The day of Pentecost is much more than an event in church history, or a liturgical day on the calendar. Pentecost Sunday is a reminder to engage again with the wonder of the person of the Holy Spirit, and to participate in the fulness of power that is daily available through faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s five reasons why Pentecost is an invitation to more.
1. More faith
The day of Pentecost is stunning proof that God keeps His promises. Encountering God the promise keeper brings an electric charge to our spirit because it’s a fresh connection to Divine power and provides proof positive that He is who He says He is.
This increases faith!
The historical event we call Pentecost is magnificently foretold in scripture by the prophets.
Some promises have a very long shelf life, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to deliver on them.
Joel for example, recorded a promise from God regarding Pentecost over 800 years before it was fulfilled.
But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
Acts 2:16-18
What’s the point? If history in regard to the Pentecost story proves that God keeps His promises, then we can expect Him to do all that He’s promised. That means there’s MORE to come from our promise keeping God.
That’s who He is: the penultimate Promise Keeper.
2. More power
Boldness and power were the hallmarks of the early church, and ordinary men and women were transformed into radical fearless agents for the spread of the Gospel.
There are some who believe that this level of power was limited to this period of time and does not apply to believers like you and I today. You have to make up your own mind about that, and search the Bible accordingly.
My view is that the prophecy of Joel for example, nor Peter’s use of it in Acts 2:16-18, does not talk about a limited period after which the promise will cease or be voided.
Nor does the verse below indicate a temporary strength that would later be removed.
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
Ephesians 3:16 NKJV
Strength and power are graces that form part of our inheritance through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. A seeming lack of these or a desire that you would grow in them does not disprove their existence.
It simply means there’s more to receive and appropriate.
3. More relationship
At a heart level, this is the richest fruit from Pentecost.
This is about God being with us in the person of the Holy Spirit.
This is about His presence.
This is about intimacy: the Spirit WITH us and IN us.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He will abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither receives Him nor knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”
John 14:16-18 NKJV
Some people struggle with the tension between the promised presence of God, and the felt presence of God. If He promises to never leave me or forsake me, then why do I need to desire more of His presence?
Allow me to liken this to human relationship. You see it’s possible to be in the same room as someone, yet be distant emotionally.
This is presence without intimacy.
If you understand this to be true, then could it be that there is more intimacy to be experienced with the Holy Spirit. Remember, He is the member of the trinity who is with you right now.
Why not ask Him for a deeper relationship?
4. More understanding
Someone has wisely made the claim that there are facts and there’s truth.
Truth is a person and His name is Jesus.
Understanding takes place when Truth (Jesus the Word) indwells us and embodies us. This is the work of the Spirit.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; For He will not speak on His own authority. but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come
John 16:13 NKJV
Can you join with me and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into ALL truth according to this scripture?
5. More profit
Understanding is not an end in itself.
This is knowledge and if that’s all it is then it is unprofitable.
Profitable knowledge is accompanied by an increase in maturity and fruitfulness.
Every scripture is written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by it’s instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of Godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 TPT
Do you desire a greater measure of maturity in your faith?
Are you eager to please your heavenly Father and faithfully complete the good works He has prepared for you in advance (Ephesians 2:10).
Let’s praise God for the sending of the Holy Spirit, and let’s press in for more.
Because God by His very nature is without measure, then there’s always more.
What do you think? Please feel free to share your comments and questions by email to info@thehivechurch.com.au
