The Holy Spirit and Pentecost: God Wants to Fill You!

This week, we remember Pentecost, the time when the Holy Spirit came in power to God’s people.

Mankind was lost and cut off from God due to sin. So God sent Jesus, his son, to pay the price for our sins so that we can come back into a relationship with God. Through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, he conquered death and broke sin’s grip, so that we can be forgiven and be set free. Jesus then ascended into heaven and will one day return to fetch his children so that we can spend eternity with him. At this time, he will also judge the world. 

Background

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come so that we could have a close relationship with God. 

Jesus also told his followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and empower his people so they could be his ambassadors. 

At Jesus’ instruction, they (the followers of Jesus) waited in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.

The Day of Pentecost

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

On the day of Pentecost, 120 people packed into the upper room and waited on God. As they waited on God, they heard a sound from heaven, and the Holy Spirit came with power, and the fire of the Spirit rested on each of them, filling them with the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:5-8 tells us, “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?”

Acts 2:12-13 continues, “Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

A large crowd of thousands quickly gathered. 

Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, used the opportunity to boldly address the crowd.

Acts 2:14-21 says, “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!”

“No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would come. This had been prophesied hundreds of years before, that people would be filled with the Spirit of God and that they would have dreams and see visions, that God would show signs and wonders, and that all who call upon the name of Jesus will be saved.

Peter then shared the Good News of Jesus with the crowd. He shared how all mankind can find salvation in Jesus. Peter implored the crowd to turn to God. 

In Acts 2:38, Peter passionately declared, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Good News is that Jesus came to save the lost. Through the price Jesus paid on the cross, sinful people can find new life and forgiveness and can come back into a relationship with God.

Not only would they be saved for eternity, but all who believe and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior can be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  

Acts 2:40-41 tells us that “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

On the day of Pentecost, the Father sent the promised Holy Spirit. He filled his people with power. Immediately, revival struck Jerusalem, and 3000 lost and broken people took Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The Promise of The Holy Spirit is for You!

The day of Pentecost birthed the early Church, but this was not just a one-time event. The gift of the Holy Spirit is for you too! God wants to fill you. 

In Joel 2:28, God told us that “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”

Paul confirmed this in Acts 2:39, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for you too!

Who is The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Godhead (Trinity). We have The Father, The Son (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit. I want to show you how the promised Holy Spirit wants to empower and fill you so that you can have a close and personal relationship with God. 

What Does The Bible Have to Say About The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit was there at the beginning of creation:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2 NIV)

Even before God created the world, the Holy Spirit was there. He was there at the beginning of creation.

The Holy Spirit breathed life into man:

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NIV)

The Holy Spirit was instrumental in the birth of Jesus:

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18)

Talking about Jesus, we are told that “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” (Luke 1:15)

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Messiah. 

When John saw Jesus for the first time, he made this incredible statement:

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

On the day of Pentecost, Jesus baptized his people with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 

When Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus:

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22)

Shortly after Jesus was baptized, he started his ministry.

The Holy Spirit led and guided Jesus:

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2)

When Jesus started his ministry, the Holy Spirit empowered him:

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. (Luke 4:14-17)

On the Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue. He read the following statement from Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus then told the congregants, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:20-21)

Jesus was anointed to bring Good News to the poor and broken. He came to set the captives free. He came to usher in a time of God’s undeserved favor and grace, where all people could come back into a close walk with God.

From this day on, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus walked the earth, bringing Good News to the poor, broken, hurting, and bound. Wherever he went, he taught with great power and wisdom. He healed the sick. He brought breakthrough, and he set the captive free.

Acts 10:38 confirms, “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.”

Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed and bound.

In Acts 10, there is another account of how Peter, after being empowered by the Holy Spirit, shared the good news of Jesus. As he preached to the crowd, God moved on them in power.

Acts 10:44 says, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”

May the same happen today as you read this.

What Did Jesus Have to Say About The Holy Spirit?

I don’t know if you are aware of this, but before Jesus went to die on the cross, he told his followers that he was going to die and that he would rise from the dead.

Jesus died on the cross. He paid the full price for sin, thereby making a way for all mankind to come back into a relationship with God. He was buried in a tomb, but rose from the grave, conquering death. He then walked the earth for 40 days before ascending into heaven. 

