BENEATH…

For the month of June and July, we are on the
“FAITH LIVED OUT SERIES”

Last Sunday June 8, 2008, was the Pentecost Sunday for our church
and the text was from Acts 2:1-12

The Mission of the Holy Spirit

Whenever I go with different groups, there is always a joke or some funny story that would make people laugh every once in a while. In our culture today, maybe with most of the young people, there is a phrase that we use when people don’t get the joke: “Ang slow” or “Ay… slow…”
People who don’t get certain jokes may be really slow for not getting the funny thing about it which sometimes happen with people at church. It takes a couple of minutes after the congregation has laughed before they do get what the preacher had just said and then they laugh when everyone’s silent. I find myself one time being laughed at more than the joke because I didn’t get it, and I was the only one by the way. One reason for being slow is that these people may have a different orientation, (I’m not trying to save myself from that humiliation but it was a green joke that I honestly didn’t get). haha

As I look at the first chapter of Acts, I tend to blurt out the phrase “Ang slow” to the disciples, or maybe if they live in our culture today, Jesus could say to them “Ang slow nyo…” as an answer to their question in verse 6 of chapter 1 “ So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus didn’t answer them that, I was just thinking that he probably could have since they were just stuck at thinking of the restoration of Israel at that particular time but Jesus answer was: (Acts1 v.7-8) “He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When the Holy Spirit fills our hearts, Transformation takes place.

I. The Disciples Received Power
If we would take a look at the disciples when they were following Jesus before the Holy Spirit came, they would go where Jesus would go, and listen to His words and even ask questions. We remember from the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was calling them to pray that they slept; when they were at the boat and Jesus was sleeping and there was a storm, they were afraid, and Peter, having promised that He will not leave Jesus, denied Him three times…
But when the Holy Spirit came, they were filled with courage, the disciples were equipped with the gift of tongues(2 v. 4-13) (they were able to speak in different languages) and Peter who denied Jesus, preached to 3000 people (v.13-40)

II. The Disiciples had a Mission: To be Jesus’ witnesses
The disciples could have thought that Jesus’ mission was just to restore the earthly temporal Kingdom of Israel but the Holy Spirit opened their eyes to see world redemption: Jesus died on the cross to save the world, that those who would believe be restored in their relationship with God which was broken because of sin. The Holy Spirit came and transformed the disciples’ minds to reach out to the people around them; it was no longer just Israel but outsiders be brought in. Salvation is for all.
a. They received the gift of tongues
(Acts 2 v. 1-13) We read that when the Holy Spirit came tongues of fire came to rest on each of them, and then people from different places who gathered in that place heard their own languages spoken by the disciples. The gift of tongues was to aid the disciples as they preach the message so that others would understand. “The Holy Spirit had broken down the barriers between these people” The Gentiles could have been looked at as not a part of the salvation but the Holy Spirit’s work shows us clearly the good news was to be preached not just to the Jews, but to the ends of the earth.
The gift that comes from the Holy Spirit helps us to edify others. It’s purpose is for other’s to know more about Christ and His love. It was never meant to be a personal thing so that you would have another language to use as you pray to the Lord; nor is it something that will not be understood and could create confusion in the believers. The way the gift of tongues worked in the believers during Pentecost, the language was understood by another citizen, and it was so that others would be edified. We as Nazarenes believe in this gift as we do believe the other gifts too which has the same purpose of edifying others, but to say that to speak in tongues is the only manifestation of the Holy Spirit and that we ought to desire it and pursue it is a sad idea because we can still continue reading from His word the change that happened in the disciples’ lives

b. They became one in mind and united in love
(Acts 2 v. 42-47) It is wonderful to know how the disciples remained together and united. They shared what they had so that they would fill each other’s needs. When the Holy Spirit fills us, He enables us to love so we would reflect Jesus’ love to the people around us. In the last verse of this chapter, we read “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” I believe that their example as a the body of Christ witnessed too than what just words can say. They preached the good news, and they lived out their faith.

The disciples were very different when they haven’t received the Holy Spirit yet, yes they do believed Jesus and they followed Him, but Jesus knew that they were lacking and He prayed for them in John 17, and he prayed for all who would believe too. I love how Jesus poured His heart in this prayer so that we would be one and united in v. 23 we read: “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Conclusion:
It was Jesus desire that we be filled by His Holy Spirit and be one in Him. That we would abide in Him and reflect His love= Be Like Jesus.

Today, as we reflect on His word, you may have believed in the Lord for a long time, and yet you may have been lacking in power; power to resist the temptations each day and courage to press on in this Journey of Christlikeness;

You may have been living this “Christian life” and remained keeping this wonderful news for yourself, afraid that other people would discourage you as you share the good news;

He calls you now, if you would come and believe, He will fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you would live a life of love and live out your faith each day in the power of His Name.