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danmartin
Pastor, Grace Church Gateshead (Gateshead, UK)
User since 2016
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Zion will be redeemed through justice [sermon study notes]
Isaiah 2:1-4:6
God states his case against his people and his city [sermon study notes]
Isaiah 1:1-31
God will be silent no more [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 50:1-23
The city of God is a delight [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 48:1-21
Sing praise to God the King, all peoples! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 47:1-10
The LORD of hosts is with us [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 46:1-12
The King is getting married! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 45:1-18
You have made us like sheep for slaughter [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 44:1-27
Vindicate me, O God! [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 42:1-12
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 42:1-12
The Lord will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom [draft sermon outline]
2 Timothy 4:9-22
Paul has finished well [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Preach the Word! [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 4:1-8
God supplies the power for the Christian life [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Be prepared for very hard times [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Jesus' people must leave quarrelling behind [draft sermon outline]
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Follow Jesus through suffering and into glory [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 2:1-7
Do not be ashamed [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 1:8-18
God gave us a Spirit of power, love and self-control; not a spirit of fear [draft sermon outline]
2 Timothy 1:1-7
God delights to seek and to save the lost [draft sermon notes]
Luke 15:1-32
Jesus tells us to expect various different responses to the Word of God [draft sermon outline]
Luke 15:1-32
Making church safe, part 3: Confronting, recovering, preventing [draft sermon notes]
Mark 10:42-45
How does correct use of authority become misuse of authority, and what should we do about it?
Mark 10:42-45
Making church safe, part 1: why we need to talk about this
Mark 10:42-45
The risen Lord Jesus reveals himself again [draft sermon notes]
John 21:1-25
'Peace be with you' [draft sermon outline]
John 20:19-31
Jesus is alive! [draft sermon notes]
John 20:1-18
Jesus is buried [initial sermon notes]
John 19:31-42
'It is finished' [draft sermon notes]
John 19:16-30
Behold your King! [draft sermon notes]
John 18:28-19:16
Jesus is the true Hero [draft sermon notes]
John 18:1-27
Jesus prays for everyone who will believe in him [draft sermon notes]
John 17:20-26
Jesus prays for his disciples [draft sermon outline]
John 17:1-19
Whoever abides in the gospel has both the Father and the Son [draft sermon outline]
2 John 1-13
The Word became flesh [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:18-2:12
The King has been born [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:18-2:12
Jesus by name, Jesus by nature [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:18-2:12
Jesus asks his Father to glorify him [draft sermon outline]
John 17:1-19
Your sorrow will turn into joy [draft sermon notes]
John 16:16-33
Jesus prepares his people for opposition and hatred [draft sermon outline]
John 15:18-16:15
I AM the true vine [draft sermon outline]
John 15:1-17
"Because I live, you also will live" [draft sermon notes]
John 14:15-31
Jesus' public ministry revealed the Father to the world, but was met with unbelief [draft sermon notes]
John 12:36-50
The hour has come [draft sermon outline]
John 12:20-36
Jesus is the King who has come to die [draft sermon notes]
John 12:1-19
Jesus gives his life for his friends [draft sermon notes]
John 11:28-57
I AM the resurrection and the life [draft sermon notes]
John 11:1-27
Jesus and the Father are one [draft sermon notes]
John 10:22-42
I AM the Good Shepherd [draft sermon outline]
John 10:1-21
Jesus heals a man who had been blind since birth [draft sermon notes]
John 9:1-41
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples [draft sermon outline]
John 8:31-59
I AM the light of the world [draft sermon notes]
John 8:12-30
If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink [draft sermon notes]
John 7:32-52
The World Hates Jesus [draft sermon notes]
John 7:1-31
You have the words of eternal life [draft sermon notes]
John 6:60-71
I AM the bread of life [draft sermon outline]
John 6:22-59
Jesus feeds the five thousand [draft sermon notes]
John 6:1-21
Jesus tells us to believe the evidence [draft sermon outline]
John 5:30-47
The Son does what the Father does [draft sermon outline]
John 5:1-29
Jesus heals an official's son [draft sermon notes]
John 4:43-54
Many Samaritans believe in Jesus [draft sermon outline]
John 4:1-42
He must increase, but I must decrease [draft sermon notes]
John 3:22-36
Come and have eternal life [draft sermon notes]
John 3:1-21
Jesus is the true temple [draft sermon outline]
John 2:13-25
Jesus shows his glory in his first sign [draft sermon outline]
John 2:1-12
We have found the Messiah! [draft sermon notes]
John 1:19-51
The Word became flesh [draft sermon outline]
John 1:1-18
An Introduction to John's Gospel - Grace Church Gateshead series intro
John 1:1-51
The LORD knows the way of the righteous [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 41:1-14
Your law is within my heart [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 40:1-18
Hurry to help me, O Lord my salvation! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 38:1-23
Don't get angry because of evil, but wait on God [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 37:1-40
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 36:1-13
How long, O LORD, will you look on? [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 35:1-28
Taste and see that the LORD is good! [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 34:1-23
Shout for joy in the LORD! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 33:1-22
Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 32:1-11
Into your hand I commit my spirit [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 31:1-25
You have turned my mourning into dancing [initial sermon outline draft]
Psalms 30:1-13
Give glory to the LORD and his mighty Word! [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 29:1-11
The LORD is my strength and my shield [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 28:1-9
The LORD is my light and my salvation [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 27:1-14
Jesus' Kingdom will Never End [draft sermon outline]
Luke 1:1-2:52
'Put on' the Lord Jesus Christ [draft sermon notes]
Romans 14:1-23
Use your freedom to live as servants of God [draft sermon notes]
Romans 14:1-23
Part 1: Live as people who have been welcomed by God [draft sermon notes]
Romans 14:1-23
Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus [draft sermon notes]
2 Peter 3:14-18
Jesus' return seems slow, because he is so patient [draft sermon outline]
2 Peter 3:8-13
Do not forget! The Lord always works through his Word [draft sermon notes]
2 Peter 3:1-7
Know the marks of false teachers, since being ensnared will utterly ruin you [draft sermon outline]
