novel. There is scant precedent. In one document from Qumran, different angels apparently lead the heavenly worship on successive Sabbaths in different languages. There is also a Jewish source speaking of divine sashes that allowed some women to speak in Angelic languages—but this source may be later than Acts (and the languages spoken by the women are described as intelligible, so perhaps they are no angelic after all). So, Spirit-inspired use of other languages seems unprecedented in the Judaic background of Acts.However, Jewish tradition certainly affirmed Spirit-filled prophecy. For example, consider 1 Samuel:Afterward you will go to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine officials. When you enter the town, you will meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place. They will have harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. When these signs have taken place, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God will be with you. 1 Samuel 10:5-7Could this speaking in tongues have been borrowed from non-Jewish cultures? As Craig Keener points out:Many scholars think that the early Christian experience of tongues originated in such magical syllables or in unintelligible ecstatic speech, attested in both Egypt and Greece. The extant early Christian understandings of the experience, however (in Luke and Paul), do not reflect this background, and the experience probably (as Luke suggests) initially predates the expansion of Christianity into a Diaspora setting where such a background could make sense.In short, God-empowered speaking in tongues, even if interpreted liberally, was unusual in the ancient world. However, it is central to Acts and the early church. This kind of speaking in tongues is even attested to by church fathers. For example, Irenaeus (c. 130 – 202 AD) wrote:In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God . . . . Her. 5.6.1A Reversal of BabelMany people (including scholars and commentators, current and ancient) understand Acts 2 as a reversal of the Babel story and believe that Luke patterned his narrative after it. The allusion is not immediately clear but there are some indications. The table of nations in Genesis 10 (shortly preceding the Babel narrative) seems to inform the list of nations in Acts 2. Acts 2 speaks of spreading tongues and confusion, using terms that sound similar to the confusion of tongues in the Babel narrative. More importantly, whether the author makes a textual allusion or not, the theological inference seems justified. Let's read the Babel story.The whole earth had a common language and a common vocabulary. . . . Then they said, “Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth.”But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had started building. And the Lord said, “If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. Come, let's go down and confuse their language so they won't be able to understand each other.”So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why its name was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the entire world, and from there the Lord scattered them across the face of the entire earth.In Babel, God scattered nations for trying to deify themselves, paralleling Adam's revolt and his expulsion from the garden. By contrast, the disciples at Pentecost were waiting in obedience to a divine command; instead of trying to reach heaven, they were waiting for their Lord, who had ascended to heaven, to send them the Spirit. In Gen 11:7, God descended to confound the transgressors, but at Pentecost God descends to clarify the mystery of the gospel to all people. In Genesis, God descended and scattered tongues to prevent unity; in Acts, the Spirit descends and scatters tongues to create unity across cultures and nations.I said last time, but I will say it again. The coming of the Spirit, the story of Acts, is the beginning of the end of the world. The curse on sinful mankind is being reversed. The kingdom of God is both here and growing. The message of salvation spreads from Israel to all nations.

Have you ever invited someone to a function and they haven't showed up, or given you excuses why they couldn't attend?  In this week's Gospel reading Jesus tells us a story to help us have a deeper insight into God and His generosity, and that He invites all people, good and bad to be part of His church family.   Come join us as we unpack Matthew 22:1-14.    Support the show

Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow The Passage: Acts 17:16-27 The One Thing: God is Not Far From Any Of Us Today we have a guest speaker, Dan Noel. He is sharing about how the Lighthouse Cafe is sharing Good News For Tough Times with the people of Smiths Falls, Ontario. https://thelighthousecafe.ca/ 

Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow The One Thing: God is way ahead of us The Passage: Romans 8:26-39 (focusing on Romans 8:26-30) Growgroup Discussion Starters Know K1 What did the Holy Spirit reveal to you during today's teaching? Grow G1 Do you believe that God is “way ahead of you”? Do you trust him? G2 Romans 8:28 In what ways might we take this verse out of context? G3 Romans 8:27 Think about this name for God: the Searcher of Hearts. How does your heart respond to this title for God? What is God searching for according to this verse? G4 Romans 8:26 What is the Spirit's role in God searching our hearts? G5 Romans 8:29-30 What does it mean for God to foreknow us? What is the order that we see in this verse stemming from that foreknowledge? How can this ENCOURAGE our hearts? G6 How can Romans 8:29-30 give us wisdom when faced with issues like MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying)? Show S1 God is way ahead of you in prayer (vv26-27) God is way ahead of you in planning (vv29-30). Knowing this, and that all things work together for your good, what might God be calling you to do with this knowledge?

Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow The Passage: Genesis 22:1-14 The One Thing: Genesis chapter 22 reveals God's love for me and you. Growgroup Discussion Starters Know K1 What did the Holy Spirit speak to you about during today's teaching? Grow G1 Genesis 22:1-14 caused a hymn-writer to walk away from their faith. Can you see why? G2 What do you think Abraham was thinking or feeling in the 3 day trek to Mount Moriah? G3 Dan said when encountering tough passages like Genesis 22, not to avoid them. Why do you think this is important? G4 Can you think of other tough passages in the Bible that you struggle with? G5 Dan advised to use the “lens of Jesus” to help understand or engage with tough passages (see Luke 24:27). How might this be helpful? G6 How do passages like Colossians 1:19-20, 2:9 help us fight the idea that the God of the Old Testament (Yahweh) and the Jesus of the New Testament are two different (even competing) beings? G7 How does Genesis 22 help us see the continuity of scripture? What clues are there in this passage that point towards the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary? Show S1 How do you think God is calling you to grow in your faith or understanding of who he is?

Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow The Passage: Genesis 21:1-21 The One Thing: God hears your tears. Growgroup Discussion Starters Know K1 Would you say that your household closer to “pretty standard” or “complicated”? Who do you identity most with in Genesis 21-1-21? Grow G1 What do you think it might have been like to live in Hagar's household with her owner (Sarah), father of her child (Abraham) and her son's younger half-brother who was the heir (Isaac)? How might you have responded to that environment if you were Hagar? G2 Why do you think the Bible puts so much stock in names (Ishmael: The God Who Sees, El-Roi: The God Who Sees, Isaac: He laughs)? G3 Have you ever experienced complicated or unwelcome family circumstances or dynamics? How has this impacted your relationship with God? G4 In this situation it seems like no one handled things well (Abraham, Sarah, Hagar or Ishmael) and it seems like everyone was impacted or upset. What promises / hope does the Bible have for families who are embroiled in ongoing conflict or tension? G5 Dan said there is a downside to laughter (Genesis 21:8-14) and an upside to crying (Genesis 21:15-21). What did he mean by these statements? G6 How do Luke 7:34 and Isaiah 53:3 encourage us to approach Jesus. What kind of a person is Jesus from these two verses? Show S1 What attitude it God calling you to have in your particular home / family situation. If you are not sure, take some time to listen to God and journal what you think he is saying to you.

The Passage  Genesis 18:1-15  The One Thing  What God calls us out ON   he wants to call us out OF  Growgroup Discussion Starters  Know  K1 What stood out to you from the teaching? What might God be saying to you?  Grow  G1 Have you ever been called out on anything? How did it make you feel? What was your response?  G2 Genesis 18:15 | Do you think God was being petty in highlighting Sarah's lie? Why or why not? G3 Respond to Pastor Ray Duerksen's take on the fear of God vs being afraid of God: “If you are afraid of God, you will run FROM Him. Adam ran and hid FROM God's presence because of disobedience. But if you have a fear of God – a healthy respect for Him – you will run TO Him” (see Exodus 20:21).  G4 What did you think of Dan's recent account of God's exposing Dan's fear of crying?   G5 Genesis 18:13-15 How do we see God's relentless kindness in his exchange with Sarah?  G6 What did you think of Dan's recent account of God's exposing Dan's inability to cry / fear of crying?  G7 What do you think holds us back from true honesty with God?   Show  S1 Ask God this question: is there anything that you are calling me to come clean about? Believe this truth that what God calls us out on, he wants to call us out of.  

Guest Speaker: Wendy Wallis Guest Lead Worshiper: Kelsey Norris The Passage: Genesis 1:1-2:4 The One Thing: Created To Create Weekly live worship service from Cornerstone Church, North Gower (Ontario) FOLLOW US #northgowercornerstone WEBSITE https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/northgowercornerstone/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/northgowercornerstone/ LINKTREE https://linktr.ee/knowgrowshow

Holy Spirit Power As commanded in Exodus 23, Leviticus 23, Numbers 28-29, and Deuteronomy 16, The 4 Spring Jewish Feasts were Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost (Shavuot, Weeks), so called because it was 50 days after the first 3. In the Fall they would come back and celebrate 3 more Feasts – The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). It was probably Joseph Caiphas, the High Priest, who picked up 2 loaves of bread baked with flour milled from the new wheat crop, and solemnly waved them back and forth in front of the altar as an offering to God on behalf of His people. Read Acts 2:1-13 Holy Spirit Power Let's Pray! Three things God the Holy Spirit filled on the Day of Pentecost: God the Holy Spirit filled their room God the Holy Spirit filled their hearts God the Holy Spirit filled their mouths. Speaking in foreign languages here is not the point- boldness in speaking about what God has done is – that is the evidence of being filled with the Spirit! The Holy Spirit had filled the room, had filled their hearts, and filled their mouths with witness! He worked around them, and then inside them, and then through them! And He is still doing it today! What does the Spirit filled life look like – It looks like you being so in love with Jesus you light up a room when you walk in it the way Jesus lit up the world as He walked in it!

On the Day of Pentecost God opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by sending the promised gift of His Holy Spirit. Today we pray that, by the same Holy Spirit, the preaching of the Gospel may go out to the ends of the earth. The …

Main Idea: God Builds His Church Through Spirit-Empowered Gospel Basics Text: Acts 2 Outline: 1) Patient Prayer 2) Powerful Proclamation 3) Pervasive Phileo

Worship Jesus: It Has Nothing to Do With Volume - Wholly Surrendered: Take Two (Psalm 103 & Acts 2)   Acts 2:2 & 6, "Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting." v6 "When they heard the noise, everyone came running." It was loud! Acts 2 is the second take of the Sinai event. Whereas that was the worship experience where God revealed Himself (literally) to the nation as their God - at Pentecost - God repeats for "all the nations" what he did for "the" nation. And the neat thing about the text is that phrase, "When they heard it, everyone came running" - wouldn't it be something for everyone to come running to the presence of God?! This is the calling of the church then. This is the call of the church today. To worship God is ultimately - to bless all the nations of the earth (all people, everywhere). Our worship is not complete until we have declared Him to all people everywhere. Every Man, Woman and Child. Worship is the surrender of all our life and service to His purposes. Worship Moment: Bârak Psalm 72:11, "All kings will bow before Him and all nations will serve Him."  The vision of a church looks more and more like the vision of heaven of every nation, every tribe, every tongue.

Matthew 28:18-20 — In this sermon on Matthew 28:18–20 titled “The Authority of the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks of an urgent problem facing the church—it has lost its authority. When there seems to be a general revival of interest in matters of religion, people wonder why they should listen only to Christianity. Why not Buddhism or Judaism? Some try to approach God by their inner feelings and sensations and others by reason and philosophy, but all this ultimately leads to failure. Humanity can't arrive at God; God must reveal Himself and he has in His Son Jesus Christ. The final sanction of the church's authority depends entirely on the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the message of the New Testament—what Jesus claimed, what the apostles proclaimed, and what was finally proven through the coming of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost—God has visited and redeemed His people in Jesus Christ. Without Him there is no message, no faith, and no authority. Christians are called not to settle for merely pursuing a blessing from God but to believe in the Christ of Christianity to have more than one could ever desire.

In today's lesson, we explore the Feast of Weeks holiday. The holiday is called Shavuot in Hebrew, and in Greek, Pentecost. This is the holiday we see in Acts chapter two when God delivers the Holy Spirit as a gift from Heaven. What's going on at this event? What does this event tell us about the power of community? We see tonight how in a very concrete act, God is showing us that His presence has moved out of the "Temple" in Jerusalem and now resides wherever there is a group of "living stones" (1 Peter 2:4-5) gathered together in worship. Finally, we explore evidence from the first-century Jewish culture that helps us build a foundation for the background of this event and some of the traditions surrounding the events of God coming down on Mount Sinai. Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries www.figtreeteaching.com Download the Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/faith-lessons/acts-2-pentecost#/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y YouTube: https://youtu.be/Csuqgmmc0E8 Theresa Abell Haynes, "Voices of Fire: Sinai Imagery in Acts 2 and Rabbinic Midrash," published in Scandinavian Jewish Studies https://journal.fi/nj/article/view/102389 Exodus Rabbah 5:9 via Internet Archives - pg. 88-89 https://archive.org/details/midrashrabbah0003unse/page/88/mode/2up

As the Church of the West, we are far more familiar with the God of the mountaintop than the God of the wilderness. When suffering crashes into our lives we often wonder where God is, and Lent is an annual practice that teaches us to find His presence in our wilderness. The Wilderness is a place of harsh clarity, an uncluttered discomfort, where our hearts are laid bare before God– and we discover one that is always there. As the people of God, tell time differently. Whether we are aware or not, our calendars shape us. As the Church, our calendars are patterned after the life of Jesus. In each season, we are guided to reflect on a different moment in the life of Jesus. This is a guide that year over year shapes our identity, our practices, and our story. Advent & Epiphany – God with us.Lent – God prepares us.Easter – God for us. Pentecost – God in us. Ordinary Time – God through us.Lent is a season of preparation; dedication to repentance, abstinence, and fasting in order to prepare one's heart for the celebration of Easter. Lent is a season of preparation in the wilderness. The Wilderness in Genesis“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.”–Genesis 1:1-25 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground. –Genesis 2:5–6.cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread,till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” –Genesis 3:17-19Genesis 3 closes with humanity leaving the Garden and returning to the wasteland of their own making. The Wilderness in Exodus16…‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” –Exodus 7:16. And in their idolatry and stubbornness, they live as nomads in the wilderness for forty years. The Wilderness in 1 Kings 19“Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And [Elijah] arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper [or a thin silence]. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”–1 Kings 19:7–13.There Elijah confesses his distrust of God; he repents of his mischaracterization of the God of Israel. God meets him in the wilderness, but that's only after Elijah abandons his post and gives ups. Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the biographers of Jesus, each tell the story of our Messiah's experience in the wilderness of Judea. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan [river] and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by the devil.” – Luke 4:1-2And that ancient serpent makes an appearance again; tempting Jesus to turn rocks into bread, to give in to ambition, and to take power for himself. Jesus patterned His life off the story of scripture and the love of his Heavenly Father. In response, may we pattern our lives after the one who overcomes the wilderness. And Lent is an annual practice that stips back distractions and teaches us to find His presence in our wilderness.The main theme of Lent is repentance. “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger,abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.–Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)Fasting is the practice of going without food and drink(excluding water) for a period of time. Abstinence is the practice of creating margin in our daily schedule for the purpose of reorienting our lives towards Christ.Corporately we will practice this on Ash Wednesday and every Sunday with 15 minutes of preservice prayer.

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Bishop Dr. Kepha N. Omae - Kingdom of God through Pentecost (God does nothing without first revealing His secrets to His prophets - We need to see the acts of the apostles with the Holy Spirit instead of the gospel of psychology - The apostles were only effective only after tarrying and being filled with the Holy Spirit - Many church leaders are too religious to serve God - Believers chasing after God will move with His power, signs and wonders - There is a move of denominational divisions being put aside for a unified church bride in Kenya - Holy Spirit revealed to Bishop Omae that since the start of COVID the church has entered a season of rising up to reveal His glory - Eagles Saving Nations is established to bring true revival for the glory of God's kingdom) (Senior Pastor Liberty Christian Centre, Redeemed Gospel Church, Inc, Nairobi, Kenya) 2022-06-15 (Radio Air Date) World Ministries International Dr. Jonathan Hansen - Founder & President Rev. Adalia Hansen (360) 629-5248 WMI P.O. Box 277 Stanwood, WA 98292 warning@worldministries.org Visit our website http://www.worldministries.org/  Sign up for Dr. Hansen's FREE newsletters http://www.worldministries.org/newsletter-signup.html  Support Dr. Hansen through your financial gift https://www.store-worldministries.org/support-world-ministries-international-en.html  Order Dr. Hansen's book “The Science of Judgment” https://www.store-worldministries.org/the-science-of-judgment.html

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

By Rick Shabi in Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL - June 5, 2022 - The disciples followed Christ's commands explicitly, waiting for the Promise of the Father. They were all exactly where God told them to be on Pentecost 31 AD. The Spirit came upon them in a way they did not expect, and God gave them power and the gifts they needed to do what He wanted done. He created the opportunity. He gave them the words. He provided the direction. Their lives would never be the same, and they would learn to follow God, letting Him lead. There's a message in that for us, as we enter the time of the end. God will accomplish and finish His work, in His way and provide everything we need.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

In this message, Michael and Brenda share about Pentecost, when God poured out his Spirit on his people. They dive into how we can begin to notice and embrace the Holy Spirit as a person in our daily lives. The post Pentecost: God’s Empowering Presence appeared first on The Vineyard Church.

Rev. Joshua Rhone preaches at Zion Church, from Acts 2.1-21, on June 5, 2022, at Zion Church, a United Methodist congregation, in York, Pennsylvania. In this morning's Scripture we listen as Luke recounts the events surrounding Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit comes, a movement of God begins. A movement that results in a new people, who have a new purpose. Happy Birthday, Church! To financially support the ministries of Zion Church, you can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring gift by visiting Zion Church's online giving page.

