THE DAY FIRE FELL
THE SPIRIT THAT EMPOWERED THEM EMBOLDENS US.
THE SIGN
[1] When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This describes this moment where the Holy Spirit arrives to empower the disciples.
Rushing Wind The Holy Spirit is often compared to wind in the Bible. Something you don’t see but hear. It comes now with full of force, coming with great power.
filled the entire house The Spirit will now fill all believers. Baptism of the Spirit happens upon salvation. Some confusion exists in the church today about a second baptism. However, while there is only one baptism of the Spirit there are subsequent fillings of the Holy Spirit. Paul told the Ephesians to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This looks like consecrating yourself and asking for the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh with His power and presence.
Suddenly don’t miss that sometimes God moves suddenly in our lives.
Why Fire Tongues? They’re words are going to spark a movement called the Church that will spread like fire.
Other Tongues: First off, could you imagine spontaneously speaking fluent mandarin? What a beautiful miracle! I wish I could have been there!
Let’s keep reading to find out it happened!
THE SUNDAY
[5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” [13] But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Why were Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven dwelling in Jerusalem?
[1] When the day of Pentecost arrived…
Shavuot (שבועות Sha voo OT) (the Feast of Weeks)
The celebration of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest.
Greek name: Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή = “fiftieth”)
Timing: 50 days after Passover
Biblical references: Exodus 23:16, Leviticus 23:15–22, Deuteronomy 16:9–12
People gathered in Jerusalem every year 50 days after passover to celebrate Shavuot. They would present firstfruits offerings.
Theological Significance: Fulfillment! The fullness of time is fulfilled for receiving what God promised to provide: His Holy Spirit!
At Pentecost the city would have been overflowing. Travelers were at the Temple for morning prayer, bringing firstfruits, singing Psalms, and listening to the readings from Exodus. The Spirit fell right into the middle of that.
Tongues There are two kinds of tongues we see in the NT. One is a missionary gift the other is a prayer language (1 Corinthians 14).
hearing them speak in his own language This was a reversal of Babel. They were being united as one people under Christ.
Jesus cares an enormous amount about the unity of Christ’s body.
We have a new language as Christians: The Gospel language.
→ Do you speak Gospel? Not many of us will speak in another language. But can you articulate the Gospel in ENGLISH?! Can you explain the Gospel? Do you know how to apply to all of life?
Now all this explosively miraculous serves to do is T up Peter to explain the Gospel.
THE SERMON
[14] But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. [15] For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
THE MIRACLE
THE MURDER
THE MONARCHY
THE MESSIAH
THE MIRACLE
[16] But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
[17] “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
[18] even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
[19] And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
[20] the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
[21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter applies the wondrous imagery of Joel 2 to the miracle.
He essentially says: “Let’s have a Bible study”
Side note: Can you open your bible this way for your kids? When they win at soccer or lose a game or have their first crush, and biff it on their skateboard?
pour out my Spirit on all flesh Before the Holy Spirit was given in drops, now He is poured forth – and on all flesh.
Visions, dreams..prophesy… New and spiritual gifts are given to Christians by the Holy Spirit
sun shall be turned to darkness Peter’s point is not that the sun turning to darkness has been fulfilled but that from this point forward we’re in the last days which will end with these signs in the heavens above. The last says are the entire period between Jesus ascension and His return.
Now that he’s addressed the miracle he’s going to address the Murder.
THE MURDER
[22] “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—[23] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
delivered up according to the definite plan You killed the Messiah. But His death was tied up in God’s plan for the world.
Jesus didn’t die by accident–He died on purpose in God’s grander plan to save you from your sin. We condemned before God. We deserve what Jesus got.
The Gospel has layers.
Lawless a hit towards the theological concept “Justification”
Justification: Because God is a just judge your sin needs to be punished or atoned for. It’s not resolved by moving on. It’s a real crime before a Holy God. Therefore we are criminals. Until God satisfies His justice by sentencing you or sentencing Christ. Jesus was innocent but substituted Himself for you.
Let’s say someone broke in and killed your family. Would you be able to just let that go? We need justice! People will go years waiting for justice. Something in us clearly understands moral justice. God is the ultimate judge who is not letting anything go.
Receive God’s justification of you today by putting your faith in Christ!
THE MONARCHY
[24] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
[25] For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
[26] therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
[27] For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption. (promise not fulfilled)
[28] You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
[29] “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, [31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. [34] For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
[35] until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
Timothy Keller
“If Jesus rose from the dead, you have to accept all he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”
Sir Lionel Luckhoo (world’s most successful lawyer)
“The evidence for the Resurrection is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.”
THE MESSIAH
[36] Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Jesus is not a dead movement leader
Jesus is not a good teacher
Jesus is not something to add to your life
Jesus is not a prophet as Islam says
Jesus is not an an enlightened man like the Budha
Jesus is not one of many ways to salvation
Jesus is not Michael the Archangel like JW says
Jesus is not the half brother of Lucifer like Mormonism says
Jesus is the Messiah
Carson & Moo (An Introduction to the New Testament, p. 163):
‘Messiah’ denotes the expected deliverer of Israel, the anointed ruler from David’s line who would usher in the age of God’s kingdom as promised in the Scriptures.
G. K. Beale (New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ‘Messiah’ entry):
The Messiah is the anointed king in the Davidic line who embodies Israel, fulfills the covenant promises, defeats the powers of evil, and inaugurates God’s end-time reign.
WHAT DO WE DO?
[37] Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] And Peter said to them, “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. [39] For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” [40] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
THE SPIRIT THAT EMPOWERED THEM EMBOLDENS US.
SINCE JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
01. Are you cut to the heart?
02. What sins do you need to repent of?
03. Are you sharing the promise with your children?
04. Who could you bear witness to?
WITNESS
Write out your story
Distill it to a few sentences.
Share it with someone this month.