2 Peter 2:10-22
The Lord Jesus is in full control, even when false teachers harm the church [draft sermon outline]
2 Peter 2:1-10
The Old Testament has been confirmed in Jesus [draft sermon outline]
2 Peter 1:19-21
Don't ever forget: Jesus is coming back in power [draft sermon notes]
2 Peter 1:12-18
If you practice these qualities you will never fall [sermon outline]
2 Peter 1:5-11
God has given us all things for life and godliness [draft sermon outline]
2 Peter 1:3-4
Grow in the Grace and Knowledge in Jesus [sermon notes]
2 Peter 1:1-3:18
The ancient doors have been opened for Jesus, the King of glory [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 24:1-10
The LORD is my Shepherd [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 23:1-6
Praise the God who has revealed himself! [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 19:1-15
God's King praises God [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 18:1-51
God's promise continues beyond the lives of Jacob and Joseph [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 49:1-50:26
Jacob goes to Egypt [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 46:1-48:22
Joseph and his brothers are reconciled [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 42:1-45:28
God lifts Joseph up to the very top [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 40:1-41:57
The LORD was with Joseph [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 39:1-23
Judah is deceived [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 38:1-30
Joseph's brothers sell him as a slave [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 37:1-36
Esau becomes a mighty nation [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 36:1-43
One chapter is finished and another begins [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 35:1-29
Jacob's children don't act like God's children [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 34:1-31
Jacob and Esau are reconciled [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 33:1-20
Jacob becomes Israel [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 32:1-33
Jesus is alive [draft sermon notes]
Mark 14:1-16:20
Jacob and Laban make peace [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 31:1-55
God makes Jacob incredibly wealthy [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 30:25-43
Jacob has 12 children [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 29:31-30:24
Jacob gets married [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 29:1-30
God blesses Jacob [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 28:1-22
Jacob deceives his Father [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 27:1-46
Jacob manipulates Esau [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 25:19-34
Abraham dies but God's blessing continues on [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 25:1-18
God provides a wife for Isaac [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 24:1-67
Abraham owns a plot of land [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 23:1-20
God tests Abraham [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 22:1-24
Abraham makes a covenant of kindness [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 21:22-34
God shows his faithfulness to both of Abraham's sons [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 21:1-21
We have come to worship him [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:1-2:23
You shall call him Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:1-2:23
The 'Christ' has arrived [draft sermon outline]
Matthew 1:1-2:23
God protects and blesses Abraham and Sarah again
Genesis 20:1-18
Lot is rescued on the terrible day of the LORD [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 19:1-38
Who am I? [draft sermon outline]
Galatians 2:1-21
Is anything too hard for the Lord? [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 18:1-33
God promises, and Abraham obeys [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 17:1-27
Abram and Sarai have a big wobble, but God's grace is greater still [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 16:1-16
God guarantees his promises to Abram [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 15:1-21
Abram and Lot part ways [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 13:2-18
God blesses and protects Abram and Sarai [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 12:10-13:1
God promises to bless all peoples through Abram [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 11:27-12:9
People spread out across the earth in their language groups [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 10:1-11:32
The earth was re-populated after the flood [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 10:1-11:32
Humanity falls again [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
God emphasises his commitment to the world he has made [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
The flood drains away and God makes a new creation [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
The flood came, just as God had said [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
God tells Noah to build an ark, since he is going to destroy everything on earth with a flood [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
As humans multiplied, so did wickedness [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 5:1-9:29
In the midst of the human story of death, God wrote a story of hope
Genesis 5:1-9:29
Sin and suffering multiply on earth [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 2:4-4:26
Adam and Eve are banished from Eden [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 2:4-4:26
Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 2:4-4:26
Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 2:4-4:26
In the beginning, God created a very good world - part 2 [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 1:1-2:3
God made man out of the dust of the earth [draft sermon outline]
Genesis 2:4-4:26
In the beginning, God created a very good world [draft sermon notes]
Genesis 1:1-2:25
He has risen, as he said[draft sermon notes]
Matthew 26:1-28:20
The long wait has a joyful end [draft sermon notes]
Luke 2:22-35
What is a simple church? [draft sermon notes]
Acts 2:42-47
What is a disciple-making church? [draft sermon notes]
Matthew 28:18-20
What is a gospel-centred church? [draft sermon notes]
Colossians 3:1-4
We will see God and be satisfied! [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 17:1-51
In God's presence there is fullness of joy [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 16:1-15
Jesus has taken us into God's presence forever [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 15:1-11
The LORD's words are utterly pure and trustworthy [draft sermon outline]
Psalms 12:1-9
When it seems like evil is unstoppable, know that God sees from heaven and he will act [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 11:1-9
God sees the evil on planet earth, and he will deal with all of it [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 10:1-18
The LORD has established his throne for justice [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 9:1-39
God's name is overwhelmingly majestic [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 8:1-10
God is a righteous Judge [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 7:1-18