On the Day of Pentecost God opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by sending the promised gift of His Holy Spirit. Today we pray that, by the same Holy Spirit, the preaching of the Gospel may go out to the ends of the earth. The …

Village Church Rolesville Sunday Message, June 5, 2022

That on Pentecost God's Spirit should function through a dozen seeming inebriates should be no surprise when this same God saves through the ignominy of the cross.

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 All from Proper of Seasons: 1017 Office of Readings for the Solemnity of Pentecost God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the... Enter Prayer

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1064 All from Proper of Seasons: 1035 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 694 All from Proper of Seasons: 605 Evening Prayer II for the Solemnity of Pentecost God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and... Enter Prayer

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1064 All from the Proper of Seasons: 1011 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 694 All from the Proper of Seasons: 599 Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of Pentecost God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the... Enter Prayer

How God speaks to us Introduction As I look back over 70 years of Christian experience, the most exciting thing I have discovered is that God has a plan for my life. Notice, I did not say God had a plan but that God has a plan, because although I am now 83 years old, God still has a plan.   And he has a plan for you too, and the most important thing you can possibly do is to find out what it is. God loves you. He wants what's best for you. He knows you better than you know yourself. So it only makes sense to ask him for guidance. Besides, if you're already a Christian and love Jesus, you'll surely want to do what God wants you to.   This series is about how God speaks and how he guides us. It will help you to recognize his voice, to know when he is speaking to you and when he is not. I'll be telling you what I have learnt from personal experience. I'll be telling you how he spoke to me through a book that I found on top of my parents' piano on the very day that I been told it was out of print. I'll be telling you how God spoke to me in the middle of the night in January 1972 and radically changed the direction of my life. And much much more.   But more importantly I'll be sharing with you from what the Bible teaches.  The Bible is God's inspired word and it's the Bible itself that is the main way God speaks to Christians today. Everything we experience must be judged by what the Bible has to say on the matter. God won't contradict himself by saying something through our experience that is not in line with what he's already said in the Bible. So when I share my experience of how God has guided and spoken to me, I'm just using it as an illustration of what the Bible teaches.   Today we'll begin with a summary of what the Bible teaches about the many different ways God speaks to us. Then in the talks that follow we'll expand on the things we've outlined today.       Talk 1   God speaks in so many different ways There are so many different ways God speaks to us. In this talk we'll give a brief outline of what the Bible has to say on this important subject. We will see that:   God speaks to all humanity through his creation He spoke to Israel by the prophets He has finally spoken through his Son, Jesus He speaks through the Bible He speaks by his Spirit He speaks through other people.   God speaks to all humanity through his creation The Bible is very clear that God speaks to all of us through his wonderful creation. Nowhere in the Bible do we find an argument for the existence of God. Bible writers simply assumed it. The world we live in and the heavens above are clear evidence that a wonderful designer has been at work.   Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.   Notice the words declare, proclaim, speech, voice, words. As he looks into the night sky the psalmist sees the stars and planets as speaking to all humanity, to people of every language. They declare the glory of God. They pour forth speech. They are shouting at us that they are the work of his hands. No doubt the apostle Paul had this passage in mind when he wrote in Romans 1:20   …since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.   There is no excuse for not believing in God. The creation itself provides abundant evidence that there must be a creator. And today we see more and more television programmes showing how wonderfully designed the creation is. As a Christian I find myself praising God for his skill, his genius, his creativity. I hear phrases like ‘this is designed to…', and I rejoice because I know the Designer.   But I groan inwardly when and the credit is given to ‘Mother Nature' or ‘evolution' or even the animal or plant itself rather than to God. In today's society the creation is being applauded rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). ‘Mother Nature' has become a substitute for Father God! Evolution, a blind force, is said to have a purpose! And a plant is described as having a strategy[1], implying that it has made a conscious decision to equip itself with an ability to grow in a certain way! No wonder the Psalmist said, The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God' (Psalm 14:1).   For us who believe, on the other hand, the creation speaks eloquently not only of God's existence but of his great and glorious power, his wisdom, his faithfulness, his beauty and his love. God not only speaks to us through creation, he shouts at us!   God spoke to Israel by the prophets The Bible is very clear, then, that God continually speaks to all people, everywhere, by his wonderful creation. But that is not all. The Bible also reveals that God spoke in Old Testament times to his chosen people, Israel, by the prophets he sent to them. We often think of prophets as people who foretell the future, and it's true that the Old Testament prophets did foretell in great detail the coming of Christ. But that wasn't their primary role. Their main purpose was to tell the people of Israel how they should live and to give them direction as to what they should do[2]. They did this as they were led and guided by the Holy Spirit. The people needed the guidance of prophets because in Old Testament times (and in the New Testament before Pentecost) very few of them had a personal experience of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was given only to specific people for specific purposes[3], but the day was coming when the gift of the Spirit would be made available to all. Through the prophet Joel God declared:   And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-29).   This prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus' disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). The disciples spoke languages they had never learned and, when the crowd asked, What does this mean? Peter replied:   …this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel, "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (Acts 2:16-18).   The ability to receive God's Spirit, to hear what God is saying and to speak to others on his behalf was to be no longer restricted to a few. As from Pentecost all God's people have the Spirit. We're all called to speak for God. We have no need of prophets to tell us what to do! But does this mean that there are no prophets in the New Testament church? Are there no prophets today? There most certainly are. As we'll see in a later talk, prophets are one of the ways God speaks to us today. It's just that their role is not exactly the same as that of the Old Testament prophets.The need for that kind of prophet ceased with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In fact the New Testament is clear that the role of the Old Testament prophets was over[4]. Once Jesus had come, God has finally spoken to us by his Son.   God has finally spoken by his Son, Jesus The letter to the Hebrews begins with this statement:   In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).   