2 Tim 1:6-9

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,

and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING A SERIES ON THE EMOTIONS UNDER ATTACK AND I’M GOING TO RESUME THAT SERIES ON SUNDAY JULY 13. NEXT SUNDAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY AND I THOUGHT WE’D DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WE WILL HAVE A REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICE WITH A SHORT EXHORTATION ON PRAYER FOLLOWED BY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GATHER TOGETHER UP FRONT AS WE PRAY FOR OUR NATION. WHENEVER WE ARE FINISHED WE WILL HAVE A CHURCH PICNIC AND WE INVITE YOU TO BRING FOOD TO COOK ON THE GRILL FOR SUNDAY MORNING’S SERVICE.

TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A MESSAGE ON THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST. SUNDAY, JUNE 6TH WAS PENTECOST SUNDAY AND I MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE ABOUT PENTESOCT THEN SO I THOUGHT I WOULD DO IT THIS MORNING. LET’S BEGIN READING IN LK.24:49 AND ACTS 2:

TO BEGIN WITH THIS MORNING, LET ME HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THE WORD, PENTECOST. PENTE STANDs FOR 50 AND FROM THE DEATH OF CHRIST TO WHEN THEY DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME THERE WERE 50 DAYS. FORTY OF THOSE DAYS JESUS SPENT WITH THE DISCIPLES AND FOR TEN DAYS THE DISCIPLES REMAINED IN THE TEMPLE WAITING FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ACT 2:1 SAYS: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. THE WORD, "FULLY" INDICATES TO US THAT THIS WAS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THE O.T. TYPE OF THE FEAST OF PENTECOST. IF WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE SHADOW AND TYPE IN THE O.T. IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE NEED TO READ

Deut 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Deut 16:10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give

unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed

thee: (KJV) PENTECOST= FEAST OF WEEKS

OR FEAST OF HARVEST-SAME THING

Deut 16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the

Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the

fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the

LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. (KJV)

Deut 16:12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes. (KJV)

Deut 16:13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that

thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: (KJV)

Deut 16:15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands,

therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. (KJV)

16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall n

ot appear before the LORD empty:

GOD COMMANDED EVERY MALE TO ASSEMBLE IN JERUSALEM TO CELEBRATE AND OBSERVE THESE THREE MAJOR FEASTS ONE IN THE FIRST MONTH WHICH IS PASSOVER OR UNLEAVENED BREAD, ANOTHER IN THE THIRD MONTH WHICH IS PENTECOST AND THE LAST ONE IN THE SEVENTH MONTH WHICH IS THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. NOW ALL OF THIS IS SIGNIFICANT TO THE CHURCH AND TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSES OF GOD. PASSOVER WAS A THREE IN ONE FEAST: BECAUSE AT SUNDOWN, AT 6:00 O'CLOCK IT WAS THE END OF THE DAY AND IMMEDIATELY THEY WENT INTO A NEW DAY THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH LASTED SEVEN DAYS. AND THEN THEY WENT INTO THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS WHERE THEY WAVED THEIR FIRST FRUITS UNTO THE LORD. AND THEN THE THIRD MONTH CAME AND THEY CELEBRATED THE FEAST OF PENTECOST. AND THEN BETWEEN THE FOURTH AND SIXTH MONTHS THE CLIMATE IN ISRAEL WAS EXTREMELY DRY BUT IN THE SEVENTH MONTH THERE WAS AN ABUNDANT RAIN IN WHICH WAS CELEBRATED THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES OR WHAT IS KNOW BY SOME TO REPRESENT THE GREAT OUT POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY AND LATER RAIN WHICH IS A TIME OF GREAT HARVEST WHEN WHOLE NATIONS WILL COME TO CHRIST IN A DAY. NOW THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES IS EXCITING BUT BEFORE WE CAN GET THERE WE HAVE TO OBSERVE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER, UNLEAVENED BREAD, FRIST FRUITS AND THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

Exodus 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and

Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, (KJV)

Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be

the first month of the year to you. (KJV)

NOW GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO GO BACK TO THE OUTWARD OBSERVANCE OF THOSE O.C. FEASTS BUT WHAT HE DOES WANT US TO OBSERVE IS THE N.C. TYPE WHICH THEY POINTED TO. MOST OF US KNOW THAT PASSOVER WAS A TYPE OF CALVARY WHERE JESUS THE SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD WAS KILLED AND HAS IN FACT BECOME OUR PASSOVER LAMB ACCORDING TO 1Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: PASSOVER IS A TYPE OF SALVATION EXPERIENCE WHEN WE ACCEPT CHRIST'S ATONING WORK ON OUR BEHALF AND EXPERIENCE THE NEW BIRTH OR REGENERATION. PASSOVER IS A TYPE OF OUR ACCEPTING CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD.

