SERMON - HE IS COMING AGAN AND SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT pt 1

He Is Coming Again

And

Sent The Holy Spirit

Part 1

 

 

Think of it… The followers of Jesus at Pentecost did not have to fear nuclear weapons, had no anxiety about gay marriages in mainstream society and weren’t subjected to gay parades that were fraught with debauchery. They did not fear the looming collapse of their economy and were in need of one thing only (in their minds) as they gathered in a small room in the upper part of a building.

 

However they, just as we, had the need of just one thing to set them at ease in their lives. That need?

 

The Holy Spirit was the need; for them and, for us today!

 

The cry that is called for this very day today was heard in the day of Isaiah.

 

Isaiah 64:  ¹ Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! ² As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!  ³ For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. ⁴ Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, o eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

The person who made this cry was uttered by a prophet of God! The reason for his cry was the sheer lethargy he saw among God’s people. Isaiah was crying out to God for Him to bless himself with a supernatural visitation. Isaiah was saying, “Lord, we need a touch from You as we are not being touched by our ministers as they only preach a dead religious routine.”

Just as in the days of Isaiah there were religious gatherings throughout the nation that were gatherings, music was to be heard, people were seen to be well versed in Scripture and the ordinances of the church were being adhered to. Yet, in spite of all this, teaching, pageantry and good works the church (synagogues) atmosphere was dead. As in most churches being attended there was nothing of His presence in their rituals!

Micah, another prophet of God spoke for Him.

Micah 6:  ³ "My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.  

In these words the Lord was asking, “Tell me, what have I done to weary you? I challenge you to testify of what I did to cause your lethargy.”

Isaiah looked at the lifeless church and cried out to the Lord:

Isaiah 64: ⁹ Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.¹⁰ Your sacred cities have become a desert; even Zion is a desert, Jerusalem a desolation.”

What Isaiah was truly saying was, “Lord, You have blessed us with so much good music, so many good teachers and so many programs but we do not have Your presence. We do not have Your Fire, the Holy Spirit. Please don’t be angry as I am now crying for You to send the Holy Spirit. Rend the heavens and give us Your touch.”

Brothers and sisters I ask you to think about all that we have today to consider. We have been blessed with more tools for evangelism than any other generation. We have more media outlets for the gospel, more books, web sites, TV as well as radio... Ministers and congregations are more educated than ever before. We have more knowledge about the Bible, humankind, and even of ourselves that at any time in history.

With all of these positive things we continue to go to church and come away without the feeling of having the presence of Jesus Christ.

How many of you can honestly say, as you walked out, “I was revived, made alive again, by receiving God’s message I ask you to be totally honest.

On the day of the Pentecost this cry was heard! The assemblies and motions people went through were lifeless and they knew, knew without a shadow of doubt, that there was more!

These people had been taught of the fiery teaching of John the Baptist. They had actually beheld our Savior, Jesus Christ, in the flesh yet they felt empty!  These people had seen or heard first hand recounts of the many miracles Jesus performed, His casting out of demons, and many wondrous feats yet they needed something else.

Just as Jesus had promised He provided that which He knew they would need. He waited and saw them gather as instructed as they asked in accord for His gift.

Acts 2: ¹When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now, take a moment and consider what else was happening in the world at that time. There were wars, uprisings, empires invading nations; many prayers from the many people traveling throughout the world and so many events that it would take hours to relate even a fraction of all that God had before Him. Yet He acted! He fulfilled the promise made by Jesus and sent down the Holy Spirit thereby allowing His followers to gain the guidance needed to teach His Good News.

The message Jesus had given His followers was essentially this: “When you are together, fire is going to fall on the whole gathering and melt your hearts. The fire I send will remove all mountains (obstacles) and allow your neighbors, your fellow Jews and any you speak with understand your message will dissolve hardness of the heart and disbelief. Those who will accept your message will believe in Me.”

We all know the results! We have heard the speaking that rang out and saved so very many! Some of the very people that had rejected Jesus BELIEVED! They truly BELIEVED. They were experiencing a revival of epic proportions.

What happened was as if God had struck a match knowing that the kindling was ready to be lit! His spirit blew on the people gathered in that small upper room on Pentecost and started a fire that would consume the hearts and minds of men that would ignite the entire world!

(Closing prayer)

Father, God in Heaven, we call on You and ask that You hear our prayer. We ask that You accept our praise, worship and devout love for You. You ease our hearts in these tumultuous times and for that we are grateful. We shall forever be Your children and know that You are at our sides in times of need.

Lord, our prayer is for the strength and guidance required bringing others to Your flock. It is our heartfelt desire that all believe and be saved. With Your Divine help we shall succeed in our quest.

Father, at this time we wish to ask for nothing further as we ask for all so much. Lord, at this time we wish to affirm our total belief in You, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We worship You O Lord and set forth our love. You alone are God, Creator of all and there is no God other than You.

It is with hearts filled with love for You and our desire to be with You in Paradise that we offer our prayers and worship of You.

This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Lord and Savior, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,

Amen, amen and amen.

Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr

God's Word Christian Ministry