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PENTECOST      

CHRIS KHOURY - SERMON SUMMARY - 9 JUNE 2019

WHAT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST?

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word “pentecostos” which means “50”. Pentecost comes 50 days after the Passover.

Read the story from Acts 2 - Does the events that happened then, make a difference to us today? I want you to evaluate yourself against what the disciples did and what happened to them.

 

Acts 2:2-13 The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

 

On this Day of Pentecost, God uses the gift of language to grab the attention of all those present.

 

WHAT DIFFERENCE DID THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKE TO THEM?

Acts 2:14-17

 

This was the same Peter that denied Christ 3 times. At that time he was too afraid to stand up for Christ in front of the High Priests maid. Now we see him and John, boldly standing before the High Council and before the High Priest himself and he tells them in no uncertain terms that they were responsible for the death and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Acts2:22-24, 32, 33, 37, 38

The people were so moved by his words and by the power of the Spirit they were deeply troubled and asked, ”what should we do?”. Peter replied, “Receive the gift.” Be baptised! That day we are told, 3000 people repented and were baptised. This was the birth of the New Testament church. God did it in a dramatic way.

 

TWO PRINCIPLES THAT THE DISCIPLES FOLLOWED THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE EVENT.

 

1. THEY OBEYED JESUS. (Acts 1:4 -5)

Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem before bearing witness to the resurrection. They obeyed. They remained in Jerusalem. They had no idea how long the wait was going to be. What did they do while they were waiting? Acts 1:14

They all joined together constantly in prayer...

 

2. THEY NEEDED THE POWER FROM GOD TO ENABLE THEM TO FULFIL THE GREAT COMMISSION. (Matt 28:19-20)

This great commission Jesus gave to his disciples must have seemed like a very daunting task. But Jesus gave them very clear instructions and promised to give them the power to accomplish the job. We are no different! Acts 1:8

 

Greg Williams has given the churches a mandate for the next 5 years. The focus is on us becoming a “HEALTHY CHURCH”. Their are 3 areas of our Christian lives that we need to concentrate on.

I asked YOU to evaluate your Christianity against these criteria.

 

1: PRAYER

How do you stack up against what the disciples did. They devoted themselves to prayer. They prayed constantly while they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. I believe that we need a lot more prayer in our fellowship. Prayer is the foundation of all ministry. If we go out and try and minister without first praying about it and asking God for guidance and direction. It is then trying to minister in our own power. We will just end up giving up or burnt out.

 

2: EVALUATE OUR ATTENDANCE

After the establishment of the Church in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost we read in Acts 2:44-47

This is a picture of a healthy church. How do we stack up? Frankly, not very well.

Over the years we have seen our congregation get smaller and smaller. 5 Years ago we had an average attendance each week of about 65. Now it is about 40. How many will we be in 5 years time - 20?

 

3: EVALUATE OUR GIVING - Acts 2:44

Over the years we have seen our income drop to the point where we can barely pay our monthly expenses. And some months we do not. In Malachi God addresses the people and he says to them, You have robbed me! How have we robbed you Lord. In tithes and offerings. God says, fill my storehouse and you will be blessed so that their will not be room enough to receive it.

Where your treasure is there will be your heart.

 

GCI STATEMENT OF BELIEFS - The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the triune God, eternally proceeding from the Father through the Son. He is the Comforter promised by Jesus Christ, who unites us with the Father and the Son, and transforms us into the image of Christ. The Spirit works out in us the regeneration Christ accomplished for us, and by continual renewal empowers us to share in the Son’s glorious and eternal communion with the Father as his children. The Holy Spirit is the Source of inspiration and prophecy throughout the Scriptures, and the Source of unity and communion in the church. He provides spiritual gifts for the work of the gospel, and is the Christian’s constant Guide into all truth.

 

(Matthew 28:19; John 14:16; 15:26; Acts 2:38; John 14:17, 26; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:16; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 16:13)

 

Pentecost reminds us:

1. That when God makes a promise, he fulfils it.
2. By sending the Spirit God communicates his love for us.
3. By receiving the Spirit we become the children of God - adopted as his own. God becomes our Father, we call him Abba!
4. The Holy Spirit comforts us, strengthens us and reminds us of who God is.
5. He guides us into all truth as we obey him, opening our minds to understand and to respond to the written WORD of God.
6. The Holy Spirit fills us with power and boldness to witness to the resurrection of Christ.

 

CONCLUSION:

With Greg Williams taking over as GCI President the mandate is on us becoming a healthy church. We have 5 years to turn it around. Pentecost was the start of a brand new healthy, vibrant church. Let us devote ourselves to renewal in prayer, in attendance and participation and in giving. Next year Pentecost we can have another evaluation and see how we are doing.

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