Experiencing the Ongoing Power of Pentecost

Devotional

Day 1: Christ, Our Passover Lamb—The Fulfillment of Deliverance

Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from death in Egypt, so the blood of Christ covers and forgives our sins, offering us true deliverance. Every time we remember Christ’s sacrifice—whether in communion, in song, or in prayer—we are spiritually keeping the Passover, celebrating the ultimate rescue God has provided through Jesus. This fulfillment means we no longer need to observe the Old Testament ritual, but instead, we continually honor Christ’s sacrifice in our hearts, living in gratitude for the freedom and forgiveness He has given us. [16:31]

1 Corinthians 5:7
“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (ESV)

Reflection: When you take communion or remember Christ’s sacrifice, do you truly pause to thank Him for the deliverance He’s given you? How can you intentionally express gratitude for His forgiveness today?

Day 2: Removing the Leaven—Pursuing Holiness in Daily Life

Paul’s call to “get rid of the old yeast” is a challenge to actively remove sin and contaminating influences from our lives, just as the Israelites purged leaven from their homes during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is not about ritual, but about sincerely examining our hearts, confessing malice, wickedness, or any hidden sin, and seeking to live in sincerity and truth. God calls us to take sin seriously, to reflect His holiness, and to let our lives be marked by genuine transformation, not just outward observance. [13:48]

1 Corinthians 5:8
“Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense “leaven”—a sinful habit or attitude—that God is prompting you to remove? What step can you take today to address it honestly before Him?

Day 3: Christ the Firstfruits—Hope in the Resurrection

Jesus’ resurrection on the day of Firstfruits is the guarantee that more resurrections will follow; He is the “firstfruits” of those who have died, and His victory over death means that all who belong to Him will also share in resurrection life. Just as the first sheaf of grain was offered to God before the rest of the harvest could be gathered, so Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for us to receive new life. Every time we celebrate or reflect on the resurrection, we are participating in the fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits, living in hope that death is not the end. [18:32]

1 Corinthians 15:20
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ’s resurrection give you hope for your own future? In what way can you live today with the confidence that resurrection life is yours in Him?

Day 4: Pentecost—Empowered for Harvest, Not Just Experience

Pentecost is not just a single day or a spiritual high; it marks an ongoing era in which God pours out His Spirit to empower His people for the harvest of souls. The Holy Spirit was not given merely for personal blessing or elevated experiences, but to equip believers with boldness and power to witness and bring others to Christ. Even with our weaknesses and imperfections, God accepts us and uses us in His ongoing work, calling us to participate in the spiritual harvest until Christ returns. [25:06]

Acts 2:1-4
“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.” (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you limited the work of the Holy Spirit to personal experiences? How can you open yourself today to be empowered for God’s mission to reach others?

Day 5: Be Open to God’s Power Beyond Understanding

God often works in ways that defy our expectations and understanding, as seen in the miracles throughout Scripture and the supernatural events of Pentecost. Rather than shutting the door on what we cannot fully explain, we are called to respond in faith, remaining open to God’s power and presence in our lives. Breakthroughs and deeper experiences with God often come when we say, “Lord, I don’t fully understand, but I am open to more of You.” This posture of openness allows God to surprise us, transform us, and use us in ways we never imagined. [38:26]

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Reflection: Where have you resisted God’s leading because it didn’t make sense to you? What would it look like to pray, “Lord, I am open to Your power, even beyond what I understand,” and take a step of faith today?

Sermon Summary

The Bible is a book overflowing with miracles, from the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Jesus. But what if the miraculous wasn’t just something to read about, but something to experience? Today, we explored the meaning and significance of Pentecost, not just as a historical event, but as an ongoing reality for the church and for each of us.

To understand Pentecost, we traced its roots back to the Old Testament feasts described in Leviticus 23. These feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost—were more than rituals; they were prophetic forms, or molds, waiting to be filled with the reality of Christ. Passover pointed to Jesus as our sacrificial lamb, whose blood covers and delivers us. Unleavened Bread called God’s people to remove sin from their lives, a call echoed in the New Testament as we pursue holiness. First Fruits was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead, becoming the first of many who will be resurrected. Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, marked the end of the harvest and, in the New Testament, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

These feasts are not just ancient history. In Christ, their true meaning is revealed and lived out in us. Pentecost is not merely a day on the calendar, but an era—the age of the Spirit—where God empowers His people to gather a spiritual harvest. The Holy Spirit was not given simply for personal spiritual highs, but to equip us to be witnesses, to boldly proclaim and live out the gospel.

God’s ways often defy our understanding. The supernatural events of Pentecost—wind, fire, speaking in tongues—remind us that God moves beyond our expectations and comfort zones. We are challenged to remain open to His power, even when it stretches our beliefs. The miracle of Pentecost is not just in the signs, but in the transformation and boldness it brings to ordinary people.

Ultimately, the call is to respond in faith, to say, “Lord, I need more of You.” The breakthrough we seek is often on the other side of our willingness to trust God beyond what we can explain. Pentecost continues; God still fills, empowers, and sends His people. Our part is to remain open, to seek more of His Spirit, and to step forward in faith.

