LOOKING THROUGH SYMBOLS TO FIND SUBSTANCE John 14:15-18 & Acts 2:1-4

Jesus had promised “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – Jn 14:15-18

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 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

Signs & symbols have purpose But the sign only points to the real thing. Symbols only signify something.

At the other end of the spectrum are "Results & Evidences" They are real and important, but they are products of something. Somewhere there is essence -- what is it?

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was accompanied by Signs. Evidences. But let's not miss the Essence of the event!

ENJOY THE SIGNS They were God given

Signs & Symbols of something, but not that “something.” Wind is used as a sign of God's Spirit. Fire was considered by Jews to be a symbol of the divine presence. Prophetic utterances were associated with the Spirit's coming.

STUDY THE EVIDENCE It is tangible and noteworthy

Powerful proclamation of the Name of Jesus. –Peter at Pentecost -- 3,000 were added to the church. –4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them... –4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Miraculous powers of healing. –3:1-10 The man crippled from birth at the temple gate. –5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people... –5:15-16 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Purity of Heart. –God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. -- Acts 15:8-9

EXPERIENCE THE ESSENCE God wants to do something wonderful!

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit... – Acts 2:4 God came! He came personally, individually, and fully.

When the Holy God comes to abide in you: Sinning is done –Enabled to live above sin Fear is history –If God loves us, who do we need to be afraid of? We don’t crave cheep stimulants, destructive thrills, selfish power trips, etc. There ought to be some distinctives by which we can know He has come What signs or evidences might we look for by which to be sure?

Living life as a ‘natural man’…. We so easily settle for the lesser thrills. We crave the results and evidences But God has the "real thing" for us.