The Day Is Coming: Pentecost, Spirit, and Return

May 24, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Building on Unshaken Foundations: When Storms Reveal What's Beneath

The difference between sinking and standing isn’t the absence of storms, but where you’ve anchored your life. Just as both houses faced identical winds and rains, every life encounters trials. True stability comes not from avoiding chaos but from being rooted in Christ’s unchanging truth. When crisis shakes your world, what’s beneath the surface becomes undeniable. [21:30]

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
(Matthew 7:24–25, ESV)

Reflection: What current “storm” in your life is testing the foundation of your faith? How might obedience to Christ’s words reshape how you withstand it?

Day 2: Tongues of Fire and the Language of Heaven

The miracle of Pentecost wasn’t just supernatural speech—it was God dismantling barriers. When the Spirit fell, foreigners heard their heart-language in a room full of strangers. This wasn’t about eloquence but intimacy: God speaking directly to each person’s deepest need. The fire that rested on heads also melted divisions, proving no one is excluded from His pursuit. [47:40]

“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.”
(Acts 2:1–4, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you feel “foreign” to God’s work—and how might the Spirit be speaking your “heart-language” to draw you closer?

Day 3: The Fig Tree and the Roar from Zion

Israel’s story as God’s fig tree isn’t ancient history—it’s a living signpost. Just as budding figs signal summer’s nearness, global attention on Jerusalem whispers of Christ’s return. But this isn’t about geopolitical intrigue; it’s about a Lion preparing to roar. Every headline is an invitation to lift eyes beyond earthly kingdoms to the King who splits mountains with His footsteps. [13:29]

“The Lord roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.”
(Joel 3:16–17, ESV)

Reflection: How does viewing current events through Joel’s prophecy change your posture toward today’s uncertainties?

Day 4: When Seeking Becomes Receiving: The Unforced Rhythm of the Spirit

The baptism in the Spirit isn’t a technique to master but a surrender to embrace. Like the Indonesian woman who spoke tongues before understanding doctrine, God’s gifts flow when hearts yield, not when minds dissect. This isn’t about conjuring ecstasy but receiving grace—a daily rhythm of asking, trusting, and letting the Spirit shape your unforced offering. [01:37:34]

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
(Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: What practical step could you take this week to shift from striving for spiritual experiences to receiving the Spirit’s gentle leadership?

Day 5: White Horses and the Word That Ends Wars

The final battle won’t be decided by armies but by a single Rider. While earthly powers plot in valleys, heaven prepares a charge that will split skies. Christ’s return isn’t a quiet retreat but a roar that shatters darkness. Every act of faithfulness today rehearses for that moment when every knee bows—not to weapons, but to the Word who spoke creation into being. [01:20:15]

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems… He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”
(Revelation 19:11–13, ESV)

Reflection: What “battle” in your life needs redefined victory—not through your strength, but through the Rider on the white horse?

Sermon Summary

Joel stands up in a dark hour and names three “days” that frame redemptive history: the day of the locust, the day of the Spirit, and the day of the Lord. Israel’s stubborn idolatry had already invited the locust, a real plague and a sign of heavier judgment to come, but Joel does not stop there. Joel 2 opens the second day. God promises, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,” and the text itself ties this outpouring to salvation: “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Peter stands on Pentecost and says, this is that. The risen Jesus had told the disciples to wait, not for more excitement, but for power. They waited in prayer, the Spirit rushed in like wind, fire rested, and tongues flowed. The crowd heard a miracle of hearing, some were cut to the heart, some mocked, and Peter answered by quoting Joel. According to Joel and Peter, the “last days” begin at Pentecost and still run on.

The promise reaches “sons and daughters… old and young… servants,” and stretches past every border. Acts proves it by sending Peter to Cornelius so that Gentiles receive the same gift with the same sign. Scripture says the gifts will cease only when perfection comes, when the church sees Jesus face to face. Until then, the Spirit keeps giving what Jesus promised: power to witness, a holy hunger, a praying life, and a burning love for the lost. History echoes Scripture’s line. The Lord rekindled this Pentecostal fire from Topeka to Azusa, gathering a multiethnic people and launching gospel mission that still sends laborers to the ends of the earth. Experience matches the Book. No one has to manufacture tongues or coach syllables. The Spirit gives utterance, and lives begin to move.

Joel’s third day looms. The day of the Lord gathers rapture, tribulation, and the appearing of the King. The fig tree—Israel—buds in a world of newly risen nations. The man of sin will rally multitudes into the valley of decision, but heaven will open, and the Rider called Faithful and True will speak, and it is finished. Feet will rest again on the Mount of Olives. The Lord will roar out of Zion and reign. Joel, Peter, and Paul land the same way: repent, and call on the name of the Lord. Today is the day of the Spirit. Today is the day of salvation. Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit, God readies his people for the day that is coming.

