Pentecost: The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21)

Senior Pastor Dr Daniel Ho

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.Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:‘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.Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to bloodbefore the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’(Acts 2:1-21)

Introduction

This weekend, 24 May 2015, is a special weekend for all of us because it celebrates three joyous occasions:

  1. Celebration of a Jewish feast called Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai as recorded in the Book of Leviticus.
  2. The day that marks the history of the Methodist church where John Wesley accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal saviour when he felt his heart “strangely warm”. This day is also known as the Aldersgate Sunday.
  3. It is also the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out in great measure upom the people of God who gathered in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ was witnessed (Acts 2:1-4).

1The Descent of the Outpouring Holy Spirit

“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)

It was an amazing phenomena because:

  1. Firstly, there was a sound of mighty wing that swept across the place where people were gathered together.
  2. Secondly, there were tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit touching all those who were there (about 120 of them).
  3. Thirdly, they all began speaking in tongues as they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. When people saw this and heard the sound, they all rush to see what was happening and were amazed to hear them speaking in their respective language where they came from.

They were many so many different races who gathered there, including the Arabians (v.11). It is important for us to know the reality of the situation historically, therefore understanding our position, rights and stand and now.

The descent of the Holy Spirit during the day of Pentecost results in people breaking forth and speaking in an amazing manner, in languages that are known by people who gathered there. The people who experienced the visual witness of the situation were amazed and transformed. It was truly powerful and vibrant, leading to sense of no witholding back. It was so far the greatest visual witness, resulting the birth of the church when about 3,000 people responded to the message and were baptized.

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:40-41)

With 120 people gathered together and 3,000 people came to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, it was an amazing 2500% of church growth- God is at work! The church was birth 2000 years who, and will continue to grow stronger, deeper and higher. Nations come and go, kingdoms rise and fall, but the church of Jesus Christ marches on.

2A Demonstrationof the Power of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost is also a demonstration of the Holy Spirit:

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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. (Acts 2:17-19)

Not only did God gave us visual witness of Himself when the Holy Spirit came like this, but God also try demonstrates his authority and power. That is why we read of what recorded by Dr. Luke in Acts 2:43,

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

They were amazed by the signs, wonders, healings and miracles that took place. All these are the powerful and vibrant witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. There is a sense of excitement and enthusiasm in sharing the Gospel, like how we read in Acts 5:42,

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Accepted Jesus Christ as our personal saviour and God is the best thing that ever happened to us. Therefore, we should seek every opportunity God has given to us to share about the Gospel. Another example in the Bible is recorded in Acts 8:4,

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Those who were scattered as a result of persecution preached the Word of God wherever and whenever they can! You and I like should do the same, so that many more people will be touched, changed and transformed. Reach out to share like the Apostles of Christ!

3The Deliverancefor All Peoples

Pentecost is the deliverance of all peoples, as we see different parts of the Bible:

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21)

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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 2:36-39)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

It a rescue operation that Jesus Christ came for on earth. He knew that because we are sinners and that were are condemned to hell. He has come to rescue us and to take us from hell and take us to Heaven. All the can only be proven to be the truth if we ourselves take the leap of faith and out our trust in Christ. Jesus Christ has done everything possible, to the extent of dying on the cross, experiencing the excruciating pain bearing our sins.

He has done everything possible to transport us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light; from the grip of Satan to the power of God; from blindness to sight; from chain and bound to freedom in Christ; and from condemnation to restoration and fullness of life in Christ. We only need to take one step to respond to Him and His gift of salvation.

Apostle Paul is trying to tell us the deliverance God has brought to us who put our trusts in Him:

3.1Deliverance from sin

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

God wants to give us life everlasting, life forever, and this amazing grace and power of God at work like this for all of us. Only Jesus can do this.

3.2Deliverance from shame

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! (Romans 6:21)

Some of us, when we look back to our past, there are things that we are not happy or ashame about it- something we may have done, thought of, play around with, exploitations, immorality and corruptions that we may be involved in- brought us to shame. But trusting our life in Jesus Christ delivers us from shame!

