05-23-10 Sermon Notes

“House Fire”

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Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-41 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability….Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd… 'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy.  Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below… But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"  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. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God."… Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Sermon Text: Nehemiah 8:1-10 …all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.  So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.  He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law… When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.  Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, "Amen! Amen!" as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. ...  Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, "Don't mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God." For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, "Hush! Don't weep! For this is a sacred day." So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God's words and understood them.

Origins of Pentecost

    -giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai 

The First Revival

    -the right people in the right places

    -God’s Word proclaimed boldly

    -hearers respected the Truth

    -the Word was brought to understanding

    -hearers responded in faith

    -encouraged to celebrate with joy 

Pentecost of Acts 2

    -the first Christian revival

    -the Spirit came on each one in power

    -the Spirit’s fruits and gifts 

Spirit’s Work in Our Times

    -Revival in 16^th C.

    -Wesley brothers

    -the Spirit today 

How will you respond to the Holy Spirit?

    -receive

    -respond--fan into flames

    -reflect—to others

Study Guide