The Work of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

Text: Acts 2.1-21, 41–42 Title: Reviving Pentecost Topic: The Work of the Holy Spirit Occasion: Pentecost Sunday PM, 5-31-2020, First FWB Church Duncanville Introduction: A. If you look at the Church Calendar today is Pentecost Sunday B. What exactly is Pentecost? 1. It was a Jewish holiday Shavuot in which the tithe or firstfruits of the spring harvest were presented to God. But it was much more than just an agricultural feast. Hellenistic Jews called the festival of Shavuot “Pentecost” in Greek because it occurred 50 days following Passover. Pentecost celebrated God giving the law to Israel and establishing his covenant with them at Mt. Sinai shortly after their Exodus from Egypt. 2. Pentecost would take on new significance for the church in the New Testament. The days following the crucifixion of Christ during the Jewish feast of Passover had been a confusing time. The world certainly did not realize what happening at that time, and even the followers of Christ would have been confused and uncertain. a) On the third day following his crucifixion, Christ arose and appeared to His disciples b) Over the next several days Christ would suddenly and often unexpectedly appear to his disciples c) Forty days after the Crucifixion, Christ commissioned the disciples and they witnessed his ascension into heaven d) For the next ten days they would wait and pray, sheltering-in-place in fear in the upper room wondering what lay in store for them next e) It was during the feast of Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover and Crucifixion of Christ, that God chose to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Reading of the Text: Acts 2.1-21, 41-42 3. The Gift of the Holy Spirit changed everything for the church a) The Holy Spirit took these individuals and transformed them into the church of the Lord Jesus b) Their fear was replaced with a spirit of power and boldness c) They no longer were a small group gathering secretly, but they headed into the streets and the marketplace in public proclamation d) The Holy Spirit equipped them and empowered them to take part in helping Christ build his church. e) It is no wonder that Pentecost has been called “The birthday of the church” and celebrated as such. C. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, and He immediately set to work. Transition: But what is it that the Holy Spirit does? I. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Our Conversion “Those who accepted his message” (v. 41) A. Who are these that accepted His message? 1. They are three thousand who had come to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost 2. They came from all over the Roman Empire and even beyond. They spoke multiple different languages and represented multiple different cultures. 3. These three thousand had been part of the Christ-rejecting crowd. 4. Yet one of the highlights of the story of Pentecost is the conversion of these three thousand to faith in Jesus Christ. 5. This reminds that there is no obstacle to great for the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that no one is ever too far gone for the Holy Spirit to reach them. B. What was the message they accepted? 1. It was a message of conviction (v. 22) 2. It was the message of the cross (v. 23) 3. It was a message of the resurrection (v. 24) C. All real conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit 1. The case of Nicodemus Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3.3-7 2. The testimony of Paul to Titus But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3.4-5 3. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conversion. a) The Holy Spirit calls us to salvation The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Rev. 22.17 b) The Holy Spirit convicts of sin But 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. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer, and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16.7-11 c) The Holy Spirit leads us to the Savior and empowers faith Therefore, I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12.3 d) The Holy Spirit’s renewal is the very definition of salvation He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3.5 e) The Holy Spirit gives assurance of salvation to the believer The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children Rom 8.16 II. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Our Public Witness “Were baptized” (v. 41) A. Salvation takes place in the heart, but we confess Him openly B. Jesus said in Acts 1.8 that when the Holy Spirit came we would receive power and become his witnesses 1. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit transformed terrified disciples into bold witnesses. 2. On the day of Pentecost the disciples became public witnesses both in word and in deed. a) Peter boldly proclaimed the gospel in his preaching (word) b) 3000 were saved and baptized (deed) c) Baptism is a public witness … identification with Christ d) The Holy Spirit and baptism … the dove e) The Holy Spirit moving you to this act of obedience C. Think of the hostile atmosphere at that time 1. Baptism was a bold act of witness 2. Baptism continues to be a bold act of witness for many of our Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world. D. You are in good company when you choose baptism 1. Jesus chose it 2. Paul chose it 3. The converts on Pentecost chose it 4. Christians today still choose it. E. The Holy Spirit gives public expression to the Gospel through us III. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Our Christian Growth “They devoted themselves…” (v. 42) A. They were not content to escape jail. They were not content to just escape hell … nor should we be! They became a devoted people! B. Devoted to Discipleship (Apostolic doctrine) The promise of the Holy Spirit to teach (John 14:16–18, 26) C. Devoted to Fellowship When the NT says fellowship, it means something different than what we usually think of When we think of fellowship we think of a social event. When the NT says fellowship, it is referring to the partnership for the advancement of the gospel (cf. Phil 1.5) -- the bond between believers by which we gain encouragement, correction, and strength as we seek to live out our faith in this world. D. Devoted to the breaking of bread (communion) E. Devoted to prayers Note the part the Holy Spirit plays in praying In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Rom 8.26 F. Devoted themselves to Good Works – vv. 44-45 G. Devoted themselves to Sharing their Faith – vv.47b H. The Holy Spirit leads us on to higher ground in our Christian growth Conclusion Wind is one of the many images used in the Bible to help us understand the Spirit. The force of the wind today not only drives sailboats, it makes electricity, and it has carved stone sculptures in the canyons of the American West. If you were setting out to sea would you choose a sailboat or a rowboat? Before you decided you would ask, “Is there any wind?” If there is a wind, you choose the sailboat. Then you need not depend on your own strength. We should ask of the church today, “Is there any wind?—any wind of the Spirit?” Or are we attempting to accomplish the mission of the church under own strength and power? We could also ask the same question of our own individual lives. “Is there any wind? Is the power of the Spirit present” Or are we trying to navigate our way through life on our own Have we quenched the Spirit? Do we trust our own wisdom and power, or do we rely on Him?