The LORD hears our weeping prayers [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 6
The LORD covers his people with favour [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 5:1-13
The LORD hears when we call to Him [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 4:1-9
The LORD of hosts is with us [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 46:1-12
By God's grace, be at peace [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Be ready for Jesus' return! [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Encourage each other with the certain hope of Jesus' return [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Keep on loving one another [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Living to please God means we must pursue holiness [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Be prepared for affliction [draft sermon outline]
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Paul longed to see the Thessalonians again [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Thank God for the faith and perseverance of his people [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Confidence in God leads us to declare the gospel and share our lives [draft sermon outline]
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
When God's people suffer joyfully, the gospel multiplies [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Paul thanks God that the Thessalonian church are real Christians [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
Celebrate the life of faith, hope and love in the gospel of Jesus Christ [draft sermon notes]
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5:28
It is good to give thanks to the LORD [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 92:1-16
Since we are alive in Christ together, live the new life together [draft sermon outline]
Colossians 3:1-17
Daniel is assured that God will fulfil all his plans and put all things right [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 12:1-13
Daniel sees a final vision of proud kings, turmoil, and suffering in times to come [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 11:1-45
Daniel is exhausted and strengthened for one more vision [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 10:1-21
Daniel's faithful prayer receives a glorious answer [draft sermon notes]
Daniel 9:1-27
Daniel sees that God is bigger than the dark days that lie ahead [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 8:1-27
God has established his eternal Kingdom in Jesus [draft sermon notes]
Daniel 7:1-28
God raises Daniel alive out of the place of death [draft sermon notes]
Daniel 6:1-29
God suddenly ends Belshazzar's life and rule, because he did not honour God [draft sermon notes]
Daniel 5:1-31
God reveals deep and hidden things [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 2:1-49
God preserves his faithful people in exile [draft sermon outline]
Daniel 1:1-21
Jesus is the resurrection and the life [draft sermon outline]
John 11:1-57
Jesus' family must show honour [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2
Train yourself for godliness [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 4:6-16
Jesus has revealed the secret of godliness  [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Show the gospel by serving [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 3:8-13
Eldership is a good work [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Godly living celebrates the goodness of God our creator [early draft sermon notes]
1 Timothy 2:8-15
God's gospel is for everyone [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Those who truly love the law, love the gospel [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 1:8-20
Keep the gospel the centre! [draft sermon outline]
1 Timothy 1:1-7
How we live in God's household (draft sermon notes)
1 Timothy 1:1-2
God's king takes away God's punishment [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 24:1-25
God has established an everlasting Kingdom [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 23:1-39
To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 21:15-22:51
God's King removes the judgement on God's people [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 21:1-14
God's king is rejected - again [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 20:1-26
The Return of the King: David returns to Jerusalem [draft sermon notes - unfinished]
2 Samuel 19:8-43
The rebel dies a rebel's death [draft sermon notes - unfinished]
2 Samuel 17:27-19:8
Absalom takes Jerusalem [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 16:15-17:26
Absalom rebels against David [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 15:1-16:14
Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand [draft sermon notes]
1 Peter 5:1-14
David is manipulated [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 14:1-33
David's sons abandon steadfast love [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 13:1-39
The LORD punishes and pardons [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 12:1-31
David abandons steadfast love (Bathsheba) - initial draft sermon notes
2 Samuel 11:1-27
David defeats the Ammonites (the backdrop to Bathsheba) [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 10:1-19
David shows the steadfast love of God [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 9:1-13
The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 8:1-18
God's King is victorious [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 5:1-26
God's Kingdom is established - but God is in no one's debt [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 4:1-12
God's king begins his rule [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 2:1-3:1
David learns that the King is dead, and laments [draft sermon notes]
2 Samuel 1:1-27
Let all the ends of the earth worship God in Jesus! [draft sermon notes]
Psalms 67:1-7
Persisting in Evangelism, part 2 - 'Samaria' [draft sermon notes]
Colossians 4:1-6
Persisting in Evangelism, part 1 - 'Judea' [draft sermon notes]
2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Reformation - sola gratia [draft sermon notes]
Ephesians 2:1-10
Sola Scriptura! [draft sermon notes]
2 Timothy 3:14-4:8
The gospel reaches the ends of the earth [draft sermon notes]
Acts 28:11-31
God is our refuge and strength [draft sermon notes]
Acts 27:2-28:10
Paul testifies to the resurrection again [draft sermon notes]
Acts 25:13-27:1
Paul keeps testifying [draft sermon notes]
Acts 24:1-25:12
The Lord Jesus protects Paul and guides his way onwards towards Rome [draft sermon notes]
Acts 21:27-23:35
Paul goes to Jerusalem, fully aware of what awaits him [draft sermon notes]
Acts 21:1-26
Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood [draft sermon notes]
Acts 20:17-38
Idolatry causes a riot in Ephesus [draft sermon notes]
Acts 19:21-20:1
The Kingdom of God comes in Ephesus [draft sermon notes]
Acts 18:24-19:20
By the grace of Jesus, Paul plants the gospel in Corinth and completes his second missionary journey [draft sermon notes]
Acts 18:1-23
News of Jesus' resurrection challenges, divides, and saves [draft sermon notes]
Acts 17:16-34
The gospel of the Lord Jesus takes root in Europe (draft sermon notes)
Acts 16:6-40
It's Official: God is saving people from all nations into his church through Jesus Christ alone [draft sermon notes].
