THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL
(ECWA)
5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE
LOUISVILLE, KY 4021
(502) 375-1904
www.ecwa.wordpress.com, www.ecwausa.org,
ecwaky@gmail.com
THEME: CHRIST’S INDICATIONS OF A GLOBAL PURPOSE IN MISSIONS
TOPIC: THE POWER OF PENTECOST
TEXT: Matthew 16: 13-23
Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi
INTRODUCTION
In reference to the man by the name John Josephus, the phrase, “The Power of Pentecost” could be explained or viewed in this way;
Pentecostalism or Classical Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.
The second chapter of the Book of Acts is recorded thus:
Coming of the Holy Spirit
1. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
5. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:1-5(NKJV).
In today’s sermon we will narrate the following topics:
- The Holy Spirit’s New Ministries
What does the word “The Holy Spirit’s New Ministries” mean in the Bible? This could be emphasized or explained in this way:
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’[a]
The Coming Rejection
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning (John 15:18-27(NKJV).
The Promise Of The coming Spirit
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, [a] ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here (John 14:27-31(NKJV).
Brethren, the above narrated message is the messages spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, the message He discussed with His disciples. You can also view the rest from the following Epistles which are narrated thus;
1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you[a] because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the[b] time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged (John 16:1-11(NKJV), Matthew 24: 4-14 (NKJV).
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ will give you and me the power and ability to rely, to trust, and to depend in Him the more. But if we fail to rely, to trust, and to depend on our Lord Jesus Christ, it then means we are not been obedient to Him faithfully and honestly. Brethren, No-matter what might be your sorrow, your difficulty, your calamity, or sadness, do not worry but belief that He is on your side and victory will be yours in Jesus’ name.
- The Unique Church at Antioch
In reference to the Gospel of Acts, the Christian Community at Antioch began when Christians who were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution fled to Antioch. This people were joined together by Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene that is, those who migrated to Antioch. It was in this city of Antioch that the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ were first referred to as Christians. These groups of people were also called “Followers of the Way.” It is fully explained in the Book of Acts thus:
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26 (NKJV).
This could also be viewed in the Book of 1 Corinthians that says;
Unity and Diversity in One Body
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[a] one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (NKJV).
Brethren, how often did you commit or devote yourself to the great mission that our Almighty God the Father, entrusted into your hands? Or are you still saying I will do it latter because I have no time for that presently. Be assured that committing yourself to the mission entrusted into your hand will give you and me the power, ability, and strength to minister to the people in the community faithfully, honestly, and obediently.
- The Unique Ministry of the Apostle Paul
Why was the Apostle Paul very important and dedicated to the church? The man, Apostle Luke, narrated or recorded the story of his conversion in different ways. For example, the Scripture says;
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake (Acts 9:1-16 (NKJV). See also Acts 26: 16-18 (NKJV).
CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved, how are you going to put today’s sermon you have heard into action? When are you going to reach out into the community and faithfully, truly, honestly minister to those that are lost? Bringing them to the church and meeting their needs no-matter their sorrows, problems, difficulties, and discouragements? Be assured that the Almighty God will be on your side if you honestly and faithfully commit yourself to all these things. Brethren, please devout yourself honestly to the mission that the Almighty God dedicated into your hands and you will see His glory and mercy. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ keep and uphold you the more in our Redeemer’s name. Amen!