Key Takeaways

1. The Old Testament feasts were prophetic forms, fulfilled in Christ and now lived out spiritually by believers. Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost each point to a deeper reality in Jesus, showing that God’s plan has always been to reveal Christ through these ancient patterns. Understanding this enriches our faith and roots us in the continuity of God’s redemptive story. [10:41]
2. Pentecost is not just a historical event or a single day, but an ongoing era in which the Holy Spirit empowers the church for mission. We are living in the “season of Pentecost,” called to gather a harvest of souls and present them to God. This means that the work of the Spirit is not finished; we are invited to participate in God’s ongoing mission. [22:08]
3. The Holy Spirit’s power is not given merely for personal spiritual experiences, but to transform us into bold witnesses. The miracle of Pentecost was not just in the supernatural signs, but in the courage and transformation of the disciples, who moved from fear to bold proclamation. True spiritual empowerment always leads outward, equipping us to share Christ with the world. [36:11]
4. God often works in ways that surpass our understanding, and faith means being open to His power even when it challenges our expectations. The supernatural is not something to fear or dismiss, but to humbly receive, trusting that God’s ways are higher than ours. Our openness to God’s Spirit can lead to breakthroughs and experiences of His presence that we could never manufacture on our own. [26:13]
5. The call is not to figure everything out, but to respond in faith and openness. Our breakthrough often lies on the other side of surrender—when we say, “Lord, I don’t fully understand, but I need more of You.” God is still moving, still filling, still calling; our part is to remain receptive and willing to step forward, trusting Him to do what only He can do. [38:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - What is Pentecost and Why Does it Matter?
[02:28] - Acts 2: The Day of Pentecost
[04:14] - The Seven Jewish Feasts in Leviticus 23
[10:41] - Feasts as Prophetic Forms and Their Fulfillment
[12:33] - New Testament Application of the Feasts
[13:48] - Passover and Unleavened Bread Fulfilled in Christ
[16:31] - First Fruits and the Resurrection
[18:32] - Pentecost: The End of the Harvest
[20:39] - Pentecost as a Picture of the Church Age
[22:08] - Pentecost: An Ongoing Era
[25:06] - The Purpose of the Holy Spirit’s Power
[26:13] - Openness to God’s Power Beyond Understanding
[29:46] - The Miracle of Speaking in Tongues
[31:08] - What Does This Mean? Wrestling with the Supernatural
[32:25] - Responding to God Beyond Our Comfort Zone
[36:11] - Empowered to Be Witnesses
[38:26] - The Call to Openness and Faith
[39:30] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Acts 2:1-4, what supernatural signs accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? How did the people respond to these signs? [02:28]
According to 1 Corinthians 5:7, what does Paul mean when he calls Christ “our Passover lamb”? How does this connect to the Old Testament feast? [13:48]
In the sermon, what is the significance of the Feast of Firstfruits, and how does it relate to Jesus’ resurrection? [18:32]
What did the crowd in Jerusalem hear and see when the Holy Spirit was poured out, and what question did they ask in response? [29:46]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes the Old Testament feasts as “prophetic forms” or “molds” that are fulfilled in Christ. How does understanding these feasts deepen a believer’s appreciation for God’s plan? [10:41]
The pastor said that Pentecost is not just a day but an ongoing era for the church. What does it mean for us to be living in the “season of Pentecost”? [22:08]
The supernatural events of Pentecost (wind, fire, tongues) were outside the disciples’ expectations. Why do you think God chose to move in such surprising ways, and what does this teach us about being open to God’s power? [26:13]
The sermon emphasized that the Holy Spirit’s power is given not just for personal experience but to make us bold witnesses. How did the disciples change after Pentecost, and what does this suggest about the Spirit’s purpose in our lives? [36:11]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to see the Old Testament feasts as more than history, but as realities fulfilled in Christ and lived out by believers. Is there a particular feast (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost) that you connect with most? How can you “keep” that feast spiritually in your daily life? [12:33]
Pentecost is described as an ongoing era where the Holy Spirit empowers us for mission. In what ways do you sense God calling you to participate in His “spiritual harvest” right now? Is there someone in your life you feel prompted to reach out to? [22:08]
The pastor said, “Be open to God’s power, even beyond what you understand.” Are there areas in your faith where you have resisted or been uncomfortable with the supernatural? What would it look like for you to be more open to God’s Spirit this week? [26:13]
The miracle of Pentecost was not just in the signs, but in the transformation and boldness of ordinary people. Can you think of a time when you felt God gave you courage or boldness you didn’t have before? What happened? [36:11]
The sermon ended with the call to pray, “Lord, I need more of You.” What would it mean for you to pray this honestly? Is there a specific area of your life where you need a breakthrough and are willing to trust God beyond what you can explain? [38:26]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes our breakthrough is on the other side of surrender. Is there something you need to surrender to God today, even if you don’t fully understand what He’s doing? [38:26]
How can our group encourage each other to remain open and receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, especially when it stretches our comfort zones? [39:30]

Sermon Clips

To understand Pentecost we must get more than a book definition of the word. We really have to go back to the Old Testament...to understand Pentecost because to understand Pentecost we really have to understand the seven Jewish feasts that are laid out in Leviticus 23.

