Pastor Colin begins his sermon by asking the congregation to open their Bibles to Acts chapter 2, recounting the marvellous story of Pentecost. The church membership stands at 120, meeting in a rented second-floor room. Despite a good spirit in prayer meetings, there is a feeling of stagnation with few members, limited funds, and a hostile external culture.

Jesus had instructed the disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to be His witnesses. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension, during the Pentecost festival, a mighty rushing wind filled the house where the disciples were gathered. This wind signalled God’s breath of life into His people, similar to how God breathed life into Adam and Jesus breathed on His disciples.

Pastor Colin explains that during Pentecost, divided tongues of fire appeared and rested on each disciple, symbolising a new commission for ministry for all believers, not just a select few. These events illustrated the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all Christians, empowering them for the Church’s mission in spreading the gospel.

The gift of tongues during Pentecost allowed the disciples to speak in various languages, enabling people from different nations to understand the gospel. This act reversed the scattering of languages from the Tower of Babel, signifying unity and understanding under Christ’s message.

The sermon closes by emphasising the need for Christians to earnestly desire more of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives. Pastor Colin encourages believers to present themselves fully to Jesus and to keep their eyes fixed on Him, assuring that a Christ-centred life will lead to being filled with the Holy Spirit.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,520 Please open your Bible at Acts and chapter 2 as we come to the marvelous story of the day of 2 00:00:07,080 –> 00:00:10,080 Pentecost Acts and chapter 2 3 00:00:11,620 –> 00:00:16,639 The church chairman reported that the membership now stood at 4 00:00:17,600 –> 00:00:18,900 120 5 00:00:18,900 –> 00:00:23,760 They had not been able to obtain a building and so they were still meeting on a second floor 6 00:00:24,139 –> 00:00:26,920 Room that they had been able to rent in the city 7 00:00:27,760 –> 00:00:33,799 There had been a good spirit at the prayer meeting and there had been a lot of discussion about how they could fill a vacant 8 00:00:34,000 –> 00:00:35,520 leadership position 9 00:00:35,520 –> 00:00:37,900 that was there in their group 10 00:00:37,900 –> 00:00:41,740 But besides that it seemed that there was not a lot else that was happening 11 00:00:42,200 –> 00:00:48,080 The task of reaching the community that was around them seemed beyond them. There was very little money 12 00:00:48,939 –> 00:00:50,939 there were very few people and 13 00:00:51,520 –> 00:00:55,139 Outside of the walls of the room in which they were meeting 14 00:00:55,139 –> 00:00:57,240 There was a hostile culture 15 00:00:57,880 –> 00:00:59,880 That had no room whatever 16 00:01:00,099 –> 00:01:01,980 for their message 17 00:01:01,980 –> 00:01:06,519 Now that is pretty much how it was with the only church in 18 00:01:07,199 –> 00:01:10,559 existence in Acts chapter 1 19 00:01:11,239 –> 00:01:14,139 But as we come to Acts in chapter 2 in the day of Pentecost 20 00:01:14,940 –> 00:01:16,940 everything changed 21 00:01:17,059 –> 00:01:23,500 Jesus had told the disciples Acts 1 in verse 5 to wait for the promise of the father 22 00:01:23,500 –> 00:01:26,500 He said you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit 23 00:01:27,279 –> 00:01:32,639 Not many days from now and then chapter 1 in verse 8 you will receive power 24 00:01:33,419 –> 00:01:39,879 When the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you you will be my witnesses 25 00:01:41,120 –> 00:01:43,580 in Jerusalem Judea Samaria and 26 00:01:44,339 –> 00:01:46,339 to the ends of the earth 27 00:01:47,239 –> 00:01:49,239 Well, they didn’t have to wait long 28 00:01:49,519 –> 00:01:53,419 10 days after the ascension of Jesus into heaven and 29 00:01:54,019 –> 00:01:58,879 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. There was a 30 00:01:59,480 –> 00:02:00,419 festival 31 00:02:00,419 –> 00:02:02,559 That was known as Pentecost 32 00:02:03,080 –> 00:02:05,440 Pentecost was simply a harvest 33 00:02:06,180 –> 00:02:11,639 festival, but it was a really big celebration and so Jerusalem was 34 00:02:12,380 –> 00:02:15,720 absolutely crammed with visitors for this 35 00:02:16,399 –> 00:02:22,080 festival chapter 2 in verse 5 tells us that there were people there from every 36 00:02:22,479 –> 00:02:23,559 nation 37 00:02:23,559 –> 00:02:24,660 under 38 00:02:24,660 –> 00:02:26,860 Heaven a kind of homecoming 39 00:02:26,960 –> 00:02:31,139 In which Jews from around the world had come back to Jerusalem 40 00:02:31,740 –> 00:02:33,740 for this festival of 41 00:02:34,240 –> 00:02:41,880 Pentecost and I want you today to try and picture yourself in the upper room on the day of Pentecost among these 42 00:02:42,720 –> 00:02:48,339 120 believers and then outside in the events that transpired on that day 43 00:02:48,619 –> 00:02:52,740 I’m going to try and describe for you what they heard 44 00:02:53,639 –> 00:02:55,639 what they saw and 45 00:02:56,160 –> 00:02:58,160 what they experienced and 46 00:02:58,759 –> 00:03:01,679 Then for us to see what all of this means today 47 00:03:01,679 –> 00:03:05,979 we’re going to focus particularly on the wind and on the fire and 48 00:03:06,380 –> 00:03:13,919 On the tongues all of which speak to us with huge significance in regards to the mission of the church 49 00:03:14,500 –> 00:03:20,380 Today, so I hope you have your Bible open at acts 2 and I want us to see here first that God breathes life 50 00:03:20,660 –> 00:03:24,419 Into his people chapter 2 and verse 1 when the day of Pentecost 51 00:03:25,380 –> 00:03:28,880 arrived they were all together in one place and 52 00:03:30,000 –> 00:03:31,259 suddenly 53 00:03:31,259 –> 00:03:33,660 there came from heaven a sound 54 00:03:34,500 –> 00:03:41,080 Like a mighty rushing wind and it filled the entire house 55 00:03:42,339 –> 00:03:44,339 Where they were sitting? 