Empowered by the Spirit: The Promise of Pentecost

 

Summary

After Jesus ascended into heaven, a pivotal event in redemptive history occurred: the Day of Pentecost. This event is deeply connected to Jesus' promise to His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless but would send His Spirit to be with them. The Day of Pentecost marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered believers, fulfilling the prophecy of Joel that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. This event signified a shift from the Old Testament practice where only select individuals, like prophets, priests, and kings, received the Holy Spirit for specific tasks. In contrast, the New Testament church is characterized by the universal empowerment of all believers by the Holy Spirit for ministry.

To understand the significance of Pentecost, we must look back to the Old Testament, particularly the book of Numbers, where Moses, burdened by the complaints of the Israelites, was instructed by God to gather seventy elders. God took the Spirit that was upon Moses and placed it upon these elders, enabling them to share the burden of leadership. This event foreshadowed the broader outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, where the Spirit was not limited to a few but was given to the entire community of believers.

Moses' wish that all of God's people would be prophets and have the Spirit upon them became a reality in the New Testament. The Day of Pentecost marked the fulfillment of this desire, as the Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers, empowering them for ministry. This empowerment is not uniform; as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians, each believer receives different gifts from the Spirit, contributing to the diverse and dynamic body of Christ. The New Testament church is thus a charismatic community, equipped by the Spirit to carry out the mission of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Promise of the Spirit: Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them, ensuring His presence with them always. This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, marking a new era in which the Spirit empowers all believers for ministry. [00:45]

2. Old Testament Foreshadowing: The event in Numbers where God shared Moses' Spirit with seventy elders foreshadowed the Pentecost. It highlights God's intention to empower His people collectively, not just select individuals, for the work of His kingdom. [11:00]

3. Universal Empowerment: Unlike the Old Testament, where the Spirit was given to specific individuals, the New Testament church experiences a universal outpouring of the Spirit. Every believer is gifted and empowered for ministry, fulfilling Moses' desire for all God's people to be prophets. [21:25]

4. Diverse Gifts for a Unified Mission: The Holy Spirit bestows a variety of gifts upon believers, as explained by Paul. This diversity enriches the church, enabling it to fulfill its mission with creativity and unity, as each member contributes uniquely to the body of Christ. [23:00]

5. A Charismatic Church: The New Testament church is a charismatic community, not in the sense of a specific denomination, but as a body empowered by the Spirit. This empowerment is essential for fulfilling the mission Christ entrusted to His followers before His ascension. [23:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - The Promise of the Spirit
- [01:28] - The Day of Pentecost
- [02:09] - Speaking in Tongues
- [03:23] - The Question of Meaning
- [04:07] - Peter's Explanation
- [04:53] - Joel's Prophecy
- [05:31] - Complaints in the Wilderness
- [06:10] - The Israelites' Cravings
- [07:35] - Nostalgia for Egypt
- [08:58] - Moses' Burden
- [11:00] - The Spirit Shared with Elders
- [16:05] - The Outpouring of the Spirit
- [21:25] - Moses' Wish Fulfilled
- [23:00] - Diverse Gifts for Ministry

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Day of Pentecost

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:1-4
2. Numbers 11:16-17
3. Joel 2:28-29

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#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event took place on the Day of Pentecost, and how did it fulfill Jesus' promise to His disciples? [00:45]
2. How did the event in Numbers 11, where God shared Moses' Spirit with seventy elders, foreshadow the Day of Pentecost? [11:00]
3. What was the reaction of the people when they witnessed the apostles speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentecost? [02:47]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament experiences of the Holy Spirit? [22:13]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost signify a shift in the way God empowers His people compared to the Old Testament? [21:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the diverse gifts given by the Holy Spirit contribute to the unity and mission of the church? [23:00]
3. How does Moses' wish for all of God's people to be prophets relate to the New Testament understanding of the church as a charismatic community? [21:25]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer today, based on the events of Pentecost? [23:39]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. How did that experience impact your ministry or personal life? [23:39]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of diverse gifts within the church. What unique gift do you believe the Holy Spirit has given you, and how can you use it to serve your community? [23:00]
3. Moses expressed a desire for all of God's people to be prophets. How can you cultivate a prophetic voice in your own life, speaking truth and encouragement to those around you? [21:25]
4. Consider the Old Testament foreshadowing of the Spirit being shared among the seventy elders. How can you share the burdens of leadership or ministry in your church community? [11:00]
5. The sermon describes the New Testament church as a charismatic community. How can you contribute to making your church a place where the Holy Spirit's presence is evident and active? [23:39]
6. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions and interactions with others? [22:13]
7. The Day of Pentecost was a pivotal moment in redemptive history. How can you ensure that your life reflects the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world today? [00:45]

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of the Spirit's Presence
Jesus assured His disciples that He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit to be with them always. This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, marking a new era where the Spirit empowers all believers for ministry. The Holy Spirit's presence is a constant reminder of Jesus' promise and His ongoing work in the world through His followers. The Spirit's empowerment is not just for personal edification but for the collective mission of the church, enabling believers to carry out the work of Christ with boldness and unity. [00:45]

John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Reflection: In what ways do you sense the Holy Spirit's presence in your life today, and how can you rely on Him more fully in your daily activities?


Day 2: Old Testament Foreshadowing of Collective Empowerment
In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders, sharing the Spirit that was upon Moses with them to help bear the burden of leadership. This event foreshadowed the Day of Pentecost, where the Spirit was poured out on all believers, not just a select few. This shift highlights God's intention to empower His people collectively for the work of His kingdom. The Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost signifies a new way of engaging with God's mission, where every believer is equipped to contribute to the community's spiritual life and mission. [11:00]

Numbers 11:24-25 (ESV): "So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community, using the gifts God has given you to support and uplift others?


Day 3: Universal Empowerment for Ministry
The New Testament church experiences a universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, unlike the Old Testament, where the Spirit was given to specific individuals. This universal empowerment fulfills Moses' desire for all God's people to be prophets, as the Spirit is now available to every believer. Each believer is gifted and empowered for ministry, contributing to the diverse and dynamic body of Christ. This empowerment is not uniform, as each person receives different gifts, but it is universal, ensuring that all can participate in the mission of the church. [21:25]

Acts 2:17-18 (ESV): "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.'"

Reflection: What unique gifts has the Holy Spirit given you, and how can you use them to serve others in your community?


Day 4: Diverse Gifts for a Unified Mission
The Holy Spirit bestows a variety of gifts upon believers, enriching the church and enabling it to fulfill its mission with creativity and unity. As Paul explains, each believer receives different gifts from the Spirit, contributing uniquely to the body of Christ. This diversity is essential for the church's mission, as it allows for a wide range of ministries and expressions of faith. The church is called to embrace this diversity, recognizing that each member's contribution is vital to the overall health and effectiveness of the community. [23:00]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: How can you celebrate and encourage the diverse gifts of others in your church, fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration?


Day 5: A Charismatic Church Empowered by the Spirit
The New Testament church is a charismatic community, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission Christ entrusted to His followers. This empowerment is not about a specific denomination but about being a body equipped by the Spirit for ministry. The church's mission is to carry out the work of Christ in the world, and the Spirit's empowerment is essential for this task. As a charismatic community, the church is called to be a living expression of God's love and power, demonstrating the reality of the kingdom of God in tangible ways. [23:39]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to your church's mission, using the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to make a difference in your community?

Quotes


Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven and left this world in terms of His physical presence, a very important redemptive historical event took place that was inseparably related to that ascension, and that was the Day of Pentecost. One of the historic creeds of Protestantism says this: "Touching His human nature, Jesus is no longer present with us; but touching His divine nature, He is never absent from us." [00:00:12]

And when He told His disciples that He was going to leave, and they were sorrowful at that news, we remember that one of the things that changed their appreciation for the significance of His departure was the promise that He would not leave them comfortless, but that He would send His Spirit to be with them, so that He could say, on the one hand, He was leaving them, and yet at the same time, say, "Nevertheless, I am with you always, even until the end of the age." [00:00:66]

Now we know something about what happened on the Day of Pentecost, but I am not sure we have a full understanding of its significance in terms of the whole scope of redemptive history. So let's look for a moment at the record of that event that we find in the second chapter of the book of Acts: "Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. [00:01:33]

And then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. [00:02:29]

And then they were amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all of these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language?" And then it mentions the various parts of the land from which these visitors had gathered. And the people were perplexed about what is going on here, and in verse twelve we read, "They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'Whatever could this mean?'" [00:02:57]

Now that's important for us here because they're asking the question, "What does this mean?" They heard this mighty rushing wind, they saw visually the sight of these tongues of fire coming down and hovering above the individuals who were gathered, and then this strange phenomenon called glossolalia, or speaking in tongues, occurred, where people heard everyone speaking in their own language. [00:03:16]

And so the question that comes out of this perplexity that Luke himself addresses is, "What does this mean?" "Now others mocking said, 'They are full of new wine -- that's what it means.'" They just assumed that this was a manifestation of some kind of drunken behavior. "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, 'Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. [00:03:33]

For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last day, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh."'" Then Peter launches into a magnificent sermon, giving an exposition of that text from Joel, and applying it to what the people who were gathered there on that occasion were experiencing. [00:04:22]

Now I think for us to get a deeper understanding of what is going on here, we have to go back even earlier in the Old Testament to that prophesy of Joel's to which Peter alludes, and go back to the Pentateuch, to the book of Numbers, to the eleventh chapter of Numbers, which I think is a fascinating chapter in the Old Testament, even though it contains what I regard to be a certain level of humor contained with it. [00:04:53]

Now when Moses, who is uniquely gifted by the Holy Ghost as the mediator here in the wilderness, complains to God that the burden of ministering to this vast multitude of people is too much, God says to Moses, "All right, call together seventy men that you know to be elders over the people, and what I will do is that I will take from the Spirit that is upon you, and I will diffuse it or disperse it to include this group of seventy elders, so that they may bear the burden of ministry with you." [00:14:54]

So we see an expansion here of the charismata, an expansion of the charismatic gift of the Holy Ghost from one man to seventy, so that now the community or the Old Testament church has seventy -- in this case, seventy-one -- people who have been empowered by the Holy Ghost for ministry. Now keep that in mind, because we remember before the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples were looking up at the ascending Jesus, they had been told by God that they would receive power -- after that, what? [00:15:46]

The Holy Ghost came upon them. And so what is happening on the Day of Pentecost is the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the whole gathered believing community. It's very similar to the record of what happens here in Numbers eleven. Let's continue with that record. God said that He would take of the Spirit that was upon Moses and put it upon them, and then He said, "Then you shall say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; and for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? [00:16:27]

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Transcript
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