"Pentecost in the Home" Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008

PENTECOST IN THE HOME

Scripture Passage: Acts 2:1-6, 14-21
Related Scriptures: Leviticus 23:9-14; Joel 2:28-32
Preached On Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008 at Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs, LA

Today, on our calendars we celebrate two special days. One has become a significant cultural event, we call it Mother’s Day, celebrated the second Sunday in May. The other event though not as well publicized or known (but which is vitally significant to every Christian) is called Pentecost Sunday, which is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection (Easter Sunday). Pentecost Sunday commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in Acts chapter two.

In the OT, the Feast of Pentecost was a celebration that marked the beginning of the harvest season (see Leviticus 23:9-14). The priest would take a sheaf (or cluster) of the first fruits of the crop and wave it before the Lord and the people. It was on the Day of Pentecost, the feast that celebrates the beginning of the harvest, that the Holy Spirit descended upon the church and 3,000 plus persons were born again into the kingdom of God (Acts 2:41). That’s why we sometimes refer to this event as the birthday of the Church!

We see this extraordinary event recorded for us in Acts chapter two. On the day of Pentecost the disciples were together just as Jesus had instructed (v.1). The events that happened on the day of Pentecost were quite spectacular. There was “a sound like the blowing of a violent wind” that came from heaven (v.2). This sound filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [or languages] as the Spirit enabled them” (2:3-4).

What is important here is not so much the amazing events of the day, but the fact that in Jerusalem there were [5] “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” The tongues (although unknown to those who were speaking) were not unknown languages, they were known and understood by the Jews who were there from all parts of the world (see vv.9-11). So on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering the disciples, the church, to speak about God’s wonderful works, namely His plan of salvation in Jesus Christ (v.11).

The entire scene was unprecedented. Nothing like this had ever taken place and some were confused as to what it all meant. “Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’” (v.12). Some in the crowd even thought that the disciples were crazy from “too much wine” (v.13).

In verses 14-21, Peter addressed the now ready congregation. He tells them that what is happening is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32). Joel looked forward to the day when the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God would be poured out on all who would call on the name of the Lord. In that day, no one would be excluded from God’s kingdom. Peter reminded his hearers of what God said through Joel when he quoted Joel in verses 17-ff. [17] “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. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”

What’s Taking Place in Acts Chapter Two?
At least two significant things were happening in fulfilment of God’s Word spoken in the Old Testament.
1. The Holy Spirit is being given to all who are calling upon the name of the Lord. All barriers are being broken (Gal. 3:26-28).

No distinction is made. Men and women, young and old, servants and free. All are being included! What makes the Gospel of Jesus so radical is that the Gospel breaks down all man-made barriers. In Christ the gender barrier is broken. In Christ the race barriers are broken. In Christ the economic barriers are broken. In Christ the culture barriers are broken. Pentecost is a powerful reminder that God is no respecter of persons. He wants to pour out Himself on every human being.

2. Believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit are sharing the Gospel of Jesus (2:11, 18). To “Prophesy” is to proclaim or share the Word of God concerning Jesus. They (“all”) are “declaring the wonderful works of God” (v.11). They are sharing the fact that God is in Jesus Christ reconciling the world to Himself.

Because of what occurred on the Day of Pentecost every believer today is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Men, women, young and old, all who have called upon the name of the Lord (Acts 2:39).

How do these truths about God’s character and His Holy Spirit intersect with our families today. How does our emphasis upon Family and Mother’s Day relate to the Day of Pentecost?

Pentecost and Mother’s Day Point of Contact: God wants to indwell and be Lord of every member of your family. God wants us to experience “Pentecost in Our Homes.”

But what does that mean today? First, we need to grasp this truth – The indwelling Holy Spirit is the equivalent or another way of saying salvation. To have the Holy Spirit is to experience salvation. What was taking place on the day of Pentecost was a once-for-all momentous movement of God. After the spectacular events occurred Peter preached Jesus! His hearers responded with cries of “What shall we do?” (2:37). The people were convicted of their sin and need and they wanted to know how to be reconciled with God. Peter told them to “Repent!” (2:38). As an expression of their repentance, they were to follow Christ in baptism. By repenting of their sins they would receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

We should not expect to see the spectacular events of the Day of Pentecost. However, because of what took place on the Day of Pentecost we can expect to receive the indwelling Holy Sprit when we turn from our sins and trust in Jesus. Paul had this in mind when he wrote Ephesians 1:13-14. Here we see Paul fleshing out theologically God’s pattern of salvation.

