More Holy Spirit Power
Almost all of the words that Jesus ever spoke on earth are captured in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Almost all of the words, but not all.
Turning to the book of Acts, we find just a few more, and they are his final words prior to ascending to his father in heaven. He says there to his disciples, among other things, Acts 1:7-8,
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
See Jesus has charged them, “Go and make disciples of all nations (all the ends of the earth)” (Matthew 28:18-20). But not yet, because they did not yet have the power necessary to make disciples. But they would — Just as soon as the Holy Spirit comes. Then, “you will be my witnesses.”
This Sunday, according to the church calendar, is Pentecost Sunday. The day we celebrate the great, epoch-changing day when Jesus’ promise to send the Spirit, became reality.
Acts 2:1-4,
“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.”
And then what? Well, people heard them — many people heard them telling in their own languages the mighty works of God. And then Peter preached — and boy did he preach, saying, “This Jesus God raised up…and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” And “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
The church went that day from a population of about 120, to about 3,000. What a day to have on the calendar! And, what a day to be convicted by, because it reminds us of how little we, Spirit-indwelt believers, have asked:
“Lord, give us more of that power which Jesus promised, to reach our family members with the gospel.”
“Give us more of that power, to share the good news about him with our neighbors”
“Give us more of that power, without which we can do nothing.”
It’s our lack of asking for more Holy Spirit power, that reminds us of our need to confess our sins.
Let’s pray.
Father, we need more of your Spirit. The reasons we have not asked for it are many, all of them ultimately owing to our sin. We confess this to you this morning, along with all the other ways we’ve sinned this week and fallen short, we bring them before you now in this moment of silent confession….
Father, we thank you that you hear us. That your Son, right now, is interceding for us. Your Spirit, moving within us, calls us toward you, when our flesh would otherwise call us away. We are your people, the sheep of your pasture, and we entrust ourselves to you. Amen.
