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C:\LESSON\KINGDOM\SPHERE1.DOC 08.09.91 THY KINGDOM COME PART 2 THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 Acts 2:1 to 8 read -- This is the account of the Day of Pentecost -- Last week we saw them sitting in Jerusalem waiting for something that they could not really understand -- They knew that the same Holy Spirit that they had seen upon Jesus was going to be upon them -- he had promised them this -- Told them that they would be indued with power from on high - right here in Jerusalem -- I believe they lived in the house where the last supper took place -- Later on in Acts we read where there was a meeting that took place in this place -- Out of this house came Barnabas -- and John Mark -- In those days it was a place of Christian worship -- so I assume that they lived there -- From here they would go to the temple to pray -- At this time they were not Christians as we understand it today -- to them their idea of Christianity was a Jewish sect -- They would be shocked to see any of us around - for we are Gentiles -- To them -- this emerging of the Messiah's Kingdom was within Judaism --- Jesus said many things to them and they never really heard -- He told them - he was going to rise again from the dead THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 Caiaphas and Annas heard it the Pharisees heard it but the disciples did not hear it Jesus also said -- That many would come from the east and the west -- and this was meaning the Gentiles And they would sit down with Abraham -- Isaac -- and Jacob -- this is to share in the Messiah's Kingdom -- But Peter never heard it -- Jesus also said -- He would pour out the Holy Spirit upon ALL flesh -- this is a Hebrew expression for Gentiles Jesus said it -- but Peter did not hear it -- Peter said far more than he knew -- he said far more than what his mouth could contain -- Peter said to Cornelius - that he would never step into a Gentile's house - and he never did until God pushed him to do so -- Peter was a rigid Jew --- These disciples go to the temple -- not to some Charismatic meeting -- they are going to the temple with all its services and prayers -- and they go there on a daily basis --- They know that there is something new about themselves but they cannot define it -- So they are new - in the middle of the old --- They are in the midst of a congregation that would daily cry through the Psalms -- and their prayers that the Messiah would come THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 The disciples are sitting here nudging each other because they know he has come -- They know that Jesus is Lord They know that the Kingdom is here As they sit - they hear the scriptures being read -- Jesus has given them a Bible Study that lasted for 40 days - on what the Old Testament means -- and how it has already taken place in Jesus -- all this is going through their heads -- As they sit there they are wondering how and when the promise of the Father is going to come to them -- Each day as they waited -- the crowd grew in number because it was coming up to the Day of Pentecost -- Pentecost is not a denomination as some may think Pentecost goes back to the Book of Leviticus -- and begins at Mount Sinai -- Pentecost was a very important day in the Jewish year -- There were certain feasts that were more important than others - and all good Jews were expected to be there -- One of these important days was the Feast of Passover and the other was Pentecost and the other was the Feast of Tabernacles These are the important feasts of the year -- So at least ten days before - the visitors would begin to come into Jerusalem -- They came from every nation under heaven -- by this it is meant - the entire Roman Empire -- which was as far as they were concerned about meant every nation under heaven -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 From every synagog in the Roman Empire two Jewish representatives were sent to Jerusalem --- These Jewish representatives had to be devout Jewish people -- for they were going to spiritually represent their synagogs in the temple at Jerusalem --- They would also have to be able to speak a number of languages -- First of all they would naturally speak their own language -- Then they would have to speak Greek because Greek was the language of the Roman Empire -- Possibly they would speak Latin - as Latin was the language of the elite of the Roman Empire -- They would have to speak Aramaic - because this was the language of Israel at that time -- There is a possibility that they spoke Hebrew which was the language of the temple -- We know that at the time of Passover there was an increase in Jerusalem of about two and a half million people Now possibly at the time of Pentecost it was about the same number of people visiting there -- These people came to worship God at the Feast of Pentecost -- it was the 50th day after the Feast of Passover --- Passover was the celebration of how God had led the people out of Egypt - and there was the Passover lamb -- It was more of a family feast -- for they got together and they ate the lamb as a family -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 There they celebrated their God of Covenant -- their God Yahweh who lead them out of the land of Egypt -- Then 50 days later was the Day of Pentecost -- Pentecost means fifty -- it was also the end of the harvest -- So in the mind of a shallow thinking Jew - it was the celebration of harvest thanksgiving -- It is the time that all the harvest is gathered -- and we are celebrating the fact -- that when we planted our seed God was in what we were doing -- He is the Covenant God who has promised to bless us in our baskets and in our barns and in our kneading troughs and causing us to have all that we need So they celebrated the God of harvest -- this was Pentecost to them --- To a thinking Jew -- that is one who read the Old Testament -- it was a lot more than this -- To him it was the day that they celebrated - that the law of God had been received on Mount Sinai -- They saw it as the day that God gave the ten