AFTER PASSOVER WE IMMEDIATELY OBSERVE THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. BACK IN ISRAEL THEY WOULD REMOVE ALL LEAVEN FROM THEIR HOUSES AND BAKE BREAD WITHOUT LEAVEN. LEAVEN IN SCRIPTURE IS A TYPE OF SIN AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER SALVATION GOD WANTS US TO PUT SIN OUT OF OUR LIVES. HE WANTS US TO STOP LIVING FOR OURSELVES AND PURSUING THE LUST OF THE FLESH AND LIVE HOLY, CONSECRATED AND DEVOTED

LIVES TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THE NEXT FEAST THAT WAS OBSERVED WAS THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS WHICH POINTED TO THE CELEBRATION OF THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. JESUS WAS THE FIRST MAN TO BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND ACCORDING TO I COR.15:20 Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. WHEN WE AS BELIEVERS FOLLOW THE LORD IN BAPTISM WHICH IS A TYPE OF DEATH TO SIN AND SELF AND COME UP OUT OF THE WATER WE ARE RAISED INTO NEWNESS OF LIFE. THAT IS WHEN WE CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS AND RECEIVE THE RESURRECTION LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. (THAT'S EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST CALENDAR MONTH)

Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having

passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus:

and finding certain disciples, (KJV)

Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the

Holy Ghost since ye believed?

And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard

whether there be any Holy Ghost. (KJV)

NOW ON THE THIRD MONTH THE FEAST OF PENTECOST WAS CELEBRATED. IF WE REFER BACK TO EX. 12:2 WE READ THAT THIS MONTH SHALL BE UNTO YOU THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS IN THE PLURAL, IT SHALL BE THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR TO YOU. IT WAS NOT THE ONLY MONTH OR THE FINAL MONTH THAT THEY WERE TO OBSERVE THE FEASTS OF THE LORD IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING. PASSOVER WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING THERE WAS MORE TO COME. WE UNDERSTAND BY THIS THAT SALVATION IS WONDERFUL BUT IT IS NOT THE END. THERE IS MORE THAN SALVATION, THERE'S PENTECOST AND TABERNACLES. AND THIS MORNING WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND AND CELEBRATE PENTECOST.

IN THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL THERE ARE TYPES AND SHADOWS THAT POINT TO US REGARDING SOME ASPECT OF SALVATION AND OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES. WE NEED TO LOOK BACK AT THESE HISTORICAL EVENTS IN ISRAEL'S HISTORY AND THEN WE NEED TO LOOK FOR IT'S PROPHETICAL FULFILLMENT IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO SAID IN MATT.5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. WE NEED TO LOOK FOR THE PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT OF THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL AND EVERY OTHER TYPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES AND ANTICIPATE ITS SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT IN OUR LIVES ACCORDING TO I COR.10:11:

1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are

come. (KJV)

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures

might have hope. (KJV)

ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL FOR US UPON WHOM THE ENDS OF THE WORLD ARE COME. THEY HAPPENED BEFORE SO THAT WE COULD BENEFIT FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES IN TYPES AND SHADOWS. NOW WHEN WAS THE FIRST FEAST OF PENTECOST OBSERVED. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE SECOND CHAPTER OF ACTS. THE FEAST PENTECOST WAS CELEBRATED APPROXIMATELY 1,490 TIMES BEFORE ACTS 2. REMEMBER, PASSOVER WAS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE FIRST MONTH AND PENTECOST WAS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE THIRD MONTH. THE THIRD MONTH OF WHAT? THE THIRD MONTH FROM THE DELIVERANCE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM EGYPT. WE READ ABOUT IT IN:

Ex 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of

the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

Ex 19:2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel

camped before the mount. (KJV)

Ex 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob,

and tell the children of Israel; (KJV)

Ex 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on

eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. (KJV)

Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people:

for all the earth is mine: (KJV)