What does this mean? As we've just seen, one way God speaks to us is through the Holy Spirit. But this verse says that God has spoken by his Son. At first sight this might look like a contradiction but in fact it is not. Firstly, it's because Jesus came and died for us that we have the Holy Spirit. He died for us, rose again, and 40 days later ascended into heaven. Notice what Peter says when preaching to the crowd on the day of Pentecost:   God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear (Acts 2:32-33).   It was Jesus who poured out the Spirit and it is through his Spirit that he speaks to us today.   Secondly, Hebrews 1:2 says that God has spoken by his Son. The Aorist tense the writer uses here indicates that he is referring to a specific period in history – the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The writer is saying that God's final word to the human race has been spoken in Jesus. There's a sense in which God has nothing more to say! There's nothing more to add. The message of Jesus is enough! And God is still speaking to us by it. He speaks through Jesus' teaching, his example, his character, his death and resurrection. Perhaps that's why John's Gospel describes Jesus as the Word:   John 1:1- 2,14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.   We use words when we speak. They're our primary means of communication. And God speaks through his Word, Jesus who became flesh and lived among us. But he also speaks through his written word, the Bible.   God speaks through the Bible If God speaks to us through Jesus, it's obvious that he will speak to us through the Bible which tells us about him. The Old Testament law and prophets pointed forward to him (Luke 24:27). The New Testament Gospels record what he said and did while he was here on earth. The book of Acts records how he continued to work through his disciples by the power of his Spirit. And the letters written to the churches that were formed through the preaching of his disciples give us wonderful teaching about Jesus himself and the kind of lives we should live as his followers. The Bible is God's word first and foremost because it tells us about Jesus.   Later on in the series we'll talk in more detail about how God speaks to us through the Bible. We'll see how the word of God reveals to us the way of salvation. It's evangelistic. It also teaches us what we should believe and how we should behave. It's didactic. What's more, it reveals amazing things about the future and the second coming of Christ. It's prophetic.   But the Bible can be prophetic in another way too. There are times when a verse of scripture seems to leap out of the page. The Holy Spirit is drawing our attention to it, and through it God speaks very directly and specifically into our immediate situation. There have been several occasions when God has spoken to me in this way, and I'll be sharing some of them with you later.   God speaks by his Spirit There are several verses in the New Testament that tell us that the Holy Spirit speaks[5]. As we've just seen, one way he speaks is through the Bible. But at times he speaks independently of scripture. A good example is found in Acts 13:1-3:   In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers… While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.   You'll notice that what the Holy Spirit said was giving a specific instruction. He wasn't on this occasion speaking through a verse of scripture. No Bible verse would be that specific. He was telling the church leaders at Antioch to set apart Barnabas and Saul (or Paul) for a particular ministry they already knew he had called them to. After more fasting and praying, they did this by laying hands on them and sending them off on what was to be Paul's first missionary journey. But how exactly did the Holy Spirit speak to them? The answer is, we don't know. Did he speak with an audible voice? That's certainly a possibility. It seems to have happened that way in Acts 10 when Peter was on the roof top in Joppa. Peter falls into a trance and sees a vision of something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners with all kinds of animals in it. (This included ‘unclean' creatures that Peter as a Jew was forbidden to eat under Old Testament law). Then in verses 13-16 we're told that Peter hears a voice:   Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."  "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  This happened three times…   Peter immediately identifies it as the voice of the Lord (v.14) and verse 19 tells us that while Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you…   So the Holy Spirit does speak sometimes with an audible voice and it's possible that that is how he spoke to the church leaders in Acts 13:1-3. However, it's worth bearing in mind that in Acts 10 Peter heard the voice while he was having a vision and we know that dreams and visions are one of the ways the Spirit may speak to us. It was through a vision God gave to Paul that the gospel first came to Europe (Acts 16:6-10) and Acts 2:16-17 makes it clear that dreams and visions are to be expected as a result of the coming of the Holy Spirit:   In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.   But this passage, as well as mentioning dreams and visions, also mentions prophecy. So in Acts 13 the Spirit could have spoken through a spiritual gift like prophecy. The passage mentions that there were prophets in the church at Antioch and perhaps that is the most obvious way to understand it.   So the Spirit may speak with an audible voice, through a dream or vision, or through a spiritual gift like prophecy. But these are not the only ways that God may speak to us. For example, he may speak through what is sometimes called an inner witness or prompting and we'll be saying more about this in a later talk. And finally, we need to remember that very often God speaks to us through other people.   God speaks through other people From what we have seen so far it's clear that sometimes God speaks to us directly, without anyone else being involved. This is the case when he speaks to us through creation or when he speaks as we read the Bible. The same is true when he speaks through an inner prompting or through a dream or vision. However, very often he uses other people to speak to us. When we first believed the gospel it was because someone else told us about it. This could have happened by a variety of ways – by witnessing or preaching or writing or singing for example. In fact, this is the main way that God intends the gospel to be spread[6].   And the same is true throughout our Christian lives. He often speaks through other people. If we had Christian parents, God probably first spoke to us through them, although we may well have not realised it at the time! In church we should certainly expect God to speak to us through preaching or teaching or through someone exercising a spiritual gift like prophecy. And it's not just in church! A casual conversation while travelling in a car or on a country walk can turn out to contain a very real word from the Lord.   In all these examples God is using someone else to speak to us. He speaks through them to us, and they may not even realise that he's using them that way! And, of course, he can use us to speak to them. But that's something we'll talk about in another time. In fact, throughout the series we'll be developing in greater detail many of things we've said in this talk. And there will be some new areas too. Today I have concentrated mainly on how God speaks to us. But God also guides us sometimes without speaking. As the children of God is our privilege to be led by the Spirit[7]. But that too is a subject for another day. [1] Sir David Attenborough, The Green Planet, BBC Television, Sunday 30th January 2022. [2] For more on this, see Body Builders – Gifts to make God's People Grow, Chapter 2. [3] See The Holy Spirit – an Introduction, Chapter 2. Available from www.davidpetts.org [4] In Matthew 11:13 Jesus said, All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John (the Baptist). [5] This is most clear in John 14-16 and Acts 13:2. [6] Romans 10:13-14 [7] Romans 8:14

A new MP3 sermon from Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Pentecost: God's Gift of the Holy Spirit Subtitle: 24th Annual STC Speaker: Joseph A. Pipa Jr. Broadcaster: Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church Event: Conference Date: 4/22/2022 Bible: Acts 2:1-21 Length: 38 min.

