PENTECOST Today’s topic . . . Getting read to celebrate the church’s birthday . . .

Set the STAGE

The Disciples Before Describe the Disciples before Pentecost. What were they thinking, feeling, doing? Parallels to Last Supper . . . Gathered together in home for important event. LS marked end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Pentecost marked beginning of church.

OT Roots All Jewish males required to appear before the Lord three times a year: Passover Pentecost Tabernacles Pentekoste = “fiftieth” Celebrated the 50th day after the wave offering of a barley sheaf at the start of Passover

OT Roots AKA “Feast of Weeks,” “Feast of Harvest” and “Day of the First Fruits” End of grain harvest and all its hard work Two baked loaves presented as wave offerings to thank God for showing his faithfulness by sustaining them another year

What did Jesus say? I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)

What did Jesus say? I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)

What did Jesus say? I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

What did Jesus say? 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 1:4-5)

Pilgrimage Describe the scene in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. What did it look and feel like?

WIND + FIRE Before we read the actual P account from Acts, a couple of powerful words to ponder. What images do these words conjure up, biblically speaking? WIND = power, breath of life in OT. 1st Adam – received breath of physical life (Gen. 2:7). 2nd Adam brings breath of spiritual life. FIRE. OT = God’s presence and holiness. So what exactly happened that historic day? Let’s read together . . .

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place 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)

SO WHAT? If P is such a big deal, why isn’t it celebrated on a par with Christmas and Easter or even Arbor Day? Why do some churches basically ignore it? Here’s just some of why it’s a big deal . . .

The Big Deal Birth of the CHURCH From one people to ALL God’s POWER in US New COVENANT New COMMUNITY One united body under Christ the Head From one particular people (Abraham’s descendants) to all For our good, just as Jesus said – God’s power IN us Marked transition from Old Cov to New Cov – life in Spirit, not under Law Believers together – sharing and caring

Describe the Disciples after Pentecost. Let’s go a bit deeper. How did P affect the Disciples? Remember how they were before (huddled, scared, confused).

The Disciples After Boldly shared God’s word (2:14, 4:31) vs. fear Shared and cared (2:42) vs. “me first” Signs and wonders (5:12) vs. powerlessness Peter’s bold sermon 2:14 cut ‘em to the heart (contrast w/denial, disciple running away naked in fear) Fellowship/sharing/caring 2:42 (contrast w/”who’s first?” fights) Filled with the HS and spoke the WOG boldly 4:31 (contrast w/fear) Many miraculous signs and wonders (5:12) (contrast w/powerlessness)

SO, HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?

BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18) Another translation (Grudem): “Be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit.” Ala “pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17). Not one-time event – over and over in believer’s life. Stay connected to God every second. If not, dead.

Do you not know that your body is a God in Us Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19) Let’s read this together. Not standing beside us in limited human form. INSIDE us in spiritual form. In our heart, soul and mind. Just as Jesus said: better. Available 24/7/365.

What does the Spirit do? gives us spiritual birth (John 3:5) guides (John 16:13) teaches (John 15:26) leads (Romans 8:14) warns (Acts 20:23) assures (Romans 8:16) helps (Romans 8:26) convicts (John 16:8-11) prays for us (Romans 8:26) makes us holy (1 Corinthians 6:11) Discussed this previously, but let’s review . . .

Table Discussion What is your relationship with the Spirit really like? What should it be like? Let’s get real. Do you let the Spirit fill you continually? Or are you filling up with something else?

PRAYER Prayer requests