Unhindered: Let Loose by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Let Loose by the Spirit

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Date: January 20, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!  (Acts 28:31, Series's Key Verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Identify and write down your biggest hindrance to going all in with and all out for Jesus on a note card.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:1-4)

In Acts 2, this early group of followers are baptized and turned loose by the Spirit.

This is the birthday of the church.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:2-4)

He was empowering this group of people to be His witnesses in the world.

This is the greatest need of the church.  It is the greatest need of my life and your life.  It is to live in the Spirit.  It is to be unhindered by the Spirit - to be let loose by the Spirit.

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)

How does the Spirit unhinder us?  Let's see three actions that are involved when we are let loose by the Spirit:

1. Believing
   • And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  (Acts 1:4-5)
   • These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.  (Acts 1:14)
   • He will cleanse your sinful actions.
   • He will cleanse your sinful motives.
2. Receiving
   • And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:2-4)
   • God filled them when they were ready for Him to use them.
   • The Spirit comes to be in charge, and He comes with change.
   • And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?"  (Acts 2:5-8)
   • WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Lift up your biggest hindrance to the Spirit in prayer, and trust Him to unhindered you.
   • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23)
   • Do you believe God will do that with you?
3. Achieving
   • You receive and God achieves.
   • Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."  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."'"  (Acts 2:13-18)
   • "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."  (Acts 2:22-24)
   • The Spirit turns cowardly Peter into courageous Peter.
   • When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "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 promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."  (Acts 2:37-39)
   • The biggest thing for me is how badly do I want the Spirit to fill me and use me?