Key Takeaways

1. Build on the rock, not sand. Life in Christ does not dodge storms; it outlasts them. The difference Jesus names is obedience that sets a foundation no wind can move. A storm can strip scaffolding, but it cannot uproot a life seated on the Rock. Faith on the rock frees courage and steadiness under pressure. [08:21]
2. The day of the Spirit continues. Pentecost was a beginning, not a museum piece. Joel’s promise still runs, and the Spirit still fills ordinary disciples for holy witness. The “last days” clock started then, and grace keeps pouring until the Lord returns. Expect continuation, not nostalgia. [43:28]
3. Tongues serve power for witness. Jesus ordered waiting so that power—not hype—would clothe the church. Spirit-baptism deepens prayer, sharpens love for Scripture, and aims the heart at lost people. The sign is God’s to give, but the purpose is clear: a life spent to make Christ known. [45:39]
4. All flesh means no exclusions. Joel’s language dismantles pecking orders: sons and daughters, old and young, servants too, across Jew and Gentile. The Spirit refuses gatekeepers and crosses borders, cultures, and classes. No believer is peripheral to the promise or sidelined from the mission. [55:34]
5. The day of the Lord is near. History is not drifting; it is marching toward the King’s appearing. The Scriptures place Israel, the nations, deception, and a final gathering in view, but the climax is simple—Christ speaks and the war is done. Repentance today is preparation for that voice tomorrow. [71:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:21] - House on the Rock: storms and obedience
[23:25] - Memorial Day prayer and Christ’s great battle
[36:17] - Pentecost Sunday and Joel’s frame
[36:54] - Joel 1:1-3 and three “days” introduced
[42:08] - Joel 2:28-32 read aloud
[43:28] - The day of the Spirit begins
[47:18] - Wind, fire, tongues, and crowd reactions
[52:49] - Peter: “This is that” from Joel
[56:00] - Spirit poured on Gentiles too
[62:33] - Topeka, Azusa, and mission flame
[71:49] - The day of the Lord explained
[79:58] - Revelation 19: the Rider appears
[84:14] - Call to repent and be saved

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Joel 2:28-32 (ESV)
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire, and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Acts 2:1-4, 17-21 (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. […] ‘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. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Observation questions

What specific signs did Joel prophesy would accompany the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
How did Peter connect the events of Pentecost to Joel’s prophecy in Acts 2? [53:14]
What three groups of people are explicitly named in Joel 2:28-29 as recipients of the Spirit’s outpouring?
According to the sermon, what historical movements (e.g., Topeka, Azusa) demonstrated the continuation of Pentecost? [01:02:33]

Interpretation questions

Why did Peter emphasize that the Spirit’s outpouring included “sons, daughters, servants, and all flesh” in Acts 2? What does this reveal about God’s heart for inclusion?
The sermon states that tongues are a sign of “power for witness,” not hype. How does this align with Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8 to wait for the Spirit’s power? [45:39]
Joel’s prophecy includes both the day of the Spirit and the day of the Lord. How do these two “days” relate to one another in God’s redemptive plan?
Why might some in the crowd at Pentecost have mocked the disciples as “drunk” despite hearing their own languages? What does this teach about responses to the Spirit’s work? [51:56]

Application questions

The Spirit’s outpouring is for “all flesh,” dismantling human hierarchies. Are there areas in your life where you’ve unconsciously excluded others from God’s promises or mission? How can you actively reject gatekeeping? [55:34]
The sermon emphasizes that the day of the Spirit is ongoing. What practical steps can you take to daily seek the Holy Spirit’s filling, rather than treating Pentecost as a one-time event? [01:35:47]
Tongues are described as a gift for “power to witness.” How might deepening your prayer life or hunger for Scripture strengthen your courage to share Christ with others? [01:05:01]
Joel’s warning about the day of the Lord includes a call to repentance. Is there a habit, attitude, or relationship in your life that needs alignment with God’s holiness today?
The sermon highlights that the Spirit’s work unites diverse people (e.g., Azusa Street). How can you intentionally build relationships or serve alongside believers who differ from you in age, culture, or background?
Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Spirit’s power rather than act in mere excitement. Are you currently relying on your own strength in any area of ministry or life? How can you wait on God’s timing and power instead? [45:23]
The day of the Lord’s return is described as “near.” What would it look like to live this week with urgency—both in holiness and in sharing the gospel—as if Christ’s coming could happen at any moment? [01:24:59]

Sermon Clips

34s

#LionOfJudahReturns

“The first time he came, John the Baptist pointed at him and said, behold, the lamb of God. And as a lamb, he came tenderly. He came to give his life for us. But the second time he comes, he's coming as the lion of Judah. He's coming triumphantly, and he is going to roar like the world has never heard before and rule out of Zion. Behold, church, the day is coming. Amen.”

