The Blessing of a great attitude
Acts 2:4 NKJV “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
- Explain how the events unfold subsequently….
FILLED / SPEAK / UTTERANCE
empty / not speaking / unclear human ability
Acts 2:4 AMPC “And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].”
(tongues is more than just another language, the language is the outward display of how you effectively communicate the spiritual mind set, culture and values that come from our KING, AND there are multiple benefits to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit)
THE RESULT:
– I.E:- it doesn’t just lead to them speaking in tongue’s but to revival and 3000 been saved!
So as we look at the “upper room” experience and the incredible results it’s helpful to go back to see how and why this was able to take place!
Acts 2:1 NKJV “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
- Fully Come (whole Bible view)
- One accord (Unity is power)
- There is something very powerful about understanding and having a full view of the Bible in light of its ultimate purpose; Christ bringing Salvation to mankind and the UNITY it produces WITH THE SPIRIT and EACH OTHER creating true Christ Followers or DISCIPLES!
One Accord:- (2 Greek words)
1st: a togetherness or having the same mind but the 2nd to be fiery hot with Passion
Sometimes the we think we don’t have passion because we need to pray more in tongues, but we actually are lacking UNITY!
Psalms 133:1-3 NKJV “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.”
- The holy anointing oil pictures the ministry of the Holy Spirit, descending as a sweet-smelling savor on God’s people when they live happily together, and releases the aroma of their testimony to all those around them! V3 speaks of a (Dew of Herman) REFRESHING that comes (God’s going to refresh us) which leads to PEACE, JOY & REST. AND The Blessing “Life Evermore” Which speaks of us enjoying the God kind of life but also eternal life can flow through us to others (very important) which LEADS TO GOOD WORKS
We need both aspects of the Holy Spirit in your life so you remain balanced, powerful and effective:-
- REFRESHING (internal things prayer, word, the fire and moves of God (some in the Church focus on just tongues and they become “religious minded” about powerful things (in other words they are going in circles and not been accurate)
- WORKS that’s the response to refreshing, ACTION:- refreshing in our lives is maintained by THE ACTION we take as a result of been touched by God, we are empowered to help others! (But if in the Church we just focus on doing and not being we risk becoming Legalistic…
John 17:21 NKJV “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
- If we are in tune with Christ, we will be in tune with all His Body. (We may not always agree on everything but there can always be oneness of spirit and FOCUS ON Christ.
Let’s go a bit further back in Acts to see the Promise more clearly:-
Acts 1:8 NKJV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Let’s BACKTRACK FURTHER:-
John 14:26 NKJV “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
When we live and walk in the Spirit we can access the supernatural life, PLEASE NOTE IT’S not always be spectacular, but it will always be HELPFUL and EFFECTIVE (changing my sermon late Saturday night, still small voice) WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHERE PEOPLE ARE PEDDLING THE GOSPEL FOR THERE OWN GAIN AND TRY TO PRODUCE POWERFUL WORKS THAT ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN PRODUCE-Let’s not become them!
Helper:- Paraclete (comforter) one called alongside to assist you (Advocate) He is the 3rd person of the trinity, He is God The Father sent Him:-
- He will teach you
- He will remind you, so that we can be FULL OF POWER!
What happens when to Holy Spirit teaches you and reminds you how much JESUS loves you and is on your side, it changes and helps your ATTITUDE become one of FAITH!
ATTITUDE:- a settled way of thinking or feeling that results in how we act, look and speak about things! OR an outward display of your inward position towards life and people in general!
There are 4 Primary Attitudes:
- Positive (choosing to believe the best / Helpful and Uplifting)
- Negative (ignoring the good things and expecting nothing but failure or disappointment)
- Neutral (Lazy, passive and ignore there responsibility while waiting for someone else to do it for them.
- Sikken (a combination of 2&3 with a destructive or aggressive edge, refusing to make a change that is rooted in one’s personality)
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God working in your life will produce a Positive Attitude, It’s very well communicated in Scripture:
Ps 27:3 though a host encamp us, we will remain confident
Rom 8:31 if God be for us…
Phl 4:13 I can do all things…
1Co 5:17 if any man be in Christ
2Ti 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of…
Rom 8:37 yet in all these things we are more than conquerors…
Here’s the “reality check” which of these attitudes is dominant in your life….?? Because we are a Church who has Vision & Faith WE are Moving forward in UNITY to TRUST God to overcome and accomplish our next assignment AND BEEN AROUND the other three attitudes will drag us back and hold us up…..?????
Luke 24:50-53 NKJV “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
HE BLESSED THEM…
Blessed: yoo-log-eh’-o
– To be celebrated & set Apart
– To speak well off
– To confer Favor upon
– To become the object of blessing!
This powerful moment is a reminder and reflection back to the Old Covenant and the blessing declared over God’s chosen people in Numbers
Numbers 6:24-27 KJV “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
The significance and authority of this “blessing prayer” was not in the pray alone but in the one who commissioned it:
Numbers 6:22-23 KJV “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,”
The Hebrew word is Barak:
In this instance meaning “to kneel and receive a blessing” (THIS Carries the idea of presenting a gift or giving honor to another).
Note the Pictograph speaks of a cross and an ox (they would mark a spot ahead with the cross so the oxen (strength) would move in a straight line or right direction.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
A picture of JESUS and not relying on your works or earning HIS FAVOR, but your Faith, believing the finished work of Christ (REST)
– Stop looking to your own ability
– Look with spiritual eyes not natural
– Receive and practice the Word
- The Holy Spirit Will connect you to the Glory of JESUS and His Resurection that’s what produces God’s Results
Luke 24v52-53 NKJV And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
- They Worshipped
- They had Joy
- They stayed Connected
The BLESSING produced a Positive Attitude in them that created the atmosphere for them to be in one accord to receive the EMPOWERING for ministry!
Acts 1:8 NKJV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Receive: to take hold of violently, not passive but to “seize” as your own!
Power (Dunamis):- a force, a miracle, power and strength
– To make things possible
– To produce the resources
– Favourable circumstances
– To be giving permission
Matthew 11:11-12 NKJV “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Acts 1:10-11 NKJV “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.””
Heaven declares and confirms JESUS will be returning for His Church!
Stop gazing or even wondering about things it leads to complacency ARISE and serve the Lord!
A REFRESHING AND THE BLESSING that lead to good works led and inspired by the Spirit and not the carnal man. This leads to other’s encountering JESUS and getting saved and a vibrancy in the local church!
Acts 2:4 NKJV “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