Ex 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Theseare the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (KJV)

Ex 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid beforetheir faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. (KJV)

Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hathspoken we will do. And Moses returned the

words of the people unto the LORD. (KJV)

Ex 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud,

that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for

ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. (KJV)

IF THERE IS ANY MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE TO PENTECOST IT IS THAT GOD DESIRED TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO HIS PEOPLEIN A MORE INTIMATE, PERSONAL AND POWERFUL WAY: MANY PEOPLE AFTER THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING WITH OTHER TONGUES HAVE RECOGNIZED A GREATER ABILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND GOD'S WORD. THERE IS MORE REVELATION AND DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITUAL THINGS)

GOD INTENDED TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE BUT THEY REFUSED TO HEAR HIS VOICE BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF HIM. AT THE FIRST PENTECOST WE SEE THE DESIRE OF GOD TO SPEAK AND FOR US TO KNOW HIS VOICE. THOSE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PENTECOST HAVE A GREATER SENSITIVITY TO HEARING GOD'S STILL

SMALL VOICE

Ex 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, (KJV)

Ex 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will

come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. (KJV)

Ex 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the

border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount

shall be surely put to death: (KJV)

Ex 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or

shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the

trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. (KJV)

Ex 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (KJV)

Ex 19:15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day:

come not at your wives. (KJV)

Ex 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were

thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the

voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people

that was in the camp trembled. (KJV)

Ex 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. (KJV)

Ex 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a

furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. (KJV)

Ex 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. (KJV)

the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

PENTECOST IS CELEBRATED BECAUSE GOD CAME DOWN AND VISITED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 50 DAYS AFTER THEIR DELIVER-ANCE FROM EGYPT. GOD DID SOMETHING HE HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE. HE CAME DOWN ON MT. SINAI AND VISITED HIS PEOPLE WITH LIGHTINGS, THUNDERS, A RUSHING WIND, FIRE AND EARTHQUAKES. IT WAS A BRAND NEW MANIFESTATION OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE AND THEY WERE TOLD TO NEVER EVER FORGET IT.

AND SO THEY KEPT THIS FEAST OF PASSOVER IN THE THIRD MONTH OF THE YEAR.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THIS MANIFESTATION OF GOD AT MT. SINAI? WE READ ABOUT IT IN 2 COR.3:7-18. THIS WAS THE TIME WHEN GOD GAVE TO MOSES AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE THE LAW OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with

him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone,

written with the finger of God. (KJV)

THE FINGER OF GOD IS NONE OTHER THAN THE HOLY SPIRIT HIMSELF. WE READ IN BOTH MATTHEW'S GOSPEL AND LUKE'S GOSPEL ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF DELIVERANCE DURING JESUS'S EARTHLY MINISTRY TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS PHRASE, "THE FINGER OF GOD."

Matt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of

God is come unto you. (KJV)

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (KJV)

ON THE FIRST DAY OF PENTECOST GOD VISITED HIS PEOPLE WITH AN OUTWARD MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER AND MIGHT: THE MOUNTIAN SHOOK WITH THUNDER, LIGHTENING, STRONG WINDS AND FIRE AND GOD SPOKE TO MOSES AND ALL THE PEOPLE. IT WAS HERE AT PETECOST THAT GOD GAVE HIS LAW TO THE PEOPLE. NOW INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT GOD HAD NEVER REVEALED HIMSELF IN THIS WAY TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME DOWN ON THE FIRST DAY OF PENTECOST AND WROTE THE LAW ON TABLES OF STONE AND GAVE IT TO THE PEOPLE THAT LAW COULD ONLY PRODUCE DEATH. NOW WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME IN ACTS CHAPTER 2 THERE WAS A DIFFERENT MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IT WASN'T DEATH IT WAS THE ABUNDANT LIFE AND POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN THE CHURCH.

