Pentecost
The Holy Spirit
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1: 4-9
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2: 1-4
“‘In the last days, God says, 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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Joel 2: 28 & Acts 2 17-18
Acts 1: 4-9
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2: 1-4
“‘In the last days, God says, 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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Joel 2: 28 & Acts 2 17-18
There came a moment in history when God fulfilled one of His many promises. The promise had been that His presence would one day move from a temple, accessible by a small number of priestly, anointed individuals, to being poured out upon men and women from all nations and backgrounds. That which filled a holy sanctuary, hidden away from most, would fill and reside in the hearts of everyone who called upon Him.
It’s hard to believe that when such an event takes place, an individual just carries on as normal. A transformation begins to take place. When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, we’re enabled to speak to God differently; and we’re empowered to speak about Him and display His Kingdom differently as well. The Holy Spirit gives us GIFTS that allow that to happen. These gifts are referred to on many occasions throughout the New Testament, but are listed specifically in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 in particular.
And He enables FRUIT to develop in our character. Characteristics that serve to display the nature of Jesus to the world around us. Galatians 5 provides a list of such traits that display a life of someone filled with the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
But before knowing the lists of gifts and demonstrations of the Spirit’s power, it’s often useful to begin with this question: Do you expect Him to reveal the things of His Kingdom to YOU today?
Asking ourselves a question like that helps to assess the posture of our hearts towards the Holy Spirit Himself. He’s not a concept or an ethereal force. He is the 3rd person of the Trinity – who can be known and enjoyed.
Yes, He enables the power of God’s Kingdom; but as a result of considering His very presence and nature first.
Like a young servant Samuel from the Old Testament or the ex-fisherman Peter in the New Testament, cultivating that sense of expectation that the Lord will indeed speak to us and through us in our day-to-day life is so key to growing in maturity as followers of Jesus.
Before we embark on doing or saying something on behalf of God, it’s so important that we spend some time in stillness with Him today. Put your screen down, clear out the schedule a little, turn the notifications off. When we’re distracted by the many voices in life, it’s much harder to develop a listening ear that hears the Spirit speaking to us.
It’s hard to believe that when such an event takes place, an individual just carries on as normal. A transformation begins to take place. When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, we’re enabled to speak to God differently; and we’re empowered to speak about Him and display His Kingdom differently as well. The Holy Spirit gives us GIFTS that allow that to happen. These gifts are referred to on many occasions throughout the New Testament, but are listed specifically in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 in particular.
And He enables FRUIT to develop in our character. Characteristics that serve to display the nature of Jesus to the world around us. Galatians 5 provides a list of such traits that display a life of someone filled with the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
But before knowing the lists of gifts and demonstrations of the Spirit’s power, it’s often useful to begin with this question: Do you expect Him to reveal the things of His Kingdom to YOU today?
Asking ourselves a question like that helps to assess the posture of our hearts towards the Holy Spirit Himself. He’s not a concept or an ethereal force. He is the 3rd person of the Trinity – who can be known and enjoyed.
Yes, He enables the power of God’s Kingdom; but as a result of considering His very presence and nature first.
Like a young servant Samuel from the Old Testament or the ex-fisherman Peter in the New Testament, cultivating that sense of expectation that the Lord will indeed speak to us and through us in our day-to-day life is so key to growing in maturity as followers of Jesus.
Before we embark on doing or saying something on behalf of God, it’s so important that we spend some time in stillness with Him today. Put your screen down, clear out the schedule a little, turn the notifications off. When we’re distracted by the many voices in life, it’s much harder to develop a listening ear that hears the Spirit speaking to us.
Apply
- What has been your experience of the Holy Spirit’s presence (either recently or further back)?
- What patterns of behaviour or belief are in your life that might hinder you from experiencing more of Him today?
Prayer
Holy Spirit,
I welcome you into my life. I ask you to come and fill me today. I don’t want to do this life in my own strength – I need your help, your guidance, your comfort, your power. Come and access ALL of who I am. Remind me of the Father’s goodness and grace. Show me how to live like His Son and love people in the same way.
Amen.
I welcome you into my life. I ask you to come and fill me today. I don’t want to do this life in my own strength – I need your help, your guidance, your comfort, your power. Come and access ALL of who I am. Remind me of the Father’s goodness and grace. Show me how to live like His Son and love people in the same way.
Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Adam Bream, the Venue Leader of our Southfields Venue.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on 'Pentecost' why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on 'Pentecost' why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.