Pentecost
May 18, 2008
Pastor Brian Matherlee
I read about a preacher who wanted to impact South Korea for Jesus Christ. And so he started a church in his friend’s living room. One of the parishioners was paralyzed. And so one Sunday, the pastor went over to her, laid hands on her and prayed fervently. And she was healed! This got people in the community excited. And they started flocking to the new church in droves. Pretty soon, they outgrew the living room. So they put up a tent in the front lawn and had services out there. But soon enough, that got too crowded. And they built a church. By the mid 1960s, they had 3000 people. But one day, as the pastor was baptizing several hundred people, he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. He was rushed to the hospital where he had major surgery. And while he was sitting in bed reading the Bible, he came across a verse in Exodus 18:18 that moved his heart: It said this: "The work is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. You will only wear yourself out." The next day, the pastor called the elders and deacons. And put each one in charge of a certain number of people. After the pastor did this, the church exploded with growth! Thousands of people gave their lives to Christ. By 1972, there were 10,000 members. By 1979, there were 100,000; by 1984, 400,000; and today, there are almost 800,000 members of the Yoido Full Gospel Church making it the largest congregation on planet earth. They support 85 missionaries from their own church. And they have planted new churches in 39 countries. This is truly one of the most incredible stories in church history. Something equally incredible happened 2000 years ago. On the day of Pentecost a small group gathered for prayer. The power of the Holy Spirit was present. They praised the Lord. Peter preached the word. Thousands got saved. And the church was born.
Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Ac 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2:2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Ac 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Ac 10:37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
When the Holy Spirit fills us there is…
1. Abandonment
a. Divisions
i. The story is told that John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, changed his view about church division after a dream in which he was first transported to the gates of Hell. He asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “Yes,” was the reply. “Any Roman Catholics?” “Yes.” “Any Congregationalists?” “Yes.” He hesitated, and then said, “Not any Methodists, I hope!” To his dismay the answer was “Yes.” Suddenly in his dream he stood at the gate of Heaven. Once again he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “No,” was the reply. “Any Roman Catholics?” “No.” “Any Congregationalists?” “No.” Then he asked the question which most interested him: “Are there any Methodists here?” He was shocked to receive the same stern reply, “No!” “Well then,” he asked in surprise, “please tell me who IS in Heaven?” “CHRISTIANS!” was the jubilant answer. From that dream Wesley determined that unity was essential to the church’s success in her mission.
ii. Sunday morning at 11 AM is the most segregated hour in America.
iii. They were going to be witnesses
1. People like them (Jerusalem)
2. People they had previously avoided (Samaria)
3. People they would have to sacrifice to win (ends of the earth)
iv. We are called to love God, one another, and our enemies. Jesus even somewhat chastises those who only love those who love them. Had God loved that way, not a one of us could be saved.
b. Personal plans over God’s plans
i. Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
2. Boldness
a. Many wonder why they experience so little in the Christian life. It’s because they haven’t been filled with the Spirit.
b. Most churches are only doing what they can do. They don’t experience anything that cannot be explained or attributed to their effort. God’s work is evident because it is so beyond our ability.
c. "Several years ago engineers building a new bridge over the East River in New York, discovered that the wrecked hull of a ship, sunk many years before, lay right where the center piers were to be built. Powerful machinery was brought in to remove the ship, but it would not budge. Then one of the engineers had an unusual idea-why not have the tide raise the ship!! Some strong cables were attached to the hull when the tide was low. The other ends were fastened to the barge above. As the tide came in, the barge gradually lifted the sunken ship. It was then towed out into the ocean and sunk at a spot that would not cause future problems." God’s Holy Spirit is like the tide, it comes quietly, it comes in slowly, but it comes to us with enough power so that we might do the job God has called and led each of us to do.
d. What would a Spirit filled church look like?
e. A church that is Spirit filled should experience:
i. Witnessing-when we have the good news, we will share it.
ii. Conversions-wherever the Holy Spirit moves, people are converted. They receive God’s forgiveness and quit sinning.
1. Ac 2:38 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. Ac 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Ac 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Ac 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
2. Mt 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (purifying and refining)
3. Jn 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
iii. Joy
1. The disciples’ joy was so evident and over the top that people thought they were drunk.
2. A famous motivational speaker was once asked about his most difficult speech. He answered, "Well, it was when I was asked to speak at a national convention of undertakers. My topic was to explain to them how to look sad during a $10,000 funeral." You see, when there is joy inside, it’s awfully hard to keep it from showing.
3. Why do we work so hard at capping the joy of the Lord in our life?
iv. The fourth thing we should see in a church filled with the Holy Spirit is healing.
1. I’ve seen God do miraculous things. It’s not just in the Bible.
2. I think of John Hawkins, a man in Costa Rica healed of a tumor; a lady at our area revival a couple of weeks ago.
3. Healings are a touchy subject because people might think that everyone prayed for must be healed for this to be evidence of the Holy Spirit. But even Jesus didn’t (and in one cited Scriptural case couldn’t) always heal people. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead…but Lazarus died again.
Conclusion
Being filled with the Spirit is not an experience for the Apostles, the early church or a select few. It is for anyone who desires God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength and loves their neighbor as themselves.
Lk11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
