Pentecost
Sunday 2014
Today, Christians across the world will celebrate
Pentecost Sunday.
For
Christians, Pentecost is a holiday on which we commemorate the coming of the
Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus. Before the events of the first
Pentecost, which came a few weeks after Jesus’ death and resurrection, there
were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called “the
church.” Thus, from an historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which
the church was born.
After the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of
Pentecost, the people there asked the question, "What does this mean?"
My goal today is to unpack the meaning of Pentecost by looking at three Jewish
feasts and their fulfillment in Jesus.
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and
gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a
period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while
he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem,
but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the
Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:3-5
THE
FEASTS FULFILLED
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17
For Christ, our
Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7
The Feast of PENTECOST. Also known as: “The feast of weeks” (Exodus 34:22). It was observed about 7 weeks
or 50 days after the start of the corn (actually barley) harvest (Deuteronomy
16:10). It became known as Pentecost because Pentecost means fiftieth (Leviticus
23:16).
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in
one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be
tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them
were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the
Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
The Feast of TABERNACLES.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who
are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not
precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who
are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians
4:15-17
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN?
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does
this mean?" Acts
2:12
1.
He empowers me to live RIGHTEOUSLY.
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. Acts 2:17
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but
by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. Romans 8:9
2.
He empowers me to live SUPERNATURALLY.
I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the
earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. Acts 2:19
My message and my preaching were not with wise and
persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your
faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
3.
He empowers me to fulfill HIS PURPOSE.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved. Acts 2:21
Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also
with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children
and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
RECEIVE
the Holy Spirit.
Join us next week as I plan to share how to receive the Holy Spirit into your life.
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