57s

#SecondComingVictory

“John says when Jesus Christ breaks through the skies and he approaches those armies, he speaks. He speaks and the war is done. One word and the battle is finished. At the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, the antichrist will be captured, cast into the lake of fire, and all those multitudes of people who have come against him, they will be destroyed when he speaks. Zechariah says, then then Jesus will touch his feet again on the Mount Of Olives. The same mountain from which he ascended, he is coming again. And when he touches feet on that mountain, there will be an earthquake. And it'll open a valley through that mountain and into the city of Jerusalem. And the king of kings will descend into that city, and he will set up his kingdom and rule and reign for one thousand years.”

49s

#RepentAndBeUsed

“And Peter gave an incredible simple answer, repent. Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ. And the bible says that on that day, in that moment, 3,000 people were added to the church. They were baptized in water and they became a part of this vibrant growing church, all because the power of the holy spirit. You think Peter, after what happened with him, you think he thought to himself, how could God ever use somebody like me? I denied him three times. I cursed about Jesus. I'm sure we think the same thing. But through the Holy Spirit, any vessel can be used. Any one of us can be used by him because it's his power, not ours. Amen? Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says the lord.”

53s

#PowerToWitness

“And I'm sure they were excited. I'm sure there was a lot of enthusiasm. They wanted to share this truth with all the world. Nevertheless, Jesus said, wait. It's not enough to just be excited. It's not enough to sort of know what has happened. Jesus said, wait for the promise of my father. For not many days from now, you will receive the holy spirit. And he said when the holy spirit has come upon you, then you will receive power to be my witnesses. So more than being excited, more than having enthusiasm, Jesus wanted them to have power to be his witnesses. And then he ascended beyond the clouds, beyond the stars to sit on his throne where he still sits today.”

55s

#PrayAndWait

“And then after that, the disciples did what Jesus told them to do. They waited. And their waiting wasn't twiddling their thumbs. They didn't go home and get a subscription to Peacock or to Netflix and just sort of waste time away. Their waiting time was praying. Every day, they were united together praying and waiting for the coming holy spirit. And then acts chapter two says, and when the day of Pentecost had fully come. Now Pentecost was a feast of the Lord. It was one of three pilgrimage feasts that the Lord told Israel to celebrate. So if you were a Jew in Israel at the time or you were outside of Israel living in another part of the Roman Empire, When Pentecost celebration comes, you leave your home, you make your journey to Jerusalem, and you celebrate for at least a week the celebration of Pentecost.”

47s

#DayOfTheSpirit

“In those words, in that prophetic utterance, Joel mentions two days to come. The day of the spirit and the day of the lord. And like as a capstone to it all, he ends up by saying that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Well, today I want us to take a look at these two days, day two and day three now. The day of the spirit and the day of the lord. So let's begin today by picking up that second day called the day of the spirit. Now the day of the spirit, it began. The fulfillment of what Joel prophesied about, it began in Acts chapter two on a day called Pentecost.”

59s

#LivingInTheLastDays

“So according to Joel and confirmed by Peter, the last days every time we mention the last days, we are living in the last days. The church has been saying that. Peter would say, amen. Joel would say, amen. Because according to them, the last days began on Pentecost. We're still living in them now. And until the lord returns, we are in the last days. But now we get to say, church, that we are living in the last of the last days. Amen. Now when Peter said these words, when Joel prophesied also of these words, think about it. Among all the children of God, among all believers, who is excluded from this great promise? Who is excluded among the family of God of receiving the promise? No one.”

49s

#DayOfTheLordRevealed

“The day of the Lord in the bible describes all the events concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. When Jesus will visibly, physically come back into this world and set up God's kingdom on earth and he will rule and reign for one thousand years. From the rapture, the seven years of tribulation, and the second coming of Jesus Christ, this is what the bible means by the day of the lord. Now I know several weeks ago, we talked about this very subject, and many of the things that Jesus said will be happening in those days that we are drawing near to that end coming. But let me just mention something I that Joel says in the book of Joel chapter one verse seven. God calls Israel my fig tree. My fig tree.”

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The Day Is Coming: Pentecost, Spirit, and Return

Devotional

Day 1: Building on Unshaken Foundations: When Storms Reveal What's Beneath

Day 2: Tongues of Fire and the Language of Heaven

Day 3: The Fig Tree and the Roar from Zion

Day 4: When Seeking Becomes Receiving: The Unforced Rhythm of the Spirit

Day 5: White Horses and the Word That Ends Wars

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

The Day Is Coming: Pentecost, Spirit, and Return

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