Celebrating Pentecost: The Spirit's Empowering Presence

 

Summary

Today, we gather in joyful celebration of Pentecost—the birthday of the Church—when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers, breaking down every barrier of tribe, tongue, and nation. This day marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that the Spirit would come to dwell within us, empowering us to proclaim the good news of God’s love to the world. The Spirit’s arrival was not just a historical event, but an ongoing reality: the same Spirit that filled the disciples in Jerusalem is present with us now, refreshing our souls, cleansing us from sin, and equipping us for God’s work.

Pentecost reminds us that God’s salvation is not reserved for a select few, but is offered to all who put their hope and trust in Christ. The invitation to repent and enter the kingdom of God is extended to everyone—those who are weary, burdened, questioning, or rejoicing. The stories of Jesus’ miracles, his teachings, his death, and his resurrection are not just ancient history; they are living testimonies of God’s power and love, meant to be shared boldly with others.

No matter how we come today—whether weighed down by life’s struggles or filled with joy—we are invited to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus and to be filled anew with the Holy Spirit. Those who are weary can find rest and freedom; those who are rejoicing are called to share their stories and invite others into the celebration. The Spirit empowers us not only to experience God’s love, but to proclaim it, so that all may come to know the hope and joy found in Christ.

As we celebrate the Church’s birthday, let us reflect on God’s faithfulness, rejoice in the gift of the Spirit, and commit ourselves to sharing the good news with the world. All are welcome in the kingdom of heaven—today and every day. May we go forth, filled with the Spirit, to proclaim God’s boundless love and invite others into the joy of life with Christ.

Key Takeaways

- The Spirit’s Presence Is Ongoing and Personal
The Holy Spirit did not just descend once at Pentecost and depart; the Spirit continues to dwell within each believer, refreshing, cleansing, and empowering us daily. This presence is not abstract or distant, but intimate and transformative, inviting us to experience God’s nearness in every season of life. The Spirit’s work is to renew us, strengthen us, and remind us that we are never alone. [19:10]

- God’s Salvation Is Radically Inclusive
Pentecost shattered the notion that God’s love and salvation are reserved for a select group. The Spirit’s outpouring on people from every tribe, tongue, and nation reveals that the kingdom of God is open to all who repent and believe. This inclusivity challenges us to break down our own barriers and extend God’s welcome to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. [22:17]

- Proclaiming God’s Mighty Works Is a Calling for All
The Spirit empowers every believer to share the good news—not just through words, but through the testimony of God’s work in our lives. Whether we are in a season of joy or struggle, we are called to proclaim what God has done, so that others may be encouraged, strengthened, and drawn into the celebration of God’s love. Our stories of God’s faithfulness are meant to be shared, not hidden. [30:23]

- Repentance and Renewal Are Ongoing Invitations
The call to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is not a one-time event, but a continual invitation to turn from sin and receive new life. Confession and absolution are gifts that free us from the burdens we carry, allowing us to experience the Spirit’s renewing power. In every moment of weariness, doubt, or bondage, Jesus invites us to lay our burdens at his feet and be set free. [28:40]

- Celebration and Community Are Central to Life in the Spirit
The birthday of the Church is not just a historical marker, but a call to joyful celebration and shared life. We are invited to rejoice together, to reflect on God’s faithfulness, and to welcome others into the community of faith. The Spirit unites us, fills us with joy, and sends us out to invite the world into the ongoing celebration of God’s love. [31:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:05] - Jesus Reveals the Father
[19:10] - Promise of the Holy Spirit
[20:17] - Pentecost: The Church’s Birthday
[21:38] - The Spirit Breaks Down Barriers
[22:52] - The Cleansing Wind of the Spirit
[23:54] - Tongues of Fire and Empowerment
[24:48] - Salvation for All Who Believe
[25:39] - Proclaiming Jesus’ Mighty Works
[26:59] - The Ascension and the Spirit’s Outpouring
[28:40] - Invitation to Lay Down Burdens
[30:23] - Sharing God’s Works with Others
[31:17] - Rejoicing in the Gift of the Spirit
[32:27] - All Are Welcome in the Kingdom
[33:17] - Confession of Faith and Prayers
[39:54] - Announcements and Community Life
[42:26] - Invitation to Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Pentecost – The Spirit Poured Out

