Word & Spirit Weekend

Scripture References: Acts 2:1-4; John 1:29-34; Revelation 3:20; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-6; Luke 24:49

Intro: Welcome. Today, on Pentecost Sunday (or reflecting on Pentecost), we celebrate the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the church. God is a pursuing God, seeking relationship. Jesus's ministry involves both taking away sin (as the Lamb) and baptizing us with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33-34). Do we embrace this full ministry? My prayer today is that all of us would encounter the Holy Spirit afresh.

Key Points:

1. God Pursues for Relationship: God isn't distant; He pursues us relentlessly. Jesus knocks at our door (Rev 3:20). Receiving the Holy Spirit is surrendering to His loving pursuit, desiring connection with Him.
2. The Pentecost Outpouring (Acts 2:1-4): The promised Holy Spirit came suddenly, externally ("sound like a mighty rushing wind," "tongues of fire"), and universally ("rested on each," "all were filled"). This wasn't a quiet internal shift but a powerful, noticeable event empowering the church.
3. Power for God's "More": God has more for us than we often realize ("Made for More"). He calls us to a mission bigger than ourselves (Matt 28:19-20). The Holy Spirit provides the supernatural power needed to fulfill this "more," equipping us for witness and service (Acts 1:8). If we aren't living for God's big purposes, the need for His power might not seem urgent.
4. Pentecost Fulfilled: Just as Jesus fulfilled the Passover feast (His death as the Lamb), the Spirit's coming in Acts 2 fulfilled the Feast of Pentecost. This highlights it as a crucial event in God's redemptive plan. It reversed Babel's division, uniting diverse people by the Spirit.
5. The Promise is For YOU (Acts 2:38-39): Peter declared the promise of receiving the Holy Spirit is not just for the initial disciples but for their children and "for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." If God has called you, this empowering experience is available to you.
6. Receiving the Spirit (Acts 19:1-6): While the Spirit indwells every believer at salvation, Scripture distinguishes an experience of receiving the Spirit for empowerment. Paul asked believers, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when [or after] you believed?" It involves actively welcoming and yielding to the Spirit who already lives within, moving from His presence merely being in the house to Him being welcomed throughout the house.

Conclusion: Jesus desires not only to forgive our sins but also to baptize us, immerse us, fill us with His Holy Spirit for power, intimacy, and mission. This Pentecost experience is a promised gift for all believers, received by faith. It comes suddenly, from God, empowering us beyond our natural abilities.

Call to Action:

• Ask yourself: Have I only embraced Jesus as Lamb, or also as Baptizer in the Holy Spirit?
• Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Are you actively receiving from Him daily?
• Open the door: Respond to His knocking. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you completely.
• Ask in Faith: Specifically ask the Father for the baptism/filling of the Holy Spirit, trusting His promise to give good gifts.
• Expect Him: He loves to show up more than we love to ask. Be ready to receive His power and presence.

radiantvisalia.com
confluencechurches.org
with Bryan Mowrey