The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1. Go wait in Jerusalem for the Promise.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV) Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
1.1. Go and wait for power from on high.
1.2. Before the Church can go out with any measure of success in accomplishing the great commission we need to be a church filled with power from on high.
Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
1.3. It was shortly before this Jesus breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:22 (NKJV) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
1.4. However, the Church still needed and still needs today to be filled with power.
1.5. Ela… my waiting period in Teen Challenge days.
2. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.
Acts 1:8 (NKJV) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2.1. Power to be witnesses.
2.2. Power to endure hardship.
2.3. Power to stand up to the challenges faced in reaching a world for Jesus.
3. They were all in one accord.
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
3.1. Being in unity was a change for this group.
Mark 9:33-34 (NKJV) 33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
3.2. The disciples had to work through their ambition.
Mark 9:35 (NKJV) 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.
3.3. Jesus had to redefine what greatness looked like.
4. They were cut to the heart by the preaching of the Word.
Acts 2:36-39 (NKJV) 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
4.1. The Word when preached does it’s job.
4.1.1. The Word preached has it’s intended affect pending what kind of soil it falls on.
4.1.2. We cannot not throw the seed of the Word out for planting being more concerned with the soil than the planting.
4.2. “One planted, one waters, God brings the increase.”
4.2.1. There are times when the Word preached brings great growth like on the day of pentecost and there are times when it scatters like when it scatters.
Acts 8:4 (NKJV) Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
4.3. All the while the Word accomplishing it’s purpose.
4.4. On the Day of Pentecost the crowd was affected, cut to the heart, by the Word preached and desired outpouring in their life.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
5. This day of Pentecost was the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5.1. This was the first outpouring and all who were present were filled with the Holy Spirit.
5.2. Jesus preached about it before His road to the cross
John 7:38-39 (NKJV) 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
5.3. The outflow of the Holy Spirit from Believer’s hearts
5.4. Rivers flowing out bringing life…
5.5. There was a second outpouring of the Holy Spirit poured out on non-Jews.
Acts 10:45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
6. The fruit of the Holy Spirit infilling:
6.1. Power from on high.
6.2. Prayer language.
6.3. Transformation.
6.4. Courage, boldness.
6.5. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit active. 6.6. Miracles, signs and wonders.
7. Once they were scattered ministry increased and became radical and interesting.
Acts 8:4-8 (NKJV) 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
7.1. Philip went to the hated Samaritans with a ministry of salvation, miracles and deliverance.
Acts 8:12 (NKJV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
7.2. Then Peter and John’s brought the ministry of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 (NKJV) 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
7.3. The Samaritans were clearly saved, healed, delivered and baptized under Philip’s ministry.
7.4. Then they were filled with the Holy Spirit under Peter and John’s ministry.
8. After we are baptized and for the rest of our earthly residence we need to keep the gift of God stirred up.
8.1. Dig and re-dig your wells.
Genesis 26:15-18 (NKJV) 15 Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” 17 Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them.
8.1.1. The Philistines are always lurking to stop up your wells. 8.2. So stir up the Gift
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8.2.1. Stir up the gift: to re-enkindle, to kindle up, inflame one’s mind, strength, zeal
8.2.2. A reminder from Paul to Timothy. 8.3. Build yourselves up.
Jude 1:20-21 (NKJV) 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life
8.4. Paul prayed in the Holy Ghost more…
1 Cor. 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Conclusion:
- Jesus needed the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
- So, We all need the Promise of the Father, The Gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Today we will pray for anyone who desires to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- On the Day of Pentecost they had no idea how the Promise of the Father would
be given.
- Yet they were all able to be filled because they were seeking God, praying,
worshipping, and waiting on the Lord.
- Let us work hard at not attempting to create a system of works in our being
filled today.
- Jesus come to Jesus with a hungry heart, with mouths filled with prayer and
worship, and open yourself up receiving the Promise of the Father in your life.