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### Bible Reading

- Acts 2:1-13 (The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost)
- John 14:8-17 (Jesus promises the Holy Spirit)
- Matthew 4:17 (“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 2, what signs showed that the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples? What did the people in Jerusalem notice?
2. According to John 14:16-17, what does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit’s relationship to believers?
3. In the sermon, what are some of the ways the Holy Spirit is described as working in our lives today? ([19:10])
4. What message did Jesus begin his ministry with in Matthew 4:17, and how was this echoed at Pentecost? ([25:04])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the Holy Spirit’s presence is ongoing and personal, not just a one-time event. What does it mean for the Spirit to “refresh, cleanse, and empower us daily”? ([19:10])
2. Pentecost is described as breaking down barriers between people of different backgrounds. Why is it important that the Spirit was poured out on “every tribe, tongue, and nation”? ([22:17])
3. The sermon mentions that stories of Jesus’ miracles and resurrection are “living testimonies” meant to be shared. Why do you think sharing personal stories of God’s work is so powerful? ([30:23])
4. The call to “repent and enter the kingdom” is described as ongoing. How does this continual invitation to repentance and renewal shape the way we live as Christians? ([28:40])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon invites everyone—whether weary or rejoicing—to lay their burdens at Jesus’ feet and be filled anew with the Spirit. What is one burden you are carrying right now that you need to bring to Jesus? ([28:40])
2. The Spirit empowers us to proclaim God’s love. Who in your life could you share your story of God’s faithfulness with this week? What might hold you back from doing so? ([30:23])
3. Pentecost shows that God’s salvation is for all people, not just a select few. Are there people or groups you find it hard to welcome or include? How can you take a step toward breaking down those barriers? ([22:17])
4. The sermon encourages us to celebrate together and reflect on God’s faithfulness. What is one way you can intentionally celebrate God’s work in your life with others this week? ([31:17])
5. Repentance and renewal are described as ongoing invitations. Is there a specific area in your life where you sense God inviting you to turn back to Him and receive new life? ([28:40])
6. The Spirit’s presence is described as intimate and transformative. When have you most clearly experienced God’s nearness? How can you make space to notice the Spirit’s work in your daily routine? ([19:10])
7. The sermon calls us to invite others into the celebration of God’s love. What is one practical way you can extend an invitation to someone who may feel left out or far from God? ([32:27])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, for courage to share their stories, and for open hearts to welcome all into God’s family.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Reveals the Father and Invites Us to Believe
To see Jesus is to see the Father, and through Him we are invited into a relationship of trust and faith. Jesus makes it clear that His words and works are not His alone, but are the very actions and voice of God the Father. When we look to Christ, we are not left wondering about the nature or heart of God; we see it displayed in Jesus’ compassion, power, and love. This invitation to believe is not just for the disciples long ago, but for each of us today—an invitation to trust that God is near, active, and present in our lives, and that in Christ we are welcomed into the fullness of God’s love. [18:05]

John 14:8-14 (ESV)
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that Jesus truly reveals the heart of the Father to you, and how might that change the way you approach God in prayer today?


Day 2: The Holy Spirit Empowers and Refreshes God’s People
The Holy Spirit comes as a mighty rushing wind, filling and refreshing the people of God, cleansing hearts and empowering believers to proclaim the good news. Just as the Spirit filled the disciples at Pentecost, so too does the Spirit come to each of us, bringing renewal, comfort, and strength. The Spirit’s presence is not a one-time event but an ongoing gift, enabling us to confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and be made new. Today, open your heart to the Spirit’s movement—let Him refresh your soul, lift your burdens, and fill you with the power to live and speak boldly for Christ. [22:52]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: Where do you most need the refreshing and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life today, and how can you invite Him to fill you anew?


Day 3: The Gospel Is for All People, Not Just a Select Few
God’s salvation is not limited to one group but is proclaimed to every tribe, tongue, and nation; all are invited to enter His kingdom. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost shattered the boundaries of exclusivity, as people from every background heard the good news in their own language. This radical inclusivity is at the heart of the gospel—no one is beyond the reach of God’s love, and all who put their hope and trust in Christ are welcomed. Let this truth shape your view of others and inspire you to share God’s love freely, knowing that His kingdom is open to all. [22:17]

Acts 2:5-11 (ESV)
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded from God’s love, and how can you reach out to them with the inclusive message of the gospel today?


Day 4: Repentance Opens the Door to New Life in God’s Kingdom
Jesus’ call to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is an invitation to turn from sin and step into the freedom and new life He offers. Repentance is not about shame or condemnation, but about release—laying down burdens, confessing what weighs us down, and receiving the forgiveness and restoration that only Christ can give. No matter what you carry—weariness, doubt, sin, or sorrow—Jesus invites you to bring it to Him, to be set free, and to find strength and hope in His presence. Today, respond to His invitation and experience the joy of new life in His kingdom. [25:04]

Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Reflection: What burden or sin do you need to lay at the feet of Jesus today, trusting Him to bring you forgiveness and new life?


