Acts 2:1-17When the day of Pentecost came, they

were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?

9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

From Fear to PowerActs 1-5

Today we celebrate Pentecost.“Fiftieth”

The Holy Spirit came 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.

The events of the day are told in Acts.

Acts is a sequel -- Part 2 of Luke’s writing.It tells of the apostle’s experiences after

Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Luke 24 / Acts 1

The disciples gained confidence and assurance because of Jesus’ presence.

Doubts removed.Preparation for ministry continued.

Jesus’ final instructions before going up to heaven:

You are to be my witnesses…but wait for power to come upon you.They stayed and prayed, and took care

of some business –Filling Judas’ position with Matthias.

They didn’t just hang out, they prepared!

Wait, Pray and PrepareBe careful not to jump to hasty decisions.

Know what God has called you to do.Be careful not to wait too long.

God had prepared just the right time for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost Name not invented by the Christians.

Jewish festival of Shavuot took place 50 days after Passover.

“Diaspora” gathered in Jerusalem. It was an opportune time to share the message of Christ with lots of people

of many languages. The Holy Spirit allowed the people of

each language group hear the apostles in their own language!!

God’s timing – The disciples spoke to the far reaches

of the Jewish world as it was gathered in Jerusalem.

If the disciples had left Jerusalem after the ascension, they would have

missed this opportunity!

Timing can be everything!

Think of Israel’s past mistake –going into the Promised Land at

the wrong time.

God’s time – not our own.Churches must be discerning.

In our own lives also.

Symbolism of the Holy Spirit “Tongues of fire” (Acts 2:3)

Tongues represents communication of the gospel message.

Fire represents God’s purifying presence to burn away undesirable elements of our

lives and to set our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others.

God empowered his apostles with His Holy Spirit.

The most dramatic example is Peter. Denied Jesus 3 times!

But in Acts 2 we see a different man.

Denial – Reinstatement – Witness

Matt. 26:69-75 (Peter’s denial)69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard,

and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

John 21:15-17 (Peter’s reinstatement)15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Acts 2:22-24 (Peter’s witness)22 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Peter was no longer the same man because of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ presence and power was no longer limited to His physical presence.

His spirit could dwell within believers everywhere throughout all time.

It does the same thing for us as it did for Peter two millennia ago!!

Peter speaks to the Jews from around the world in terms they can understand.

Uses the prophecy of Joel and writings of King David to explain the Messiah and

the Holy Spirit in their.Important lesson for us today.

We need to meet people where they are and talk to them about Jesus in ways that

are relevant to their lives.

Putting in all together:Wait, pray and prepare.Listen for God’s timing

and direction.In our individual lives

and in our churches.

Putting in all together:God empowers us with the Holy Spirit.

We can move from fear to empowerment.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” –FDR 1933

The Holy Spirit gives us power to work in spite of our fears.

Putting in all together:It is important to speak to people in a

way they can understand.Meet people on their level addressing

their spiritual questions and needs.Allow the Holy Spirit to work

through us today.

We are the Federated Church.Our Mission is to…

Seek Christ, Serve Christ and Share Christ.