1. THE DAY OF PENTECOST Acts 2:1-21[47]

2. What is it? Let’s start with the obvious, that word, “Pentecost.” What does this mean? Literally, it means, “fifty days.” It was on the fiftieth day after Passover that Jews from around Palestine--indeed, from around the world--thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem for one of the great pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish religious year. In Hebrew, it’s called, “Shavuot,” or “Weeks.” The Feast of Weeks came seven weeks after the Passover. So that’s why all these Jews from around the world were gathered in Jerusalem at that time. They were there for the Feast of Weeks--“Shavuot,” in the Hebrew, or in the Greek, “Pentecost,” the “fiftieth day.”

3. What does that have to do with Me? It was a moving of the Holy Spirit When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen: barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, disease is cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and church happens.

4. Today the Spirit of God is present and we’re gonna‚ have church So be ready, get ready...God is up to something... discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks ’fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up!

5. Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. First, the day began with being together [United] in prayer. Prayer is the beginning point of every effective church. It is the place where we must commence every work for God. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

6. Acts 2:2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Second, Holy Spirit descended on the believers and filled their lives. His indwelling presence is absolutely necessary in any church that hopes to see God at work in the church Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

7. Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Third, the person and work of Christ was clearly proclaimed. (Through the voice of Peter). Attention was given to the work of the cross and to our Lord’s present exalted position in heaven. Listeners were left with no doubt about the church’s position on the person of Christ. He was proclaimed as Lord of heaven and earth. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

8. Acts 2:21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Fourth, great attention was given to the relationship that each listener had with Jesus Christ. The directness with which each listener was made aware that it was his/her sins that resulted in the death of Jesus Christ brought great conviction. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

9. Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Fifth, what might well be termed life’s most important question followed the proclamation of the gospel. "What shall we do" is the point to which the church must seek to bring every person that is within the sphere of its influence. Any thing short of this strongly suggests compromise and a dilution of the gospel. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

10. Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Sixth, the church’s response to this question was unequivocal, leaving no doubt about its answer to the human dilemma. Repent and be baptized were the two things that were demanded. Nothing was added to these requisites. Never should the church attempt to do so. Repentance and water baptism are the prescribed means whereby a person embraces the risen Lord and appropriates the work of his cross. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

11. Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Seventh, the proclamation of the results followed. Remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit were the new reality. Consciousness of this possibility created "gladness" (vs. 41). A joyful, praising and inspired people were the end result. Let’s look at seven events that took place on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born

12. A sundial was given to a group of people who lived in a jungle. To them it was a fetish. They built a house over it to keep it safe and holy. This kept the sun away from it and made it useless. They beautified it but made it without purpose. It reminds us of a powerless Christianity. The Holy Spirit, if He is treated at all, is treated as an emotional high or a theological concept, rather than the supernatural person He really is.

13. J.B. Phillips: “Churches today are fat and out of breath through prosperity, they are muscle bound through over-organization…what we need today is the wind and the flame of Pentecost.” Charles Finney: “when the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in…if the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out!” Rev Peter Misso: “Most Christians/churches, are bogged down somewhere in-between Calvary and Pentecost…they’ve been to Calvary for Pardon, but not to Pentecost for Power.” Rev Peter Misso: “Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit was WITH God’s people, after Pentecost the Holy Spirit is IN God’s people!”