Reflection of my message today at NRN - The Meaning of Pentecost

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

The Feast of PASSOVER.

 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.