The Spirit Has Come and He’s Not Leaving
Serkes: After The Fairy Tale Fades
Sermon: Communication
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Scott Anderson
It’s all about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives! Pastor Scott emphasized that while water and spirit baptisms are important, they're not requirements for salvation. We can look to the thief on the cross to see that faith in Jesus is what truly matters. Pentecost, the birth of the church, marks the time when the Holy Spirit came to dwell within believers, giving guidance and empowerment that was detailed in Acts 2. Pastor Scott reminded us that God's Spirit isn't just for past generations; it's for us today. He challenged us to not just rely on faith as a ticket to Heaven but to embrace the Holy Spirit's strength to live out our faith fully. "The Spirit has come and He's not leaving," he declared. Let's embrace the Holy Spirit's promise and recognize that our faith journey doesn't stop at salvation. Let's pursue the deeper, powerful journey the Holy Spirit offers us.
Additional Info
The info below was generated by an AI from the audio recording of the sermon.
Introduction to Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, celebrated as the birth of the global church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This special occasion occurs 50 days after Easter and is marked by a deep reflection on what Pentecost means and its relevance today. Whether attending in person or tuning in online, this day serves as a reminder that God has a unique purpose for each individual.
The Scriptural Foundation of Pentecost
In Acts chapter 2, the arrival of Pentecost is described vividly. It depicts a moment when the disciples were gathered together, and a sound akin to a mighty rushing wind filled the house. This event was accompanied by divided tongues of fire that rested on each disciple, leading them to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them. This outpouring was not merely a spectacle; it represented the fulfillment of a divine promise to empower believers with the Holy Spirit, as foretold by the prophet Joel.
Understanding Pentecost
The term "Pentecost" is derived from the Greek word meaning "fifty" and signifies celebrations starting 50 days after Passover. In the Old Testament, this day commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, while in the New Testament, it celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit to the believers. The shift from the Law in the Old Testament, which highlighted human inability to fulfill God's commands, to receiving the Spirit showcased God's provision for believers to live according to His will.
The Significance of Receiving the Holy Spirit
The giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was a pivotal moment that enabled believers to move from merely receiving salvation to experiencing transformative power in their lives. While salvation is the starting point, embracing the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual empowerment and fulfilling God's purpose. Unfortunately, many believers stop at salvation and do not access the full power afforded by the Holy Spirit.
Debunking Myths About the Holy Spirit
Many misconceptions exist regarding the Holy Spirit and His role in the life of believers. Some may believe that the gifts of the Spirit were only for the early church and not for today's believers. However, the promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited by time or circumstance. As articulated in Acts 2:39, this promise is for you, your children, and all those whom God calls, emphasizing that God does not show favoritism.
The Three Distinct Baptisms
Understanding the three distinct baptisms outlined in Scripture is crucial.
Baptism into the Body of Christ: The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Jesus, representing our salvation.
Water Baptism: Disciples are called to baptize new believers, indicating a public declaration of faith.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Jesus is the one who baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service and witness.
These baptism experiences are simply and beautifully intertwined to facilitate a transformed life, equipping believers to live out their faith boldly.
The Purpose of the Holy Spirit
Receiving the Holy Spirit is crucial for empowerment in ministry and personal witness. The primary purpose of this empowerment is to enable believers to share the gospel effectively. The Holy Spirit provides strength, wisdom, and guidance necessary for living a life that reflects Christ's love and truth. As believers, surrendering control and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us can result in profound insights and transformative experiences in our spiritual journey.
Seeking the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
For those desiring to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it begins with sincere repentance and a heart open to God. Seeking the gift giver instead of merely the gifts can lead to a more profound encounter with God. It is important to acknowledge any unrepentant sin and desire fullness in the Holy Spirit's presence, which can revolutionize one's life, enabling impactful Christian witness.
Conclusion: Empowerment to Change the World
The celebration of Pentecost serves as a call for believers to seek the transformative power of the Holy Spirit actively. The church's role in the world is significant, and with the Holy Spirit's empowerment, the possibilities for outreach and ministry are boundless. As believers embrace the fullness of the Spirit, they become a force against the forces of darkness, fulfilling Christ's commission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together as a family. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
Opener:
Share a time when you’ve felt particularly connected to your faith. What was that moment like?
