Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FIRE (08/04/22)
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TITLE: Pentecost | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
08/05/22 -
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“Glad to have you,” smiled John.
“Okay men, quiet down. We have some preparation to take care of,” instructed Peter.
“Pentecost is coming soon and we need to prepare for it.”
“Yeah, I remember what Jesus said before he ascended. Something about the Holy Spirit coming and baptizing us. Do any of you know what that means?” Asked Thomas.
“Not me,” Matthias shook his head.
“I remember well what Jesus said,” whispered Peter. “He said, ‘But 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.’ I’m not sure how that will happen, since we don’t speak all those languages, but Jesus said it would and I believe it will.”
The disciples chose a place where they could gather as one to wait for the promise to come. They had no idea what to expect. As they were eating and enjoying some fellowship together, suddenly there was a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind.
“Whoa!” exclaimed Peter. Did you guys just feel that. What is it? What is that strange sound?”
A tinge of fear entered the hearts of the twelve as they wondered what was going on. As they were digesting the idea of this mighty rushing wind, suddenly, divided tongues of fire appeared and rested on each one of them.
“What is this?” A startled Andrew said. “Look, the fire is touching each one of us!”
Then the strangest thing happened. Each of the disciples was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Each disciple was shouting ‘Hallelujah’, in a new language, and they realized the Holy Spirit had come. They spoke the language of the Parthians, Medes, Phrygia, Elamites plus many others.
A jubilant excitement was felt in the room as the disciples realized the importance this filling would mean to the world. As Jesus asked, they would be able to share Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea and the entire world. As the disciples continued to rejoice, the fire danced more fervently among the men. They left the room and began to share the Gospel of Jesus to all they met. People were bewildered because they were hearing about Jesus in their own language for the first time.
Some accepted this new revelation, rejoicing over the message they were hearing. Others mocked the disciples saying ‘you are drunk’.
Peter had had enough. Bold Peter began to address the crowd. “I want all of you to know something. We are not drunk! It is only nine a.m. Of course we are not drunk. Let me share with you what the prophet Joel said. ‘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.’ God has given the world a very special gift today. Because our blessed Savior, Jesus, has been taken from us, he sent us what he promised. His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us. You tried to crucify Jesus. You wanted to get rid of him. You wanted his message to be forever buried. God said ‘NO!’ This will never happen. Jesus may not be here among us in person today, but he is among us through his Holy Spirit. I beg you, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Peter continued to give people an opportunity to know Jesus. Peter’s message was so convincing that three thousand gave their lives to Jesus that day.
Holy Spirit power at work.
As the men retired for the day they were all amazed at what God had done through them. Amazed that the Holy Spirit empowered them to teach and preach in a language the world could understand. The disciples continued to preach the Gospel to the world, seeing many come to faith in Jesus.
One day Jesus will return, and as 2 Thessalonians reminds us, “…the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire…”.
What a day that will be! Until then, may the Holy Spirits fire inspire you to preach to your ‘Jerusalem’.
Scripture from ESV - Acts 1:8, story from Acts 2, Joel 2:28-32, 2 Thessalonians 1:7
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