The Feast of First Fruits was mainly an agricultural feast. It marked the beginning of the barley harvest. According to Leviticus 23, an Israelite would bring this sheaf of raw grain...the first grain of the harvest to the priest. And then the priest would then wave this sheaf of raw grain before the Lord as an offering.

Jesus comes out of the tomb showing that He's the first one to rise from the dead...But Jesus came back to life never to die again.

God didn't just send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to make us feel good, to give us an elevated spiritual experience. I think that's part of it...But God didn't just come to do that. He came to empower us to reap a harvest of souls.

The Bible is filled with miracles. But what if there was a miracle that you didn't just read about in the Bible, but one that happened to you? One that happened to you? That's what we're going to talk about today. [00:01:01]

The Feast of Passover commemorated the shedding of blood of the paschal lamb and it commemorated the death angel passing over the homes where the door posts were sprinkled with the blood of the lamb so that the firstborn of that family did not die. [00:05:49]

The Feast of Unleavened Bread began the night or the evening of the Passover and it lasted seven days. It was intended to commemorate that God's people were to purge leaven from their houses because leaven is a type or a figure of sin or any contaminating influence. [00:06:15]

Even though the wheat was ready to be harvested, the wheat was standing in the fields. None of it could be harvested and certainly none of it could be eaten until the first portion, the first fruit, this first sheaf was offered to God in worship in a wave offering. [00:07:48]

The Feast of Pentecost occurred 50 days after the first fruits feast and the first fruits feast celebrated what the beginning of harvest right the beginning of the grain harvest the the feast of pentecost celebrated the end of the harvest time and the primary focus of this festival was gratitude to god for the harvest. [00:08:47]

The spring feasts pointed to Jesus's first coming. These three feasts in the fall point to the second coming of Jesus. [00:09:58]

Think of the feast like a mold, like a cast, right? In other words, the feast had meaning, but only, they have meaning to us as Christians, but only once the New Testament truth was poured into the mold. [00:11:13]

Once Jesus came the first time and the truth of Christ was revealed, was poured into these forms, as it were, then the purpose of the Old Testament feast was fulfilled. So we don't have to observe the Old Testament feast anymore. [00:12:21]

We as Christians observe these feasts. Did you know that? We observe these Old Testament feasts, the first four, not the fall ones because Jesus hasn't come back, but the first four that pointed to the first coming of Jesus. We observe them not just once a year but continually in our hearts. [00:12:48]

The Christian meaning of Passover is this, that just like the blood of the lamb in the Old Testament...protected the Israel from death when the death angel went through. Christ's blood covers our lives. Christ's blood forgives our sins and covers us. Jesus fulfilled what the original Passover lamb pointed to in the Old Testament. [00:16:26]

Taking sin seriously is part of living a holy life. So when we intentionally pursue God's holiness and we try to reflect his character in in our own lives, that's how we're spiritually keeping the Old Testament Feast of Unleavened Bread. [00:17:45]

In Christ, the Firstfruits, when Christ who was the Firstfruits rose from the dead, He made it possible for the rest of us to share in this resurrection life. So anytime we celebrate His resurrection like we do at Easter, we're celebrating the Feast of Firstfruits. [00:20:01]

The Christian application of Pentecost is that Pentecost is not a single day. We have it on our church calendars, a single day. That's fine. That's appropriate. That's good. But Pentecost isn't just a single day. It represents...it's a whole era. Pentecost is an era. It's a season. It's a time when the church is working in the world, gathering in the results of Christ's finished work to present those results to God in worship. [00:22:19]

If we attempt evangelism or outreach without the support, without the help, without the anointing, without the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we're not going to be able to do it on our own strength. It's going to be overwhelming to us. [00:24:21]

Be open to God's power, even beyond what you understand. Because I think that the height of pride is for anybody to say, if I don't understand it, it's not so. [00:26:07]

God's power often works in ways that we don't expect or understand. [00:29:07]

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself in ways that defy explanation and defy natural belief. The burning bush. Moses in front of the burning bush had burned and burned and burned and never burned completely. That defied explanation. Water from a rock. That defied explanation. I mentioned the speaking donkey. That defies explanation. A virgin birth. The resurrection from the dead. All these things were miracles in which God revealed Himself in ways that defied explanation and natural belief. [00:31:36]

Speaking in tongues is that miracle that I referred to, I alluded to at the beginning, that we can't, we don't just only read about. It's a miracle that happens to us. And it's a miracle that it changes us, that changes us. [00:32:58]

God still moves in ways that stretches our beliefs and our understanding. He still speaks. He still fills. He still calls. He's not asking you to figure it all out. He's just saying, respond. Respond in faith. [00:38:10]

Whatever your breakthrough in your life is on the other side of saying, Lord, I don't fully understand this, but I'm open. Whatever your breakthrough in life is saying, Lord, I just need more of you. More of your spirit. I don't understand. I don't know how it's going to play out in my life. I don't know, but I need more of you. [00:38:26]

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