Reflection:
What does Pentecost mean to you, and why do you think it remains significant today?
In this week's sermon, we heard about the thief on the cross and his encounter with Jesus. What does this story teach us about faith and salvation?
Pastor Scott mentioned three baptisms: salvation, water, and Holy Spirit. Why do you think each of these steps is important in a Christian's journey?
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life? If you haven't, how would you like to?
Connection:
Discuss how the Holy Spirit empowers us to live boldly for Christ. How can we tap into this power in our daily lives?
How can our group support each other in seeking more of the Holy Spirit's presence?
Practical Application:
What are some steps you can take this week to seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Share one thing you’ve learned from this discussion that you want to focus on going forward.
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Historical Context of Pentecost and Acts 2
The events of Pentecost in Acts 2 take place in Jerusalem, a city bustling with Jewish pilgrims from all over the world for the festival of Shavuot (also known as the Feast of Weeks), celebrated 50 days after Passover. In the Jewish tradition, Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Thus, Pentecost is a day of great significance, marking both a physical and spiritual harvest.
Culturally, the Jews of the time lived under Roman occupation and longed for a messianic deliverance. This heightened awareness of Jewish identity and tradition added weight to the disciples' proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. The Holy Spirit's arrival, with its accompanying signs of wind and fire, echoed the fire and smoke on Mount Sinai, thus showing a new kind of divine presence.
The concept of the spirit or 'Ruach' in Hebrew was not new to the Jewish people; it was seen as God's breath or wind, often described in early scriptures as empowering certain individuals for specific tasks, such as kings and prophets. However, the distinction at Pentecost was a permanent indwelling, democratizing divine empowerment for all believers, irrespective of status.
In terms of geography, Jerusalem was a melting pot during the festival, giving rise to the miraculous event where the apostles spoke in various languages. This miracle directly corresponded to the Jewish diaspora, making the message of Jesus accessible to Jews from different linguistic backgrounds, which was paramount for spreading the Gospel to all nations as Jesus had commanded.
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Friends, today is not just any Sunday. Today is a significant day. It is Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the birth of the global church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This morning, we're going to unpack what Pentecost means and why it still matters for us today. And I just want to say, if this is your first time with us, I want to personally welcome you and thank you for being here.
I am so glad that you're here, whether you're in person, in here, or online watching, I'm so glad that you're tuned in to us, because I. I'm gonna tell you something. God has something special for you today. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Acts, chapter two. I know that's a surprise.
Acts two. One. And before we read, look at your neighbor, give them a nudge and say, get ready. God's about to move.
Acts, chapter 2, verse 1.
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 of fire appeared to them and rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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 our own native language?
Drop down to verse 12. 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 11, 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, for these people are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. And in the last days it shall be. God declares That I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. And your young men shall see visions.
And your old men shall dream dreams even on your 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. That's a lot to unpack, but that's what we're going to try to do today. Let's pray. Father, I ask above all else for your will to be done in this house.
God, I am your clay. Mold me, use me, speak through me. Because nothing is more important to me than accomplishing what you want to accomplish here today. Father, we give this service to you. I know that everyone feels the same way that I do, God, that this service belongs to you.
And we give it to you. I ask that you would anoint me to bring your word this morning. And all for your word and God. We pray in advance for these altars. God set them on fire for your glory in Jesus name.
Amen. I want to preach for the next few moments along these lines. The Spirit has come and he's not leaving. After Jesus rose out of the tomb that man thought would surely be able to contain what God had planned. Friends, we are told that Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days, speaking about the Kingdom of God.
He showed them many convincing signs that he was truly alive. I don't know about you, but I'm glad that I worship. And we just worshiped him. A living savior that has trampled under feet death, hell and the grave. Friends, I am here to tell you there is no other savior in this entire world that has that track record.
We serve the one true living Savior.