Message from Tanner Griffith on May 23, 2021

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

Sermon ManuscriptActs 2:1-21What is the best gift you've ever been given? a vacation, a ring or necklace, some sort of electronic device, a watch, tickets to your favorite sports team, a car? Have you seen those commercials with a big bow on top of the car. I've always wondered if that ever happens. And how does that conversation go… “honey, I spent all our savings, but I got you a car. I hope you like it?” Sometimes we receive gifts… and on the outside we say, “wow, that's great. thank you.” But on the inside, we think… “hmm. I'm not sure I really need that.” Other times, we think, “I would have never thought of that” and then the gift becomes something we cherish and hold onto so dearly.Well, the gift of the Holy Spirit is one of those. The more we grow in our faith, the more we realize just how precious the gift of the Holy Spirit is in our lives.And this morning, we have come to the very place and time when God poured out this promised gift, the Holy Spirit, to his people. It is THE event in history that launched the church.In one sense, this is the climax of the book of Acts. Everything from here on out connects back to this gift. The ministry of the apostles to the nations, the beginning and growth of the church, the gathering of souls to the kingdom, and Jesus ongoing ministry in the life of the church and his people. It all proceeds from and through the Holy Spirit.In verse 1, we read that the day of “Pentecost” had arrived. Pentecost was the annual festival of first Fruits when the first fruits of the harvest were gathered. Pentecost means 50th because 50 days after the Passover, Pentecost was celebrated.And exactly 50 days after THE Passover. After Jesus fulfilled the Passover. Dying on the cross as the lamb of God. Pentecost comes. And just like Jesus fulfilled the Passover, the Holy Spirit fulfills the Pentecost. We see this harvest of first fruits… not of wheat and grain, but of people to God. Really everything that happens in Acts 2 is a fulfillment of the promises and prophecies of Scripture.3 points this morning about fulfillment… and you can see those on the back page of your order of service. A Fulfilled Promise: from water to wind and fire A Fulfilled People: from Jerusalem to the nations A Fulfilled Prophecy: from the Holy Spirit to salvation A fulfilled promise, people, and prophecy.And let me just say… when it comes to Pentecost, I know there are more questions to answer than available time to work through them. Next week, we'll get to the heart of Peter's sermon about Pentecost. And I'm hopeful that over the next weeks and months we'll grow in both our knowledge of the Holy Spirit… and his ministry in our life and church.A Fulfilled PromiseSo first, a fulfilled promise. From water to wind and fire.If you remember, back in Acts 1 Jesus told them not to depart from Jerusalem… why? he said in verse 4 “wait for the promise of the Father…” and he went on in verse 5, “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”Does that sound familiar? Earlier in the service we read similar words. But we didn't read them from Acts 1. No, rather, look in your bulletin, page 2. Luke 3:15-17… John the Baptist said “I baptize you with water …but He, [that is Jesus], will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”So this event. This Pentecost… it connects the outward sign of baptism, that is water, to the inward reality of baptism, the gift of Holy Spirit.When we baptize someone. We baptize with water. It's a sign of cleansing. And it points to the real baptism – Jesus gift of the Holy Spirit. For a child, we baptize with promise and hope, since the child is a member of the covenant community. For an adult who professes faith, we baptize as a testimony to God's gift to them: faith which includes the inward reality of God's Spirit given to them.And so at Pentecost, that sign of water and its promise is fulfilled. Jesus, who is now exalted. He's given His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. He pours it out on his people.Now picture the scene. Jesus' disciples and followers had waited patiently in Jerusalem. They were all together in a home, likely the same upper room… when all of a sudden, the house is filled with a mighty wind. It rushes in from heaven. This gust of wind filled the entire house. We've all experienced high winds outside. Tree tops bending sideways. The noise… and the wind pressing upon us... overwhelming our senses. But here this wind storm is on the inside. And not only wind, but fire. Flames of fire appearing above each of them. And the fire jumping from one to another. Imagine their trepidation and joy all at once. “this is it!” And they were filled, it says, with the Holy Spirit.This is not the first time in the Bible that God's presence is demonstrated by wind and fire. You may remember Moses in the wilderness. He comes across this burning bush and God, Yahweh, the I am, speaks to him out of the burning bush. A few years later when God leads his people out of Egypt, God's presence accompanies them through the pillar of cloud and fire.Add to that, God's spirit is often represented by wind. In fact, both the Hebrew and Greek words for Spirit involve wind. Ruach in the Hebrew for breath… and pneuma in the Greek for wind. So this fire and wind demonstrate that God's very presence has come upon them. The Holy Spirit himself coming down from heaven and given to them. From water to wind and fire. From the outward sign to the inward reality of God's Spirit in them.As we think about Pentecost, we have to ask… Is Pentecost a pattern for life, or a promise fulfilled? In other words, should each believer look to or hope for a Pentecost event in their own life? Or, was Pentecost a one-time events in history? The church has wrestled with this question over the centuries. You may have grown up at a Pentecostal church or know someone who goes to one. Just like the name indicates, that church believes that Pentecost is something that every believer should aspire to experience. A filling of the Spirit. They may even ask you, “have you been baptized in the Spirit?” Well, my answer to that question would be, “yes, I'm a Christian. I believe in Christ as my savior and therefore have his Spirit given to me.”What I want to argue this morning is that Pentecost is a one-time event. It's in the category of the incarnation – Jesus becoming man, and the death of Jesus on the cross, and the resurrection, and the ascension. Pentecost is part of God accomplishing Salvation in history. And just like these other one-time events…. Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension, the one-time event of Pentecost brings blessings and benefits to believers in Christ.A couple weeks ago I shared the story of my ancestors. They immigrated from the Netherlands in the late 1800s and settled in the United States. A new home, a new life, new friends, a new church. Well, that move had an impact on generations to come. 6 generations now. But the thing is… when a new child is born in the family… we don't have to take that child back to holland, get on a boat and set sail to the US. No, that sounds silly. That child was born here. He or she is already here, is born a citizen.Well, it's similar to Pentecost. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the benefits and blessings of Pentecost, God has already poured out his Spirit upon his people, the church. And when you profess faith in Christ, when you are “born again” …you have the blessing of the Holy Spirit. You are “born of the spirit” That's what it says in John 3:6. In other words, when you profess faith in Christ, you have the benefits that come from the one-time events of the cross, the resurrection, the ascension, and Pentecost… Now, you probably have a lot more questions. And honestly, it would take a couple more sermons to work everything out in more details. But, nonetheless… as we work through Pentecost this week and next week, and the impact of Pentecost throughout Acts, I think you'll see how this is the catalytic event in the launching of God's church.A Fulfilled PeopleOk, that brings us to the next fulfillment… a fulfilled people… from Jerusalem to the nations. Remember Jesus promise back in Acts 1:8? Once they received the power of the Holy Spirit… the disciples would be Jesus witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.And look what happens next. Verses 5-13. They began to each speak in different languages. They didn't know these languages, but God gave them the ability to speak them. And down in verse 11, we learn that their words declared the mighty works of God. They were not uttering undiscernible sounds. Sometimes the Bible refers to “speaking in tongues” as utterances of sound but not human language. But here, these disciples and followers were speaking actual languages. Verse 8. Testifying to God's work.And gathered in Jerusalem were people from all over the world, who spoke different languages. They weren't just anyone, no they were devout Jewish people. It says that in verse 5. They had left Israel years or generations ago either by their own accord or because of a forced exile.But they had come back for the annual festival of first fruits – of Pentecost. And they heard the wind of the