commandments -- this Jew was centering in on -- the righteousness of God the holiness of God and the way he desires us to live There was something unique about Pentecost -- and I hope you will understand --- You will understand it if you understand the other THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 offerings and feasts of Israel --- In case you do not understand I will explain a little to you -- The centre of the celebration of the day of Pentecost was in a Peace Offering -- The Peace Offering was -- you took your lamb - it had been slain - and cut up in a certain way -- Now the priest would place a piece of that lamb that was offered as a sacrifice - and place it in you hand -- Then he would place his hands underneath yours -- and would lift them -- then there would be a waving backwards and forwards --- this is called the Peace Offering it is also called the sacrifice of praise also the heave offering It was also called a wave offering they would heave -- and wave it up with shouts -- and singing their praises to God --- On this day of Pentecost -- they had such a Peace Offering --- Also as a part of the Peace Offering they had a Meal Offering --- Normally a Meal Offering was made of very very fine flour -- and it was baked with oil into an unleaven cake -- In no way was leaven allowed to be in the fine flour -- for leaven was always seen as corruption --and it was never to be introduced into the offerings of the Lord --- On this one day of the year -- the Feast of Pentecost they made something different -- The Peace Offering was fine flour and there was added leaven and then mixed with oil and two cakes were produced -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 If there was any oil left over it was to be poured over the two cakes -- then in a little tray - the cakes as a Peacing Offering would be lifted to the Lord --- On the Day of Pentecost the disciples were not in the upper room -- for on this day every male had to be in the temple --- If these disciples had been going to pray in the temple which they were doing -- For the scripture says --they went up to the temple at the hour of prayer -- If they kept the hours of prayer -- they sure would have kept the Day of Pentecost -- If they had not kept the Day of Pentecost -- it would have been the beginning of a great statement -- that they were with drawing from Judaism -- and that they are now going to the Gentiles --- They did not do this until chapter ten -- we know that this took place within the temple -- When the scripture says -- in the room where they were sitting- this would very likely be Solomon's Porch -- Around the edges of the temple were many porches --and Rabbi's could rent out these porches to teach their students -- It would have been a very simple matter for the disciples to have rented a room so as to be together on this special day --- If you want it to be an upper room -- you can have one in Solomon's Porch because there were upper rooms there --- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 The place they were not in was that upper room over there in the house in Jeruselem -- it was a room in the temple --- We know that at nine o'clock in the morning our time -- it was a break period in the service -- and now the disciple have come into this room to sit together -- and I would say have morning tea together in one accord - discussing the mornings happenings --- They were not rolling around on the floor -- nor were they on their knees begging God that they should try and be a little better - a little more worthy to receive this promise that was to come to them -- they were just waiting -- just hanging around -- As they were resting together in this room -- suddenly there came a great noise of a rushing wind -- This wind was loud enough to make the people near by run to see what was going on --- There is almost a suggestion in the original language here -- that the noise was a blast to be heard over the whole of Jeruselem -- A noise like this would draw people together -- and with this wind came what seemed to be a sheet of fire -- What it was - the writers could not explain it - for it came from outside of this world -- so they said it seems to be like this -- but really they had no words for it --- Moses used the word fire to try and explain it -- He had the same difficulty when he saw a burning bush that was not burning -- Moses sure had difficulty -- you can see this by his statement -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 It came from outside of this world -- and our language does not make allowance for this --- Luke says -- it looked like fire but it was not fire -- this is as near to it as he can get --- Ezekiel keeps saying -- it seemed like unto -- there was the appearance of --- Ezekiel is saying -- I have visited the other world -- I saw things that are not of this world -- but they are like or seemed to be like this and that -- I suggest the fire was the same fire that Moses saw in the burning bush that was not being consumed --- I say -- it was the same fire that led the children of Israel in the wilderness --- It is the fire of God's presence -- for our God is a consuming fire --- This sheet that looked like a fire sat upon each of the disciples -- that is it was divided among them -- It sat upon each of them and then entered into them -- and they were filled with the Holy Spirit --- Else where in the bible there are echos of this -- The fact that they were remembering that this was the giving of the law -- not just harvest thanksgiving time -- if you read of the account of the giving of the law you will see in - THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 Exodus chapter 19 to 20 -- many things like this -- There was coming from the top of Mount Sinai a noise that sounded like a great trumpet that everyone could hear-- There was also fire accompanied by lighting and thunder- noise as usual drew the attention of the people --- Here we have the supper-natural drawing peoples attention -- God was speaking Now here is something that is greater than Sinai The law was given by Moses -- but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ -- If on the day of giving the law they celebrated -- then there is a giving of something -- and someone far greater on this day --- For this day they are immersed in the Spirit of God Just as Ezekiel had said -- the wind blew through the valley and they stood on their feet -- there was a mighty resurrected army -- The Spirit of God had come In the way that this happened it will never be repeated again like this -- any more than the birth of Jesus will be repeated -- nor will the birthday of the Holy Spirit be repeated -- For when the Holy Spirit came - the body of Christ which was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ is immersed into the Holy Spirit -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 and this great act which came from heaven will never be repeated --- They had to wait around in Jeruselem until this event took place --and God's timing had to be on the Day of Pentecost --- He has now come and no one will have to wait -- or hang around again -- we can now enter into him and him into us - It is the Holy Spirit that has come And when I say this -- do not misunderstand me -- but still do not be side tracked -- It is the Holy Spirit that has come -- not speaking in tongues not the gifts It is the Holy Spirit that has come -- He has come to announce that the king is crowned and that Kingdom of God has come to earth -- He has come to announce that the King reigns in the heavens over his Kingdom upon earth --- I have never seen Jesus crowned but I confess he is Lord -- because I know he is --- How do I know that he is Lord -- Because the Holy Spirit has come and the Holy Spirit's presence is the proof that Jesus Christ is Lord --- In ancient day's in England when a king was crowned -- it took a long time for all to hear about it by normal means of transportation --- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 Just outside of Westminster where the king was crowned was a high hill -- and on top of this hill there was a heap of brush wood -- and on every other high hill there was a heap of brush wood --- As soon as the crown was placed upon the head of the new king -- a runner would go to the first hill And shout -- God save the king -- and light the brush wood- The man on the other hill would see the blase of the fire -- he would also Shout -- God save the king -- and light the brush wood-- This went on until the whole country knew that the king had been crowned -- this only took minutes for all to know - There were only a hand full of people actually saw the king being crowned -- In the heavens Jesus is crowned king Daniel said -- I saw one like unto the son of man -- and unto him was given a Kingdom -- a Kingdom that was made up of tongues -- and people and nations -- a Kingdom that had no end --- Phillipians says -- unto him was given a name which above every name -- and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess - that Jesus Christ is Lord -- John saw it -- he said he saw a Lamb -- coming up to the throne -- a Lamb as it had been slain -- and those present began to -- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 Sing -- thou art worthy -- and thou hast redeemed us by thy blood -- out of every kingdom -- tribe and tongue and nation and has made us kings and priests unto our God -- The King is crowned -- but we never saw it But a brush wood fire was lit on the day of Pentecost -- The fire came out of the heavens and came upon the disciples -- and the presence of the Holy Spirit was a declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord --- That is why no man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit --- He is the one who comes and lights the fire inside of you -- and immediately you know that Jesus is Lord -- The King is Crowned -- The King has come Where ever the Holy Spirit is not given it's way -- there you will hardly know that the Kingdom of God has come - Where ever the Kingdom of God is in dynamic operation there is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence --- He comes and shows us Jesus Christ is Lord This is what Jesus said -- that the Holy Spirit shall come and he will glorify me -- he comes to declare the Lordship of Jesus -- Now they have the ability to express from the Holy Spirit - who is now joined to their spirit -- praises to God as their spirit has always wanted to --- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 They now praise him with a language that they had never learnt -- a language that was beyond their mental capability -- In Acts 2 it says -- they where speaking of the wonderful works of God --- The men standing near by them came from every nation under the Roman heaven -- and all spoke different dialects back at home -- Here are Galilaeans -- and the men from other parts of the world hear their own dialect being spoken --- They hear these Galilaeans speaking of the wonderful works of God --- Now the disciples had a means of expressing themselves God ward --- To them their mind could not understand it but their spirit was set free to praise God --- Many times when you are speaking to yourself in tongues- it is in a psalm to God --- The Holy Spirit came not only to bring man kind into the wonderful works of God -- but they in turn may learn to worship -- and bless the God of those wonderful works --- On the Day of Pentecost those disciples spoke in tongues not for it to be interpreted -- but to let those near by hear of the wonderful works of God --- These men were in the Holy state of being -- that could only be described by the outsider as -- drunkenness --- THE SPIRIT IS HERE PART 1 There was a Holy joy about them there was a swaying joy There was a complete disregard for what others may think of them they were more in heaven than on earth and their action seemed to reflect that they were not quite all -- here as if to say they were somewhere else This was the only way that these people could describe them -- they appeared to be as drunken men --- They were drunk alright -- they were drunk with the Spirit -- I think that this is a good place to leave them until next week --- AMEN