Sermon on 8 September 2024 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
We should know about the day of the pentecost, which is the actual day of birth of the church. The ‘church’ is not about the building or the place. Rather, it means the assembly, the ones called out. WE are the church. We should remember the original mission and purpose of the church. The church is built on Christ.
Message
Jesus gave specific instructions to the apostles during His ascension. He taught them about the things He did. The church is one of the four institutions God formed. The first institution was family, second was human government, third was the nation of Israel, and the fourth - the church. From the beginning, God intended for the church to be formed.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. - Matthew 16:18
Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49
In Acts 1, Jesus taught the disciples about the kingdom of God and He taught them to wait for the power from above.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8
When the Day Of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. - Acts 2:1
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. - Acts 2:4
The Day of Pentecost was the day of first fruits. On that Day of Pentecost, there were many people from many nations in Jerusalem. The disciples, by the power of the Holy Spirit, were able to speak in other tongues (known languages) to preach about Jesus Christ. The church of Christ was born on Pentecost.
There is another type of tongue - an unknown tongue, to speak to God (1 Corinthians 14). It is not gibberish; it does not comprise only one or two sounds. The gift of tongue to the apostles for one purpose - to communicate and proclaim (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. - 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. - 1 Corinthians 14:19
Speaking in tongues is not a sign that you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Bearing fruit is a sign that you are controlled by the Spirit.
God wants His church to stand for the truth, His truth, and to be unshakable in our presentation of the gospel. God started the church, created it, and brought it into being; it is His church, not ours.
The purpose and mission of the birth of the church is to communicate the gospel - the death of Christ, repentance, and the remission of sin.
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. - Colossians 1:28
The church’s goal is the establishing a unique fellowship and equipping the saints with the mission of sharing the gospel. The church is rooted in love and generosity, empowered by the Holy Spirit to testify to the very ends of the earth (Acts 2:44-47).
Closing
The world changed after Pentecost because of the church’s influence on the world. We celebrate God’s plan for the church to share the good news of Jesus.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s supper), and to prayer. - Acts 2:42
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