Acts 15:1-16:5
Paul and Barnabus plant true worshiping communities in the nations [draft sermon notes]
Acts 14:1-28
The Lord Jesus sends Paul and Barnabus to preach and plant his gospel in the nations (draft sermon notes)
Acts 12:25-13:52
The Word of God is unstoppable (draft sermon notes)
Acts 12:1-25
Christmas Day 2016: Now we have what many longed to see (draft sermon notes)
Luke 2:22-40
God has kept his promises! (sermon notes 1.0)
Luke 1:57-80
The Lord Jesus plants a church in Antioch (draft sermon notes)
Acts 11:19-30
Jesus calls the nations into His church (draft sermon notes)
Acts 10:1-11:18
Jesus Christ heals (draft sermon notes)
Acts 9:32-43
Jesus converts Saul, who experiences opposition, suspicion, and acceptance (draft sermon notes)
Acts 9:1-31
Jesus saves a man through Scripture reading and Christian witness (draft sermon notes)
Acts 8:26-40
Jesus told the truth when He said, 'You will be my witnesses in Samaria' (sermon notes draft)
Acts 8:3-25
Jesus receives His first martyr, and the gospel is scattered outwards (draft sermon notes)
Acts 6:8-8:2
The healthy church grows through internal problems (draft sermon notes)
Acts 6:1-7
Jesus empowers His church to endure opposition with joy [draft sermon notes 1.0]
Acts 5:12-42
You cannot serve God and money (draft sermon notes)
Acts 4:32-5:11
Jesus shows His power to save by healing a lame man (draft sermon notes)
Acts 3:1-26
The Spirit-filled church is devoted to Jesus, who blesses and grows His church
Acts 2:42-47
Jesus prepares His church for the coming of the Spirit (Sunday sermon notes)
Acts 1:12-26
Jesus' ascension guarantees the completion of God's plan
Acts 1:1-11
view all (268 total)
The Risen Lord Jesus Pours out the Promised Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-41
The Enthroned Jesus Delivers on God's Promise (sermon notes)
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#pentecost
#ascension
#jesus
Published September 8th, 2016
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The Enthroned Jesus Delivers on God's Promise What it's like in a town/city at a major festival time. Massive population increase. People everywhere. Setting the scene. 1. The Spirit comes at Pentecost, v1-13 What was Pentecost; OT background What Jerusalem would be like on feast holidays Wind; fire; Spirit. On each of them; the New Covenant promise is happening! Miraculous speaking in different languages [being far from home and hearing your own language]. He enables gospel proclamation. William Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators: 'the greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough and never is considered a foreigner.' A glimpse of Babel undone. Iran to Rome. So... This clearly is a one-off; we have never ever heard of multiple languages spoken clearly without interpretation. 1 Cor 14 gift requires interpretation. Twin dangers: fascination with the gift not the giver; or defensive overreaction. Both dangers there from the start - see 1 Corinthians 12-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5. Defensive overreaction . We've seen awful abuses and so we run to the other extreme and then find reasons to justify it. But a) no arguments stand up to say that the Spirit's gifts will cease - closest thing is saying when we see Jesus face to face. b) wasn't just the apostles doing miracles in Acts - there were others like Philip, or even his daughters. c) which gift hasn't been abused? For centuries! cf Montanist controversy or Joachim of Fiore; seen it all before. What we need is correct use, not the other abuse. d) Perhaps we need a more careful understanding of what Scripture means when it talks about these gifts. For instance, 'prophecy' needn't always mean new revelation that gets written down in the Bible, as the Bible. Think of Saul prophesying, or the craziness happening in 1 Cor which Paul still calls prophesy. None of those prophesies were recorded in Scripture. Remember that most of what the OT prophets did was interpret and apply the law; they were 'God's lawyers'. People can even prophesy without knowing it! Like Caiaphas in John 11.49-53. This is why we're told elsewhere to test prophecies against the Scripture; since they are basically someone's interpretation of Scripture to a particular situation. This is actually how Christians have understood it for much of the past 2,000 years, including famous puritans, who didn't think the gift had 'ceased', but operated through Word ministry in the local church. Or another example - marriage and singleness are both charismatic gifts. Did you know that? Paul calls them 'charismata' in 1 Corinthians. We need a more careful understanding of what Scripture means when it talks about Spiritual gifts. We mustn't simply see some terrible abuse and run to the other extreme. Fascination: you miss the big idea. Create higher tiers and inner circles. It is Jesus who is the giver. The point here is that we are to be like the 3,000, not the 120. Notice what happens right here: the most awesome manifestation of the Spirit has just happened, and Peter preaches about Jesus. To be Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered is to be Jesus focused. This is what has upset me most when I've visited churches claiming to be charismatic in the past; it's the sense of robbery from giving people the historical Jesus. Did you come to church expecting a 'sermon on the Holy Spirit'? People are more eager to hear about the Spirit than about the historical Jesus. Churches will sometimes try to prove how 'spiritual' they are by having a sermon series on the Spirit. But to be Spirit-filled is to be Jesus focused. He is Jesus' cameraman. The floodlight that illuminates all His glory. A church that is constantly focused on the Holy Spirit is not Spirit-filled. A church that is constantly focused on Jesus can only be Spirit-filled. Do you want the comfort of the Spirit? The power of the Spirit? The purifying of the Spirit? Well then, come to Jesus, as He is the giver of the Spirit. He gives all those things, by His Spirit. Guided by the Spirit? Come to Jesus and hear His voice and follow Him. And you will walk by the Spirit. 2. Peter explains that it is the risen Lord Jesus who has poured out the promised Spirit, since He is the Christ (God's King), v14-36 Joel: on all flesh, men and women [New covenant, cf mediated Spirit-empowering in the Old]. Prophesy. [Mountain range] Preaches a sermon about Jesus; that's what Spirit-filling does! You killed him; God raised Him. And so look, v33, He has poured out the Spirit. He is LORD and Christ. [a high up hill, with giant cistern; Jesus ascended and now look!] Further proof that Jesus is seated on the throne, right now. Jesus said this in John 7, quoting Isaiah 55; On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. So... The point is not, how can I get God to do manifestations in my life; the point is, Jesus has given the Holy Spirit! He really is on the throne right now! He really can live and be present in my life by His Spirit! I don't need to 'feel' that Jesus is alive to know He's alive - I have something better than that. I don't need to 'feel' the Holy Spirit - I have something better than that. Factual events. Do you get this? It's not, I trust in Jesus, now what can I do to get the Holy Spirit; it's, I have the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus, now what does He want me to do? 3. Many respond in repentance, v37-41 Repent and be baptised, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit This promise is for all. 3000 'added', from the 'crooked' generation, that went astray. So... The risen Lord Jesus gives the Spirit to those who turn to God in faith. Repentance is a changing of the mind, a turning around. Far more than saying sorry. First disciples leave their boats, turn and follow Jesus. Luther: 'a life of repentance'; Jesus: 'deny yourself and follow me'. Our experience is not the 120, but the 3,000 - of whom we are not told anything about miraculous manifestations. The Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ, and applies all His benefits to us. Forgiven in Christ, adopted in Him, set apart in Him. God appoints, Jesus achieves, the Spirit applies. [like captives in utter darkness being given a floodlight, to see and follow our rescuer]. He mediates the Presence of Jesus. Baptism of the Spirit is a once for all baptism, into Jesus Christ. But it thus enables many 'fillings' of the Spirit (cf Luke's mentions of fillings in notes above). There is always more of God to be had; living water. Have you repented? Will you repent this morning? Do you want more of the Spirit, of this living water? Then come to Jesus. More power, more guidance, more comfort, more rest? Come to Jesus. It's what Spirit-given people do.
notes
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NT
Acts 2:1-41
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2 1 Καὶ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ἦσαν πάντες ὁμοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό. 2 καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἦχος ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας καὶ ἐπλήρωσεν ὅλον τὸν οἶκον οὗ ἦσαν καθήμενοι 3 καὶ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρὸς καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐφʼ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν, 4 καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ ἤρξαντο λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις καθὼς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδίδου ἀποφθέγγεσθαι αὐτοῖς. 5 ῏Ησαν δὲ εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι, ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔθνους τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν. 6 γενομένης δὲ τῆς φωνῆς ταύτης συνῆλθεν τὸ πλῆθος καὶ συνεχύθη, ὅτι ἤκουον εἷς ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ λαλούντων αὐτῶν. 7 ἐξίσταντο δὲ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον λέγοντες• οὐχ ἰδοὺ ἅπαντες οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ λαλοῦντες Γαλιλαῖοι; 8 καὶ πῶς ἡμεῖς ἀκούομεν ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἐγεννήθημεν; 9 Πάρθοι καὶ Μῆδοι καὶ Ἐλαμῖται καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν, Ἰουδαίαν τε καὶ Καππαδοκίαν, Πόντον καὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν, 10 Φρυγίαν τε καὶ Παμφυλίαν, Αἴγυπτον καὶ τὰ μέρη τῆς Λιβύης τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην, καὶ οἱ ἐπιδημοῦντες Ῥωμαῖοι, 11 Ἰουδαῖοί τε καὶ προσήλυτοι, Κρῆτες καὶ Ἄραβες, ἀκούομεν λαλούντων αὐτῶν ταῖς ἡμετέραις γλώσσαις τὰ μεγαλεῖα τοῦ θεοῦ. 12 ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηπόρουν, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες• τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι; 13 ἕτεροι δὲ διαχλευάζοντες ἔλεγον ὅτι γλεύκους μεμεστωμένοι εἰσίν. 