Shavuot Sunday Dr. Mike Fogerson June 27, 2012
Introduction:
A You may not know it (or its significance) but today is Pentecost Sunday.
1 It has been faithfully celebrated at Catholic & liturgical (formal/high) churches for centuries but many Protestant/Evangelical congregations do not give it as much as a nod.
a FYI: “Evangelical” is a buzz word that is often thrown at Christians/Churches around election times but what does it mean?
aa Evangelicals stress personal conversion experience (Born-Again)
bb Evangelicals believe in the Bible is the authoritative word of God
cc Evangelicals emphasize the death, burial, & resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
dd Evangelicals actively share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
b Pentecost/Shavuot is the last of the Jewish spring festivals (or feasts)
aa Passover (Crucifixion), Unleavened Bread (sinless nature of our Savior), First Fruits (Resurrection Sunday)
bb Where does Pentecost fit the story?
2 15 'You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.16 'You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.17 'You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah ; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the Lord.18 'Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord.19 'You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings.20 'The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before the Lord; they are to be holy to the Lord for the priest.21 'On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. Lev 23:15-21 (NASB)
a Fast Facts about Pentecost
aa Jews brought the first of the wheat crop to the Temple to offer it to the Lord on Pentecost. Symbolized w/ waving two laves of leavened bread (Lev. 23.17)
bb They thanked God for the rains that allowed the wheat to grow; God finishing what He started.
cc They prayed that God would send rain during the summer months on the crop that was in the ground now. (Lit. Thanking God for the early harvest and trusting Him for the latter harvest)
dd “Pentecost” was the word used by Greek speaking Jews and non-Hebrew speaking Christians to name this Hebrew feast.
ee “Shavuot” (Hebrew for ‘seven’ or ‘weeks’) and “Pentecost” (Greek for ‘fiftieth’)
ff “Seven full weeks” is 49 days . . . on the next day is Shavuot/Pentecost.
gg Jews understand that Moses received the Law from God on top of Mt. Sinai fifty days after Passover, Shavuot. (The bread is ladder shaped because Jewish tradition says that Moses climbed a ladder to heaven to receive the Law.
hh Jewish tradition says that the soul of every Jew throughout history was present at Mt. Sinai when the Law was given, and each person heard the giving of the Law in their native tongue.
ii Jews believe that King David’s was born & died on Shavuot (The book of Ruth is read because she took on the yoke of the Law/ became Jewish on Pentecost & because David was her descendant)
jj It is customary to eat an entire meal of dairy during Shavuot (Land flowing with “Milk & Honey.”
kk Going to the Synagogue on the first day of Shavu'ot, is powerful, we all read the commandments, the second day is YIZKOR, the day we remember those who are no longer with us and make a special prayer. (Memorial Day)
b 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."Acts 1:3-5 (NASB)
aa We know that 40 days after Easter Sunday, Jesus ascended into heaven.
bb His disciples went back into Jerusalem, after watching Jesus ascend into heaven, and for 10 days the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit to fall. . .
c 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues , as the Spirit was giving them utterance.5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:1-5 (NASB)
12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" Acts 2:12 (NASB) aa We have just seen the written account of what happened in the labor delivery room when the church was birthed.
bb What was understood in the physical realm in the Old Testament (real first fruits, real wheat, real crops) was made manifest in the spiritual realm of New Testament times on the south step stairs of the Temple in 33 A.D.
cc 14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Acts 2:14 (NASB)
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 (NASB))
It was during Shavuot/Pentecost that the church saw it’s first harvest of souls for the Kingdom brought through the power of God’s Spirit. (Crucifixion=Passover, Resurrection=First Fruits, Birth of the Church=Pentecost)
dd The Good News (the fulfillment of the Law) was heard by every Jew, regardless of where they were from (in their own language) as the 120 were baptized with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.
dd The Baptism of the Holy Spirit became available that day in 33 A.D. and has not been withdrawn to this day!
B I believe that every Sunday is Pentecost Sunday just as every Sunday is Resurrection Day.
1 A new revelation was given on Pentecost, fulfilling God’s promise to pour out His Spirit in the last days! (28 "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind ; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28 (NASB))
a Imagine thousands of worshipers leaving the Temple in Jerusalem after having just heard Ezekial 1.4 preached to walk right into a Spirit-filled worship service in progress . . . with some of the same manifestations they just heard about in Temple?
(4 As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. Ezek 1:4 (NASB))
b They must have thought that this is the first time in 600 years the Shekinah glory, manifest prescene of God had been seen.
aa The same Spirit that was present when God gave the Law (Torah) to Moses is the same Spirit that was poured out on men at Pentecost AD 33.
bb People were seeing God operate in the supernatural, extreme, outrageous.
2 The people were bringing in the first harvest from their fields, and God was bringing in the first harvest from His fields.
a The outpouring/harvest virtually guarantees that we will see a latter-day harvest of souls/revivals in coming seasons.
b Today, I want to teach you about what happened at Pentecost AD 33 and what it means for you and me today.
c Pray
I The Holy Spirit: Who is He and What is He to You
A Most Christians understand the Holy Spirit in terms of an “it” or describe Him as “tongues” or define Him as an “emblem” (Dove, wind); some as an “influence” or “power.” HE IS NONE OF THESE!
1 If these are the ways we think of the Holy Spirit we’re robbing Him of the honor/worship that is due Him.
a When we don’t give Him the honor/worship due Him we cannot relate to Him properly.
b We won’t give Him the love, trust & obedience the way that we should.
2 The Holy Spirit is a person.
a We may understand this statement in theological terms (ie, Third person in the Trinity), but that does not mean we know Him as a REAL person.
b When we think of a person we think hands, eyes, feet when these actually describe corporeality and not personality.
c Personality is the quality/state of being a person.
aa A young man we went to High School with was involved in a car accident that left him in a vegetative state. (Can’t think, feel, or exercise his own will)
bb He has a body but that is not the “person” we knew.
3 A person is defined by their personality.
a Being a person means you have the ability to think, power of volition (will), and feel and give emotional responses.
b The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit has all the attributes of a personality.
B How do we know that the Holy Spirit is a person?
1 The Holy Spirit has a mind that He uses.
a 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Cor 2:11 (NKJV)
b The Holy Spirit is not just illumination/inspiration that helps us know the things of God; The Holy Spirit Himself knows the things of God and reveals them to us.
2 The Holy Spirit has a will that He wants to exercise.
a His possessing of a will is proven in the appropriation of spiritual gifts.
b 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.1 Cor 12:11 (NASB)
3 The Holy Spirit has emotions (feelings). “Is ‘love’ an emotion?” YES.
a 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, Romans 15:30 (NASB)
b Notice, “the love of the Spirit” demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is not . . .
aa a blind influence in your life, or an “it.”
bb He is not tongues, gifts, fruit, or just Divine Power.
c The Holy Spirit is a divine person, living in us/loving us with the most tender love.
C When Jesus began to prepare His disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, He told them what He was like.
1 Jesus described Him as “Spirit of Truth,” “Counselor,” and “comforter.”
a The Holy Spirit takes the truth of the word of God and reveals their depth of meaning to us.
aa He writes the Word of God on the tablets of our hearts . . . until
bb it becomes the living word becomes the Christ-life lived in & through us.
b He is the comforter who comforts us in our earthly sorrows & brings a peace into our hearts that the world cannot give.