56 00:03:45,160 –> 00:03:47,360 Now in the ancient world many 57 00:03:47,880 –> 00:03:52,080 languages used the same word for wind and 58 00:03:52,779 –> 00:03:54,639 breath and 59 00:03:54,639 –> 00:03:55,660 spirit 60 00:03:55,660 –> 00:03:59,940 The reason for this was of course that the sound of the wind is 61 00:04:00,279 –> 00:04:06,020 Pretty much the same as the sound of breath only it’s much louder and it lasts for much longer 62 00:04:07,720 –> 00:04:14,679 The ancients thought of wind as kind of breath writ large and so they used the same word for 63 00:04:15,300 –> 00:04:17,260 These two 64 00:04:17,260 –> 00:04:20,100 Now whenever you come across something that is 65 00:04:21,100 –> 00:04:26,500 Unusual in the Bible. It’s always a good rule of thumb to ask this question 66 00:04:27,160 –> 00:04:29,540 Where in the Bible’s story have? 67 00:04:30,100 –> 00:04:33,019 In something like this before and 68 00:04:33,600 –> 00:04:38,380 If we ask where have we seen the sound of wind or of breath? 69 00:04:39,119 –> 00:04:42,200 Before there are two very obvious answers 70 00:04:42,200 –> 00:04:48,140 The first of course is right at the beginning of the Bible story where God breathed life into 71 00:04:48,480 –> 00:04:51,399 Adam God created a lifeless body 72 00:04:51,880 –> 00:04:58,760 There it is the skeletal frame and it’s lying there on the ground and then God breathed 73 00:04:59,140 –> 00:05:05,640 Into this corpse he breathed life into Adam and Adam became a living being God 74 00:05:06,700 –> 00:05:09,260 Breathed into him and he came alive 75 00:05:10,779 –> 00:05:14,359 then we’re told at the end of John’s gospel about 76 00:05:15,880 –> 00:05:17,220 Jesus 77 00:05:17,220 –> 00:05:24,320 Breathing on the disciples chapter 20 of John and verse 21. Jesus said to them peace be with you 78 00:05:24,320 –> 00:05:29,940 As the Father has sent me. So now I am sending you and 79 00:05:30,779 –> 00:05:32,779 When he had said this 80 00:05:35,320 –> 00:05:38,200 He breathed on them and 81 00:05:38,859 –> 00:05:43,359 he said to them receive the Holy Spirit in 82 00:05:44,119 –> 00:05:44,880 other words 83 00:05:44,880 –> 00:05:50,459 Jesus was explaining what was going to happen on the day of Pentecost. This is what it will be like 84 00:05:51,079 –> 00:05:53,660 I’m going to ascend to the father 85 00:05:54,320 –> 00:06:00,980 and then I’m going to breathe out my Holy Spirit who will come upon you and fill you 86 00:06:01,619 –> 00:06:04,059 This is what it will be like and now here 87 00:06:04,059 –> 00:06:09,739 They are these days later on the Day of Pentecost and what are they here the sound of a mighty 88 00:06:10,619 –> 00:06:15,459 Rushing wind it’s the same sound that they had heard when Jesus had 89 00:06:16,100 –> 00:06:21,500 Breathed on them only it’s much louder. It is now much stronger 90 00:06:22,320 –> 00:06:26,640 Now it put these scriptures together, and you get the picture of what is happening here 91 00:06:27,000 –> 00:06:32,980 You get the significance of the sound of the rushing wind that God used to communicate 92 00:06:33,380 –> 00:06:37,760 With his people on that day in Genesis 2 there was a body 93 00:06:38,660 –> 00:06:40,660 But it was a lifeless body 94 00:06:41,040 –> 00:06:46,959 and God breathed into the lifeless body and Adam became a living being and 95 00:06:47,980 –> 00:06:50,779 Here in Acts in chapter 2 there is another body 96 00:06:51,519 –> 00:06:53,519 Church is the body of Christ 97 00:06:54,559 –> 00:06:56,559 But it is a lifeless body 98 00:06:56,880 –> 00:07:01,220 Until Jesus breathes his spirit into it 99 00:07:02,160 –> 00:07:08,059 Now someone might reasonably ask I did they not have the life of God in them already 100 00:07:08,079 –> 00:07:12,700 I mean after all these people believed after all these people were praying 101 00:07:13,480 –> 00:07:19,119 Does that not mean that they already had some knowledge of the work of the Spirit in them. 102 00:07:19,399 –> 00:07:23,920 Absolutely, of course they did but remember this there are different kinds of breathing 103 00:07:25,279 –> 00:07:27,279 If you’ve ever visited 104 00:07:27,679 –> 00:07:29,679 someone in a hospital 105 00:07:29,859 –> 00:07:32,380 after a major operation and 106 00:07:33,200 –> 00:07:35,200 They are really ill 107 00:07:35,799 –> 00:07:38,519 their life maybe it’s hanging by a thread and 108 00:07:39,600 –> 00:07:44,100 You will be very aware that they take very very shallow breaths 109 00:07:45,100 –> 00:07:47,040 They’re breathing 110 00:07:47,040 –> 00:07:49,040 They’re alive 111 00:07:49,299 –> 00:07:52,279 But the life within them is very very weak 112 00:07:54,040 –> 00:08:01,359 Now change the picture and think about an Olympic sprinter coming down the hundred meters and 113 00:08:02,440 –> 00:08:07,220 as the camera closes in focuses in closely on the 114 00:08:07,420 –> 00:08:13,640 Sprinter there are great gulps of air that are being taken in filling the Sprinter’s lungs 115 00:08:14,179 –> 00:08:20,739 Energizing the movement that is coming thundering down this track at great speed 116 00:08:21,660 –> 00:08:27,339 Now that second picture is what is happening at Pentecost the sound of a mighty 117 00:08:28,160 –> 00:08:32,559 Rushing wind it came from heaven. It filled the entire house 118 00:08:33,080 –> 00:08:41,039 Where they were sitting God breathed life into his people in such a way that they were never the same 119 00:08:41,940 –> 00:08:43,799 Again 120 00:08:43,799 –> 00:08:50,520 Now here’s the question because we want to do much more than simply look at what happened at on that day back in the Bible 121 00:08:50,520 –> 00:08:53,559 Here’s the question. Do we still need this today? 122 00:08:54,559 –> 00:08:55,799 absolutely 123 00:08:55,799 –> 00:09:02,119 The Church of Jesus Christ always depends upon the Holy Spirit for our life 124 00:09:03,179 –> 00:09:05,179 without the Holy Spirit 125 00:09:05,659 –> 00:09:07,200 the church 126 00:09:07,200 –> 00:09:09,119 degenerates into 127 00:09:09,140 –> 00:09:15,200 tinkering around with programs and structures and initiatives and without the Holy Spirit 128 00:09:15,659 –> 00:09:18,400 Nothing of lasting spiritual value is ever 129 00:09:19,119 –> 00:09:21,119 accomplished 130 00:09:21,340 –> 00:09:23,340 So then what does it look like? 131 00:09:24,299 –> 00:09:28,200 When life from above is filling the church 132 00:09:30,020 –> 00:09:36,979 Well in Acts in chapter 2 we are given a very clear description look at verse 17 with me for a moment 133 00:09:37,979 –> 00:09:39,539 Peter 134 00:09:39,539 –> 00:09:45,580 describes what has happened and what always happens when the Spirit of God is 135 00:09:45,880 –> 00:09:50,659 Filling the church and he quotes from the prophet Joel in the last days 136 00:09:50,659 –> 00:09:54,419 It shall be God declares that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh 137 00:09:54,419 –> 00:09:58,400 Here’s what it will be like your sons and your daughters shall prophesy 138 00:09:59,080 –> 00:10:03,359 Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall 139 00:10:04,059 –> 00:10:05,460 dream dreams 140 00:10:05,479 –> 00:10:09,580 Notice what happens when God’s spirit is poured out 141 00:10:10,380 –> 00:10:13,820 Abundantly upon his people number one 142 00:10:14,479 –> 00:10:16,479 Christians become articulate 143 00:10:17,099 –> 00:10:21,500 You see it says it there. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy 144 00:10:22,119 –> 00:10:24,119 What does that mean to? 145 00:10:24,380 –> 00:10:31,119 prophesy is to be prompted by God to say the right word at the right time in the right way and 146 00:10:32,419 –> 00:10:35,320 That has to be a work of God’s spirit 147 00:10:36,460 –> 00:10:40,840 Because apart from God spirit don’t you find that what happens is I speak for myself 148 00:10:41,419 –> 00:10:43,460 Apart from the grace of God’s Spirit 149 00:10:43,460 –> 00:10:47,140 I end up saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, and I end up saying it in the wrong way 150 00:10:48,760 –> 00:10:52,080 But it is the work of God’s spirit to put it the other way around 151 00:10:52,200 –> 00:10:59,140 it is the work of God’s spirit to take us from people who stumble around without a clue of what to say to people who 152 00:10:59,140 –> 00:11:01,140 are actually useful in 153 00:11:01,500 –> 00:11:05,020 regards to the advance of the gospel because we’re filled with the Spirit 154 00:11:06,440 –> 00:11:10,940 when God’s people are filled with his spirit the church becomes 155 00:11:12,059 –> 00:11:13,739 articulate and 156 00:11:13,739 –> 00:11:21,580 Then notice what else your old man verse 17 shall dream dreams this is marvelous. Hope filled 157 00:11:22,299 –> 00:11:25,539 seniors that’s a mark of a church filled with the Holy Spirit 158 00:11:26,359 –> 00:11:33,580 Because that has to be a work of God because as we get older by nature we get more cautious 159 00:11:34,400 –> 00:11:36,400 We just do 160 00:11:36,640 –> 00:11:39,659 Life moves away from us as we get older 161 00:11:40,359 –> 00:11:43,960 It’s easier to turn in on ourselves with self-pity 162 00:11:44,020 –> 00:11:49,359 And to feel that nothing ever will be as good as when we were doing it in the good old days 163 00:11:50,979 –> 00:11:54,419 But you see when there is life from above what you have is 164 00:11:54,739 –> 00:12:00,159 older people who are full of hope with regards to what God will do on earth and full of 165 00:12:00,580 –> 00:12:08,080 anticipation with regards to what God has prepared in heaven hope-filled seniors. That’s a mark of the Spirit filling the church and 166 00:12:08,799 –> 00:12:10,820 Then notice what else? 167 00:12:10,940 –> 00:12:14,440 When the church is filled with the Spirit you have mission-oriented 168 00:12:14,799 –> 00:12:19,140 young people, your young men shall see visions and 169 00:12:19,799 –> 00:12:23,440 Again, this has to be a work of the Holy Spirit 170 00:12:23,440 –> 00:12:25,739 It will not happen apart from the Holy Spirit 171 00:12:26,140 –> 00:12:31,380 Because the natural tendency when we are younger is to think that we have plenty of time 172 00:12:33,119 –> 00:12:35,119 What are you going to do with your life 173 00:12:36,880 –> 00:12:43,299 Well, I don’t really know yet I want to keep my options open how many times have you heard that and 174 00:12:44,599 –> 00:12:48,419 So what happens when we’re younger is it’s natural to drift 175 00:12:48,900 –> 00:12:53,380 From one thing to another without any overwhelming sense of purpose or direction 176 00:12:53,780 –> 00:12:57,619 Or mission without ever knowing why we’re doing even what we’re doing 177 00:12:59,780 –> 00:13:02,099 But you see when the holy spirit is poured out 178 00:13:02,099 –> 00:13:08,119 Here’s something that you’ll see you’ll see young people with a sense of mission and a sense of purpose 179 00:13:09,380 –> 00:13:15,859 They’ll come to see what god can do and they’ll come to believe in what god can do in and through them and they will 180 00:13:15,940 –> 00:13:17,940 Give themselves to it 181 00:13:18,739 –> 00:13:22,979 They’ll start to speak like this instead of going on as if they had all the time in the world 182 00:13:23,059 –> 00:13:25,059 They’ll say I have one life 183 00:13:25,539 –> 00:13:27,539 And I am not going to waste it 184 00:13:28,260 –> 00:13:34,900 And I am determined by the grace of god that I will leverage everything that he has given me to the greatest effect 185 00:13:35,140 –> 00:13:41,619 For his glory and by his power. Young people will arise who will have the spirit of william kerry 186 00:13:42,500 –> 00:13:48,099 Who said expect great things from god and attempt great things for god 187 00:13:48,260 –> 00:13:52,979 That’s a mark of where the spirit of god is filling the life of a younger person 188 00:13:54,580 –> 00:13:56,739 So do you see what it looks like 189 00:13:57,539 –> 00:14:00,119 When god breathes out life 190 00:14:00,960 –> 00:14:05,940 Abundantly into his people by the holy spirit. Don’t you think we want more of this? 191 00:14:06,940 –> 00:14:08,799 Absolutely 192 00:14:08,799 –> 00:14:14,559 There is never a time when the church is not in need of more life from above 193 00:14:15,599 –> 00:14:22,000 And god by his grace and by his mercy is the one who through jesus christ pours it out 194 00:14:22,559 –> 00:14:24,559 God’s people become articulate 195 00:14:26,320 –> 00:14:29,299 Older people are filled with hope 196 00:14:29,719 –> 00:14:34,539 Younger people have a sense of purpose and of mission all of these things are 197 00:14:34,940 –> 00:14:39,940 explicable only by the spirit of God because they do not happen naturally and 198 00:14:42,359 –> 00:14:49,400 Instead of tinkering around with a few programs and a few structures and doing nothing of lasting spiritual use the church becomes a 199 00:14:49,760 –> 00:14:51,739 vibrant body 200 00:14:51,739 –> 00:14:54,380 Because the spirit of God is present 201 00:14:54,840 –> 00:15:00,200 And because God’s people have been made alive in Christ not with little breath 202 00:15:01,080 –> 00:15:05,719 But taking in great gulps of the air of the spirit of God. Oh 203 00:15:07,099 –> 00:15:09,099 God give us more 204 00:15:09,219 –> 00:15:11,320 God breathes life into 205 00:15:12,500 –> 00:15:13,659 his 206 00:15:13,659 –> 00:15:14,940 people 207 00:15:14,940 –> 00:15:17,080 That’s the first thing. Here’s the second 208 00:15:17,979 –> 00:15:19,059 God 209 00:15:19,059 –> 00:15:20,419 Commissions 210 00:15:20,419 –> 00:15:22,419 His people for ministry 211 00:15:22,960 –> 00:15:25,799 and I said we’re going to focus on the wind and 212 00:15:26,260 –> 00:15:28,260 the fire and 213 00:15:28,260 –> 00:15:31,719 the tongues here we’re going to focus on the fire look at 214 00:15:32,320 –> 00:15:37,559 Chapter 2 and verse 3 and divided tongues as off fire 215 00:15:39,280 –> 00:15:41,280 Appeared to them and 216 00:15:42,719 –> 00:15:46,200 Rested on each one of them 217 00:15:47,739 –> 00:15:50,659 Now I want you to try and imagine yourself 218 00:15:50,760 –> 00:15:57,080 Among these hundred and twenty people in the upper room when this happened 219 00:16:00,239 –> 00:16:06,380 They saw what I think can be best described as like a 220 00:16:06,400 –> 00:16:09,840 great ball of fire. That’s what it looked like or 221 00:16:10,679 –> 00:16:12,679 perhaps a 222 00:16:12,799 –> 00:16:17,739 Pillar of Fire thinking about the significance of that in the Old Testament 223 00:16:18,479 –> 00:16:20,559 And it’s coming down 224 00:16:21,280 –> 00:16:23,280 from the ceiling 225 00:16:23,700 –> 00:16:25,700 towards them and 226 00:16:26,239 –> 00:16:29,960 as this ball of fire as it appeared to them 227 00:16:30,820 –> 00:16:33,500 Gets nearer it separates out 228 00:16:34,159 –> 00:16:39,539 into individual flames that are described here as tongues of fire and 229 00:16:40,719 –> 00:16:42,719 a flame 230 00:16:43,119 –> 00:16:45,119 comes to rest on 231 00:16:45,739 –> 00:16:47,739 Comes to rest on 232 00:16:48,440 –> 00:16:51,119 every person in the room 233 00:16:53,219 –> 00:16:55,219 But no one is burned 234 00:16:56,419 –> 00:17:00,260 Now again, whenever you see something very unusual in the Bible 235 00:17:00,599 –> 00:17:06,540 Good rule of thumb always ask the question. Where have we seen something like this before and if you ask the question 236 00:17:07,660 –> 00:17:09,800 Where have we seen a fire? 237 00:17:10,599 –> 00:17:15,239 Resting on something and yet not burning it. The answer is very clear 238 00:17:15,239 –> 00:17:20,099 We saw this earlier in our series when the story of Moses and the burning bush 239 00:17:21,079 –> 00:17:26,599 God appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush and 240 00:17:27,040 –> 00:17:31,300 Moses saw that the bush was burning and yet the bush was not consumed 241 00:17:33,219 –> 00:17:39,219 Now what was the significance of that occasion that was the occasion when God commissioned Moses 242 00:17:39,900 –> 00:17:41,219 and 243 00:17:41,219 –> 00:17:45,780 The same God who commissioned Moses at the burning bush is 244 00:17:46,400 –> 00:17:49,599 very clearly here now commissioning all 245 00:17:50,660 –> 00:17:52,339 believers 246 00:17:52,339 –> 00:17:54,339 Not some all 247 00:17:54,979 –> 00:17:58,119 And I want you to try and take in this picture with me 248 00:17:58,900 –> 00:18:04,239 Here we are standing in the room and we’re looking up and we’re quite terrified 249 00:18:04,239 –> 00:18:08,140 I’m sure at first as we see this pillar of fire or this ball of fire 250 00:18:08,219 –> 00:18:10,219 And it’s descending and now it’s 251 00:18:10,420 –> 00:18:14,239 Separating into flames and and you think to yourself 252 00:18:14,239 –> 00:18:21,119 Oh the presence of almighty God is coming among us. Who’s it going to rest upon? 253 00:18:22,619 –> 00:18:24,619 It rested on Moses 254 00:18:26,099 –> 00:18:31,339 My guess is it’ll be Peter or James or John or maybe all of the Apostles 255 00:18:32,900 –> 00:18:34,900 But as you look 256 00:18:34,959 –> 00:18:37,619 You see that there are many more flames 257 00:18:38,479 –> 00:18:40,479 than that number and 258 00:18:41,119 –> 00:18:43,319 As you look to your absolute astonishment 259 00:18:43,880 –> 00:18:49,239 There is an individual flame of fire and it’s coming down right towards you and now it rests on you 260 00:18:51,619 –> 00:18:53,619 Do you see the significance 261 00:18:54,180 –> 00:19:01,060 As you look around and you see that there is a flame of fire that is resting on every person in the room 262 00:19:01,079 –> 00:19:03,079 The 263 00:19:04,199 –> 00:19:10,599 Gift of God spirit and the Commission of God to do his work is for every believer in 264 00:19:11,579 –> 00:19:13,780 The Old Testament it was for a few 265 00:19:14,819 –> 00:19:17,239 prophets priests kings 266 00:19:17,920 –> 00:19:21,660 they were all anointed by God for ministry but 267 00:19:22,540 –> 00:19:24,560 Here it is very clear 268 00:19:24,959 –> 00:19:29,680 That the Spirit of God is poured out not on a few but on all 269 00:19:29,699 –> 00:19:31,699 All believers in 270 00:19:32,180 –> 00:19:37,979 The Lord Jesus Christ it is not a privileged few who are commissioned to ministry 271 00:19:38,380 –> 00:19:43,560 The Spirit of God is given to all of his people for this 272 00:19:44,119 –> 00:19:46,119 purpose and 273 00:19:46,479 –> 00:19:54,180 As if to press it home Peter quotes these words from Joel just to say look it really is all of God’s people 274 00:19:54,780 –> 00:20:01,579 So if you look at verse 17 and verse 18 he quotes from Joel and I will pour out my spirit on all 275 00:20:02,199 –> 00:20:03,880 flesh 276 00:20:03,880 –> 00:20:05,560 But then just to press it home 277 00:20:05,560 –> 00:20:11,800 He says your sons and your daughters so the gift of the spirit will not be limited by gender 278 00:20:14,000 –> 00:20:18,839 It will be your young men and your old men you’re young mental see visions your old men will dream dreams 279 00:20:18,839 –> 00:20:21,859 So the Spirit of God will not be limited by age 280 00:20:22,520 –> 00:20:23,819 and 281 00:20:23,979 –> 00:20:27,599 Then he says even on my male servants and 282 00:20:29,040 –> 00:20:31,040 female servants in 283 00:20:31,339 –> 00:20:33,540 Those days, I will pour out my spirit 284 00:20:33,540 –> 00:20:39,699 So God’s gift of the Spirit is not going to be limited by education or by social class 285 00:20:41,699 –> 00:20:46,500 God has worked for us to do brothers and sisters and not for a few of us 286 00:20:48,339 –> 00:20:50,479 For every single one of us 287 00:20:51,300 –> 00:20:54,719 Because if you are in Christ his spirit rests upon you 288 00:20:56,959 –> 00:21:02,099 So God breathes new life into his people that’s the first thing that we saw 289 00:21:02,780 –> 00:21:04,780 Here’s the second God 290 00:21:04,920 –> 00:21:09,199 Commission’s all of his people for Ministry not just a few but all 291 00:21:10,239 –> 00:21:13,280 And here’s the third thing. That’s very important God 292 00:21:13,959 –> 00:21:15,959 equips his people 293 00:21:16,199 –> 00:21:18,199 to reach others I 294 00:21:18,800 –> 00:21:22,479 Want to make two observations here on this very important verse and 295 00:21:23,599 –> 00:21:28,140 they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and 296 00:21:29,719 –> 00:21:35,540 Began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them 297 00:21:36,719 –> 00:21:38,239 utterance 298 00:21:38,239 –> 00:21:41,180 Let me focus first on these words 299 00:21:41,959 –> 00:21:43,560 They were all 300 00:21:43,560 –> 00:21:45,400 filled with 301 00:21:45,400 –> 00:21:47,400 the Holy Spirit 302 00:21:48,800 –> 00:21:51,300 Now reading through the Acts of the apostles 303 00:21:52,719 –> 00:21:55,479 It is very striking to me 304 00:21:56,719 –> 00:22:04,800 That this language of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not used once but it is used again and again and again 305 00:22:06,359 –> 00:22:13,680 Acts in chapter 2 they are filled with the spirit for the life of the church 306 00:22:14,319 –> 00:22:17,540 Then if you turn over to Acts in chapter 307 00:22:17,900 –> 00:22:23,479 4 you get this story there of Peter and John who had been given the power 308 00:22:25,199 –> 00:22:26,359 to 309 00:22:26,359 –> 00:22:30,739 effect a miraculous healing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 310 00:22:31,880 –> 00:22:33,920 They are in chapter 4 brought before 311 00:22:34,479 –> 00:22:35,459 annus and 312 00:22:35,459 –> 00:22:37,459 Caiaphas 313 00:22:38,000 –> 00:22:42,560 To who had presided over the show trial of Jesus 314 00:22:43,040 –> 00:22:45,579 just a matter of a few weeks before 315 00:22:46,380 –> 00:22:48,400 and now 316 00:22:48,400 –> 00:22:50,079 here are 317 00:22:50,079 –> 00:22:53,040 John and Peter and they are brought before 318 00:22:53,839 –> 00:22:55,640 the same 319 00:22:55,640 –> 00:22:57,079 people 320 00:22:57,079 –> 00:23:01,819 who had so abused the Lord Jesus Christ and 321 00:23:03,719 –> 00:23:05,239 Annas and Caiaphas 322 00:23:05,239 –> 00:23:09,900 Asked to John and Peter now by what name did you do this this miraculous healing? 323 00:23:09,979 –> 00:23:15,339 that’s got all this attention and people are talking about it in the city by what name did you do this? 324 00:23:16,180 –> 00:23:18,180 chapter 4 in verse 8 and 325 00:23:18,660 –> 00:23:22,819 Peter filled with the Holy Spirit notice that language again 326 00:23:23,560 –> 00:23:29,660 the Spirit is coming upon him in this moment, which must have been a terrifying moment and 327 00:23:30,719 –> 00:23:33,060 the Spirit of God comes upon him 328 00:23:33,780 –> 00:23:37,579 by verse 10 the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth 329 00:23:38,060 –> 00:23:41,800 Whom you crucified whom God raised from the dead 330 00:23:42,180 –> 00:23:45,560 By him this man is standing before you and well 331 00:23:46,479 –> 00:23:47,699 Wow 332 00:23:47,699 –> 00:23:49,699 That is courageous 333 00:23:51,479 –> 00:23:53,479 And why does he have that courage 334 00:23:54,500 –> 00:24:00,180 Because in that moment the Spirit of God is filling him in a fresh and in a remarkable way 335 00:24:00,219 –> 00:24:02,219 The 336 00:24:02,939 –> 00:24:06,260 High Priest then tells Peter and John 337 00:24:07,660 –> 00:24:13,380 That they must never speak in the name of Jesus again and 338 00:24:14,339 –> 00:24:15,880 If they do 339 00:24:15,880 –> 00:24:17,880 Action will be taken against them 340 00:24:19,260 –> 00:24:25,099 Acts 4. We’re now at a critical juncture in the story of the church 341 00:24:25,979 –> 00:24:28,619 They are commanded never again 342 00:24:29,339 –> 00:24:31,339 to speak in the name of 343 00:24:32,459 –> 00:24:34,459 Jesus 344 00:24:34,619 –> 00:24:42,380 So what happens is that the believers gather together for prayer you can read it in acts for they praise sovereign Lord 345 00:24:43,040 –> 00:24:45,020 verse 29 346 00:24:45,020 –> 00:24:48,219 look upon their threats and 347 00:24:49,479 –> 00:24:57,719 grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness and 348 00:24:59,400 –> 00:25:02,500 Then interesting what they prayed by the way didn’t pray Lord keep us safe 349 00:25:04,219 –> 00:25:06,219 They said Lord here’s the threat 350 00:25:06,939 –> 00:25:08,939 Make us bold 351 00:25:09,280 –> 00:25:11,140 Make us bold 352 00:25:11,140 –> 00:25:14,060 We don’t have that in us. It’s going to have to come from you 353 00:25:15,459 –> 00:25:20,020 And acts 4 in verse 31 when they had prayed 354 00:25:21,380 –> 00:25:24,020 the place in which they were gathered was 355 00:25:24,439 –> 00:25:30,099 Shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit same language again and 356 00:25:31,199 –> 00:25:36,400 They continued what was the effect to speak the Word of God with boldness 357 00:25:37,459 –> 00:25:41,020 So you see there is this filling of the spirit for the life of the church 358 00:25:41,020 –> 00:25:44,939 There is the spirit filling of the spirit for the strength of the church 359 00:25:46,479 –> 00:25:48,579 Then if you turn over a few chapters more to 360 00:25:49,540 –> 00:25:51,959 Acts in Chapter 13 and verse 49 361 00:25:52,339 –> 00:25:59,540 We have the story there of Paul and Barnabas there in Antioch and they preached the gospel and there’s been a wonderful response 362 00:25:59,800 –> 00:26:05,699 But then as so often is the case whenever you have a wonderful response expect that there will also be great opposition 363 00:26:06,000 –> 00:26:07,380 and 364 00:26:07,380 –> 00:26:09,380 so Paul and Barnabas 365 00:26:09,699 –> 00:26:12,119 Began preaching the gospel to the Gentiles 366 00:26:12,119 –> 00:26:16,939 It’s another great turning point in the story of the church the gospel that has primarily been 367 00:26:17,439 –> 00:26:24,959 Communicated to Jewish people is now taken in a new way with a new missionary thrust to reach the non-Jewish 368 00:26:25,560 –> 00:26:28,500 peoples of the day the Gentile nations and 369 00:26:30,020 –> 00:26:34,079 We’re told at that point that the word of the Lord 370 00:26:34,979 –> 00:26:36,979 verse 49 371 00:26:37,180 –> 00:26:38,699 spread 372 00:26:38,699 –> 00:26:41,380 throughout the whole region and 373 00:26:41,479 –> 00:26:42,300 And 374 00:26:42,300 –> 00:26:46,939 verse 52 the disciples were filled with joy and 375 00:26:47,619 –> 00:26:49,619 with the Holy Spirit 376 00:26:50,900 –> 00:26:53,199 So we’ve had the Spirit of the Lord 377 00:26:55,119 –> 00:27:01,359 Bringing life to the church. We’ve got the Spirit of the Lord bringing strength and boldness to the church now 378 00:27:01,359 –> 00:27:04,099 We’ve got the Spirit of the Lord bringing growth to the church 379 00:27:05,000 –> 00:27:08,359 Do you see the pattern the life comes from above? 