And not long before he ascended into heaven, he gave his disciples this command. Acts 1, 4 5. Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. Which he said, you heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
After being with the disciples a total of 40 days, he ascended to heaven. And then after 10 days, we are told that the disciples were baptized with the promised Holy spirit in Acts 2. Now, before we dive into this today, I want to be crystal clear on something right out of the Gate. If you were to ask me, Scott, what does it take for me to be saved and make it to heaven, my response would be, you must be born again. Because that's what Jesus said to Nicodemus.
Friends, the thief on the cross to Jesus did not have time to get water baptized and spirit baptized. All he could do is believe on Jesus and receive salvation. Now listen to me. I am not saying that you should not be water baptized and spirit baptized. All I'm telling you is it's not a requirement.
But here is a sad reality to me. Many in the church get saved and they stop right there. They never receive the power that helps them to walk out this life with Christ and share with others about Him. And so you know what we end up with? We end up with a bunch of weak wristed Christians that don't have the power and the anointing that Christ in part died for us to have access to.
You see, our Old Testament fathers longed for the day that they could receive what we now have access to. And yet today, many are not receiving it or they're not embracing it. And I'm here to tell you, when Christ took his last breath on that cross, the scripture tells us the veil was torn from heaven to earth. In other words, we have been given complete access, church to the Father whenever and wherever we want to. You can be stuck in traffic and I'm going to tell you something.
God can meet you right there in that car in that traffic jam. I'm telling you, many are not taking advantage of this remarkable gift that Christ has died for us to have. Today on Pentecost Sunday, I want us to debunk some myths about the Holy Spirit that I think keeps many from desiring to receive Him. And I want us to answer one question, can we receive him today? And I want us to talk about the role that he plays in the believer's life.
Before we dive into all that, we need to start at the very beginning and answer the question, what is this big word? Pentecost. What is this all about? The prefix penta means and it is a celebration of 50 days after Passover, or for us, 50 days after Easter. In the Old Testament, it's known as the festival of weeks, which is a celebration of the harvest and it's also the celebration of the giving of the law to the people.
This is very significant for us to get today because in the Old Testament, God's people received the law. And 1200 years later, we arrive in Acts 2, where the disciples were gathered and they received the Baptism. You see, in the Old Testament, on the day of Pentecost, God gave his people the Ten Commandments. Twelve hundred years later, he gave his Spirit. Why did he give us His Spirit?
Because throughout history, one thing became very clear. We could not fulfill the law. And the attraction to sin for us was simply too great. So what did God do? God sent his son to not only die for our sins, but that's not all.
He gave us another precious gift by giving us the Holy Spirit Spirit, which is going to help us to walk in obedience with God's word. Why is this significant? I'm so glad you asked. I heard every single one of you asking that question. On Mount Sinai, God's presence was accompanied by fire, by smoke and the sound of thunder.
During Pentecost, God's presence was accompanied by the sound of wind, tongues of fire and the gift of different languages. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, the people were worshiping that golden calf when they should have been worshiping God. And around 3,000 people died as punishment for that sin on that day. But when the Holy Spirit was given during Pentecost, the people repented. And around 3,000 people believed and were reborn.
While God was guiding his people to the promised land. He did so with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. But at Pentecost, God moved his presence into a brand new temple within each and every believer of Jesus Christ. The presence of God is no longer just hovering over us, friends. It is no longer behind a veil that can only be accessed by the high priest once per year.
It is available for us to receive and access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
God doesn't just want his spirit hovering over us, friends. He wants it inside of us. The day of Pentecost is also though it's more than just the gift of tongues. Tongues is not what Pentecost is all about. Do not get this bent.
Pentecost is about the unification of the body of Christ. It's about the personal indwelling of the Spirit of the Most High God. Tongues is just one gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is such a small sliver of to what he has to offer. It's just the initial physical evidence of the infilling.
Now don't get me wrong. I speak in tongues all the time. But there's so much more to this and we lose this. Now listen, I'm all about speaking in tongues. But I believe Christine Caine said it best when she said this.
Go ahead and get the ointment out. This is going to burn. Who cares if you can speak in tongues, if you're mean in English?
Unfortunately, many people place such an emphasis on speaking in tongues that many people think that's all it's about. But, friends, I'm here to tell you there is a lot more to this precious Holy Spirit. Today, on the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, we see the gift of speaking in tongues clearly on display. And it was a sign that this gospel that Jesus preached was for all sinners of every tribe, every nation, every tongue. And it was not just for.
For the elite. Jesus was not holding out. It wasn't just for the Pharisees. It was for the little man. And I feel like preaching to the ones that feel like a nobody in this house for just a second.
This is meant to be a sign to you that this Gospel is even for you. It does not matter what you've done. If his grace was good enough to save a thief on a cross just moments away from death, don't you know that it's good enough for you?
This leads us into our first point this morning. That was just the introduction.
See, it's 10:30. We'll be out sometime around 12:30, if that's okay with y' all. This leads us to our first point this morning. The promise of the Holy Spirit is promised to us. Some that claim to know Christ think that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for us today.
They claim that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we read about in Acts 2 was just for those disciples to enable them to spread this new gospel of Jesus Christ. But can I tell you something that just doesn't add up to me?
Now, I will admit to you, I am a simple thinker. Now, Katie, don't say nothing over there. I am the type that likes simple, plain Jane. Common sense. But the sad reality is, today it seems like common sense is no longer that common.
So you'll have to forgive me if I'm making this seem a bit too simple and watered down. I have taken many classes on theology, but sometimes, friends, we don't need to get all technical in order to know the heart of our Father. My question for those that think the promise of the Holy Spirit was just for those disciples is do you really think that God loved them more than he loves us? If the Spirit was intended to help the disciples spread the gospel, why wouldn't God want to help us spread the gospel today? If they needed his power, then how much more do we need it?
Now, let's not forget what Peter said on that very first day of Pentecost in Acts 2:39. Here's what Peter said. The promise. The Holy Spirit is for you and your children and for all who are far off. For all who the Lord our God will call friends.
This includes you. This includes me. This includes every generation until Jesus comes back. You see, some of you may have grown up in a house where your parents had favorites. Maybe it was clear that your parents loved one sibling over the other.
But can I declare something to you today? God does not play the favorites game with his children. He doesn't love one child more than another. He loves you just the same as he loves me. And if he's willing to save me, he's willing to save you.
He doesn't withhold his promises from one another, one group while lavishing them on another group. If he was willing to fill the early disciples with the promise of the Holy Ghost, don't you know that he'll do it for you? God is not prejudice. God is not racist. God is not sexist.
God loves everyone equally. But I think the reason that we have a hard time understanding this truly equal treatment is because we're failing to see it in our culture today. But I'm here to tell you, God loves you as much as he loved Peter. God loves you as much as he loved the apostle Paul. God loves you as much as he loved Timothy.
And if he was willing to fill them with the Holy Spirit so that they could live for Christ and spread his gospel to the ends of the earth, I'm here to tell you, he is willing to fill you today. Friends, the Holy Spirit wasn't just for preachers and apostles. He wasn't just for the first century church. He is for you today, right now. If the early church needed the power of the Holy Spirit to stand against persecution and deception and spiritual warfare, how much more do we need him today?
Has sin gotten weaker? Has the devil gotten less deceptive? Has the world gotten more righteous? We are living in the last days, friends. And we don't need less of God's power.
We need more.
I don't know about you, but I need the Holy Spirit to help me every single day. I need him to give me wisdom when I don't know what to do. I need his strength whenever I feel weak. I need him to help me love my wife better. Friends, I'm telling you as living proof.
The same spirit that filled the apostles is still available today. How do I know? Because I experienced it. You cannot tell me it does not exist because I have personal experience. Jesus Himself said this in John 4:16 and I will ask the Father and He will give you another helper to be with you.
How long? Forever. Not just a moment, not just a generation. Forever. So if you've been trying to serve God in your own strength and you feel tired, you are worn out, or you feel dry, friend, that's exactly why God offers you spirit.
The promise is for every hungry heart that says, lord, I need you. Fill me up. Our second point this morning. God doesn't stop at just one work. He's got salvation for your soul, water for your past, and fire for your purpose.
Now I know some may still be wondering if this promise of the Holy Spirit is truly for us. How exactly does this work? How do we receive it? And to answer that, I want to make I want us to take a closer look at what's on going Scripture teaches about the different baptisms that God provides for his people. Because, friends, when we understand how God has laid this out, it is so simple.
