What is Pentecost? It means fiftieth, because this feast was held fifty days after the feast of the fruit, read Lev.23 vs 15-22. The Passover pictured his death as the lamb of God.( John 1 vs 29, 1 Cor 5 vs 7) John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. The feast of the first fruit pictures Jesus Christ resurrection from the dead. (1 Cor. 15 vs 20-23). Fifty days after first fruit is the feast of Pentecost, which represent the formation of the church. Start every new month with these prayer: New Month Prayer Points - Begin the New month with these Power-packed prayer points.
At Pentecost, the Jews celebrated the giving of the law, Christians celebrate it to commemorate the giving of the holy Spirit to the church. It is equally noted that Pentecost took place on Sunday, and that is why we celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, know as Pentecost Sunday.
What a great God we serve who align everything to his glory. He sent Holy Spirit to inaugurates The church and empowers the believers to continue the work of expanding the work of God among men on Earth. ( Luke 24 vs 49, Acts 1 vs 8) Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
The power of Pentecost
As we have seen from our introduction that Pentecost is when our Lord Jesus Christ sent his holy spirit to inaugurates The church and to empower the believers. We are the believers that God has empowered by given us his holy spirit who is our comforter John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The giving of the holy Spirit is THE POWER OF THE PENTECOST. From living bible translation verse 16A said He is the holy Spirit, the spirit who leads into all truth.. this truth brought joy, peace, boldness to stand firm for Christ Jesus, evangelize, light into the secret things God has in stock for us.
Evidence of power of Pentecost
- Pentecostal power brought boldness to the church.
Acts 2:5-8 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
- The power of Pentecost brought about boldness.
Before now the children of God has been living in fear, remember that the bible says they stayed in a room being afraid of the people but when the holy ghost came up no them. They began to preach with boldness. Prior to that day, they hardly come out. But after they had received the holy ghost they were empowered. And they spoke boldly. Fear was terminated, fear vanished. When we receive that Pentecostal power we will subdue kingdom and become a conqueror.
The removal of confusion of languages that was associated with the towel of babel in Genesis 11 vs 1-9. But we will study Genesis 11:1, 3, 7, 9 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth was terminated/removed and reversed. Acts 2:6-7 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? Hallelujah. The confusion of languages was removed by the power of PENTECOST. The Lord Almighty made it possible for people to hear their language. God did it to enable his disciples preach the gospel. These understanding of their own languages made them wants to listen to the disciple.
The power of Pentecost - Sermon
- The power of Pentecost makes us the head/ draws men to you
The apostles spoke with boldness not just that the holy ghost that came upon them made people to listen to them. That Pentecostal power made people to come and listen to them. To the extent that one of the listener said said is this not Peter ...... where did he get the knowledge and wisdom he is speaking with. Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
So, to us when we receive this Pentecostal power it enable and empowers , makes men listen to us for directions and solutions.
- Pentecostal power brought great harvest if souls
Acts 2 vs 41 Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Pentecostal power brought about great harvest of soul. Even up till now we can speak to people and hold spirit will convince them to repent. It was not so before now. That priest or ministers of God has harvest of soul after preaching is because of Pentecostal power. Glory to God.
- The Power boom!
Pentecostal power made church to have power, still have power and will continue to. The power received was a great power because since then church has been waxing stronger. Example Peter that was coward was courageous to declare the message. Are you a believer and you are still afraid check yourself. Peter that denied Jesus was now defending him after PENTECOST.
- The power of Pentecost humbles us /lead to death of self
Galatians 5 vs 25-26(living bible says if we living now by the holy spirit power, let us follow the holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.26, then we won't need to look for honor and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings. The holy Spirit deal with self that bring to lack of contentment. He humbly us to live a Godly life. As we allow the spirit of God to control our lives it removes self that is, jealousy, envy, hatred, re martial life style.
Just like our text said, when we walk with the holy Spirit given to us during PENTECOST, he will help us to live for Jesus exactly the way he desire of us.
7. Great miracles happened. In Act 3 vs 1-9, but will consider Acts 3:1-2, 6-7 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. With power of PENTECOST Peter and many others did great miracles. Likewise we the believers. Can still do great miracles if we align our life to the divinity and allow him to work in us.
STEPS TO RECEIVING The PENTECOSTAL POWER/ HOLY SPIRIT
1. Being born again. As you live for Christ in your daily activities, accept him in yours life and live for him alone. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2. Desire. When you desire it, say it and as you continue to desire it you will have it.
3. Prayers. Develop the time to pray and seek for the gift of the holy Spirit. As you pray, keep desiring it you will surely receive it. Note it may come when you are in fellowship or when you are alone. One man of God said he went to so many places that there is program for receiving the gift of the holy ghost,but never received it until he was alone praying. So it can come at any time. Just keep desiring, praying and you will receive it.
The power of Pentecost - Sermon
WHY MUST WE SPEAK IN TONGUES/RECEIVE THE PENTECOSTAL POWER
Speaking in tongues is another language that devil does not know. When we speak in tongues we put Satan in trouble. Once you are born again, free from sin any type of sin and you speak in tongues it brings total restoration, total liberation and it is an edge above ordinary people.
I watched a play let where a man was being chased by demon. He ran to fellowship the brethren was praying and the demon was till targeting him. Unfortunately for the demon a pastor, born again, tongues speaking that is has been empowered by Pentecostal power came, spoke in tongues and the demon flee away immediately. Imagine if that pastor did not come, it would have taken them years yet can not cast it out.
