Sermon Title: FIRE FROM HEAVEN
Sermon Text: ACTS 2:1-13
Sermon Series: UNSTOPPABLE: A Sermon Series Through the Book of Acts. Part 1: A Spirit-Filled Beginning
By: PTR NIC SY
Acts 2:1-13 ESV
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and AsiaPhrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Romeboth Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
SERMON NOTES
What does Pentecost teach ordinary Christians like us about participating in the mission Jesus has given his church?
I. A PROMISE KEPT
The mission of God is something we participate in, not something we power by ourselves.
The Great Commission comes with the Great Companion. What God promises, he keeps.
II. A PEOPLE CHOSEN
The miracle here is not that they stopped being Galileans. The miracle is that being a Galilean didn’t matter.
God’s instruments are almost never the ones anyone else would have picked first.
Disciple-making does not begin when you finally feel impressive enough. It begins when you become available.
There comes a moment when preparation has to become participation.
God does not look at your résumé; he looks at your availability.
III. A PURPOSE SENT
Evidence by itself does not guarantee faith.
The Spirit may create the moment, but the Word explains the meaning.
ENDING THOUGHT
Who will the gospel reach through you?