5.24.26 | Pentecost Sunday | 9:00a Worship x Grace Ridge Church Online

May 24, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Wind and Fire in the Upper Room

A violent wind filled the house where 120 believers huddled. Tongues of fire rested on each head as the Spirit gave them new languages. These Galileans spoke God’s wonders in dialects they’d never learned. Pilgrims from distant lands heard truth in their mother tongues. The same breath that resurrected Jesus now resurrected dead hearts. [35:44]

Pentecost reversed Babel’s curse. Where human pride once fractured communication, the Spirit now united diverse listeners under one message. The fire symbolized God’s purifying presence—not just hovering near them, but inhabiting them. Jesus kept His promise: the Helper had come to stay.

You carry that same fire within. But does your daily speech reflect the Spirit’s control? When conversations turn divisive or empty, do you let Him redirect your words? What language might others “hear” through your actions today?

“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)

Prayer: Ask the Spirit to reveal one relationship where He wants to speak through you today.
Challenge: Text someone this verse: “The Spirit gives life” (John 6:63).

Day 2: “What Does This Mean?”

Parthians gaped. Medes rubbed their eyes. Cretans leaned in as uneducated fishermen declared God’s wonders in their native dialects. Some marveled, craving explanation. Others sneered, “They’re drunk!” The same miracle drew either hunger or hostility. Peter stood—the same Peter who’d denied Jesus weeks earlier—ready to answer both groups. [42:13]

God’s power always polarizes. The Spirit’s work demands a response: humble curiosity or defensive dismissal. Those who asked “What does this mean?” received Peter’s gospel sermon. Those who mocked missed the Messiah standing at their door.

When others question your faith, do you react with Peter’s bold compassion or retreat in fear? Next time someone scoffs at Christianity, pause: What might the Spirit want them to “hear” through your patience?

“And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others mocking said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’”
(Acts 2:12-13, ESV)

Prayer: Confess any fear of mockery. Thank God that His power shines brightest in weakness.
Challenge: Share one sentence about how Jesus changed you with a coworker or neighbor.

Day 3: Peter’s Roar, Spirit’s Sword

The fisherman-turned-preacher thundered Joel’s prophecy and David’s psalms. Quoting Scripture he’d once ignored, Peter proved the crucified Jesus now ruled as Lord. The Spirit transformed his cowering into courage, his shame into unshakable authority. Three thousand souls crumbled under the sword of God’s Word. [46:09]

The same Spirit who inspired Scripture now wields it through yielded people. Peter didn’t rely on eloquence but on the living Word. His sermon pierced hearts because the Spirit armed him with truth he’d tested in failure.

What Bible passage has the Spirit burned into your heart during trials? Stop excusing “I don’t know enough”—open your mouth and watch Him amplify your story. When will you speak the Word someone’s been waiting to hear?

“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea… Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God… you crucified and killed… God raised him up.’”
(Acts 2:14, 22-24, ESV)

Prayer: Pray Psalm 81:10 over your fears: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
Challenge: Memorize Acts 2:21: “Everyone who calls on the Lord’s name will be saved.”

Day 4: Cut to the Heart

Peter’s words sliced through excuses. The crowd gasped—they’d killed their Messiah. “What must we do?” they cried. “Repent!” Peter demanded. Three thousand surrendered, were baptized, and received the Spirit. Guilt became grace as the sword of conviction performed soul surgery. [49:53]

True repentance isn’t remorse but revolution—turning from sin’s wreckage toward the Spirit’s rule. Baptism declared their old identities drowned; the rising symbolized new life powered by indwelling God.

What sin have you been minimizing instead of mortifying? The Spirit waits to flood your broken places with resurrection power. What chains will you let Him replace with His fire today?

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter… ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 2:37-38, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one specific sin blocking the Spirit’s flow through you.
Challenge: Write “REPENT” on your mirror—let it remind you to turn toward Christ hourly.

Day 5: From Consumers to Contributors

The 3,000 new believers didn’t hoard the Spirit—they shared meals, prayers, and resources. Consumers became contributors as the church “devoted themselves” to teaching, fellowship, and prayer. The Upper Room’s fire spread through homes as ordinary people let the Spirit redistribute their time, treasure, and talents. [54:25]

Temples don’t exist for their own glory but to host God’s presence for others’ salvation. When we prioritize comfort over contribution, we padlock the Spirit’s power within us.

