Day of Pentecost

Shavuot (Hebrew) Feasts of Weeks

7 weeks (50 days) after Passover

50 days after the Exodus: God gave the Law to Moses

The Law: Ten Commandments and more.

Why? For Shalom (wholeness, well-being and prosperity)

50 days after the Passover lamb was slain (Jesus) and He was buried and rose again on the 3rd day

This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

-Jeremiah 31:33

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: 'Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!' Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?'

-Acts 2:1-12

‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people... Acts 2:17A

When the Israelites were at Mt. Sinai, 50 days after their Exodus from Egypt, the Spirit of God fell on the 70 Elders and they prophesied. So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. (The Law of God) He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.

-Numbers 11:24-25

So here we are, 13 centuries later, at Pentecost, 50 days after the New covenant is born.

- The Spirit comes on the Disciples, the chosen of God.

- They are able to prophesy and speak in languages they had never learned so that everyone could hear the Gospel in his own language.

This event is the beginning of the New Covenant!

Because this was primarily a Jewish gathering, Peter’s sermon is aimed directly at their rejection of Jesus as Messiah.

Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.

-Acts 2:22-36

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, '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.'

-Acts 2:36-38

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38

Two things: Repent! Be Baptized!

What did these two things mean to the Jews?

Repentance:

In the Jewish Mind: Repent always meant turn from your sins

The Jews believed that repentance—above all else—is ACTION! They asked Peter, “What do we do?”, not, “What do we pray? What do we think?”

Repentance is a tangible action.

Transparency is not the same as repentance.
Confession is not the same as repentance.
Feeling bad about your sin is not the same as repentance.

What must we do? They did what must be done, but we do the opposite. They condemned themselves and despaired of their salvation. This is what made them such as they were. They knew what gift they had received. But how do you become like them, when you do everything in the opposite spirit? As soon as they heard, they were baptized. They did not speak cold words as we do now, nor did they contrive delays, even though they heard all the requirements. For they did not hesitate when they were commanded to “save yourselves from this generation,” but welcomed it. They showed their welcome through their action and proved it through their deeds what sort of people they were.

-John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles

John Chrysostom said that if he saw no positive change in you at all, then, there is no true repentance, just sorrow.

Illustration:

Charles Finney, who pioneered Altar Calls: 90% gave up after 6 months.

Billy Graham Association: the retention rate is 2-4 percent.

Now, remember 3% of 3.2 million is 96,000!

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

-Acts 2:42-47

So they repent of their sins and violating the law, then Luke, who is writing the book of Acts—shows us what the believers did as a result of their authentic conversion.

One: They latched onto the Apostles doctrine.

They understood from where salvation comes.

They understood that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty their sins deserved.

The Holy Spirit had begun to open their eyes to Jesus as Messiah and King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What did the Holy Spirit promise them?

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

-John 14:26

Two: They latched onto fellowship!

Early Christians desired to be part of a group who shared the same interests, goals, and objectives.

They wanted to live Christ honoring lives out of gratitude for what He had accomplished for them on the cross.

Three: They latched onto breaking bread together.

Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22:19-22

The breaking of bread happened in the homes of people as they met together

They ate together, breaking down the class system and everyone was together.

“Breaking Bread” is terminology for sharing a meal; “doing life together”

Four: They latched onto prayer.

How did the first Christians pray? Three times a day.

Just like Daniel. Just like the Disciples.

The early church prayed spontaneously however, they also prayed with structure:

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

-Acts 3:1

The Shema:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is one. Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.

The Amidah:

You graciously bestow knowledge upon people and teach mortals understanding. Graciously grant us from You wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Blessed are You, Lord, who graciously bestows knowledge.

Repentance:

Cause us to return, our Father, to Your Torah; draw us near, our King, to Your service; and bring us back to You in wholehearted repentance. Blessed are You, Lord, who desires repentance.

Forgiveness:

Pardon us, our Father, for we have sinned; forgive us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You are a good and forgiving God. Blessed are You, Lord, gracious One who pardons abundantly.

Redemption:

Look upon our affliction and wage our battle; redeem us speedily for the sake of Your Name, for You, God, are the mighty Redeemer. Blessed are You, Lord, Redeemer of Israel.

Healing:

Heal us, O Lord, and we shall be healed; help us and we shall be saved; for You are our praise. Grant complete healing to all our wounds; for You, Almighty King, are a faithful and merciful Healer. Blessed are You, Lord, who heals the sick of His people Israel.