14 Σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος σὺν τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἐπῆρεν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπεφθέγξατο αὐτοῖς• ἄνδρες Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἰερουσαλὴμ πάντες, τοῦτο ὑμῖν γνωστὸν ἔστω καὶ ἐνωτίσασθε τὰ ῥήματά μου. 15 οὐ γὰρ ὡς ὑμεῖς ὑπολαμβάνετε οὗτοι μεθύουσιν, ἔστιν γὰρ ὥρα τρίτη τῆς ἡμέρας, 16 ἀλλὰ τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ εἰρημένον διὰ τοῦ προφήτου Ἰωήλ• 17 καὶ ἔσται ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις, λέγει ὁ θεός, ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες ὑμῶν καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ὑμῶν ὁράσεις ὄψονται καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ὑμῶν ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται• 18 καί γε ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους μου καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς δούλας μου ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν. 19 καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω καὶ σημεῖα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κάτω, αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ . 20 ὁ ἥλιος μεταστραφήσεται εἰς σκότος καὶ ἡ σελήνη εἰς αἷμα, πρὶν ἐλθεῖν ἡμέραν κυρίου τὴν μεγάλην καὶ ἐπιφανῆ. 21 καὶ ἔσται πᾶς ὃς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου σωθήσεται. 22 Ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλῖται, ἀκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τούτους• Ἰησοῦν τὸν Ναζωραῖον, ἄνδρα ἀποδεδειγμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς δυνάμεσιν καὶ τέρασιν καὶ σημείοις οἷς ἐποίησεν διʼ αὐτοῦ ὁ θεὸς ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν καθὼς αὐτοὶ οἴδατε, 23 τοῦτον τῇ ὡρισμένῃ βουλῇ καὶ προγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ ἔκδοτον διὰ χειρὸς ἀνόμων προσπήξαντες ἀνείλατε, 24 ὃν ὁ θεὸς ἀνέστησεν λύσας τὰς ὠδῖνας τοῦ θανάτου, καθότι οὐκ ἦν δυνατὸν κρατεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ. 25 Δαυὶδ γὰρ λέγει εἰς αὐτόν• προορώμην τὸν κύριον ἐνώπιόν μου διὰ παντός, ὅτι ἐκ δεξιῶν μού ἐστιν ἵνα μὴ σαλευθῶ. 26 διὰ τοῦτο ηὐφράνθη ἡ καρδία μου καὶ ἠγαλλιάσατο ἡ γλῶσσά μου, ἔτι δὲ καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου κατασκηνώσει ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι, 27 ὅτι οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψεις τὴν ψυχήν μου εἰς ᾅδην οὐδὲ δώσεις τὸν ὅσιόν σου ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν. 28 ἐγνώρισάς μοι ὁδοὺς ζωῆς, πληρώσεις με εὐφροσύνης μετὰ τοῦ προσώπου σου. 29 Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἐξὸν εἰπεῖν μετὰ παρρησίας πρὸς ὑμᾶς περὶ τοῦ πατριάρχου Δαυὶδ ὅτι καὶ ἐτελεύτησεν καὶ ἐτάφη, καὶ τὸ μνῆμα αὐτοῦ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης. 30 προφήτης οὖν ὑπάρχων καὶ εἰδὼς ὅτι ὅρκῳ ὤμοσεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς ἐκ καρποῦ τῆς ὀσφύος αὐτοῦ καθίσαι ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ, 31 προϊδὼν ἐλάλησεν περὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὅτι οὔτε ἐγκατελείφθη εἰς ᾅδην οὔτε ἡ σὰρξ αὐτοῦ εἶδεν διαφθοράν. 32 τοῦτον τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀνέστησεν ὁ θεός, οὗ πάντες ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν μάρτυρες• 33 τῇ δεξιᾷ οὖν τοῦ θεοῦ ὑψωθείς, τήν τε ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου λαβὼν παρὰ τοῦ πατρός, ἐξέχεεν τοῦτο ὃ ὑμεῖς [καὶ] βλέπετε καὶ ἀκούετε. 34 οὐ γὰρ Δαυὶδ ἀνέβη εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, λέγει δὲ αὐτός• εἶπεν [ὁ] κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου• κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, 35 ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου. 36 ἀσφαλῶς οὖν γινωσκέτω πᾶς οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ ὅτι καὶ κύριον αὐτὸν καὶ χριστὸν ἐποίησεν ὁ θεός, τοῦτον τὸν Ἰησοῦν ὃν ὑμεῖς ἐσταυρώσατε. 37 Ἀκούσαντες δὲ κατενύγησαν τὴν καρδίαν εἶπόν τε πρὸς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς ἀποστόλους• τί ποιήσωμεν, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί; 38 Πέτρος δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς• μετανοήσατε, [φησίν,] καὶ βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν καὶ λήμψεσθε τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος. 39 ὑμῖν γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν καὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς εἰς μακράν, ὅσους ἂν προσκαλέσηται κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν. 40 ἑτέροις τε λόγοις πλείοσιν διεμαρτύρατο καὶ παρεκάλει αὐτοὺς λέγων• σώθητε ἀπὸ τῆς γενεᾶς τῆς σκολιᾶς ταύτης. 41 οἱ μὲν οὖν ἀποδεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ ἐβαπτίσθησαν καὶ προσετέθησαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ψυχαὶ ὡσεὶ τρισχίλιαι.