380 00:27:09,079 –> 00:27:15,640 It’s Jesus doing his work in and through his people and he does it by the Holy Spirit 381 00:27:16,400 –> 00:27:18,400 That’s why when you get to the book of Ephesians 382 00:27:18,959 –> 00:27:24,199 We have this clear command for all believers be filled with the Holy Spirit 383 00:27:25,239 –> 00:27:28,020 Because you cannot do the work of God in your own 384 00:27:29,000 –> 00:27:31,680 Resources you are dependent upon him 385 00:27:32,459 –> 00:27:37,359 For life for strength for growth it all comes from 386 00:27:37,880 –> 00:27:40,280 Above and it all comes from 387 00:27:40,959 –> 00:27:42,619 him 388 00:27:42,619 –> 00:27:45,000 So they are filled with the Holy Spirit 389 00:27:45,959 –> 00:27:50,060 And then I want you to notice the second thing that also is very important 390 00:27:51,160 –> 00:27:57,560 and they began to speak acts 2 and verse 4 in other tongues as 391 00:27:58,760 –> 00:28:00,400 the Holy Spirit 392 00:28:00,520 –> 00:28:02,520 gave them 393 00:28:02,880 –> 00:28:04,880 utterance 394 00:28:05,239 –> 00:28:07,239 Now again 395 00:28:07,439 –> 00:28:09,439 the best way 396 00:28:09,719 –> 00:28:14,699 To approach something that seems quite unusual in the Bible is 397 00:28:15,579 –> 00:28:19,900 Always to ask the question where have we seen something like this before? 398 00:28:22,560 –> 00:28:24,560 Where in the Bible 399 00:28:24,880 –> 00:28:26,880 Have we seen 400 00:28:27,520 –> 00:28:28,680 people 401 00:28:28,680 –> 00:28:30,680 suddenly and spontaneously 402 00:28:31,180 –> 00:28:32,359 speaking in 403 00:28:32,359 –> 00:28:35,780 languages that they had never learned 404 00:28:37,760 –> 00:28:44,339 The answer is that if you were here in January as we began our journey through the Bible story you may remember that’s exactly 405 00:28:44,479 –> 00:28:47,699 what happened at the tower of Babel 406 00:28:48,560 –> 00:28:50,439 Remember that story 407 00:28:50,439 –> 00:28:53,819 Men were building a city to make a name for themselves 408 00:28:54,819 –> 00:28:56,239 They 409 00:28:56,239 –> 00:29:02,920 wanted to create a culture in which there was no place for God in which they themselves would take the place of God and 410 00:29:03,739 –> 00:29:07,579 God put the brakes on man’s Godless Kingdom 411 00:29:09,300 –> 00:29:15,180 By coming down the Bible says and confusing their language 412 00:29:17,300 –> 00:29:22,560 Can you imagine what that day was like? It must have been very strange 413 00:29:24,219 –> 00:29:26,459 Imagine that you’re working on the building site 414 00:29:26,459 –> 00:29:31,099 You’re working with some others and you’re involved in the construction of this tower 415 00:29:31,099 –> 00:29:34,880 And there you are. You’ve been working on the 8th floor for some time and 416 00:29:36,199 –> 00:29:41,239 When the colleague that you have been working with comes in on a particular day 417 00:29:42,500 –> 00:29:44,939 You cannot understand a word that he says 418 00:29:45,099 –> 00:29:46,780 That complete silence 419 00:29:47,079 –> 00:29:54,079 When you take your break for lunch and, uh, the various folks who are working across the building and are all gathered together 420 00:29:54,079 –> 00:29:56,459 You know, with their little box and sandwiches or whatever 421 00:29:56,459 –> 00:29:59,739 The equivalent was at that particular time in history 422 00:30:01,359 –> 00:30:02,880 What you find 423 00:30:04,420 –> 00:30:09,560 Is that people are babbling incomprehensible sounds 424 00:30:11,479 –> 00:30:13,319 This whole place is gone mad 425 00:30:13,800 –> 00:30:17,300 What in the world has happened? 426 00:30:20,160 –> 00:30:24,880 Eventually you find someone who speaks the same language as you do 427 00:30:24,880 –> 00:30:28,920 You say, oh, I am so thankful to have a sensible conversation 428 00:30:28,920 –> 00:30:31,119 What is wrong with everyone else here today? 429 00:30:31,119 –> 00:30:33,260 They seem to have lost their minds 430 00:30:35,520 –> 00:30:40,400 Well, over the building site you see what’s going to happen very very quickly 431 00:30:40,400 –> 00:30:42,400 Little groups of people are forming 432 00:30:43,459 –> 00:30:47,060 and they understand each other because they speak the same language 433 00:30:47,060 –> 00:30:49,359 but they can’t understand anybody else 434 00:30:51,300 –> 00:30:55,000 And in each of these little groups there is an absolute conviction 435 00:30:55,000 –> 00:30:57,099 We’re in our right minds and they’re all mad 436 00:30:58,579 –> 00:31:01,959 And so the conclusion is, we’ve got to get out of this place 437 00:31:01,959 –> 00:31:05,619 and start somewhere else that’s going to be more stable 438 00:31:05,619 –> 00:31:09,160 And so what happens is that the Tower of Babel is abandoned 439 00:31:09,160 –> 00:31:12,099 People just go north and south and east and west 440 00:31:12,900 –> 00:31:18,099 And you have all these little groups that are formed on that day 441 00:31:18,099 –> 00:31:22,260 and they all understand each other and none of them understand anybody else 442 00:31:23,579 –> 00:31:26,699 And they separate to the north and the south and the east and the west 443 00:31:26,699 –> 00:31:32,359 and they’re already carrying within them the seeds of all future world conflict 444 00:31:34,939 –> 00:31:40,920 At Babel, the tongues brought confusion 445 00:31:42,319 –> 00:31:47,160 and they were a sign of God’s judgment over man’s rebellion 446 00:31:49,819 –> 00:31:54,239 But at Pentecost, it’s exactly the opposite 447 00:31:55,619 –> 00:31:59,380 At Pentecost, you got people from every nation under heaven 448 00:31:59,380 –> 00:32:04,140 you got people who speak all kinds of different languages and they’ve all come to the same place 449 00:32:05,660 –> 00:32:08,380 And when the Spirit of God came 