Acts 2:1-17a
Something very powerful and specific happened on the day of Pentecost, in that upper room. A sound from heaven, yes. But what really happened that day was, every person got their own flame.
Out of the 120 people that gathered in obedience to seek the Lord and wait for the promise, not one was left out. Every person got their own Flame. And today everyone who has come to the Lord Jesus by faith should have their own flame. This means… every child of God should have their own personal experience with and connection to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew that the early church was going to need more than pageantry and speeches. He knew they were going to have to have power from on high. Jesus also knew that the Holy Spirit was the supernatural equipment that they needed. He knew that everything necessary to defeat the devil and establish the kingdom of God was given to them that day.
The enemy is on the rampage, spiritual warfare is on a level I have never witnessed before.
It seems today that the average Christian and the average church are bogged down somewhere between Calvary and Pentecost.
They have been to Calvary for Pardon, but they have not yet tapped into and unleashed the power of what happened here at Pentecost.
God’s children stumble around with no direction, no purpose, and no power. When on the other hand, the enemy and the hordes of hell, are very focused and unified in their purpose, to steal, kill, and destroy.
I’m so thankful for every patriotic Man or Woman, and their efforts to save America, but the truth is, this battle is spiritual, it’s supernatural, and it’s going to take supernatural power to save this country. We have entered a time where everyone in the house needs a flame. Every person who occupies a pew needs the power of the Holy Spirit operating in and through them.
Not one person was left out on the day of Pentecost. Every person in that place got their own flame. Each person had a personal encounter with the fire of God.
Sadly the majority of the church world has not made the connection between what Jesus said prior to His ascension, and what happened in the upper room.
Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came upon them that they would receive power. The word “power” in Greek is dunamis… It means strength, power, fortitude, and the will to win. This (dunamis) This power gives us direction in life, transforms our circumstances, encourages us, empowers us and emboldens us to share the gospel, and does the sanctifying work of changing us into the image of Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles and disciples knew exactly what had happened to them. They knew something special had happened on the inside of them. God took procession of His new temple.
This mighty baptism is what Jesus said it is. It is a Baptism of power from on high. It is the power to destroy the works of the devil. To break every stronghold, and set the captives free.
Preaching in Caesarea to Cornelius’ Household Acts 10:37-38 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
What does Jesus going to his father have to do with us doing the works he did, and greater? The answer is, Jesus said that when he went to the Father that he would send The Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that when we received the Holy Spirit, we would then have the same power in us, that was working in him.
Bethlehem……God With Me. Calvary means ……. God Is For Me.
But Pentecost screams…God is In Me.
John said, Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John said the one who is more powerful than I will baptize you with a more powerful baptism…The baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.
You don’t get the Holy Spirit today, then get the fire in 6 months or a year, it’s the same baptism at the same time. The fire is a picture of cleansing and purity.
Jesus said that when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will receive power from on high. But the enemy wants you to believe that you didn’t get the power, but the power/fire is there. Yes, we have to cultivate it, stir it up, and fan it, but it’s there.
The enemy has been very effective at keeping God’s children from understanding this power we have inside us. Because the enemy knows that if we ever realize and unleash the power that is already in us, he is in trouble. Because he knows that it’s the only power there is that can defeat him.
So, he has been telling us for centuries that Jesus had the power, and Paul and Peter had the power, but we somehow we have to earn that power…
But the enemy has known all along that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is living in you and me right now.
The thought that you and I might make this discovery terrifies the devil because he knows that the very moment you truly believe that power is in you, you will start counting on, and drawing on that power.
If you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, you have the power. As a matter of fact, you have all the power that you can ever possibly receive because there is no greater power in all of creation. We just need to learn how to develop, depend on, draw on, and how to co-operate with that power.
How do I tap into that power? First, let me tell you why this mighty power may not be manifesting in your life. Acts 7:51 You always resist the Holy Spirit! The word used here means to be adverse, oppose, or strive against.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit” The word “quench” used here speaks of suppressing fire or stifling a flame.
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The Greek word “grieve” means “to cause one to feel sorrow, pain, unhappiness, or distress.”
*Prayer.*Fasting.*Reading/Meditating on the Word.*Praise & Worship.
ASK-SEEK-KNOCK-Luke 11:11-12 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
I want to be direct with you today and tell you, that I believe the world, and specifically our America, is in the worst condition it’s ever been. I don’t say that to join the gloom and doomers.
I say that because now more than ever, it is absolutely clear that the only hope for us is God. That’s why we, you me, the church must wake up, to the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit, that lives in us.
We have got to quit looking and waiting, for some great anointing to fall on us, and instead, acknowledge, understand, and believe the greatest anointing is already in us. ASHBURY COLLEGE REVIVAL
The enemy’s greatest fear is that the church right here right now, will get a revelation of the power that WE already have.
My prayer for us all is that the true blood-bought, Holy Spirit, and Fire baptized INDIVIDUAL would tap into the greatest power source that is already in us. And release that power into our LIVES, CHURCHES, and the whole WORLD!!**
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