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Notes
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. -feast of weeks, or day of firstfruits. 50 days after the first Sabbath after Passover. Exodus 23.15-17, Exodus 34.22, Leviticus 23.15-21, Numbers 28.26, Deuteronomy 16.9-12. Conclusion of barley harvest; bread made and offered from the firstfruits. One of three pilgrimage feasts to Jerusalem in the year (the others being tabernacles and passover). Jewish tradition implies that the law was given on this day. But Luke makes nothing of this connection. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. -Numbers 11.29, Isaiah 32.15, Isaiah 44.3, Ezekiel 36.27. Clearly supernatural and visible. -John 3.8, Jesus mentions the Spirit and wind. Think of the burning bush; the strong wind opening the red sea; the pillar of fire. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. -Significant: each individual of the 120 is being baptized with the Spirit. Not God's presence with them collectively (as in pillar of fire etc), but instead His Spirit has been poured out on each one. 'Democratized'. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. -'other tongues' a key phrase. cf. Isaiah 28.11. The gift enabled evangelism! This is different from 1 Cor 14, where Paul describes a two-step process; utterance, and then separate interpretation for the church's edification and conviction of unbelievers. Here, it's a one-step gift of clear foreign languages. Fire; God's presence. -cf v6 in his own dialect. This is a miracle of speaking, not of hearing. They are speaking actual languages. -being filled with the Spirit in Luke-Acts always linked to gospel proclamation/equipping for mission. Luke 1.67, Luke 1.15, Luke 1.41, Acts 4.8, Acts 4.31, Acts 6.3, Acts 9.17, Acts 13.9, Acts 13.52. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. -cf Babel. And the table of nations. Cf the embryo forms of the nations hearing; as the Magi come from the east; or as the nations pass by the crucified Jesus at Goglotha and read the sign. Jerusalem pilgrims. -estimated population of 55000 would increase to 200000 at time of the major feasts. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. -perplexed/amazed/confounded. Babel not undone yet; just a vision of it. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” -table of nations from East to West; Iran to Rome. 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” -sweet wine; partially fermented. -So now, the new era has begun with the Spirit's arrival; bringing an event that kick-starts the gospel's proclamation into all the world, as Acts 1.8. God's powerful Presence in the midst of this, directing His mission. 14 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. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘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; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ -'mountain range' perspective; Joel looks ahead and sees the outpouring of the Spirit before the day of the Lord. But in history they are separated by many years; that's 'this present age', overlapping with 'the age to come.' 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: 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— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. -my flesh will 'tabernacle' in hope 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ -is Peter seeing an anticipation of the gift of the Spirit in this verse, so that the resurrection is anticipated in v27 and the Spirit in v28? 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 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. -Joel 2.28, Isaiah 44.3, Isaiah 32.15. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 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.” 37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Bock: Event 1-13, explanation 14-36 (Peter's speech), reaction 37-41 (3000 people) The Pentecost event a fulcrum in Luke-Acts. 'the issue of where Jesus was as a result of His resurrection and what this meant for who He was must have come up instantly once His disciples found out that He was raised. So Peter's explanation is not only important to Acts, it is also a crucial witness to the early church's basic Christological thinking. Peter's speech is the first fulfilment of Acts 1.8, a witness that has echoed around the world ever since Luke first recorded it.', p92 the coming of the Spirit enables God's people to carry out the mission assigned to them; Luke 24.47, Acts 1.8. Notes on Peter's speech, v14-36: -Three OT citations, promise & fulfilment. Joel 2.28-32, Psalm 16.8-11, Psalm 110.34-35, Psalm 132.11. The Messiah bestowed with divine authority. Interspersed with the quotations are explanations of a) they aren't drunk; b) Jesus did mighty works by the power of God and was raised by God; c) David didn't write about himself but about the Messiah's resurrection and exaltation. -'God raised Jesus to the right hand, where He is now the mediator of God's promised blessing of salvation and the Spirit.' p108 -Jesus' giving of the Spirit is part of God's validation and vindication of Jesus, as part of the package of the resurrection/ascension/exaltation. I.e., in the Pentecost event we see a further vindication of 'Jesus-as-the-Messiah'. The Ascension reveals who Jesus really is. -A key event in Israel's restoration -God works through the Son and gives the Spirit. Notes on the reaction, v37-41: -'In a sense, salvation and the gospel can be summarised as new life lived in the context of God's forgiveness and the provision of God's Spirit. -The Spirit's presence invokes the new covenant. Joel 2.28-3.2, Isaiah 32.15, Isaiah 44.3, Ezekiel 11.19, Ezekiel 36.26-27, Ezekiel 37.14. -be saved from this 'twisted generation'; i.e. from what's coming to this generation in the 'last day' already mentioned in his speech, v19-21. Allusion to the 'crooked generation' that went astray in the wilderness and were cut off...here, in contrast, by the Spirit's gift, 3,000 are added (rather than cut off), and saved from the twisted generation. -how to respond? Repent, and show this through baptism. 