Friday, October 10, 2014

The Holy Spirit Within Us...

Today, I would like to talk to you about the Power of Pentecost... Now, before we get started, I wish to make it clear, we are not talking about a particular church, denomination, or orginization, we are talking about the Power that was given to the Paul and the Apostles, Mary the Blessed Mother of Jesus, and many other devout men and women as described in the Holy Bible... Now, before we can go any further, we need to understand why these men and women were in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The tradition of the day required that if it was at all possible, the followers of Judaism were required to return to Jerusalem for all major festivals, feast, and Holy Days; this was the second reason the men,women, and Apostles were there in Jerusalem, the first reason was quite simple, because Jesus told them to go there... 
 
Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high...
 
So, Jesus instructed them to go to Jerusalem and wait patiently until you are filled with power, and this was the first reason they were there... the second reason they were there is for the feast of Pentecost, a Holy day for the Jewish people...
 
Pentecost is a feast that is celebrated fifty days after the Passover feast, which those who follow Christ presently know as Resurrection Sunday, or Easter; hence the name, Pentecost. Now, during the feast of Pentecost, the followers of Judasim, those who believed in the one true God, would come from miles around. The people would come from many ancient cities, not just locally, but worldwide. During the days of the major feast, it was not uncommon to see individuals from Europe, Asia, Africa, and all of the countries and areas known at that time...
 
Now that we have a little history describing the importance and significance of the Day of Pentecost in general, I'd like to share the imporatnce of Pentecost to you and I... Pentecost means that we no longer have to wait to have a high priest enter into the temple for us once a year, we no longer have to offer sacrifices of blood and meat to atone for our sin, because of Pentecost, we have a direct relationship with God our Heavenly Father...
 
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...
 
When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become the recipients of the gifts and promises of the Holy God, and that includes the gift of His Holy Spirit, living within us, guiding us, and providing us with strength and power we need to make through anything and everything that comes against us... These gifts are given to each and everyone, men, women, children, grandparents, everyone...
 
Acts 1:13-14
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren...
 
Acts 2:1-6
And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language...
 
Praying on one accord, waiting patiently, following the instructions that Jesus Christ has left for us... These are the steps to receiving all the gifts that God has for us, including the gift of the Holy Spirit...
 
Think about it, do you remember  that moment when you realized God was real... Not when your parents told you, not when "Abuelita" told you, but when you felt it in your heart, when you looked up and you saw Him, think about that feeling when God answered a prayer, or when there seemed to be no way out at all, you knew it, your friends knew it, your family knew it, and everyone knew it, but then, inexpectible, it happened, you made it through the darkness... And you know it was God, how did you feel? That's it my friends, that's the beginning of the Holy Ghost acting on your behalf, acting within you, guiding you, and when you completely give in... That feeling will become stronger than ever, you'll feel it boiling up within you and then bursting out like a Holy explosion of faith and love...
 
Pentecost isn't about a religion or denomination, it's about the presence of God living within you... Baptist, Catholic, COGIC, Methodist, Apostolic. None of these labels we give ourselves even matter, it's the relationship that we have individually with the Living God, its about the dedication, love, and unity we show one another as children of God... It is about the Power to live as God has instructed us to live through His Holy Word...
 
As a minister, I have the opportunity to witness this feeling in others at the altar call after Sunday and Wednesday services, I can witness the change in the lives of others during the prayers services, and in the Bible studies, wherever there are Children of God, wherever there is love, there resides the presence of the Holy Ghost... And wherever the Holy Ghost is, there is Power... And where there is Power... Lives are Changed... Chains are shattered... Addictions are Broken... And the People of God receive Freedom! This is the Power of Pentecost... The Day God unleashed His Power unto us...
 
And it all began at Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection, the faithful few, gathered in prayer in the upper room... The Power of the Holy Ghost was revealed and given unto  men... Now, that very same Power is available to you and I today... The Power of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, poured out unto each and everyone of us who are willing to receive... Call on the Lord, He will answer, and you will receive the Greatest Gift of all... God's Holy Spirit living within us... God's Holy Spirit living within you... God Bless... Amen...
 
Have you had an upper room experience? if so, tell others about it in the comments section...
If you have not, would you like to find out more? contact me by clicking the link below: