Matthew 3.11-12
¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

How does John (the author) describe this cleansing work?

Malachi 3.1-3
“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
² “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. ³ He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.

How does the prophet Malachi (the author) speak of these cleansing fires and purifying work of Pentecost?

This cleansing and purifying work does not take place overnight. It is a process like that of a smelter. A refiner of silver heats the silver over a burning fire. As the silver becomes hot, all the dross and impurities rise to the top. He then skims them off. He continues heating and skimming off the dross again and again until he can see his image reflected clearly in the silver. So also the Holy Spirit through the trials and tests skims all the dross and impurities from our lives that the image of Jesus may be seen in us.

2 Corinthians 3.18
¹⁸ So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

What does Paul say the Spirit of the Lord has come to do?

There are many things the Holy Spirit does in the life of a Christ-follower. To explore further, begin the 10-day Everyday Pentecost study. Last weekend we looked at 4 of those things:

1. Power of Pentecost empowers us to experience God fully.
Unfortunately, we’ve stripped Christianity to a list of things we must “check off” and we end up seeing something that doesn’t really look much different than anything else- still hurting, filled with worry, struggling, no real victory. The Spirit of Pentecost wants to give us victory here and now.

2. Pentecost empowers us to serve God.
It’s not about taking out our work gloves and living the Christian life in our own strength. Instead, when we carry out the mission of God in our life, it must be an empowered participation surrendered to God’s Spirit.

3. Pentecost empowers us to share Christ boldly.
When it comes to sharing our faith, the tendency is to worry that we’re going to say the right things. The reality is, when we step out in faith and realize that our message is powered by the Spirit, lives will be changed through our story. Take away all the complexity and we’re left with our life being changed by God… and that’s the story that has the power to change lives.

4. We can’t live the way Jesus taught and modeled without the power of Pentecost.
To live holy (like Christ) is to be empowered to live beyond the ordinary; to live an extraordinary life for God. It’s the empowerment to continually take on the values of heaven while here on earth.

1 Corinthians 2.4
¹ When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. ² For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. ⁴ And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. ⁵ I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

What did Paul (the author) say about what he preached?

Where does Paul say the power to share Christ comes from?

Acts 1.8
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What is the purpose of the power of Pentecost in our life?

Although the disciples of Jesus spent three years of their life following and living life with Jesus, they are not “released” to begin the work of the church until after the day of Pentecost. The power of this event was the catalyst to the beginning of the early church.

Acts 3.1-10

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. ² As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. ⁴ Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
⁷ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. ⁸ He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
⁹ All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. ¹⁰ When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

Acts 9.36-42
³⁶ There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. ³⁷ About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. ³⁸ But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
³⁹ So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. ⁴⁰ But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! ⁴¹ He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
⁴² The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.

What are a few of the things that happened through the early church under the power of Pentecost?

1 Corinthians 12.4-6
⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. ⁶ God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

What are three distinct functions of the Holy Spirit in the church?

Acts 2.37-38
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What instructions does Peter give following his sermon during Pentecost?

Matthew 3.11-12
¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

What did the “tongues of fire” that rested upon the believers represent?

2 Corinthians 3.18
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

What does Paul say the Spirit of God has come to do?

Lots of family in from out of town – enjoyed hangin’ with everyone but time was too short

Celebrated Landon’s 1st birthday on Saturday & had a blast- turned on the sprinklers and let he kids go buck wild

Landon took his first steps this weekend- kinda cool so much of our fam was around to see it

Ryan Throop did the talk at Elevate Sunday and did a great job- listen to it here if you missed it

Playing golf at The Legacy early this morning with a 6.39am tee time – my first time playing this top 200 course

Prayer teams are meeting this week to pray over our new location- email us if you want more info on times & location- info@elevate-church.com

Got an early birthday present from my dad- a real toolbox (my first ever) and even a few basic tools – I’m well on my way to getting my man card

Next week we begin our summer series: Chase the Lion based on the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – you can even coordinate your summer reading with our summer series and take your faith to another level this season

Watched both the Lakers & Celtics wrap up their series this weekend so the Lakers will get a chance to revenge their 2008 Finals loss to the Celts in this year’s NBA Finals – Go Lakers!

I’m looking forward to enjoying the rest of the holiday weekend as we spend time with friends later today

Enjoy the week

Acts 2.1-12
¹ On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. ² Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. ³ Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. ⁴ And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. ⁵ At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. ⁶ When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. ⁷ They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, ⁸ and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! ⁹ Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” ¹² They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

What took place during this Pentecost?

If you had been present at this event, what would be your reaction?

What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit settling on the Christ followers present this day?

Many individuals limit the power of Pentecost to only for the “religious elite” or a group of Jesus’ first apostles. The truth of the matter is, the story of Pentecost still alive and is made available to all those that seek.

Acts 2.38-40
³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” ⁴⁰ Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Luke 11.13
¹³ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

To whom did Peter say the promise of Pentecost is available to?

Acts 1.13-15
¹³ When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). ¹⁴ They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. ¹⁵ During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

Besides the eleven apostles, who else was present at this monumental Pentecost?