TOPIC: LIKE THE DAY OF PENTECOST VII
MEMORISE:
"Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."
Acts 5:15
READ: ACTS 1:1-8 (KJV)
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
MESSAGE:
I will conclude my discussion on the significance of the events of the day of Pentecost by sharing an encounter I had with God that has greatly impacted my journey in ministry.
Just before my birthday some years ago, the Lord asked me what birthday gift I wanted, and I told Him that I wanted a miracle for every member of my congregation. I could have asked for anything that day, and He would have given me, but I asked for the power of the Holy Spirit in action among my congregation. He then told me to hold a programme which we called the Holy Ghost Service, and from that time on, we started to see great miracles that we had never seen before in RCCG. Special miracles started happening through me when I allowed God to use me to create an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to move mightily in our midst.
Every believer is qualified to work miracles (Mark 16:17-18), but the one who will create the atmosphere that will host the Holy Spirit will work special miracles and cause a revival like what happened on the day of Pentecost.
On the day of Pentecost, everyone present in the upper room was tremendously blessed, but one fellow stood out - Peter. Peter was singled out for something extraordinary. The Lord had promised him in Luke 5:1-11 that he would catch men and not fish, and the promise came into full manifestation after the upper room experience; he preached just one sermon and won 3000 souls (Acts 2:14-41). While others performed miracles, he was outstanding as his shadow began to heal the sick (Acts 5:15). This is what happens when you make yourself available to create the kind of atmosphere that can host the Holy Spirit.
I know that from reading this series, you have been triggered to spark a revival. I have good news for ministers who will create the kind of atmosphere that will bring about the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in their churches or fellowships - their ministries will grow exponentially. I pray that God will move you into a deeper level of His power and begin to perform special miracles through you, in Jesus' Name.
KEY POINT:
Father, please help me to create the kind of atmosphere in which Your Holy Spirit loves to dwell, in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 20-22
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 7 - I AM THINE O LORD
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
REFRAIN:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
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