If You're Doing It - You're Doing It Wrong
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An important day in the life of our church. Today we have a baptism, the receiving of new members, and the ordination and installation of both Deacons and Elders.
There’s a lot to do, and so I’m not going to take a lot of time today. Let’s get right to God’s Word:
[PRAYER}
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
Peter goes on to tell of what Joes said, how the spirit will be poured out and there will be prophesies, dreams and vision because of the power of the spirit. He concludes with this verse.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
That’s what it all comes down to. You hear people say, “I believe in God,” so does the devil.
You hear people say, “I believe in Jesus,” but they don’t trust in him. They don’t call upon His name.
Today we celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the church! The Holy Spirit came upon these men and changed them forever. Think about this. You had a bunch of people over 2000 years ago who met this guy Jesus. He made all kinds of promises, men and women of all walks of life chose to follow him. Yet in the end his disciples, even the ROCK, that’s what Peter’s name meant, denied him.
A few weeks ago the 11 remaining disciples (Judas was now dead), were huddled in a room cowering in fear. Now, they are stepping forth boldly. Peter, a fisherman, the one who denied Jesus three times in one night, is quoting from the prophet Joel! Seriously, when was the last time you read Joel?
Jesus had promised his disciples:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
You and I would not be here celebrating this day in this church were it not for the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of God changing those early disciples so that they would stand up, in the midst of great persecution, in a time when you could be put to death for professing such faith. After all, the adversaries had already put their leader to death.
What a shame that so many of us cower in the face of a bit of ridicule or the thought that someone might think us rude.
Jesus said in John 15:5-7
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Vs. 5, abides in me - makes their home in me - lives their life in me…bears much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.
There it is. If you are the one doing it, you are doing it wrong. A couple weeks ago I spoke on Called, Convinced, Commissioned. Jesus calls us to share our faith, Jesus said nothing about how many conversions we were required to make. When I was a young man my pastor often reminded me that God calls us to be faithful, not successful.
Read vs. 7 again
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
This is not for the greedy. This is when we live in God and God lives in us, our wishes are God’s wishes and it will be done! THY WILL BE DONE!
We have the power - the Holy Spirt has been given. Don’t try and do it on your own.