“Pentecost in Your Home” is experienced when individuals allow Christ to indwell them. “Pentecost in the Home” also has to do with us being constantly filled or controlled by God’s Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). We call this process “Sanctification” or more simply “Lordship.”

Biblically speaking, to be filled with God’s Spirit is to be controlled by God. It is for God to have your heart, your will, your life. It means He is Lord. And because He’s Lord, you order your life under His direction, you follow His guidance and will for your life. When the early disciples were controlled by God’s Holy Spirit, they spoke and acted as Jesus would. When God is in control of your life, you think, speak, and act in a way that is consistent with the Spirit of Christ.

What can we expect when Jesus’ Spirit indwells us, and when Jesus is Lord of our lives?

“Pentecost in Your Home” results in . . .
1. New Ways of Speaking
The disciples spoke with “other [or new] tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (2:4). The Christian’s speech is to be different. It is to be seasoned with grace (Col. 4:6) and love and mercy. Spirit-enabled speech means that we will use our tongue to build up and not tear down (Eph. 4:29). Proverbs 16:24 tells us that “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” With Christ indwelling and controlling our lives, our speech takes on a healing tone. Critical, negative, and fault-finding speech only pours salt in a wound. Sometimes this new way of speaking means we will hold our tongue (Prov. 10:19) realizing that often in the multitude of words sin is not lacking. Our homes need a Pentecost of new speech!

2. Clear Communication
All the disciples were speaking in what was to them unknown languages. However, God was empowering them to speak to different people in different languages and they were all speaking the same thing, they were telling about the wonderful works of God. When moms and dads and children are allowing God to fill them and lead them, they are on the same page. Their is mutual agreement and understanding. There is clear communication.

3. Unity that Brings Harmony
Where God’s Spirit reigns there is unity that brings harmony. On the day of Pentecost you had a diverse crowd of people, yet the day of Pentecost was marked by incredible harmony. What can we attribute that mood to? It was God’s Spirit that brought them together.

Men and women are created different, yet the differences are complementary not in competition. Unity (common ground, shared values) is achieved when family members are controlled by God’s Spirit. Being a believer does not guarantee harmony in your home. We must work at preserving harmony. This is most easily done by exposing and eradicating the matters that are bringing division in your home.

What is causing the chaos in your home? Is it selfishness, always looking to get your needs met? Is it mistreatment of one another or taking family members for granted? When Jesus is Lord of our lives, it is amazing how the conflicts begin to subside. Having the mind of Christ will do wonders for your home! What is the mind of Christ? Philippians 2:3-4 describes this attitude. [3] “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. [4] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

4. A Radical Reorientation of Life Towards God
Three thousand plus persons were birthed into the kingdom of God on the day of Pentecost! (2:41) Each person experienced a radical conversion. I say that because every person who turns away from (repents) their sins makes a radical change of direction in their life. They are now reoriented toward God.

Don’t miss what happened to the believers that day who were filled with God’s Spirit. They did not return home the same way that they came. They experienced a radical reorientation of life towards God. They continued in the “Apostle’s teaching” (vv.42-ff.). They worshiped together, they praised God together, they prayed together, they developed deep relationships with other believers, they ministered unselfishly together. We could say that because of God’s Holy Spirit, they radically reordered their lives under the principles of God’s Word. When moms and dads and children are filled with God’s Spirit, there will be a radical reorientation of life towards God. The family will be going God’s way.

Close
Do you desire direction in your home? Do you need wisdom for raising children? Do you long for harmony to be restored in your home? The journey begins by being indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God and by allowing Jesus to be the Lord of your life.

Today, some may need to turn to God for the very first time in your life. You’ve tried doing life on your terms but it is not working. And now you’re ready to go God’s way.

Others may need to turn away from some attitude or action that is hindering your life and bringing confusion and chaos in your home. There may be some hindrances that need to be removed. Like debris that blocks up a river and keeps it from flowing, there may be some debris in your marriage and in your home that needs to be removed so that your marriage and your home can flow and flourish.

The good news is that God specializes in removing the debris of your life (1 Jn. 1:9). Will you allow Jesus by His Holy Spirit to indwell and fill you? “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Ps. 127:1).

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe