The Day the Spirit Moved: Embracing the Promise of Pentecost

One Church Huntington Beach  

Pastor Caleb Clark

November 3, 2024

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Main Topics Discussed

Introduction to Our Journey through Acts

• Setting the Scene: Invitation to engage with God’s Word

• Opening with gratitude and openness to Scripture

• Reminder: Acts as a journey we began last week, examining the start of the church and the Spirit’s work

• Focus of Acts: Not just the birth of the church, but God’s powerful movement through His people over time

• Central theme: The Holy Spirit working through the church to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth

• Image of the church as the “bride of Christ,” a beautiful creation of God

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

• Pentecost in Context: A foundational moment in Christian history

• The disciples waiting in obedience in Jerusalem, as instructed by Jesus

• Jesus’ command to “wait for the promise of the Father” – anticipation of the Holy Spirit

• A brief description of Pentecost as a Jewish festival, gathering Jews from around the world

• The Arrival of the Holy Spirit: A dramatic and transformative experience

• Description: A sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house

• Tongues of fire appear on the disciples, symbolizing the Spirit’s presence

• Disciples begin speaking in various languages, empowered by the Spirit

• The Crowd’s Reaction: Wonder and confusion in the public square

• Spectators from many nations hear the disciples speaking in their native languages

• Initial reactions: Amazement, curiosity, and even skepticism (accusations of drunkenness)

Peter’s Sermon and the Meaning of Pentecost (Acts 2:14–21)

• Peter’s Response to the Crowd’s Questions: What does this mean?

• Connection to prophecy: Peter explains this event as the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy

• Joel’s Prophecy (Joel 2): Promise that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh

• Spirit poured out on sons, daughters, young, old, servants, and everyone in between

• Signs and wonders are displayed as evidence of God’s presence

• The Significance: Not just miraculous events, but the meaning behind them

• Peter’s point: This moment signifies a new era – salvation is available to all who call on the name of the Lord

• Invitation: The day of salvation has arrived, and everyone can find redemption in the name of Jesus

Declaring Jesus as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:22–36)

• Identifying the “Name of the Lord”: Jesus is both Lord and Christ

• Peter’s message: Jesus, who was crucified, is now resurrected and exalted

• Jesus’ identity: Not just a man from Nazareth, but Lord over all and the Messiah

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: Citing King David’s words

• David’s vision of the Messiah: Not abandoned to the grave, victorious over death

• Jesus as the prophesied One who was raised by God, seated at His right hand

• The Call to Recognize Jesus: A clear declaration to the audience

• “Know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified”

• Emphasis: Jesus is the sovereign ruler and Savior, reconciling humanity with God

The People’s Response and Peter’s Call to Repentance (Acts 2:37–41)

• Conviction in the Crowd: The people are “cut to the heart”

• A deep realization of their need for salvation and reconciliation

• They ask, “What shall we do?”

• Peter’s Instructions: Repentance, Baptism, and Receiving the Spirit

• Repentance: Turning away from sin and toward God

• A military term: To turn 180 degrees, symbolizing a complete life change

• Baptism into Jesus’ Name: Publicly declaring faith and belonging to Jesus

• Receiving the Holy Spirit: God’s promise of His Spirit to dwell within them

• The Birth of the Church: 3,000 are baptized, marking the church’s official beginning

Applications and Reflections for Today

1. Invitation to Those Seeking: The promise is for all

• Call to anyone who feels convicted or uncertain about Jesus to come, repent, and embrace faith

• Assurance: One doesn’t need complete knowledge or perfect understanding—only a heart that sees Jesus as Lord and Savior

2. Reminder for Believers: This promise is for you and for those “far off”

• The promise extends to people we may consider distant from faith

• Confidence in evangelism: Our responsibility is obedience; God works in hearts

• Challenge: Go out with the message, knowing it’s God’s work to call others to Himself

3. Resting in the Gift of the Holy Spirit: Assurance and identity

• For the Anxious: The Holy Spirit as counselor and advocate, our source of peace

• Despite life’s pressures, we find comfort in knowing He will not let us go

• For Identity: The Spirit as the anchor of who we are

• A lasting, unshakable identity, rooted in the indwelling presence of God Himself

Conclusion: Embracing the Spirit’s Presence and Power

• Call to Reflection: Take time to rest in the reality of the Spirit within us

• Invitation to Communion: An act of unity and remembrance of Jesus as Lord and Savior

Biblical References 

• Acts 2:12: "They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?' But others mocked them and said, 'They are filled with new wine.'"

• Acts 2:16-21: Quotation of the prophet Joel - "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."

• Acts 2:22-24: "Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."

• Psalm 16:8-11 (quoted in Acts 2:25-28): "I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence."

• Acts 2:31: "He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption."

• Acts 2:33: "Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."

• Psalm 110:1 (quoted in Acts 2:34-35): "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'"

• Acts 2:36: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

• Acts 2:37-39: "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?' 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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.'"

• Acts 2:40: "And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation.'"

• Acts 2:41: "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

Reflection Questions 

1. What does the event of Pentecost reveal about God’s plan to reach all nations and people?
   How can we personally reflect this mission in our own lives?

2. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit shape our understanding of God’s closeness and involvement in our daily life?
   In what ways can we be more aware of and responsive to the Spirit’s guidance?

3. Peter’s message emphasizes repentance and baptism as essential steps toward salvation.
   What does true repentance mean to you, and how does it challenge the way you approach areas in your life that need transformation?

4. The Holy Spirit empowered ordinary people to speak boldly and reach diverse groups.
   How can we be more open and courageous in sharing our faith, especially with those who may be different from us?

5. Peter’s message in Acts 2:39 speaks of the promise of salvation as available to “all who are far off.”
   Who in your life may be “far off,” and how can you pray for or reach out to them with the love and promise of God’s salvation?

Daily Activities 

1. Daily Prayer for the Spirit’s Guidance

• Activity: Dedicate a few minutes each day to pray, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in your decisions and interactions.

• Application: Reflect on areas where you need boldness, clarity, or peace, and invite the Spirit to align your life with God’s purpose.

2. Reach Out to Someone Far from Faith

• Activity: Think of a person who may feel distant from God. Reach out to them through a message, call, or coffee meet-up.

• Application: Use this opportunity to be a witness of faith. Be open to sharing your story if they show interest, and listen to their thoughts with compassion.

3. Study Acts 2: Reflect and Journal

• Activity: Read through Acts 2 and write down reflections in a journal, focusing on how the Holy Spirit worked in the early church.

• Application: Reflect on what Pentecost means to you and how you can embrace the Holy Spirit’s power in your daily life.

4. Repent and Renew

• Activity: Set aside time for personal reflection and repentance, acknowledging areas of your life that may need change.

• Application: Pray for strength to make these changes, and follow up with a small, practical action toward growth, such as forgiving someone or resisting a habitual sin.

5. Memorize Acts 2:38-39

• Activity: Memorize these verses to remind yourself of the promise of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• Application: Recite the verses each morning for the week, letting them inspire you to live with confidence in God’s promises for you and others you meet.