Earl McClellan speaks about the Holy Spirit, pleading with us not to neglect the Spirit in our lives but to embrace Him so that we can live out the plans and purposes He has for us. We must not disregard this glorious gift that was given to us to help bring followers of Jesus together for His glory.
Key Takeaway
The Holy Spirit is for everybody to live on mission for His plans and purposes for our lives, connecting us to people from every nation, tribe, people, and language.
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 1:12-14
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:3-5
We love the words of Jesus, we want the words of Jesus, and Jesus is the one who tells His followers that His Father has a gift—the Holy Spirit.
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:6-8
We worship Jesus because followers of Jesus were in the room where it happened. As a result of their 'yes' and surrender and God's mercy and grace, we are walking in something powerful.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
The Spirit of God has been present from the very beginning. God doesn't want us to be afraid of the Spirit because He is the Holy Spirit.
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Luke 3:15-16
The Holy Spirit isn't just for one group—He is for everyone. He is not for the elite. You need the Holy Spirit to be who God has called you to be and to fulfill the plans and purposes God has placed on your life to lift His name. You cannot do it in your own strength or power.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,
Exodus 31:1-5
The Holy Spirit isn't just for preachers, pastors, or religious leaders. He is also for graphic designers, musicians, lawyers, accountants, and others. In order for His kingdom to reach all corners of the world, He put His Spirit on all kinds of people. The door is open for everyone to receive the Holy Spirit so that we can be who God has called us to be in this generation.
And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
John 1:33
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit wants to baptize you with power and fire and is not limited to speaking in tongues.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
Acts 2:5-7
When the Holy Spirit came upon them, it was to empower them in missions; it was so that they were able to connect with people they thought they would never be able to connect with.
(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Acts 2:11-18
They're in this room praying, worshipping, and waiting like us.
When Peter received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he stood on his feet and declared to every man and every woman that God had promised years and years ago what he was doing here. This was what the prophet talked about. This wasn't just for men, women, children, or the elderly.
This is for everyone to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Questions
- Have you been intimidated by the Holy Spirit, neglecting Him in your walk with Christ? What about the Holy Spirit may have been intimidating to you?
- How has this teaching shaken your beliefs about the Holy Spirit?
- The Spirit of God was there at the very beginning with Jesus and God. How does this bring comfort to you in your understanding of the Trinity? How does it challenge your understanding?
- Have you been trying to follow Jesus in your own strength? What has that looked like in your life?
- How does Acts 1:13-14 emphasize the diversity among those gathered with the disciples?
- Have you ever been under the impression that the Holy Spirit and His gifts were limited to a certain people group? How has this talk changed or not changed your perception of how the Spirit operates?
- According to Exodus 31:1-5, how does the filling of Bezalel with the Holy Spirit illustrate God's empowerment for specific tasks?
- Have you ever discounted the Holy Spirit's presence in your life because you thought that He was only active in the lives of religious leaders? How do you think the Holy Spirit shows up in the life of a creative worker, medical professional, or financial advisor?
- How does Jesus' response to the disciples' question about restoring Israel's kingdom reveal his mission (Acts 1:6-7)?
- The Holy Spirit gives us His power so that we can connect with people we never thought we would be able to connect to. How have you seen that truth in your faith?
Scripture References