450 00:32:09,219 –> 00:32:12,459 These first believers suddenly and spontaneously 451 00:32:13,819 –> 00:32:16,380 Experience the reverse of Babel. They found themselves 452 00:32:17,300 –> 00:32:21,160 speaking in languages that they had never learned and 453 00:32:21,979 –> 00:32:29,579 the result of that was that the people who gathered were able to hear to their absolute astonishment the good news of the 454 00:32:29,959 –> 00:32:34,400 Resurrection of Jesus Christ proclaimed on that day in their own 455 00:32:35,199 –> 00:32:36,099 language 456 00:32:36,099 –> 00:32:40,400 Now do you see the contrast? It’s very important and it’s very wonderful at 457 00:32:41,199 –> 00:32:48,420 Babel the tongues were a judgment from God that led to confusion and ended up with people being scattered at 458 00:32:49,520 –> 00:32:53,699 Pentecost the tongues were a blessing from God that led to 459 00:32:54,500 –> 00:32:57,800 understanding to the proclamation of the gospel and people being gathered 460 00:32:58,060 –> 00:33:04,239 People being united people coming together as one and though they came from different cultures and spoke different languages 461 00:33:04,380 –> 00:33:10,560 They were one on that day around the Lord Jesus Christ in whom 3,000 put their faith 462 00:33:11,300 –> 00:33:12,280 at 463 00:33:12,280 –> 00:33:14,280 Babel God 464 00:33:14,319 –> 00:33:16,599 divided languages to slow down 465 00:33:17,979 –> 00:33:20,160 the proclamation of man’s glory 466 00:33:21,500 –> 00:33:27,199 But at Pentecost God’s transcended language in order to speed up 467 00:33:27,939 –> 00:33:29,939 the proclamation of Christ’s 468 00:33:30,599 –> 00:33:31,719 glory 469 00:33:31,920 –> 00:33:38,739 and so what happened of course on the day of Pentecost was exactly the opposite of what would have happeed on the 470 00:33:39,060 –> 00:33:43,920 day of the Tower of Babel being abandoned if you had been a 471 00:33:44,439 –> 00:33:48,739 Visitor to Jerusalem on that day, and you had heard the sound of the rushing wind 472 00:33:49,380 –> 00:33:52,319 Which was heard not just by those in the world in the room 473 00:33:52,319 –> 00:33:57,800 It was a sound that was heard widely and it caused people to come to see what was going on 474 00:33:58,599 –> 00:34:04,540 And so now here are this large crowd of people who have gathered in Jerusalem 475 00:34:04,540 –> 00:34:09,040 and they find that there are a hundred and twenty believers and 476 00:34:09,699 –> 00:34:17,479 They’re all declaring the wonderful works of God and they’re declaring these works in different languages 477 00:34:18,860 –> 00:34:22,360 Now if you had been a visitor to Jerusalem on that day. What would you have done? 478 00:34:22,419 –> 00:34:25,899 you would have immediately said I wonder if anyone’s speaking in my language and 479 00:34:26,340 –> 00:34:27,719 You would have formed 480 00:34:27,719 –> 00:34:33,020 Alongside them and some others would have been there and now here’s a believer who’s declaring the work of God 481 00:34:33,020 –> 00:34:39,639 and there’s a little circle around that believer of people who speak the same language and God in a miracle that was 482 00:34:39,899 –> 00:34:45,060 poured out at Pentecost enabled the transcending of languages for the 483 00:34:45,300 –> 00:34:47,399 advance of the Gospel 484 00:34:47,399 –> 00:34:48,840 It’s amazing 485 00:34:50,379 –> 00:34:52,120 and 3,000 people 486 00:34:52,959 –> 00:34:55,560 are converted on that day 487 00:34:57,459 –> 00:35:03,820 Now what is the significance of this for us surely it is this that in the clearest possible way 488 00:35:05,080 –> 00:35:10,040 God is saying to the church that he fills with the life of his spirit on that day of 489 00:35:10,239 –> 00:35:16,520 Pentecost the Gospel is not for a narrow group of people in society it is for the whole world 490 00:35:17,540 –> 00:35:18,739 it 491 00:35:18,800 –> 00:35:22,379 Is to be taken to people of every language 492 00:35:23,360 –> 00:35:25,020 It is to be 493 00:35:25,020 –> 00:35:27,020 communicated in every tongue and 494 00:35:27,840 –> 00:35:34,600 that is the task that is given not to a few but to the whole people of God on whom the Spirit of God rest so 495 00:35:36,560 –> 00:35:42,840 Let me make these very practical applications, let me ask you this question what languages do you speak? I? 496 00:35:43,520 –> 00:35:47,919 Speak Scottish and American so that’s not very good. That’s really not very good 497 00:35:49,100 –> 00:35:53,600 But there are some of you have a natural aptitude for language. You’re good at it 498 00:35:54,639 –> 00:35:58,479 Do you realize what an amazing gift that is from God? 499 00:36:00,560 –> 00:36:02,560 Have you ever thought about that? 500 00:36:03,520 –> 00:36:08,139 When someone says to me, I see you know what do you like at school? Oh, I love languages as it really 501 00:36:10,139 –> 00:36:12,840 Why do you think God gave you that gift 502 00:36:13,719 –> 00:36:14,959 if 503 00:36:14,959 –> 00:36:17,439 you can speak another language a 504 00:36:18,219 –> 00:36:25,439 Whole world of communication to a vast people group is open to you and you have this ability 505 00:36:27,800 –> 00:36:30,479 If God has given you that gift you got to think 506 00:36:30,479 –> 00:36:35,760 How do I use it for the sake of Christ and for the glory of Christ why else would he have given it to you? 507 00:36:37,399 –> 00:36:43,820 For others of us the challenge is going to be finding your voice in the language that God has already given to you 508 00:36:43,820 –> 00:36:47,459 Some of you can speak high school 509 00:36:48,419 –> 00:36:49,260 You know what? 510 00:36:49,260 –> 00:36:56,199 I mean by that, I mean some of you can just connect with high school students. You’re just on their level. You you speak their language 511 00:36:57,199 –> 00:37:02,760 You may be of a very different age, but somehow you’ve got a connection God gave that to you 512 00:37:03,379 –> 00:37:05,379 Why did he give that to you? 513 00:37:05,459 –> 00:37:07,399 So that you can use it 514 00:37:07,399 –> 00:37:12,840 Some of you have a remarkable ability to engage the attention and the interest of children 515 00:37:13,340 –> 00:37:16,659 Some of you are fluent in the world of business 516 00:37:17,419 –> 00:37:23,719 Some of you are able to talk extensively with other mothers who are young and you do it with an ease 517 00:37:25,699 –> 00:37:27,219 Do you see 518 00:37:27,620 –> 00:37:32,739 That God has put