Filled with the Spirit

June 9, 2014 Monday Message:

“The Spirit of God was moving over the water.” (Gen. 1:2b)

The Holy Spirit was present at creation. And since the Holy Spirit is in fact God, he never ceases to exist. So what was happening when “tongues of fire” fell upon the believers on the day of Pentecost? Had the Holy Spirit gone somewhere and now needed to return?

Think of it this way – I’ve used this analogy before and it works well here: Think of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – as the sun. He shines brightly, unceasingly. Think of these believers – in fact, all of mankind – as the earth.

In the evening, we say that the sun “set.” But the sun is actually right where it always was, a bright, pure light, shining forever. It is us - the earth – who turned away from the light.

People are often like that, turning away from God from time to time. We turn toward God when we need extra help, when we’re in a jam. But after God rescues us, we tend to say, “Thanks God, but I can handle things now.”

The believers had recently seen their religious beliefs persecuted, their main guy crucified, resurrected, and then ascend into heaven, and now they were alone. No wonder the believers were somewhat confused and maybe a little depressed. Their lives had been turned upside down, and now they needed reassurance.

Jesus had promised that he would be with them until the end of the age, and now he’s making good on that promise. Matt. 28:20 It wasn’t just, “Remember to call on the Holy Spirit.” As the story unfolds, there was a loud sound like a big wind, but it was not windy. Flickering flames fell from heaven and landed on everyone, but nothing caught fire. This was a visible and audible confirmation that God was still in control, and that they had been filled with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. And with that power, great things would unfold.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” from John 15:5

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week Pastor Van Dickerson begins his Freedom in Christ series.