What’s one practical way you’ll shift from consuming to contributing this week? Cancel a streaming service to serve the homeless? Trade gossip for gospel conversations? Where is the Spirit nudging you to redistribute what He’s given?

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”
(Acts 2:42-44, ESV)

Prayer: Thank God for three blessings He’s given you to share, not stockpile.
Challenge: Donate or volunteer at a local ministry within the next 48 hours.

Sermon Summary

Eternal Father sets people on the rock of salvation, gives them a voice, and puts hands and feet to work so that many would hear and be changed. Acts 2 shows how God keeps that promise at Pentecost. Pentecost lands on God’s timetable, with the nations gathered. The Spirit comes like a violent wind and as tongues of fire. The text says all are filled, not halfway but filled to the brim, and then enabled to speak in other tongues. The Spirit descends upon, dwells within, and ministers through. That last phrase carries the whole day.

The Spirit’s filling is God himself taking up residence. Bodies become temples because God dwells there. The filling is not a thrill but a purpose. The Spirit does not only comfort; he sends. He gives speech that crosses borders so the wonders of God are heard in native tongues. The nations do not get a translation booth. The nations get God.

The crowd’s split names a pattern. Some are amazed and ask, What does this mean. Others shrug, They have had too much wine. When God speaks, the heart either leans in or laughs it off. That same split shows up anywhere the gospel is declared.

Peter steps into that split. Peter the guy who cannot seem to get it right becomes the man God ministers through. He stands and says these people are not drunk. He names Joel’s promise, that in the last days God pours out his Spirit on sons and daughters, young and old, servants and all flesh. He threads David’s witness to the resurrection. He names Jesus of Nazareth, crucified by human hands yet raised by the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, now exalted as Lord and Christ. The crowd is cut to the heart. The word is repent and be baptized and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you, your children, and all who are far off. Three thousand are added.

The call sits sharp. The Spirit still descends and still indwells. The question is whether he freely ministers through. American church habits tend to squelch that third movement. Consumers critique and collect. Contributors open their mouths, lead with the gospel, and let their lives back it up. Sin that takes up residence crowds out holy fire. Repentance makes room. The Spirit keeps pointing to the cross, comforting, convicting, and sending people out so others hear the wonders of God and live.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit descends, indwells, ministers through [44:36] The pattern of Pentecost is the pattern of mission. God comes upon his people, takes up residence within them, and then speaks and serves through them for others’ sake. Being filled to the brim is not about an experience to keep but about a life to pour out. The Spirit is not a guest; he is the host. [44:36]
2. Pentecost turns fear into witness [45:03] Hiding disciples become bold heralds when the Spirit fills them. Peter the unreliable becomes Peter the faithful because the risen Jesus is now present by his Spirit. Courage is not conjured up; it is received as wind fills sails. Timing belongs to God, and the lift comes when he breathes. [45:03]
3. Consumers must become contributors in mission [53:31] Consumption trains the heart to expect service and to grade experiences; contribution trains the heart to speak truth and spend itself in love. The Spirit’s third movement requires an open mouth and a yielded life. The gospel is led with words and made plausible by a life that matches those words. [53:31]
4. Repentance makes room for holy fire [55:24] Unconfessed sin clutters the house where God intends to work. Repentance is not self-loathing; it is clearing space so the Spirit can move through clean channels. As idols are named and forsaken, power returns and speech bears fruit. The same Spirit who convicts also comforts and sends. [55:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:31] - Prayer and the rock of salvation
[34:29] - Why Pentecost today
[35:44] - Wind and tongues of fire
[37:52] - Filled to the brim
[39:04] - Languages for mission
[41:16] - Two reactions to God’s work
[45:03] - Peter the unlikely witness
[46:09] - Joel’s promise poured out
[47:30] - Jesus crucified and risen Lord
[49:34] - Cut to the heart and response
[50:22] - Three thousand baptized
[53:31] - From consumers to contributors
[55:24] - Repentance clears room to minister
[56:21] - Pentecost prayer for the church

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Acts 2:1-41 (ESV)
- Joel 2:28-32 (ESV)
- Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV)

Observation Questions

In Acts 2:1-4, what specific supernatural signs accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit, and how did they fulfill Jesus’ earlier promises?
How did the crowd’s reaction to the disciples’ speaking in tongues split into two distinct responses (Acts 2:12-13)? [42:13]
What three key elements of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-36 directly addressed the crowd’s doubts and accusations? [46:09]
According to Acts 2:38-41, what practical steps did Peter instruct the crowd to take after they were “cut to the heart”?