'The resurrection means that an exalted Jesus distributes the Spirit to those who turn to God.' Add from Packer, p88ff, Keep in the Step with the Spirit. John 7 etc. FCF: We're part of a crooked generation. Twisted and turned against God. Proof is in our scattered humanity. Look at the plain confusion of languages! But Jesus has been exalted and enthroned. The proof goes further than the empty tomb or eyewitness testimony of the ascension. Pentecost is further proof that the Christ has received and delivered the promised gift. Jesus really is on the throne right now. So? All people everywhere should hear this and repent. In Jesus we are called holy - and so God comes to dwell in us. And since He dwells in us, we become holy. He is the Holy Spirit. 1. The Spirit is given -a glimpse of Babel undone -We chase after this experience; or we put up huge defences because of what we see. -This is clearly a one-off; never since have we ever heard of multiple languages spoken clearly without interpretation. -But different from elsewhere. -Talk later date about charismatic gifts. But I don't believe they've ceased! 'the perfect' etc, refers quite clearly to the return of Jesus. It wasn't just the apostles doing miracles in Acts, it was Philip too. And we're told clearly that some can prophecy [without even knowing about it - e.g. Pilate's wife Matthew 27.19, or Caiphas John 11.49-53] - without it being 'revelatory' in the way that adding to the Bible canon was. There was clearly a lot of wacky stuff happening at Corinth, yet Paul does clearly call it prophecy, and tongues. -Which gift hasn't been abused? Let's not construct our theology and practice out of pure and mere defence. This is not a modern problem, cf. Montanist controversy. What's so tragic about charismatic excesses is that it's all happened before. Apparent freedom and novely and closeness to God and power, but actually leading to authoritarianism and abuse...and above all, the telltale sign: no glorification of Jesus. -In all this we miss the big idea; that Jesus gives the gift primarily to enable and empower witness to HIMSELF. -Is there an enjoyment of the empowering presence of God in your life? Do you thirst for more? There is always more to be had. 2. Peter explains that it is the risen Lord Jesus who has poured out the promised Spirit -Follow his reasoning through the Scriptures. -John 7 streams of living water. Isaiah 55.1 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 ESV 3. Many respond in repentance -Turning back; changing the mind. The first disciples leaving their boats are a picture of this. Far deeper than merely saying sorry, which can always be an external action. -Come, all you who thirst! EV question: Bible survey; what is Jesus doing now and how do we know? Further references: Romans 8.23 Ephesians 1.13-14 Ephesians 3.16-19 Ephesians 5.18 Colossians 1.27 Baptism of the Spirit is a once for all baptism, into Jesus Christ. But it thus enables many 'fillings' of the Spirit (cf Luke's mentions of fillings in notes above). 'If Luke's purpose is to show us a normal pattern of experience, why doesn't he show us a consistent pattern?' 'Our experience today should not be the 120, but the 3000 who repented, were baptised, and received the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. No description is given of external phenomena accompanying their reception of the Spirit. If they occurred and were important for us to know about, Luke would have recorded them.' (Cook, p72) We must of course beware the 'inner circle' / higher tier mentality...but also, in reformed circles, to ignore the reality of the indwelling Spirit, that He mediates the presence of the risen Jesus Christ, and to trust in Him and have confidence in Him to do His work. 'How do we receive the Holy Spirit?' 'Why do we need the Holy Spirit?' William Cameron Townsend, founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators: 'the greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough and never is considered a foreigner.' cf how nice it is to hear your own language when away abroad. From David Cook: -Am I consciously aware of the Holy Spirit living within? -Do I show enough confidence in the Spirit to do His work? -Do I live in the reality of being a supernaturally empowered person at home, at work, and in church? -Am I confidence of the power of the Spirit, and depending on Him? Application: come to Jesus, the baptiser 'They will prophecy' - i.e., they will interpret Scriptural truth. Remember that most of what the OT prophets did was interpret and apply the law; they were 'God's lawyers'. And cf most of church history; e.g. the puritans saw prophecy mostly happening through preaching. Or Caiaphas, unwittingly 'prophesying' by interpreting the Scriptures. You might almost say that prophecy is word ministry that is 'informal' and more particular than systematic teaching/preaching. And it's revelatory in a subsidiary way; but not at all in the direct way of adding to the canon. This is why prophecies are to be weighed up and considered, against the Scriptures. Cook's summary: 'Jesus is God's messiah: crucified, raised, ascended. From heaven He has poured out the Holy Spirit. Through repentance towards this Jesus, we are set right with God and join the Spirit-filled, new covenant community.' Peter preaches about Jesus, not the Holy Spirit. Important for us to note. Did you come to church expecting a 'sermon on the Holy Spirit'? People are more eager to hear about the Spirit than about the historical Jesus. Churches will sometimes try to prove how 'spiritual' they are by having a sermon series on the Spirit. But to be Spirit-filled is to be Jesus focused. He is Jesus' cameraman. The floodlight that illuminates all His glory. A church that is constantly focused on the Holy Spirit is not Spirit-filled. A church that is constantly focused on Jesus can only be Spirit-filled. Do you want the comfort of the Spirit? The power of the Spirit? The purifying of the Spirit? Well then, come to Jesus, as He is the giver of the Spirit. He gives all those things, by His Spirit. Guided by the Spirit? Come to Jesus and hear His voice and follow Him. And you will walk by the Spirit. 'Repentance involves turning from any conviction about Jesus, other than that He was crucified, raised, ascended, and now reigns as Lord and Christ.' Am I living under His Lordship? 'We should be as charismatic as the NT tells us to be!' Marriage and singleness are both charismata. Acts 2:1-41 ESV
Comments
Jim Coyle
This is really well presented and great teaching, thanks for sharing, blessings from Scotland, Jim.
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.