Day 5: Proclaim and Celebrate God’s Mighty Works with Joy
Those filled with the Holy Spirit are called to proclaim the mighty works of God, sharing stories of His faithfulness and inviting others into joyful celebration. The church’s birthday is a reminder to rejoice in the gift of the Spirit, the resurrection of Jesus, and the boundless love of God for all people. Whether you are weary or filled with joy, you are invited to reflect on God’s goodness and to share it with others—through words, acts of kindness, and celebration. Let your life be a testimony to God’s love, and invite others to join in the celebration of His kingdom. [30:23]

Psalm 96:2-4 (ESV)
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can share a story of God’s faithfulness or blessing in your life with someone else today, inviting them to celebrate with you?

Quotes

Because on this day that we celebrate from our reading in Acts, we hear that all of those from every tribe, tongue, and language, and nation, thank you for reading those names because I'm not going to hear today the good news of the gospel and can put their hope and trust in him. So, we celebrate today and we say happy birthday. [00:20:31]
See, in our text today from Acts chapter uh two, it's found on page 99 of your pew Bibles. In our text for today, we have Israelites who are in town. And they are there thinking that God's salvation is going to be uniquely for them. Thinking about the fact that this good news of God's great love will be for the select few, those who have followed the law and done everything just right. [00:21:38]
But our passage from Acts today turns the world on its head as we hear from the power of the Holy Spirit, the proclamation of the gospel to Jews, to Greeks, to proletes, to those from all over, from every tribe, tongue, and language who come who come to celebrate and to hear the good news of God's love and to enter into his kingdom. [00:22:13]
This wind is the movement of the spirit to cleanse and refresh to refresh the space and to refresh the souls of all of those who are present to fill them aresh and a new more and more with his spirit. Today church, feel the rush of the spirit, a fresh and a new. Feel feel the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit as we will come to confess sins and hear the words of absolution. [00:22:55]
The same one that was filled that filled the people of God there in Jerusalem is the Holy Spirit that dwells in each of you empowering you to do the same. People from all over were in Jerusalem from all of those tribes and languages. And all of them hear the good news of God's love. [00:24:15]
On this birthday of the church, we are reminded that salvation comes to all those who put their hope and trust in Christ. All those who have found themselves in bondage and long to be set free. Jesus proclaims this at the beginning of his ministry in Matthew chapter 4 verse 17. [00:24:48]
They began to tell of how God healed the blind and the sick, those who were lame and couldn't walk. Those who were present heard about how Jesus cast out demons, setting people free. They heard about Jesus's power and authority over the winds and the waves. [00:25:30]
Those filled with the spirit that day proclaimed that Jesus ascended into heaven and will come again. That Jesus had told them to come right to where they were and that he would pour out his spirit upon them. There was a bold proclamation of the gospel to all people to invite them to repent and to find new life in the kingdom of God. [00:26:55]
It all begins with this invitation to repent and then to hold on to the kingdom of heaven. I don't know where you all came from this morning. Some of you are here maybe because somebody drugged you here and you're tolerating all of this stuff. The music's nice, though. This guy might not be. [00:27:43]
Maybe you come feeling like you are trapped in bondage to some kind of sin and don't know where to go or what to do. Maybe you just came and you're just tired. You're just weary with life. I want to invite you today to lay those things at the feet of Jesus. [00:28:26]
He sees you and knows you. He knows the struggles that you go through. He knows the questions that you have and the doubts. He loves you. He has chosen you. He has forgiven you. He has adopted you as his own. Today, may you feel a nearness to God that you might be set free from the bondage of sin and death and find new life. [00:28:56]
That though you may be weary, you would be strengthened and lifted up by him. Now, not all of us came this morning weary and tired. Some of us came this morning filled with joy. You had a lot of laughter and joy in your life. And you have seen God at work in some amazing ways over the past few weeks. [00:29:26]
My invitation to you is to share it, to proclaim the mighty works of God, to proclaim the things that he has done and to celebrate that others might be able to come and join you in this celebration. For that is what those who are filled with the Holy Spirit here do. [00:30:07]
And you and I have experienced the works of God in our own lives. And our invitation is to share them. Not to hold them for ourselves, but rather to proclaim them. To proclaim God's love to all. That all might come to put their hope and trust in him. [00:30:28]
May we proclaim what the Lord has done and is doing in our lives and in the world around us that we might be filled with great joy and invite others into sh into this by sharing the good news of God's great love. Today we come to celebrate a joyous occasion. [00:30:56]
Reflect on the ways in which God has been faithful to you in order that you might go forth to proclaim what God has done. That the spirit of God might fill you again more and more. and that by the power of the spirit you would share this good news with the world. [00:32:04]

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