3.1Deliverance from sickness

Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:16)

Finally, God heals the sick. The amazing power of God is at work on the Pentecost, and continues to work to this very day. God is doing amazing things in wanting a breakthrough in power, in grace, in goodness, to deliver people from sins, from shame, from sickness, from death and from the grip of the evil one.

Pastor Daniel also shared his experience on arthritis for 20 years since he was only 14 years old. He accepted Christ at the age of 21 and started praying for healing. He only started to experience gradual healing in his early 30s. In the process, God had healed him completely.

Conclusion

Pentecost is a significant day for all Christians. It represents the descent of the Holy Spirit, God's demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit and deliverance for His people from sin, shame and sickness. God wants to intervene divinely in our hearts and in our lives and do amazing things. He wants to restore us to health and strength, to mercy and grace. That's the kind of God we have. God wants to empower us and stretch. God wants to take us higher, longer and deeper in the purpose of God. What we need is to think big, start small, build deep, fly high and last long. That's the design and purpose of God for us, so that we can soar and fly high. The first step towards all these is to put our trust in God.

Sermon summary and prayer points contributed by: Chrisandra Wong

SERMON: Pentecost- The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Pray:

  • For the pouring of the Holy Spirit upon us.
  • For God's demonstration of His power through us.
  • For all God's children to be delivered from sin, shame and sickness.
  • For all Christians to reach out and share His gospel so that more people can be touched, healed and revived.

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)

MINISTRIES & EVENTS: LEAD Conference “FOLLOW ME” (4-6 June 2015)

Yearly LEAD Conference (Leading Across Generations (4-6 June 2015) is back with the theme “Follow Me”.

Pray:

  • God’s presence throughout the conference.
  • God to bless fellow delegates with godly wisdom and a blessed time for this event.
  • Journey mercy for all speakers and delegates who are travelling from far and near to this conference.
  • Godly guidance for organizers, volunteers and facilitators.
  • All equipment during the conference are in perfect condition and that no interference as result from technical errors.
  • All participants to grow deeper in God.

If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)

MALAYSIA MY NATION: Safety

In Malaysia, it has been a norm that one should not leave their handbags visible in the car regardless of whether the car is moving or not; to run and hide when you hear motorcycles coming from the back so that one will not be dragged on road together with her bag snatched by the pillion; never drive into secluded area even if your car is locked; to be cautious not to trust even a full uniformed police officer; be updated with newest and most innovative tactic of kidnapping; etc. The story never ends. Malaysia needs prayer.

Pray:

  • Authorities to do their part in ensuring safety of the country.
  • Authorities will have integrity and take corruption and bribery seriously.
  • Ministry of Education to look into the matter seriously and to educate our children from young the importance of character.
  • Equal job and education opportunities for all.
  • Revised salary for the government officers.
  • Revised structure in helping and assisting the less fortunate ones.
  • For migrants to be grateful for their new home and not to be influenced into committed crime or involving in theft.
  • NGOs to collaborate with the government in making a difference in Malaysia.
  • Churches of Jesus Christ to act as agent of love for people who are lost in identity and poverty.
  • Grace of God to be upon all perpetrators of crime and other wrongdoings, and for Gospel of Christ to reach them.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)

A TRANSFORMED WORLD: Floating Rohingyas

Thousands of desperate Rohingya "boat people" being denied landfall in Southeast Asia. These refugees and migrants (some are victims of human trafficking) have been living (and dying) on boats for months, desperate for food and water. An estimate of 6,000 or more such migrants are waiting to be rescued. Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to take them in.

Pray:

  • More countries across Southeast Asia to reach out to them.
  • For God appointed bodies /organizations to look into the welfare and future of these people.
  • These people to encounter Christ and receive salvation of Jesus Christ.
  • The Rohinyas able to start a new life and contribute to the society.
  • God's selection for each of them to be sent to different countries and for God's plan to reveal in each and every one of them.
  • Expel all possibilities of racial discrimination, wherever they are.
  • Cleansing of the boats that no infectious disease to spread.
  • Perseverance in all those who are still waiting in boat.
  • God's protection upon the remaining persecuted Rohingyas in their home country.
  • Proper housing with basic amenities with good sanitation, healthcare and socio-cultural elements to be provided to these migrants.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.(Matthew 5:10)

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