Jesus told his followers that he would go back to the Father so that he could go prepare a place for them in eternity. He also said that he would someday return to fetch his people and to judge the world. 

But Jesus also told us that it would be better for him to go back to heaven so that the Holy Spirit could come.

When Jesus walked the earth, he could only be in one place at one time. However, Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would come and live in our hearts so that we could have a close walk with God. This includes you!

In John 14:15-18, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Jesus made it clear that the Holy Spirit will come and that he will be our advocate.

Do you know what it means for the Holy Spirit to be our ADVOCATE? 

The Holy Spirit is:

• Our Helper. 
• Our Comforter. 
• Our Counsellor. 
• The One who would come alongside us and strengthen us. 
• The One who would empower us.

The Holy Spirit wants to come alongside us and support us in our walk with God. 

Concerning the Holy Spirit, Jesus also told us in John 14:25-27, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus also showed us that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things. He wants to remind us of all the important things Jesus had to say to us.

The Holy Spirit wants to help us grow in our walk with God. Through the Holy Spirit, we can also know God’s peace and comfort. 

Again, in John 16:7-11, Jesus also told us, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit (Advocate) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

Jesus said that it was for our good that he would go back to heaven so that the Holy Spirit could come. Jesus showed us that the Holy Spirit would convict people of their sins, of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 

Notice that the Holy Spirit did not come to condemn. He wants to touch the hearts of the lost and broken and convict them of their need for The Savior (Jesus). The Holy Spirit wants to lead people who have lost their way back to Jesus. He wants an intimate walk with you!

Jesus continued in John 16:12-15, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit came to lead and guide us into all truth.
He came to reveal the future mysteries of God to us.
He wants to tell us what Jesus has to say to us.
He also came to glorify Jesus.

God so dearly wants an intimate walk with you that he sent Jesus to pay the price to save us and send the Holy Spirit to be our helper and counselor.

God Wants a Close Walk with You

Jesus made a way so that we can be reconnected to our Holy God.

Jesus even told us that we can call on him and ask for help. He really wants a close walk with you.

In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus told us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

You do not need to face life alone. Jesus invites you to approach him for help. Today, you can ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit!

Jesus Wants to Fill You with The Holy Spirit

Again, in Luke 11:11-13, Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus went on and said, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 am a Dad, and I mess up at times. Even though I have my faults, I really want the best for my children. How much more will our perfect and heavenly Father give good gifts to his children (us)? 

I need to repeat this! Jesus told us, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

God wants to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He so dearly wants a closer walk with you and me. God could have chosen to live anywhere in the universe, but he chose to take up residence in the heart of mankind.   

Ephesians 5:15-18 tells us, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

God’s Word commands us to be filled! He wants us to live a Spirit-filled life. God also wants to give you special abilities.

1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives.”

God also wants to reveal his mysteries to you through the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, it tells us, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”

God wants to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He wants to lead you into all truth. He wants to guide you. He wants to convict the world and see all people come back into a relationship with God.

This is only possible through the finished work of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. God wants an intimate walk with you. He wants to give you special abilities and reveal the mysteries of the future to you.

Jesus Wants to Empower You with The Holy Spirit

As a quick recap, we shared that Acts 1:4-5 tells us that Jesus told the early Church, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

On the Day of Pentecost in the upper room, God poured out His Spirit. The fire of God fell on his people as they waited for the promise, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Immediately after this, revival fire spread throughout Jerusalem, on to the ends of the world, as the Holy Spirit empowered his people.  

Jesus told us in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God wants to empower you to do great works for him.

When Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come, he said in John 14:12-14, “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. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Jesus told us that we will do the same works that he did and even greater works. 

Why? Because he was going back to the Father. 

Why? Because the Holy Spirit would come to empower us.  

What did Jesus do when he walked the earth?

When Jesus walked the earth, he brought healing to the sick. He brought breakthrough to the bound. He delivered the oppressed. He set captives free. He even raised the dead!

You have been called to go out, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to do the same works and even greater works than Jesus did! God wants to empower you to reach the lost and broken in our world.

In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

The Good News is that God has made a way through Jesus for all mankind to come into a relationship with God.

The Good News is that no one is disqualified.

Jesus paid for it in full so that we can be set free from sin and come into a relationship with God. God does not want to see anyone perish.

He wants all people to be saved.