Holy Spirit being poured out. And so they rushed to find out what was going on. At this point Jesus disciples and followers began to speak in other languages… in their languages. And these Jews were amazed. They heard about the mighty works of God in their own native language. Verses 9-11 give us that representative list of where they came from all through out the world.God is beginning to fulfill his Acts 1:8 promise. Through the Holy Spirit, they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Well, that promise is being fulfilled right before their very eyes! And it happens first in Jerusalem and Judea. Notice that Peter addresses the crowd in verse 14 “Men of Judea and all that dwell in Jerusalem.” Even though they were from all over the world, they were Judeans. Either originally from Judea or their ancestors were from Judea… Judea or Judah was the region in central Israel with Jerusalem as the center. So what we're witnessing here is the first part of the Acts 1:8 promise… God's Spirit being poured out on Jerusalem and Judea…. Then a few chapters later in Acts, we'll see this fulfillment realized in Samaria, and then a couple chapters after that to the gentiles. There will be an expansion of Pentecost as the Gospel goes forth to the nations. Let me say it this way: Acts chapter 2 is Pentecost part 1 – The giving of the Holy Spirit to Jerusalem and Judea… stay tuned for part 2 and 3.Just to be clear, God's promises had always included people from all nations. That goes back to early in Genesis and to God's covenant promise to Abraham. But up until now, until Pentecost, God had been focusing his revelation to first a specific family, Abraham and his descendants…. and then a people as that family grew into people, and then a specific nation as God established the nation of Israel.Well, here at Pentecost… God yet again expanded the scope of his people. This time, He opens wide the door to the nations. A people from every tribe and tongue and nation. His church. That's what happened at Pentecost. That's why it's THE event that launches the church. That expands God's kingdom from a family, to a people, to a nation, now to the world. Next week we'll read that on that day, 3,000 believed in Christ… Truly the first fruits of the spiritual harvest as the Holy Spirit moved.Earlier in the service we read Genesis 11…. the tower of Babel. Before that point in history, the people on earth had one language. But unfortunately, in their sin and godlessness they sought their own glory. They had rejected the Creator. As judgment, God dispersed the people and confused their language. They could no longer understand each other. Well, we get to Pentecost, and we see a reversal of Babel… or the beginning of a reversal of Babel. Where people from all over can understand. And not just that, but instead of a prideful exalting of mankind… “look what we can do” …instead, the God of the universe is lifted up… His name, and his truth, and his mighty works are declared.Through Pentecost, God is fulfilling his promise of a people… a people from every tongue and nation, a people united together in Christ, not divided but united through the Holy Spirit. God's fulfilled people.A Fulfilled ProphecyAnd that brings us to A Fulfilled Prophecy.As many people observed this amazing phenomenon, some wondered what was happening, others were skeptical and mocked.Then the apostle Peter lifted up his voice and addressed them all. By now, several thousand had gathered. Some out of curiosity… some drawn to know and understand what was going on.And what does Peter do? He does the same thing he did in chapter 1. He goes right to Scripture. What you are witnessing is not drunkenness… no, rather, this was prophesied long ago. Peter then quotes from the prophet Joel chapter 2. Next week, we'll look at the rest of Peter's sermon … where he explains the source and power of the Holy Spirit's ministry.But today, in Joel's prophecy. We see the scope and effect of Pentecost.Look at verses 17 and 18. They give us the broad picture of who the Holy Spirit will reach. Young and old, sons and daughters, and servants. There's not a category of people, whom the Spirit will not reach.This is a contrast to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. Yes, God's spirit was present and at work. Right in Acts chapter 1, Peter declared that the Holy Spirit worked through King David. And also, God spoke through Moses, through the prophets. But before Pentecost, the ministry of the Spirit focused on Israel and specifically those whom God had given a special role. One commentator says it this way “before this new period, the Spirit had been distributed to a few people on special occasions for special enablement. This is a key sign that the new era has come.”In the last days, it says, His Spirit will be poured out on All flesh. People from all nations, from all walks of life. It's not limited to the prophets, rather, it says they all “shall prophecy.” It's not saying that there will be new prophecy, new Scripture. No, rather, all who believe in Christ will have his Spirit, and will be given an understanding of God's word, His prophecy.Now remember to whom Peter is speaking. This crowd of now thousands were devout Jews. They'd been longing for a fulfillment of the prophecies. Longing for the messiah. And as Peter is quoting Joel, they knew the context. Joel prophesied while a locust invasion decimated Judah. The whole nation was on the brink of collapse. And Joel prophesied that things would get worse! Yet in the middle of the disaster, he told of a wonderful promise… God's Spirit poured out to all people. And it will happen in the last days.Well, things were bad. Judah was at the lowest point in its history – they weren't even an independent nation. And when Peter proclaimed this prophecy fulfilled, it signaled a turning point. A fulfilled hope. But it's a hope that includes a warning of judgment. As part of this prophecy… Joel describes a future day of blood and fire and smoke…. This image connects us to Jesus future return… the “day of the lord” …verse 20. When the sun is darkened and the moon turns to blood.I want to go back for a moment to the flame above each disciple and follower. Yes, the flame signified God's presence. But part of that presence involves justice… involves a coming judgment. When John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He continued, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So both in the Joel's prophecy and the Pentecost flame we're reminded of God's justice and the coming judgment.And we're left to ask, “who can escape that day?” – a day of judgment. But we get to verse 21… and God answers: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This is the effect of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit's work in drawing people to Christ.It's not saying that each and every person in the world will be saved. No, rather God's redemptive work no longer focuses on Israel, but has expanded to all peoples, all languages, all nations. But salvation is for those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus.This is not a contradiction… there is no person in the world who does not need the saving work of Christ. And there is no person in the world that God would not receive if they repent and believe in the saving work in Christ.This is the focus of the Spirit's work. Turning hearts to God… revealing sin and judgment and the salvation that comes through Christ. In fact, that's what the “the mighty works of God” include. That phrase is back in verse 11. The mighty works of God through the redemption of Christ… his life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and now pentecost. How do I know that? Well, you don't have verse 22 in your bulletin, but if you have a Bible, look down at verse 22… it's through Jesus ministry that God accomplished mighty wonders. The rest of Peter's Pentecost sermon focuses on Christ! That will be our focus for next week… how Pentecost connects to Jesus ongoing ministry.In other words, Pentecost fulfills Joel's prophecy… why? because at Pentecost God poured out his Spirit to people from all nations… And through His Spirit… the Lord revealed salvation from judgment. That everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved.A fulfilled promise, people, and prophecyConclusionBeloved. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is not limited to a people a long time ago in a nation far far away.No, this gift is for you. And if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and call on him for salvation… God has given you this gift. There's no second blessing. No second baptism in the Holy Spirit. Everyone who professes Christ as Lord and savior… receives the great Pentecost blessing of the Holy Spirit. This is the greatest gift ever. Because the Holy Spirit applies the salvation of Christ to you, opens your heart and mind to understand and apply His Word, He brings conviction, directs you on the path to righteousness, and encourages you in eternal hope.And if you do not have this gift. In other words, if you have never come to Christ. Never turned from your sin, submitting your life to him. The day will come, when the justice and all consuming fire of the Lord will be poured out. If that's you. come to him, receive this gift, and be saved.