2 Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was

glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold

the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to

be done away: (KJV)

2 Cor 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

2 Cor 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (KJV)

NOW THE APOSTLE PAUL TELLS US IN ROMANS THAT THE LAW IS HOLY, JUST AND GOOD. SO THE MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PETECOST WAS GOOD BUT IT DIDN'T GIVE MAN THE POWER TO OBEY IT. WE HAVE CHURCHES TODAY THAT ARE RUN AND CONTROLLED BY A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT OF LAW AND LEGALISM. LET'S FOLLOW AN OUTWARD CODE OF CONDUCT. IF THERE'S A TONGUE TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN INTERPRETATION IN MANY LEGALISTIC PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES ONLY THE PASTOR CAN INTERPRET. IF YOU WANT TO PROPHESY YOU MUST FIRST ASK SOMEBODY IF IT'S ALL RIGHT. THIS IS NOT GOD THIS IS MAN'S ATTEMPT TO CONTROL. IF WE LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT PENTECOST WE MUST LEARN THAT MAN CANNOT AND MUST NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO CONTROL GOD OR THE SPIRIT OF GOD. PENTECOST SPEAKS TO US ABOUT LIBERTY FROM BONDAGE AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY: MORE LIT. WHERE THE SPIRIT IS LORD OR IN CONTROL) THERE IS FREEDOM BUT LEGALISM IS THE SAME AS IT WAS BACK THEN--IT WILL ALWAYS PRODUCE RESTRICTION CULMINATING IN DEATH. ON THAT FIRST DAY OF PENTECOST THERE WERE 3000 PEOPLE THAT DISOBEYED THE LORD AND BROKE THROUGH THE BOUNDRIES AND THEY ALL DIED. IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WHEN THE DAY OF PETECOST WAS FULLY COME IN THE SECOND CHAPTER OF ACTS THAT 3000 MEN WERE SAVED AS A RESULT OF THE PREACHING OF PETER UNDER THE ANOINTING OF PENTECOST. THE FIRST PENTECOST PRODUCED DEATH THE FULLNESS OF PENTECOST WILL BRING LIFE TO THE PEOPLE.

PENTECOST SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE LIFE OF GOD, THE POWER OF GOD AND THE ANOINTING OF GOD. THERE ARE SO MANY CHRISTIANS WHO ARE MERELY PASSOVER CHRISTIANS THEY ARE SAVED BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY POWER. ACTS 10:38 TELLS US "HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZERETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER: WHO WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD AND HEALING ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL. EVERYTHING THAT JESUS ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY HE DID AS A MAN WHO WAS ANOINTED BY GOD JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. NOW EMEMBER, JESUS CELEBRATED THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS IN HIS BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN AND THEN HE IMMEDIATLEY WENT INTO THE EXPERIENCE OF PENTECOST WHEN THE SPIRIT CAME UPON HIM IN THE FORM OF A DOVE. FROM THAT TIME JESUS ENTERED THE SYNOGOGUE AND READ ISA.61 WHICH READS:

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath

anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to

bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and

the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (KJV)

Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of

vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (KJV)

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty

for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for

the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of

righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS UPON JESUS AND IT GAVE HIM THE SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH AND POWER OF GOD IN HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. PENTECOST IS A TIME WHEN GOD COMES DOWN TO HIS CHURCH IN A BRAND NEW MANIFESTATION AND FILLS PEOPLE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER TO BE HIS WITNESSES. THE WHOLE PURPOSE AND REASON BEHIND PENTECOST IS NOT TONGUES, HOLY GOOSE BUMPLES AND EXUBERANT JOY AND REJOICING, ALTHOUGH THAT IS A BY-PRODUCT OF THE ANOINTING AND IT'S OK THAT THESE THINGS HAPPEN--THE PURPOSE IS TO GIVE THE CHRISTIAN THE POWER OF GOD FOR SERVICE. WE LEARN FROM THIS THAT THE PENTECOSTAL CHRISTIAN'S WORK IS EASIER THAN THE PASSOVER CHRISTIAN WHO HAS TO DO ALL THE WORK WITH HUMAN POWER, ENERGY AND RESOURCES. BUT FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT OUR CALLING IS NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS BUT ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE WE HAVE GONE ON FROM PASSOVER TO PENTECOST AND CAN NOW EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ORDER TO FULFILL GOD'S DESIGN, PURPOSE AND WORK IN OUR LIVES. AT PENTECOST WE ENTER INTO HIS REST WHERE WE CEASE FORM OUR OWN WORKS AND WE ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO INITIATE AND CARRY OUT THE WORK OF THE FATHER IN AND THROUGH US.