We are called to share the Good News of Jesus. Jesus told us to GO and TELL others the Good News. He also promised to empower us for the task. 

In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus told us, “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

God wants to empower you to reach your world. He calls you to share this Good News. He promised to empower you to reach out to the lost, broken, and battered.

Mark 16:19-20 tells us, “When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

The early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit and went out to share the good news of Jesus. God showed up in power! Miracles happened. There were mighty signs and wonders, and many came to know Jesus as their Savior.

Paul, who once persecuted Christians, had an encounter with God that changed his life. From being an enemy of Christ, he became one of God’s ambassadors. 

When Paul came to the town of Corinth, he shared Jesus. All he did was lift up Jesus and share how Jesus paid the price so that we could be saved.

In Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul said, “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

All Paul did was share how Jesus was crucified on the cross. As he lifted Jesus up, there was a mighty demonstration of God’s power, and many people’s lives were forever changed as the Holy Spirit touched their hearts.

In Acts 5:15, we are told that they “brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”

Many were healed, delivered, and set free. Peter had no power in his shadow. It was the power of God radiating out of this Spirit-filled ambassador of God.

God wants to fill you with his spirit. He wants to empower you. 

Acts 3:1-10 tells us, “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

This crippled beggar, who was lame from birth, was miraculously healed by the power of God that flowed out of the obedient Spirit-filled ambassadors of God.

This crippled man had never walked, but he was jumping around, walking, leaping, and praising God.

He was healed, delivered, and set completely free.

God can radically transform your life, too!

When this miracle happened, a crowd gathered. Peter used the opportunity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to share the good news of Jesus.

In Acts 3:19, Peter called the onlookers, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Two thousand people found Jesus that day. They were all saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Revival started to spread like a wild, rampaging fire.

God wants to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He wants to bring revival to our broken world through you.  

Have You Received The Holy Spirit?

Today, you may know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but do you know the Holy Spirit? 

The Book of Acts tells the story of a group of new Christians who did not know about the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:14-17 tells us, “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

This group had been living in their own strength, without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. After Peter prayed for them, they received the Holy Spirit. Their lives were forever changed.

On another occasion in the Book of Acts, when Paul came to Corinth, he met a group of believers who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. 

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.”

This group of godly people had not heard about the Holy Spirit. Maybe you can resonate with them. When Paul prayed for them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and God empowered them.

God wants to Fill You with the Holy Spirit

I want to remind you of what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit. 

God wants an intimate walk with you. This type of relationship is only available for those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior. God wants you to live by the Spirit, to walk by the Spirit, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Life can be hard and scary. You do not need to face life alone, nor do you need to face eternity alone. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Ask God to forgive you. Ask God to fill you. 

If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.

God wants a close walk with you. The Holy Spirit is your helper, your comforter, your counselor, your advocate. He is the one who comes alongside you to strengthen and support you. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you. He wants to guide you. He wants to empower you. He wants to fill you.

In Luke 11:11,13, Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus went on and said, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Where Do You Stand with God?

• Are you a child of God?
• Have you lost your way?
• Has sin ransacked your life?

Today, you can ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Surrender your life to Him. He paid the full price on the cross so that you can find forgiveness. 

He made a way for you to share eternity with him. Today, you can become a child of God.

Maybe you have become spiritually dry. 

Maybe you have never invited the Holy Spirit into your life.

Today, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Call out to Jesus. Surrender your life to him and ask him to baptize you in the Holy Spirit. He wants to fill you. He wants to empower you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Father God. I hunger and thirst for a deeper walk with you. 

Thank you for sending Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for me so that I can be forgiven. I confess my sins, and I turn from my sins and surrender the control of my life to you. Lord Jesus, I thank you that I am a new creation, that I am a Child of God, and that I will spend eternity with you. By faith, I invite You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I ask you to baptize me with fire from on high. Holy Spirit, come renew me. Come fill be. I give you full control of my life. Come empower me. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

I want to encourage you to spend time with God.

The Holy Spirit is your helper, your counselor, your comforter, the one who will support you and strengthen you.

He is also your advocate.

May you grow in faith as you live yielded to the Holy Spirit.

As you lift Jesus up, may the Holy Spirit lead and guide you.

May he reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to you.
May he empower you to reach the lost and hurting.
May you be filled with the full measure of the Holy Spirit.
May God’s love and power radiate in you and through you.  

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)