2 At Jesus’ baptism the present in the form a dove. Why a dove?
a The dove was apart of God’s predestined plan & purpose to symbolize Holy Spirit.
b The dove reveals to us the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit.
aa He is never harsh, rude, critical or judgmental.
bb He will convict, instruct, teach & lead, always in the patient gentleness of His divine personality.
c The Holy Spirit is God and God is love
(8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.1 John 4:8 (NASB)
II The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (It’s not just for Pentecostals)
A I believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone
(13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"Luke 11:13 (NASB))
1 Peter said the Holy Spirit “is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off”
(39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."Acts 2:39 (NASB)).
a The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone who wants it, desires it.
aa Preacher, I smoke, I have a beer or two, I struggle with my weight, bad temper . . . I can’t receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
bb God doesn’t fill you with His Holy Spirit because you are good, but because He is so good.
b This points us to part of our problem: we think we have to be good for God to love us/use us . . while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
2 God’s gift to sinners is Jesus the Savior.
a God’s gift to believers is Jesus the Baptizer
11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matt 3:11
16 John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 (NASB)
b When Jesus the Savior becomes your savior he cleanses us with His blood: When Jesus becomes your baptizer, He fills you with His Spirit.
aa When Jesus is your savior the result is forgiveness/justification.
bb When Jesus is your baptizer the result is power.
3 Many Christians stop @ Jesus the Savior & wonder why they are depressed, addicted, unhappy, discouraged, anxious, angry, bitter.
a 99% of the time is because they’ve never received Jesus as baptizer.
b It’s like having a car you own (bought, paid for, it belongs to you and nobody can take it away from you), but you won’t get very far w/o a full tank of gas.
aa Your sins have been atoned, salvation belongs to you at the Cross.
bb Christianity does not stop at the cross where Jesus died & paid the price for our sins.
cc After Good Friday was Resurrection Sunday, when the Spirit raised Christ.
c The same Spirit that empowered Christ to rise again will empower you rise above everything in your life too.
aa Some of our content to go to the Cross and stop.
bb IL. If you heat water to 100 degrees, 180 degrees, 200 degrees what will happen? What happens at 212 degrees? Boil!
cc Many Christians have great anointing, great talents, great gifts who have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit . . . but your not boiling!
dd Your journey in life will be easier/more productive if your tank is full (the fuller your tank is, the further you can go with God.)
d Your tank gets filled when you understand Jesus is not just the Savior, He’s also the Baptizer.
B Once we understand the Holy Spirit is a person we can begin to acquaint ourselves to Him (develop relationship).
1 When we develop relationships with people our choices/decisions/actions affect those relationships (good or bad). (Return calls/texts/emails, accept supper invites, go out to supper, etc.)
a Your relationship with the Holy Spirit is the same way.
b The way we respond to Him either builds a loving relationship or will be a hindrance in the development of that relationship.
c We can’t cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit w/o a life of prayer & fellowship with Him.
2 When you understand & cultivate the relationship of Jesus as Baptizer (of the Holy Spirit) you receive power.
a Power over fear, anger, doubt, discouragement.
b It’s the Holy Spirit that empowers you to overcome anything that hinders your from experiencing God’s abundant life.
c He helps you do things you could never have done in your own strength.
aa Before Peter was baptized w/ the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, he had denied Jesus 3 times, contemplated going back to fishing. (He was saved? Yes. Baptized? Yes.)
bb After Acts 2, he heals the sick, raises the dead & wins 3,000 souls with his first sermon.
3 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for those who are thirsty for all that God wants you to give to you.
a When you got saved, the Holy Spirit moved into your Spirit if you are a born again Christian.
b When you experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, He will not come down from heaven.
aa He will bubble up from within your Spirit.
bb 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' "39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 (NASB)
Conclusion:
A
B
C Will you need to be refilled? Yes, often.
1 Eph. 5.18, “Be filled with the Spirit”, the Greek for filled means “a frequent, repetitive infilling.”
a Acts 2.4, the disciples were filled; later in Acts 4.31, the same disciples were refilled.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues , as the Spirit was giving them utterance .Acts 2:4 (NASB)
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NASB)
b When need constant refilling because we dare not trust our own spirit, strength, might to reaching a hurting world for the Kingdom of God.
6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4:6 (NASB)
2 We also need refilling because “we leak.”
D Offer to pray for people to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