It removes confusion and builds our faith to receive everything that he has for us. We need to understand that there are three distinct baptisms that Scripture clearly outlines. Before I dive into three baptisms, though, we need to have an understanding, A Refresher on what does the word baptism baptism mean? I know Pastor Tom just preached about this on a Wednesday night a few weeks ago, but I just want to do a refresher. The word baptism baptizo means to be fully immersed into something.
This is not a tiptoe experience. This is not a waist deep experience. We are talking about full immersion. That's why when Jesus baptized, he didn't just sprinkle them in the Jordan, he immersed them. When John baptized Jesus, Jesus was fully immersed.
So what are the three baptisms? The first the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Jesus. First Corinthians 12:13 for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. In other words, we are baptized into the body of Christ. This is our repentance.
This is our salvation experience. This is where we go from living for ourselves and our own selfish desires to serving Christ. Our sins are washed away in this baptism. The second is the one that most are probably familiar with. The disciple baptizes us in water.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is our water baptism. Now I want you to pay careful attention to my word choice here Notice I said the disciple, because it doesn't have to be a pastor. It just says a disciple. According to scripture, any believer can baptize someone.
And I'm looking out to a lot of people that need to get busy. You're all disciples. Amen. I hope you are. If you're not, we'll fix that.
The third and final baptism. Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11. This is John the Baptist speaking here. I baptize you with water for repentance.
But he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus wants to fill us. Get us completely immersed in the Holy Spirit. Notice we have two separate events described in this passage.
Passage. We have water baptism, and we have the baptism and the Holy Spirit. And notice who is doing it. Jesus is the one doing it. Now, there's something we need to address before we move forward.
In the Old Testament, we can see glimpses of the Holy Spirit empowering people. But the difference between the Old and the New Testament Holy Spirit is the duration. Let's look at John 1:33. This is John speaking here. I myself did not know him.
But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, he on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. God told John that the one you see the Spirit descend upon and remain upon is the One. This is very important for us to notice because before this point, the Spirit had descended upon certain people. But it was always for a very specific reason and a set time frame. The Spirit had never remained on a person until Jesus.
If you remember, we're told the Spirit descended on Saul, but when he sinned by offering a sacrifice without Samuel present, the Spirit, we're told, left him. A few chapters later, the Spirit descended upon David. And when David committed adultery with Bathsheba, David said this in Psalm 51, when he was repenting of this sin. Cast me not from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Now, when did John see the Spirit descend in Amain and remain?
When he baptized Jesus in water. When John baptized Jesus. Scripture tells us that the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit, like a dove, descended upon Jesus. I heard one preacher one time that was preaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And he mentioned that we have to pay very careful attention to the grammar used when we're reading Scripture because it can drastically change the way that we understand a Verse like a dove.
That phrase like a dove is a simile, which means it adds to the sentence. It gives us a little bit of color to the context. The Holy Spirit is our subject here. The Holy Spirit, like a dove, descended on Jesus. You see, the problem is many people think that sentence reads this.
A dove, like the Spirit, descended on Jesus. Because we've all seen it in the movies, have we not? We've all seen the dove fly down from heaven and land on Jesus. I heard about this old preacher one time that wanted to do an illustration for a message on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There was a hole, just so happened, right above the pulpit where a vent once had been that had not been filled in.
And so the pastor thought, you know what? Going to get a little boy and I'm going to throw him up there in the attic with a dove. And he told the boy, he said, now when I say the Holy Spirit came down, you throw the dove down. And so he got to preaching his message and he got to that climax and he said, the Holy Spirit came down and nothing happened. So he repeated again, he said, I said the Holy Spirit came down and nothing happened.
And so he said it again. I said, the Holy Spirit came down. And then he heard this voice say, pastor, a cat ate the Holy Ghost. Do you want me to throw the cat down?
I bet he didn't see that one coming.
I want you to catch this. A dove, like the Holy Spirit didn't descend. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus. This is not some artificial version of the real thing. This was the real Holy Spirit.
Now, again, I am simple minded. You'll have to forgive me. I tend to ask very simple questions. My question for you is this. If Jesus needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, what in the world makes you think you can accomplish everything that God wants you to accomplish without it?
Because I'm gonna be honest, I know most of you fairly well. And I'm sorry to say that none of you are greater than Jesus. I love you, but I'm telling you, Jesus is greater than everyone in this room today and everyone watching online. I'm here to tell you that if God is willing to provide this gift to me in order to help me follow closer to him, to obey him and fulfill his will, I don't know about you, but I want it. Throughout the entire chapter of Psalm 51, when David repented of his sin with Bathsheba, notice how desperate that his prayer sounds.
He is desperately pleading for God not to take the Holy Spirit away from him. Why was he desperate? Because he knew he couldn't accomplish what God had sent him to do without it. I make no bones about this people. And I have seen it can accomplish great things for God without the power of the Holy Spirit.
But here's what I will tell you. Whatever great things you are doing for God currently, they will be greatly enhanced with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And friends, David knew this. David knew that he could not successfully lead an entire nation without the anointing and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let's look at a few more scriptures that clearly show all three of these baptisms so that we can definitively answer this question.
Is this promise of the Holy Spirit for us today as we go through these passages, I want you to look for all three of these baptisms. Baptism of salvation, baptism of water, and Holy spirit baptism. Acts 2:37 is where we're going to start. 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.
This is salvation. And be baptized. That's water baptism. 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.
That's Holy Spirit baptism. Now let's look at another passage where we will see all three of these baptisms. Acts 8 beginning at verse 12. Philip in this passage, has just preached to a group of people and they have become believers. Acts 8:12.
But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, in other words, they received salvation. They were baptized, both men and women. There's water baptism. Drop down to verse 14 for me. Now, when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not fallen on any of them yet.
But they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they were received the Holy Spirit. There's Holy Spirit baptism. Let me ask you something. If these new converts already had the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then why would Peter and John pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit if they already had it?
Friends, I'm here to tell you that Scripture is clear on this. There are three distinct baptisms. Our third and final point this morning. This power has a purpose. What amazes me is we have people in the church that are willing to entrust their eternal souls to Christ, yet they don't trust him enough when it comes to receiving this gift.
Many are willing to receive the blood, but many are not willing to receive the Spirit. Could it be just throwing this out there? Could it be that we have many people that that simply don't understand the reason that Christ came in the first place? He didn't just come to save you friend. He came to save whosoever will.
Could it be that the global Church is only interested in a get out of hell free card and has no interest in fulfilling the Great Commission? Because I've already said this and I'm going to say it again very plainly. The primary function of the Holy Spirit is to help you and me be witnesses to those that do not know Christ. And if you are willing to trust in the power of Jesus blood to wash your soul clean of sin, why don't you trust him enough that this gift is a good thing? I believe the problem is we have many people that are only in it for what they can get out of it.
Friends, the Jesus that lives inside of you is not meant to be kept captive by you. It is meant to be shared. And if you will just yield your will to Jesus, he wants to use you to be a witness to others that he so desperately loves and wants to save. I'm here to tell you that he loves you, but he also loves those around you. Well, Scott, I don't like the whole tongue talking thing.
It freaks me out and I just don't think that's for me. Well, lovely. Excuse me if I seem a bit harsh here, but I really don't care what you like because whether you realize it or not, when you received, you agreed to turn over your will in order to accomplish His. I'm telling you it is time for the Church. I'm telling you it is time for the Church to wake up and stop being so scared and so fearful of allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work within us.
I learned a long time ago the best thing that I can do is to yield this floor to God and the working of His Spirit. Because he can do more with my surrender than I can ever do with my control. Now, I want to be clear in something many people, and I referenced this earlier. Many people believe that they receive the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ. And I'm here to tell you that is true to a certain extent.
How do we know this? Because you cannot separate a member of the Trinity from the others. It's just simple theology. But here's What I want you to understand Jesus. This is what Jesus wants to do.
Jesus wants to baptize us. In other words, he wants to fill us to overflowing with the Holy Spirit so that we can be empowered witnesses for him when we receive Christ. You have a portion of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus wants to give you more. And I don't know about you, but if Jesus is going to offer me more, I will gladly assist. Accept it.
