May 27th, 2012
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Let's Desire to be Filled With the Holy Spirit(Acts 1,2)
A. The church began with the anointing of the Holy Spirit
1) Don't leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Holy Spirit, who has been promised (Acts 1:3-5; John 14:16-19)
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "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." (Acts 1:3-5)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14: 16-19)
2) The Holy Spirit came down, heard but not seen (Acts 2:1-4)
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)
B. The significance of this event
1) The fulfillment of a promise (Joel 2:27-29)
Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed. `And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. （Joel 2：27-29）
2) The birth of the church (Acts 2:41-47)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)
Summary
Jesus wanted his disciples to wait and be filled with the Holy Spirit before they began their ministry. We also need to be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are to do all that we've been created to do. Without the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit, the church is but a group of people. The church needs to beware of two extremes. On the one hand, we cannot ignore the work of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, we cannot focus only on miracles and mysteries. Our goal is to help as many people as possible connect with Jesus Christ and to have a relationship with him. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not badges of honor to show off. They are vital resources for God's workers.
For Discussion
1) Why should we be filled with the Holy Spirit?
2) What was the early church like?
A. The church began with the anointing of the Holy Spirit
1) Don't leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Holy Spirit, who has been promised (Acts 1:3-5; John 14:16-19)
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "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." (Acts 1:3-5)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14: 16-19)
2) The Holy Spirit came down, heard but not seen (Acts 2:1-4)
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)
B. The significance of this event
1) The fulfillment of a promise (Joel 2:27-29)
Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed. `And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. （Joel 2：27-29）
2) The birth of the church (Acts 2:41-47)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)
Summary
Jesus wanted his disciples to wait and be filled with the Holy Spirit before they began their ministry. We also need to be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are to do all that we've been created to do. Without the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit, the church is but a group of people. The church needs to beware of two extremes. On the one hand, we cannot ignore the work of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, we cannot focus only on miracles and mysteries. Our goal is to help as many people as possible connect with Jesus Christ and to have a relationship with him. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not badges of honor to show off. They are vital resources for God's workers.
For Discussion
1) Why should we be filled with the Holy Spirit?
2) What was the early church like?