Foundry Community Church
Pentecost Sunday - Year A
  • Spirit Of God Descend Upon My Heart (Morecambe)

      • Psalm 104:24–35NIRV

      • Acts 2:1–21NIRV

  • O Worship the King

  • The Gift that Keeps on Giving.

    John 7:37-39; 20:19-23
    John 7:37–39 ESV
    37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
    John 20:19–23 ESV
    19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
    This is the Gospel of our Lord!
    Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!

    The Gift that Keeps on Giving.

    There are moments in history that change everything forever.
    Pentecost was one of those moments.
    Before Pentecost, the disciples were waiting in uncertainty. They had seen the risen Christ. They had heard His promises. But they had not yet received the power that would transform fearful followers into bold witnesses. We see this in our Gospel readings this morning. The Holy Spirit brings purpose like we see in John 7:37
    John 7:37 ESV
    … “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
    Then we see in John 20:22-23 Jesus giving the Disciples a small measure of what was to come, because He was not yet glorified.
    John 20:22–23 ESV
    …“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
    Then in Acts after the Ascencion of Christ,
    Then suddenly…
    A sound like a rushing mighty wind filled the house. Tongues of fire rested upon them. The Holy Spirit came in power.
    In one moment, Heaven touched Earth.
    Pentecost is not simply the birth of a movement — it is the birth of the Church empowered by the Spirit of God. It is the fulfillment of prophecy, the continuation of Christ’s mission, and the beginning of a gospel fire that still burns today.
    And the same Spirit poured out in Acts 2 is still moving today: Still saving. Still filling. Still empowering. Still transforming lives.
    Today, we gather not merely to remember Pentecost… but to open our hearts to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit once again.
    Jesus, just prior to His ascension to Heaven gave these final words to His Disciples…
    Acts 1:8 ESV
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
    Too many Christians, too many Christians use the power of the Holy Spirit as a “status symbol” or some sort of “Spiritual hierarchy.” God didn’t give the gift of the Holy Spirit to elevate man, He gave it to empower us to be witnesses everywhere we go in order to Glorify God by bringing all men unto repentance.
    So here, after the Ascension of Christ, the 120 went to the Upper Room to wait. Like Jesus said. Waiting. I don’t like waiting… 40 days. Waiting… Wondering what they were waiting for. Just waiting…
    Acts 2:1–4 ESV
    1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    Tongues. There is a lot of controversy and debate about tongues. I am not going to even try to “settle” the debate, but I will throughout today’s message give some examples of what SCRIPTURALLY tongues was and is. I want to be very clear. “Tongues” is not some sort of spiritul weapon to be used on or against God’s Children. ~EVER. Having said that, here is the first.
    Acts 2:5–8 ESV
    5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
    Here are the Disciples speaking in tongues. There were people there in Jerusalem from all over.
    They were hearing the Gospel being preached in their own language. Tongues in this case, very specifically was for the purpose of giving Glory to God by preaching the Gospel in Native languages. ~ Languages that obviously were not previously learned by those preaching under the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Of course, there were those present who were critical…
    Acts 2:13–21 ESV
    13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
    Remember, this is Peter. The same Peter a couple months ago denied Jesus three times. The same Peter who wanted to make alters to Jesus, Moses and Elijah. The same Peter who walked on water then almost drowned. He was quoting the prophet verbatim as if he was, maybe filled with the same power that raised Christ from the dead…
    Here is the prophecy…
    Joel 2:28–31 ESV
    28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

    But the Gifts aren’t for today…

    There are many who say this. Not sure where they get that. God always desired to be Glorified when His people were operating under the Power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look backward first.
    Numbers 11:24–27 ESV
    24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. 26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
    There are those who get jealous when others operate in God’s Power, but let’s take a lesson from Moses…
    Numbers 11:28–29 ESV
    28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”

    What are the Gifts that the Holy Spirit gives?

    Paul gives us throughout his letters various gifts that are demonstrated when the Holy Spirit.
    1 Corinthians 12:4–12 ESV
    4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
    These are gifts that all disciples of Jesus, from the time of Acts all the way until today. WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THE BUILDING OF THE KINGDOM!
    He goes on to say this about church leadership.
    1 Corinthians 12:28–30 ESV
    28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
    He reiterates this in Ephesians.
    Ephesians 4:11 ESV
    11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
    Oh good! We got these people differentiated so we can sit back and enjoy Sunday Service!

    Proper utilization of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    WRONG! These were given for this purpose!
    Ephesians 4:12 ESV
    12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
    He told the Roman Church this regarding the proper posture regarding the gifts.
    Romans 12:1–21 ESV
    1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
    We all have our place. No one is more important than the next. We have to demonstrate Godliness this way…
    1 Corinthians 14:1–4 ESV
    1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
    Here’s several other instances of “tongues.” In verse 2, people are “speaking to God.” “no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”
    Verse 4 though gives the admonishment that “one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself” This is a passage that a TON of Christians and churches don’t want to hear. “WE SPEAK IN TONGUES AND IF YOU DON’T YOU’RE NOT SAVED!”
    To quote the guy on FaceBook…
    Paul follows up and reinforces verse 4 like this…
    1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV
    5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
    Peter helps us understand the proper use of the gifts like this…
    1 Peter 4:10–11 ESV
    10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
    Don’t know about you, but in myself, I don’t have much real wisdom, I desire to speak “oracles of God…” I NEED THE SPIRIT!

    The Fruit of the Spirit

    We have every opportunity to utilize the gifts of the Spirit. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! God designed it that way! Have we been listening?
    But we must operate in the Gifts of God to Glorify God!
    Paul warned this to the Galatians.
    Galatians 5:13–17 ESV
    13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
    Galatians 5:22–26 ESV
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
    Church, Pentecost was never meant to be a moment we admire from a distance — it is a reality we are called to live in today.
    The same Spirit that filled the Upper Room… the same Spirit that empowered Peter to preach boldly… the same Spirit that turned ordinary believers into world changers… is the same Spirit available to us right now.
    God did not pour out His Spirit so the Church could become comfortable, divided, or spiritually passive. He poured out His Spirit so we would become witnesses — people filled with love, power, holiness, boldness, and compassion for a lost world.
    So let us not leave this place unchanged.
    May we walk in the power of the Spirit. May we serve in the gifts of the Spirit. May we display the fruit of the Spirit. And may everything we do bring glory to Jesus Christ.
    Because the gift of the Holy Spirit is still the gift that keeps on giving.
    And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

      • John 7:37–39NIRV

      • John 20:19–23NIRV

      • John 7:37NIRV

      • John 20:22–23NIRV

      • Acts 1:8NIRV

      • Acts 2:1–4NIRV

      • Acts 2:5–8NIRV

      • Acts 2:13–21NIRV

      • Joel 2:28–31NIRV

      • Numbers 11:24–27NIRV

      • Numbers 11:28–29NIRV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:4–12NIRV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:28–30NIRV

      • Ephesians 4:11NIRV

      • Ephesians 4:12NIRV

      • Romans 12:1–21NIRV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:1–4NIRV

      • 1 Corinthians 14:5NIRV

      • 1 Peter 4:10–11NIRV

      • Galatians 5:13–17NIRV

      • Galatians 5:22–26NIRV

  • MYSTERION
  • Doxology
  • This Is My Father's World
  • Now Unto Him
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