people around you who speak your language 519 00:37:33,739 –> 00:37:38,540 You have a connection with them. You have an ability to speak to them and 520 00:37:39,020 –> 00:37:42,899 God has put you where you are 521 00:37:43,620 –> 00:37:48,620 In order that they will hear the good news of Jesus Christ through you 522 00:37:49,459 –> 00:37:54,020 If we can catch the vision that was birthed on the day of Pentecost 523 00:37:54,639 –> 00:38:00,439 We’ll be going into wherever God has placed us with new and open eyes 524 00:38:00,860 –> 00:38:04,540 and we’ll be looking at what he’s already given to us in terms of the 525 00:38:04,679 –> 00:38:08,379 Capacities and abilities that we have and we’ll be asking the question 526 00:38:08,379 –> 00:38:14,020 Why did he give this how could it best be used and that’s not a question for a few 527 00:38:14,020 –> 00:38:17,280 It’s a question for every one of God’s people 528 00:38:20,300 –> 00:38:24,199 Now here’s the very last thing in these last couple of moments here today 529 00:38:24,919 –> 00:38:27,060 We seen that God breathes life 530 00:38:27,899 –> 00:38:29,899 into us 531 00:38:29,899 –> 00:38:37,139 He commissions us for ministry and he equips us to reach others 532 00:38:38,620 –> 00:38:40,620 And I just want very briefly to end with this 533 00:38:42,199 –> 00:38:50,860 I cannot spend a week in reflection on Acts in Chapter 2 without asking in my own life from the depth of my being 534 00:38:51,479 –> 00:38:56,620 Oh God I want to know more of your spirit 535 00:38:56,620 –> 00:38:58,620 in my life 536 00:39:00,179 –> 00:39:04,540 And I would be very surprised if there was any thoughtful Christian, any person who really loves Christ 537 00:39:05,120 –> 00:39:07,500 who doesn’t have that sense as we open this part of the Scripture today 538 00:39:08,840 –> 00:39:10,840 So let me simply answer this question 539 00:39:11,360 –> 00:39:17,739 How can I know more of the Holy Spirit in my life? My breathing you may say seems awfully shallow 540 00:39:17,939 –> 00:39:22,540 I want more life from above to be in me 541 00:39:24,320 –> 00:39:26,320 Let me give you these two thoughts 542 00:39:27,360 –> 00:39:29,280 first 543 00:39:29,280 –> 00:39:31,860 you get more of the spirit as 544 00:39:32,899 –> 00:39:35,479 You give more of yourself to Jesus 545 00:39:36,280 –> 00:39:38,860 God will not fill what he does not have 546 00:39:40,800 –> 00:39:47,360 You get more of the spirit as you give more of yourself to Jesus 547 00:39:49,199 –> 00:39:52,399 Therefore Paul says to Christians present 548 00:39:53,399 –> 00:39:58,199 Yourselves your very bodies as a living sacrifice to God you saying that to Christians 549 00:39:59,199 –> 00:40:03,520 That means there’s a real dynamic in the Christian life of me coming to a place 550 00:40:03,699 –> 00:40:08,360 of me coming to a place and doing this not once in a blue moon, but often of saying Lord 551 00:40:08,360 –> 00:40:09,320 I I 552 00:40:09,320 –> 00:40:13,679 want to offer myself for fresh and all that I am and all that I have and 553 00:40:13,840 –> 00:40:16,379 Lay that at the foot of the cross of Jesus 554 00:40:17,020 –> 00:40:18,020 and 555 00:40:18,020 –> 00:40:20,020 Here’s the second thing 556 00:40:20,040 –> 00:40:23,459 You get more of the Spirit as you fix your eyes on Jesus 557 00:40:24,340 –> 00:40:30,939 You get more of the spirit as you give more of yourself to Jesus you get more of the spirit as you fix your eyes 558 00:40:31,419 –> 00:40:32,939 on 559 00:40:33,159 –> 00:40:34,800 Jesus 560 00:40:34,800 –> 00:40:38,919 Peter makes it very clear on the day of Pentecost. It’s Jesus 561 00:40:39,699 –> 00:40:42,560 Who pours out the Holy Spirit verse 33? 562 00:40:42,560 –> 00:40:50,379 He has poured out that which you are now seeing and hearing it’s Jesus who pours out the Holy Spirit 563 00:40:51,840 –> 00:40:57,100 You know that the Holy Spirit is described as a dove in the scripture 564 00:40:57,100 –> 00:41:01,360 He descended as a dove on Jesus at his baptism 565 00:41:01,879 –> 00:41:06,739 And there’s a line that I found very very helpful from ch spurgeon 566 00:41:07,179 –> 00:41:10,879 He says this or at least it’s attributed to Spurgeon. Let’s say that way 567 00:41:10,879 –> 00:41:14,300 I’ve not been able to find where he said it. But here it is. I 568 00:41:16,399 –> 00:41:22,959 Looked at Christ and the dove of peace flew into my heart. I 569 00:41:24,939 –> 00:41:28,560 Looked at the dove and the dow flew away 570 00:41:29,320 –> 00:41:31,320 Do you see that I 571 00:41:32,100 –> 00:41:34,100 looked at Christ 572 00:41:34,479 –> 00:41:40,479 And when I had my eyes on Christ, I found that the Spirit of God came and filled my heart 573 00:41:42,800 –> 00:41:47,360 When I started looking out how do I simply get more of the experience of the Holy Spirit 574 00:41:47,360 –> 00:41:50,060 I found that the experience of the Holy Spirit flew away 575 00:41:50,979 –> 00:41:52,020 You 576 00:41:52,020 –> 00:41:57,300 Get more of the Holy Spirit as you fix your eyes upon Jesus Christ 577 00:41:57,679 –> 00:42:03,879 the more Christ centered you are the more spirit filled you will be 578 00:42:04,560 –> 00:42:08,800 And that’s why Paul says in his prayer and Ephesians in chapter 3 579 00:42:08,800 –> 00:42:14,860 He praised that you will know the love of Christ that passes knowledge 580 00:42:16,020 –> 00:42:18,020 In order that you may be filled 581 00:42:18,919 –> 00:42:22,399 To the measure of all the fullness of God 582 00:42:24,060 –> 00:42:27,219 All father that is the desire of our hearts today 583 00:42:28,040 –> 00:42:34,739 For all that we know of the life of your spirit, we give you our thanks and we desire more 584 00:42:36,399 –> 00:42:40,239 Therefore we ask that we will give ourselves more fully to you 585 00:42:41,199 –> 00:42:46,739 That we will fix our eyes more clearly on Jesus and that we will be 586 00:42:47,580 –> 00:42:48,780 pursuing 587 00:42:48,780 –> 00:42:50,399 Christ-centered 588 00:42:50,399 –> 00:42:52,399 lives and 589 00:42:52,399 –> 00:42:55,179 We ask therefore that you will equip us 590 00:42:55,860 –> 00:43:01,379 For all that you are calling us to do and that you will use us in the work that you’ve already 591 00:43:01,760 –> 00:43:03,179 prepared for us 592 00:43:03,179 –> 00:43:08,000 For these things we ask in the Savior’s name and God’s people said Amen

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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