Thanksgiving (“Modim”):

We thank You, for You are Lord, our God, and God of our forefathers forever. The Rock of our lives, the Shield of our salvation – You are our God in every generation. We thank You and recount Your glory for our lives which are in Your hands, for our souls which are entrusted to You, for Your miracles daily with us, for Your wonders and favors continually – evening, morning, and noon. The Good One, for Your compassion never ceases; the Compassionate One, for Your mercies never fail; always have we placed our hope in You. For all of these, may Your Name be blessed and exalted, our King, forever and ever; and all the living shall give thanks to You and proclaim Your greatness, O God, our salvation and praise.

Peace (“Sim Shalom”):

Grant peace, goodness, blessing, grace, loving-kindness, and mercy to us and to all Israel, Your people. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your Presence; for with the light of Your Presence You gave us, O Lord our God, the Torah of Life, and a love of kindness, righteousness, blessing, compassion, life, and peace. May it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses His people Israel with peace.

The Psalms: Open your Bible and Pick One

What if those who regularly attend ONE&ALL got on their knees at 9am, 12pm, and 3pm and recited these prayers?

This is what it means to be a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ. That is the purpose of Acts 2.

But it all began with their “latching onto:”

1. The Teachings of Jesus: Knowledge; they wanted to understand!

2. The Fellowship With One Another: Accountability; they wanted to succeed in transformation.

3. The Breaking of Bread: Communing with each other; they wanted to encourage one another to stay the course.

4. Prayer: Communing with God; they wanted to meet with God and had discovered the possibility through the baptism of the Spirit.

These are the definitive traits of the true Christ-follower. Not “works salvation”; but Cause and Effect!

When you meet a follower of Jesus he is probably following Jesus. He has latched onto His teaching. The fellowship with other believers He is not isolated but does life with other believers. He prays.

Evangelism and Discipleship are done best one on one.

You can do evangelism in mass—but the percentage rate of the Gospel sticking is minimal.

But when you do both evangelism and discipleship one on one, the rate of lasting transformation is encouraging.

The vision God has given our church:

The Invitation. The Transformation.

Some of the best, most successful ways to invite people in:

- Be personal and sincere. "Hey, I’m going to church this weekend. Come with me and we will go to lunch afterward and hang. I’m buying!"

- Make it special. "Hey, my Pastor is talking about this______. I think it will really encourage you. It’ll be fun. Let’s meet for coffee and then go together."

- New Series invitation: every four weeks. “Hey, my church is starting this new series called______. I think it can really encourage you, give you some clarity, help you find peace…etc."

First: We want to be good at the invitation.

Second: We want to be responsible in our process.

One hope, One Life, In Christ means that not only do we go after the one, but we will walk with them on their journey to discover what it truly means to follow Jesus.

We demonstrate in our own lives what it means to latch onto:

Jesus’ Teachings

Fellowship and Community

Breaking of Bread

Prayer

We believe that God is doing something special in this season of our church.

If we hope to make true disciples, it means that you and I will have to walk the journey with them.

When you walk someone through this journey of discipleship, the retention rate moves from 3 percent to 90 percent.

We believe the time is now for us to decide who we are and what we are truly about.

Are you part of the 3% who continue on in their faith and become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ? Is there any discernable outward commitment to Christ? Have you latched on to the things associated with your faith. Or are you like a friend of mine that said…

I was raised in a Christian household to model parents. I can’t ever recall a time in my life that I didn’t know who Jesus was. We went to church as a family. I never heard a bad word from my mother or father, never heard them argue with one another. They were highly regarded and trusted in the community. We were taught Godly principles, and our household was quiet, safe, stable, and loving. I was baptized like so many others on a few occasions. But in my late 30’s my life plunged into chaos and despair; and all at once, I realized that the cause and fault of my predicament was my own. I had talked with the best of them; but I have never walked the walk of a believer. There was little to no fruit; I hadn’t endeavored to be different than the world but rather to be as much like the world as possible. I never considered my life in relation to the Lord. No one would ever have guessed my claim of Christianity unless I had told them; and I hardly ever did. I doubt they would have believed me anyway. In my despair I realized that while I knew who Jesus was, I had never sincerely repented of my sins nor had any serious intention of following His ways.

-

Two Questions:

One: What have you latched onto?

Two: Are you willing to latch onto Jesus?

The Power of Decision.

You can begin again.

You may not be able to control many things. But you can control your habits.

LATCH ON!

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