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father

that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (KJV)

John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else

believe me for the very works' sake. (KJV)

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works

that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;

because I go unto my Father. (KJV)

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the

Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (KJV)

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV)

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)

WHAT DOES THIS FEAST OF PENTECOST MEAN FOR YOU AND ME TODAY? LET'S GO BACK AGAIN AND LOOK AGAIN AT SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEAST IN LEV.23:17-21

1. THEY WERE TO OFFER A NEW MEAT OR MEAL OFFERING FOR THIS FEAST IN VV.16 SOMETHING BRAND NEW WAS BROUGHT AND OFFERED TO THE LORD. WHERE DOES THE WORD "NEW" APPEAR IN ACTS 2:13? OTHERS MOCKED AND SAID THAT THOSE WHO WERE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT WERE DRUNK WITH NEW WINE. IF PENTECOST MEANS ANYTHING TO US TODAY IT IS THAT GOD HAS BEGUN TO DO A NEW THING IN THE EARTH. IT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE--IT WAS LIKE NEW WINE. GOD SHOWED UP IN A NEW WAY. GOD GAVE THEM NEW TONGUES HE GAVE THEM NEW POWER AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE GAVE THEM A NEW NATURE AND BROUGHT THEM INTO A NEW COVENANT AND MADE THEM A NEW CREATION THAT THEY SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE AND SERVE IN NEWNESS OF SPIRIT AND THEY WERE GOING TO INHERIT A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with

one accord in one place. (KJV)

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from

heaven as of a rushing mighty

wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (KJV)

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and

it sat upon each of them. (KJV)

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak

with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (KJV)

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of

every nation under heaven. (KJV)

Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and

were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his

own language. (KJV)

Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,

Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (KJV)

Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue,

wherein we were born?

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in

Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about

Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (KJV)

Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our

tongues the wonderful works of God. (KJV)

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (KJV)

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and

said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at

Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose,

seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (KJV)

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (KJV)

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will

pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your

daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams: (KJV)

Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those

days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (KJV)

Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth

beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (KJV)

2. TWO WAVE LOAVES WERE TO BE OFFERED TO THE LORD IN LEV.23:17. IT WAS A DUEL OFFERING AND EACH LOAF HAD THE SAME MEASURE OF INGREDIENTS IN IT. WHAT DOES THIS REPRESENT? THIS SPEAKS OF THE ETHNIC DIVISIONS OF THE JEW AND THE GENTILE ON WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS POURED OUT MAKING THEM ONE NEW MAN ACCORDING TO EHP.2:13-20. THERE ARE NO ETHNIC DIVISIONS IN THE SPIRIT. THERE IS NO JEW, NOR GENTILE NO NATIONALITY, NO SPECIAL ETHNIC GROUP IN THE SPIRIT.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him that created him: (KJV)

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor

uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ

is all, and in all. (KJV)

3. THESE TOW LOAVES WERE MADE FROM FINE FLOUR. WHAT IS FINE FLOUR? FINE FLOUR IS NOTHING MORE THAN CRUSHED WHEAT. ONLY AFTER WHEAT IS CRUSED AND MADE INTO FLOUR IS IS SUITABLE TO BE MADE INTO BREAD. NOW THERE IS A TWO-FOLD FULFILLMENT TO THIS TYPE:

A. JESUS HAS BECOME OUR CRUSHED WHEAT ACCORDING TO JN.12:24 "Except a

corn of wheat shall fall into the ground and die it abideth alone: but

if it dies it brings forth much fruit." JESUS WAS THAT CORN OF WHEAT

THAT WAS CRUSHED AT CALVARY SO THAT WE MIGHT BE SAVED.

B. YOU AND I ARE THAT WHEAT THAT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN BEFORE THE LORD. THIS IS THE PART OF PENTECOST THAT WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT. THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST IS THAT IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU AND I, IT’S ABOUT CHRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY OR THE ANTICIPATION OF THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD IN AND THROUGH OUR LIVES OF SERVICE TO CHRIST. GOD DOESN'T NEED OUR STRENGTH, OUR WISDOM, OUR WAYS OR METHODS OR OUR PROGRAMS. ALL HE NEEDS IS A YIELDED VESSEL THAT IS SANCTIFIED AND FILLED WITH FAITH. GOD IS LOOKING FOR SIMPLE OBEDIENCE WITHOUT OUR UNDERSTANDING WHY. WE DON'T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING TO OBEY WE ONLY WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING SO THAT WE CAN BE IN CONTROL.