Acts 2:1-4 Pentecost is a Jewish festival (Feast of Weeks) celebrating the first fruits of the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22). Jewish men from all over the Middle East would make pilgrimage to Jerusalem to participate. This would be an ideal time to reach a maximally diverse group of Jews in one sermon! The fire that came probably symbolized God's presence as it did at many other key moments in Israel's history (Exodus 3:2-5; 14:24; 19:18 cp. Deuteronomy 4:24; Exodus 40:33-38; Leviticus 9:22-24; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3). Although being filled with the holy spirit was not new (see Exodus 31:1 and Micah 3:8), speaking in tongues was unique. Acts 2:5-13 Pentecost momentarily reversed the confusion injected into humanity at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). We know that in the end, God “will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9). When interpreted by those who understood the languages, they summarized the tongues as “telling…the mighty works of God” (v11). People responded with confusion and incredulity. Acts 2:14-21 Peter begins by answering the absurd claim of some that new wine was involved. Then he moves on to explain to the seekers what, in fact, speaking in tongues signified. He did this by drawing attention to a prophecy from Joel 2:28-32, which predicted the outpouring of the holy spirit. Several other end-times prophecies also mentioned God pouring out His spirit (Isaiah 32:14-18; 44:2-5; Ezekiel 36:24-28; 37:12-14). This outpouring of the spirit is happening right in their midst, and it's available to everyone: men and women, young and old, slave and free. Acts 2:22-24 Now Peter starts into the substance of his message to his fellow Israelites. He asserts four claims: two of them accepted and two of them controversial. They already knew that Jesus was a miracle worker whom the Romans had crucified. However, Peter also wanted them to know that this crucifixion was planned by God and that later God had raised him from the dead. Acts 2:25-32 In order to make the case for Jesus' resurrection, Peter points to two reasons: (1) In Psalm 16:8-11, David prophesied about a descendant whom God would rescue from the grave, and (2) Peter and the other apostles were eye-witnesses of the resurrected Jesus. Acts 2:33-35 Now Peter goes on to make his case that Jesus is now exalted to God's right hand by pointing to two major pieces of evidence: (1) the prophecy of Psalm 110:1 and (2) what they had seen and heard. Acts 2:36 This now is where everything had been driving the whole time. This is the conclusion, the denouement. God has made Jesus Lord and Messiah! What's more, they had participated in his crucifixion. Acts 2:37-40 The message sliced through the people like a hot knife through butter. They were overwhelmed with conviction and cried out for help. Peter told them they needed to (1) repent and (2) be baptized so that they could have forgiveness and receive the holy spirit for themselves. Acts 2:41-47 Peter and the apostles didn't ditch the people but welcomed them into their lives and did community together. They continued in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Furthermore, those who had surplus possessions voluntarily sold them with glad hearts and distributed their finances to those in need.The post Pentecost: God's Spirit Poured Out first appeared on Living Hope.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.

Join Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich as they explore what it means for Jesus to "fulfill" Old Testament feasts and God's promises.