YOUR POWER: RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 2:1-41
Series: “Impact”
Pastor Rusty Russell
New Day Christian Church, Port Charlotte, FL
April 26-27, 2025
INTRODUCTION:
These two chapters of Acts are important historically and personally. They tell us the history of our beginning as Christians, as a church. They also remind us personally as individual Christians why we are here. Like these first Christians, God has you here for impact.
Last week we saw in Acts 1 the final resurrection appearance of Christ. He came to his disciples on the Mount of Olives and gave one last speech:
[Act 1:8 NIV] 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We’ll see today in Acts 2: His promise came true just 10 days later.
I. THE SPIRIT’S POWER DEMONSTRATED: SPEAKING IN TONGUES
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON THE 120 DISCIPLES
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
B. A CROWD GATHERS
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
C. WHY THIS MIRACLE?
These Jewish people knew Hebrew and Greek. Practically speaking, this miracle wasn’t necessary to communicate the message. So why did God give them this ability? Several reasons:
1) To get their attention.
2) To prove the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
3) To signal that the mighty deeds of God could be declared in any language, a step toward cultural relevance of the church and the Gospel being declared to the Gentiles.
4) To fulfill Bible prophecy.
D. SPEAKING IN TONGUES TODAY
Do people still speak in tongues today?
See Acts 2, 10, 19
See 1 Corinthians 12-14
Many believers today speak in this private prayer language to which Paul alludes in 1 Corinthians 14. While it is not our culture to speak in tongues in our worship services at New Day, we allow members to speak in tongues privately if they agree to a couple of conditions:
1) Please do not interrupt the worship service exercising this gift.
2) Please do not attempt to persuade others to your perspective on this issue or try to convince people they should speak in tongues.
II. THE SPIRIT’S PURPOSE EXPLAINED: PETER’S SERMON
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
A. THESE PEOPLE AREN’T DRUNK
“Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!
B. THIS IS A FULFILLMENT OF JOEL’S PROPHECY
(Summarizing v. 16-21…)
C. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT JESUS OF NAZARETH
22 “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. 23 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.
24 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.
(Summarizing v. 25-31…)
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 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.
(Summarizing v. 34-35…)
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
III. THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE PROMISED: REPENT & BE BAPTIZED
A. THE PEOPLE ARE CUT TO THE HEART
Picture the collective hush! How will the people respond?
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
B. PETER INSTRUCTS THEM TO RESPOND AND PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT
38 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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
C. THREE THOUSAND RESPOND
There were many pools for cleansing in and around the temple.
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
IV. APPLICATION
The Bible says you and I have this same power living inside of us. The Bible says you ARE filled with the Holy Spirit if you’re a believer. But the Scriptures also command us, “BE filled with the Holy Spirit.”
[Gal 5:22-23 NIV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Dwight Moody: “Because I leak!”
[Eph 5:18-20 NIV] 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A. DON’T GET DRUNK ON WINE
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit…
B. SING WITH THE CHURCH
…be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…
C. PRACTICE THANKSGIVING.
be filled with the Spirit.. always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION:
Maybe you’ve not yet invited the Holy Spirit into your life.
Consider the words of Peter.
He summarized the life of Christ:
- He was attested by God through miracles
- You crucified him
- He rose from the dead
- He was exalted to the right hand of God
When the people asked what should we do, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
He said this promise is for you.
Will you repent and be baptized today?
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