Here's what I want you to know about the Holy Spirit today on Pentecost Sunday. This is according to scripture. This is kind of a summary of everything we've talked about. Number one, the promise of the Holy Spirit is promised to us according to Acts 2. 39.
Number two, the promise of the Holy Spirit is worth waiting for. How do we know this? Because the disciples waited for the promise for 10 days. Days. So it would lead me to believe that it must be worth waiting for.
Number three, the promise comes as he wills. Often he won't come according to our own expectations and our own designs and our own agendas. But let me be frank with you, that this promise of the Holy Spirit is going to test you and he's going to deepen your faith and he's going to find out how deep your faith goes. Because when he speaks to you and orders you to go do something that is beyond what you can comprehend, or it starts to invade that box that you're in, which is your comfort zone, that's when the rubber is going to meet the road. That's when you'll realize that there is more to this Jesus.
That Jesus love doesn't just want to impact you, but it wants to invade our entire world. Number four, the promise often comes in response to. To dying, to self. And this is a hard one. So many people wonder.
They say, scott, I have come to the altar, I have prayed to receive the Holy Spirit. I don't know why he's not giving it to me. Have you died to yourself? Pastor Jim Raley once said, sin fascinates before it assassinates. If you want to receive the promise, the first step is you've got to let go of sin and let go of your father selfish desires and say, God, I want this for your glory.
And when I say this, I'm even talking about the sin that no one knows about, that you've been hiding. And you think because no human knows about it, then God doesn't. But if you want to receive him, you're going to need to repent of all that sin. Number five, the promise is given to empower us to be witnesses. There is a purpose behind this.
God has always been faithful to provide us with everything that we need to accomplish what he's asking. And this is an example. He has provided us with the Spirit in order to be a witness throughout the world. Friends, I'm telling you, spreading the gospel to the ends of this earth is not an easy task. That's what Jesus has commanded us to do.
But I will tell you that with the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. Here's a simple explanation of all the baptisms according to scripture. Number one, the first baptism is we get saved. In other words, we become a new person. Number two, we get water baptized.
The old person is cut off. Number three, we get spirit baptized. We get the power to walk in the new. This is a complete, total transformation and a complete new work. As I get ready to close this morning, I want to tell you something from the bottom of my heart.
I want this church to be the devil's worst nightmare.
I want to see the devil run out of this city. And the way we're going to do this is through the power of the Holy Ghost. You get enough people filled with the holy spirit and Satan will know better than to start attacking that church. It's time to serve Satan with an eviction notice and let him know that he is not welcome in Oxford. He's not welcome in the villages.
He's not welcome in Wildwood. He's not welcome in Summerfield. He's not welcome in this state. He's not welcome in this nation. But the reality is that if we don't have the spirit, all we have is a bunch of saved people without any real power against the enemy.
Friends, this battle is not fought in the flesh. It's fought in the spirit. And so this morning, as Tabitha leads us in this song, I want to encourage you, if you're willing to say, God, I want everything that you have for me. If you want to heal me, I want it. I want the baptism of your holy Spirit.
I don't want to tiptoe with experience. I want to be fully submersed in your spirit for your glory so that I can share the gospel with power and have authority over the enemy. If that's you today, I would like for you to get out of your seat and walk down to this altar and ask God for it. Prayer partners, you can go ahead and start making your way forward. If you want the baptism of the Holy spirit, friends, all you have to do is ask for it.
But I want to remind you, if you have any unrepentant sin, we need to deal with that first. I don't need to know what it is. We don't care. We just need to deal with that. All we need to do is ask God to forgive you.
He's going to forgive you. It's a simple thing that we can take care of. If you've been struggling to receive the Holy Spirit, may I suggest as you come this morning, stop seeking the gift and start seeking the gift giver, Jesus Christ. Just start worshiping him as we begin this song. And as you do, just tell him, jesus, baptize me with the power of your Holy Spirit.
So during this altar call, I'm going to ask our prayer partners who are already here to come and I just want to invite you to come to this altar and seek Jesus. And as you're seeking him, I'm telling you, Jesus is going to show up.
