The Difference Maker Arrives on the Scene

Listen to this podcast here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2076d79f/the-difference...

In my last several Morning Briefings, I have built the case that the Holy Spirit of God is a difference maker in our lives. Why did I pivot from Romans? What I saw when I looked in their eyes...I heard in the desperation in his voice, and saw the tears spilling out of her eyes; I believe she really wants to be free from her addiction, I heard her personal dismay over her doubts, and I saw how totally helpless and out of control he feels. Not one of these people can see breakthrough or remedy in religion or ...wait for it, because 'he is spiritual'. When my own life elicits a nagging, gnawing worry, there is only one Difference Maker, the Holy Spirit.

Let's set the scene - first century Jerusalem. From the Mt. of Olives Jesus told his followers to go back to town and wait for the Gift the Father would send--the promised Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Luke's coverage of what happened 50 days after the Resurrection, 10 days after Jesus' ascension into Heaven is incredible. It does require your focus to picture the momentous occasion, please.

From Acts chapter two, New Living Translation - "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.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (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!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Acts 2.1-13

Jesus kept his promise of sending the Holy Spirit to inhabit the people of God! It is an amazing picture that Luke paints of this historic event, describing the sound of a mighty wind and what looked like tongues of fire resting on each individual's head. (While bizarre, you can picture it in your mind) 

The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, (meaning ‘fifty’ ­­so, 50 days after Passover), and would forever change the world. Understanding Jewish custom is critical to seeing how God's timing is always perfect. Pentecost was one of three annual Jewish festivals and is also called the "Feast of Weeks" because it was seven weeks after Passover. Pentecost required Jews to travel to Jerusalem with gifts and offerings to present to God. [The timing here is remarkable because the feast is what brought Jews from "the ends of the earth" together in Jerusalem, to be present at the same time.] 

It is interesting to note that those people who Luke listed as hearing 'the great works of God' in their own native tongues -- well, not a one of them was a white westerner. Looking up each people group that was mentioned, there were Greeks, Turks, Iranians, Kuwaitis, Africans (Libyans and Egyptians), Iraqis and Syrians, Afghanis and Pakistanis . . . all who were hearing in their own languages the works of God meant for them--for their families and their people. 

As the people started speaking in other languages, 'xenoglossia' is the Greek word used, meaning speaking in an unlearned language, a crowd of Jewish pilgrims, (­having traveled from near and far to observe Pentecost), formed outside and they heard their native tongues spoken. It was God's way of drawing them to Himself, as they heard the people telling the great things God had done in their own languages! Somehow they knew that the speakers were Galileans, though they were shocked by the clarity with which their languages and dialects were uttered. (Galileans were looked at as less refined, backward, and even peculiar because of their dialect) Yet, these were the messengers of God's goodness to all of the travelers who would hear and take the goodness of God back to the towns from which they came. Incredible. 

What are we to take from this momentous day in history when the Holy Spirit first came and filled believers of Jesus Christ? 

->God keeps his promises--He said he would send the Spirit and he did.

->His timing is perfect. While you and I may grow tired of waiting for an answer or to see a change. . . our perspective is totally different than an infinite, all-­knowing, all­-powerful, holy God.

->As the Holy Spirit came to each believer that day--so He comes to each believer today. Note: the Holy Spirit comes to those who are seeking God.

->The message those believers spoke out was for ALL PEOPLE; there was no consideration of race or color.

Will the Holy Spirit make his presence known to you through wind and tongues and fire? Not likely. But He will come with power . . . difference making power for your life.

Holy Spirit, Come--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7npYkaJ8kWc

Watch for him at work around you,

be desirous of knowing this Third Person of the Trinity!

Christine

Holy Spirit #4

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