The Mighty Works of God
BACKGROUND
- Jesus planned to eventually leave. (John 16:7)
- Jesus purchased our salvation. (Ephesians 1:7)
- Jesus prevailed over sin & death. (Luke 24)
- Jesus presented himself alive to the disciples. (Acts 1:3)
- Jesus pointed to the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5)
- Jesus promised that the disciples would receive power. (Acts 1:8)
- Jesus proceeded to ascend into heaven. (Acts 1:9)
And the disciples peered into heaven… (Acts 1:10)
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Part 1: THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT
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
KEY IDEA: You and I now have access to the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit.
We are saved by grace.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
We are justified (made right) by faith.
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28 ESV
We are sanctified (being made more like Jesus) by the Spirit.
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV
We are glorified (completely transformed) by being found faithful at the end of this life.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23 ESV
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22 ESV
We are kept faithful by God himself.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 ESV
We are sealed by the Spirit.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 ESV
From beginning to end, salvation is the complete work of God.
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30 ESV
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Part 2: THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?” Acts 2:5–8 ESV
KEY IDEA: The Spirit empowers us for the work of God.
This was a temporary reversal of Babel.
“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Genesis 11:7-9 ESV
This was prophecy fulfilled for believers.
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.
Joel 2:28-29 ESV
This was a sign performed for unbelievers.
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV
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Part 3: THE PROCLAMATION OF THE SPIRIT
“Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:9–11 ESV
KEY IDEA: The Spirit helps us share the Gospel.
The Spirit points to Jesus.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” John 15:26 ESV
Don’t let the miracle overshadow the message.
“—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:11 ESV
The Spirit gives us the words to speak.
“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12 ESV
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Part 4: THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE
And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words…” Acts 2:12-14 ESV
KEY IDEA: Ask good questions, and be open to the Spirit.
Highlights of Peter’s Sermon
- Jesus was crucified. (Acts 2:23)
- Jesus was raised. (Acts 2:24)
- Jesus has been seen. (Acts 2:32)
- Jesus ascended and the Spirit descended. (Acts 2:33)
- Jesus is Lord. (Acts 2:36)
- We were the ones who crucified him. (Acts 2:36)
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 ESV
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 2:38 ESV
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 ESV
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APPLICATION
- Every believer has the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of them.
- Every believer has the access to the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Every believer is equipped with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel message.
- Every believer has a responsibility to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit.
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