Matt 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but

on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Ps 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and

saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (KJV)

Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a

contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (KJV)

Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth

eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy

place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart

of the contrite ones. (KJV)

THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR LESSONS WE ALL NEED TO LEARN AT PENTECOST IS THAT WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL BUT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN CONTROL. THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE SUPER-NATURAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT IN EACH OF OUR LIVES IS CO-OPERATION. IT'S NOT ALL GOD AND IT'S NOT ALL ME. TONGUES IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS PRINCIPLE OF BROKENESS IN MY LIFE. (SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE)

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he

sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of

ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box,

and poured it on his head. (KJV)

WATCHMAN NEE WROTE A BOOK CALLED THE RELEASE OF THE SPIRIT IN WHICH HE DESCRIBES THIS BROKENESS AS REFERRING TO THE OUTER MAN--THE SOUL THE FLESH THAT HAS TO BE BROKEN AND CUT OFF SO THAT THE SPIRIT CAN BE RE LEASED.

2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ

ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the

living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

2 Cor 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: (KJV)

2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of

ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (KJV)

2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth,

but the spirit giveth life. (KJV)

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of

the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV)

4. NEXT IN LEV.23:17 WE LEARN THAT THE BREAD IS TO BE BAKED OR COOK OVER FIRE. HAVE YOU EVER TIRED TO EAT UNCOOKED BREAD DOUGH--IT'S HORRIBLE. WHY DO YOU THINK THE SCRIPTURE MENTIONS THAT THIS BREAD IS BAKED? LET'S LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST PENTECOST, WHERE WAS THERE FIRE? THERE WAS FIRE

ON MT.SIANI AND GOD WAS IN THE FIRE.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. (KJV)

Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the

daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of

Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment,

and by the spirit of burning. (KJV)

Isaiah 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount

Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and

the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the

glory shall be a defence. (KJV)

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,

and it sat upon each of them. (KJV)

FIRE IN THE SCRIPTURE IS MANY TIMES REFERRED TO AS A TRIAL OR A TEST THAT WE UNDERGO TO UNCOVER BONDAGES TO SIN AND UNBELIEF. THE THREE HEBREW CHILDREN IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL WERE THROWN INTO THE FIREY FURNACE BOUND WITH ROPES ON THEIR HANDS AND FEET. BUT WHEN GOD DELIVERED THEM FROM THE FIRE THE ROPES WERE BURNED OFF OF THEM. THE FIRE IS FOR PURGING, REFINING AND LOOSING FROM BONDAGE.

Zech 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them

as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall

call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people:

and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (KJV)

(WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY)

5. IN LEV.23:17 WE LEARN THAT THESE LOAVES WERE BAKED WITH LEAVEN. WHY WERE THESE LOAVES BAKED WITH LEAVEN? IN PASSOVER THE BREAD WAS UNLEAVENED BUT HERE THE LEAVEN IS TO BE USED. PENTECOST IS NOT A PERFECT FEAST. IT WAS A WILDERNESS FEAST--WHERE DID THEY HAVE IT THE FIRST TIME--OUT IN THE DESERT. THAT WASN'T THE DESTINATION THAT WAS JUST A STOP ON THE WAY. MANY PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE PENTECOST THINK THAT THEY HAVE NOW ARRIVED. TRADITIONAL PENTECOST STOP HERE, THEY CONCLUDE THAT ALL YOU NEED IS TO SPEAK IN TONGUES--ALL YOU NEED IS THE HOLY GHOST. PENTECOST IS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY. GOD DIDN'T CALL US TO SIANI BUT HE HAS CALLED US TO ZION. (HEB.12:18-29) ZION SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE OVERCOMER, ABOUT TABERNACLES, ABOUT RECEIVING THE HUNDRED FOLD RETURN, THE FULNESS OF THE POWER AND GLORY OF GOD,THE COMING OF THE LORD THE PERFECT BRIDE OF CHRIST. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HEADED IN ZION. WE DON'T STOP AT PENTECOST.

PASSOVER SPEAKS TO US ABOUT JESUS WHO WAS THE SPOTLESS LAMB--THERE THE LEAVEN, A TYPE OF SIN IS REMOVED COMPLETE-LY; BUT IN PENTECOST WE DON'T RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE WE ARE WITHOUT SIN--WE DON'T EARN IT BY BEING GOOD ENOUGH. WE RECEIVE IT BY FAITH AS A GIFT.