Interpretation Questions

Why might the Holy Spirit’s filling in Acts 2:4 result in speaking in other languages rather than a private spiritual experience? How does this connect to God’s broader mission? [39:27]
Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 to explain Pentecost. How does this prophecy challenge cultural assumptions about who can proclaim God’s truth (e.g., age, gender, social status)? [46:46]
The sermon contrasts “consumers” and “contributors” in the church. How does Acts 2:42-47 illustrate the difference between these two postures? [53:31]
Psalm 16:8-11 is used to affirm Jesus’ resurrection. Why is David’s confidence in God’s presence and victory over death critical to Peter’s argument in Acts 2?

Application Questions

The Spirit’s filling in Acts 2 was “not a thrill but a purpose.” What specific, practical step could you take this week to let the Spirit “minister through” you rather than merely seeking comfort? [38:43]
When have you seen the “split” reaction to the gospel (amazement vs. dismissal) in your own relationships? How might you lean into curiosity rather than defensiveness when someone resists? [42:39]
The sermon warns against being a “consumer” who critiques instead of contributes. What is one area of your life (time, gifts, resources) where you need to shift from consuming to contributing? [54:25]
Repentance “clears room for holy fire.” What recurring sin or distraction might be crowding out the Spirit’s work in you? How could you practically “make room” this week? [55:24]
Peter’s boldness came from the Spirit, not self-confidence. Where do you feel inadequate to speak about Jesus, and how could you rely on the Spirit’s presence in those moments? [51:31]
The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Which of these three needs intentional growth in your life, and what would that look like?

Sermon Clips

23s

#LiveAndSpeakJesus

“It's time to contribute. It's time to allow the holy spirit to work through us in a way where we go out into the world and they begin to see who God is by how we live, but also by what we say. I used to, when I was early on in my Christian faith said, you know, if all else fails, use words in your sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's changed in my mind.”

27s

#FilledToTheBrim

“And if I ask you to fill the glass and you put this much in, you'd be like, well, it's filled. I'm like, it's not filled. I want it filled. And so I want that thing up to the rim, at the very top. Oftentimes when I'm being a jerk to my family members and they ask for something, I will fill it to the very brim and hand it to them, which makes it difficult without spilling it, and that's just me. But that's what it means to be filled, completely filled with the holy spirit.”

27s

#HolySpiritWithUs

“He sent the holy spirit who he promised to descend upon his people, to come down upon his people, to dwell within us, to take up residence in our heart that wherever we go, we do not go alone. The holy spirit is with us to comfort us, to care for us, to always point us back to the cross. The holy spirit is there in our midst to show us what god desires, but also to minister through us.”

34s

#DontSquelchTheSpirit

“If the holy spirit is inside of us, taking up residence in our hearts, he ministers through us. So I said a couple moments ago that I'm not sure if this actually happens. I know the first happens. I know the second happens. And I know he's trying in the third, but we squelch it. You see, we become a people that are absolute consumers. We are consumers in every way. We love to consume.”

25s

#LeadWithTheGospel

“We gotta speak the truth and our lives have to back it up. We have to lead with the gospel and then be evidenced then by the way we live. That's how we minister to people. If you just think people are gonna start following Jesus because you're a good person or you open the door for them, that's not how this works. The word of God needs to be declared wherever we go.”

24s

#MakeRoomForTheSpirit

“And so I fully believe that the holy spirit descends on all who would believe. And I fully believe that he dwells within the hearts as he occupies space in us and we are living temples as we go out into the world. But is he ministering through you? Has sin taken up residence so big in your life that he can't possibly work through that because you refuse to repent of your sinfulness?”

23s

#YouAreGodsTemple

“As we see that happening in America, I'm great that he descends upon. I know that he dwells within because he goes into the hearts of the believers and he makes up residence in there. This is how we know it because he makes us temples. What? Any place that God dwells is a temple. Your bodies are a living temple. Why? Because that's where God dwells.”

30s

#StopConsumingStartServing

“Are you so focused on yourself and consuming what makes you happy and and fulfills your desires that you fail to see that God could be actually working in a mighty way in and through you so that ministry happens and that people like Peter get up and speak? And 3,000 believe, repent, and are baptized. Today, we celebrate holy spirit has come upon his people.”

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