Ps 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive:

thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious

also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. (KJV)

6. IN LEV.23:20 THE LOAVES OF BREAD ARE WAVED BEFORE THE LORD. THIS HEBREW WORD FOR WAVED IS TENOOFAW AND MEANS TO WAVE, TO QUIVER, TO VIBRATE UP AND DOWN, TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH OR TO AND FRO AND THEN TO SHAKE. WHY DID THE PRIEST WAVE OR SHAKE THE BREAD? LET'S LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST PENTECOST: WHAT WAS SHAKING THERE? THE MOUNTIAN WHERE GOD CAME DOWN WAS SHAKING AND THE PEOPLE ALL AROUND IT WERE SHAKING WHEN GOD MADE THIS NEW VISITATION.

Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised,

saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also

heaven. (KJV)

Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of

those things that are shaken, as of things that are made,

that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (KJV)

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let

us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with

reverence and godly fear: (KJV)

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they

were assembled together; and they were all filled with the

Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON YOU? THERE ARE THINGS THAT BEGIN TO BE SHAKEN IN YOUR LIFE. THE SCRIPTURE TALKS ABOUT CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS OR REASONING THAT EXALT THEMSELVES AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. THERE ARE THOUGHTS, REASONING, AND A WHOLE LOT OF THEOLOGY THAT NEEDS TO BE SHAKEN IN THE CHURCH TODAY.

IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU TRUSTED IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH OR YOUR OWN RESOURCES YOU WILL BE SHAKEN UNTIL YOU LEARN THAT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO DO THAT . WHEN YOU TRUSTED IN THE DOCTOR MORE THAN IN GOD'S ABILITY TO HEAL YOU THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT HAD TO BE SHAKEN IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN WE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BASED ON PERFORMANCE WE NEEDED TO BE SHAKEN TO THE REALITY THAT WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE APART FROM THE WORKS OF THE LAW. GOD IS DOING ALLOT OF SHAKING IN THE CHURCH TODAY AND SEPARATING NOMINAL CHRISTIAN FROM THE TRUE CHRISTIAN.

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (KJV)

WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME IN ACTS 2 THEY ALL BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES. THAT IS NOT WHY THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE DRUNK BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SO INTOXICATED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT THEY COULDN'T WALK STRAIGHT. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO SHAKE AND QUIVER EVERY TIME THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON THEM IN A POWERFUL WAY. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SUPPOSE TO SHAKE YOU AND THAT SHAKING CAN BE PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL.

7. AND THEN FINALLY WE LEARN IN LEV.23:21 THAT PENTECOST IS A HOLY DAY OR A HOLY CONVOCATION UNTO THE LORD. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT SHOULD RESULT NOT ONLY IN AN OUT-WARD VESTMENT OF POWER BUT AS A RESULT OF YEARS OF EX-PERIENCES WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WE SHOULD BECOME MORE LIKE HIM WE SHOULD BECOME MORE HOLY, SACTIFIED AND PURE. THE REAL TEST OF WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT FOR YEARS CAN BE DETERMINED BY YOUR FRUIT--YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR CONDUCT. WE ARE TO BE HOLY EVEN AS HE IS HOLY.

1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in

all manner of conversation; (KJV)

1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV)

1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy

nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the

praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (KJV)

NOW IN CLOSING THIS MORNING I WANT TO QUICKLY SHARE WITH YOU 10 THINGS THAT PENTECOST SHOULD BRING INTO YOUR LIFE AND MINE:

1. Pentecost should bring a new revelation of God and spiritual things.

2. It should bring a greater sensitivity to God and the ability to hear and discern his voice.

3. Pentecost puts God in control and dethrones self.

4. Pentecost brings supernatural power for intense service to be witnesses and to live in victory over sin, sickness, poverty and temptation.

5. Pentecost brings unity between ethnic divisions thus creating one new man in Christ which we call Christians or little anointed ones.

6. Pentecost brings a brokeness to our lives so that there can be a release of the Spirit through our lives as vessels that are meet (easily used) and sanctified for the Masters use.

7. Pentecost brings the fire of God into our lives for purging, refining and deliverance from bondage.

8. Pentecost brings a powerful shaking in our lives.

9. Pentecost brings a transformation of holiness and the development of the fruit of the Spirit of Christ’s character into our lives.

10. Pentecost brings the supernatural ability to pray in tongues as a means to build ourselves up so that we can walk in victory and minister the love of God to hurting people