From Inside Out
Acts 2:1-9; 11b-13
1. The Holy Spirit descended on a group of people who
were united in prayer (See Armenian Sermon.)
2 The Holy Spirit came down like FIRE.
Fire is power. Power is
important as long as it is used constructively.
A man who was suffering from a headache
for several days went to see a doctor. However, the office nurse looked
and acted like a Marine Sergeant.
When he told her about his headache, she
talked in a loud voice: “Go into that examination room, take off your clothes
and put on this hospital gown. The doctor will be there in a few
minutes.”
The man protested, “But ma’am,” he said. “I
really don’t need to go through all of that. I just have this chronic
headache.”
To which the nurse answered, “Sir, did you
hear what I said? You go into that examination room and put on that hospital
gown right now!”
The man did what she said. When he got
into the room and closed the door, he discovered another man already sitting in
there wearing a hospital gown. The man with the headache said to the other guy,
“This is ridiculous. I don’t know what in the world I’m doing in here. This is
crazy. I just have a headache.” The other man said, “You think you’ve
got a problem? I just came in here to read the water and electricity meter!” 1
The Holy Spirit came down with the power of fire. The
power of the Holy Spirit was not like the power mentioned in the above story. It was the power of knowing God’s presence
in our lives. No wonder Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth.
Misuse of power is dangerous. Misuse of fire is dangerous, too. Every year we lose thousands of trees
because someone decided to throw his/her cigarette on dry leaves.
James describes that the uncontrolled tongue can be
like fire. Fire here is used in a negative way.
You can consume one-gallon of gas in one second by
exposing it to a small spark of fire. On the other hand, you can use the same
gas in a car by generating controlled fire that can take you miles away.
God’s fire is constructive. Moses had the experience of the
burning bush. He heard the voice of God and felt His presence. He had a wonderful
experience of being in the presence of God through a burning bush. He was
sanctified by God’s “fire”.
We read in Exodus 3:5
"Do not
come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place
where you are standing is holy ground."
Isaiah had a
similar experience described in the 6th chapter. In his vision, we
read:
“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live
coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7
With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips;
your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."(6:6-7)
Today is Pentecost. In today’s experience, we see that
the Holy Spirit came like fire and “burned” the disciples from the inside.
The change happened from the inside. The real change happened, the real
transformation happened when these weak and cowardly disciples suddenly became fired
up evangelists.
One day the iron was proud of its toughness. It
challenged its friends that nothing could destroy it.
The hammer came and tried. No chance.
The saw tried. No chance.
Likewise the axe.
Then the fire spark said: “Give me some time
and I will show you.” Hours later, that little fire turned the iron into
liquid.
Give time to God’s fire. Give time to God’s
fire to burn you from the inside. Give time so God will transform your “iron”
heart.
3- The Holy Spirit is a teacher and guide into
all Truth.
"I have much more to say to you, more than you
can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into
all truth. (John 16:12-13)
Today fiction and the truth are often mixed. Everyone
is interested in reading and watching the Da Vinci Code. I read in Times,
Newsweek, Preacher, Rev., Christianity Today, and other magazines, listened
to TV interviews. All over Christians and non Christians are evaluating Brown,
the author of Da Vinci Code. They all agree that Brown did mix fiction
with truth. Unfortunately, many do not know the truth, not just the historical
truth but also the Spiritual Truth: Jesus Christ.
What is Truth? John is saying Jesus is sending us the Spirit of Truth.
We live in a world that deceives us everyday. Let me
give an illustration.
A 14-year-old student at
He presented to them a
chemical called "Dihydrogen
monoxide" and asked them to sign a petition demanding elimination of
the chemical because:
1. It can cause excessive sweating and
vomiting.
2. It is a major component in acid rain.
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state.
4. Accidental inhalation can kill you.
5. It contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape..
6. It decreases the effectiveness of automobile brakes.
7. It is found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.
He asked 50 people if they support a ban.
43 said Yes
Six were undecided
And only one knew that the chemical is ... water.2
Water, yes, just water.
I am afraid that we are bombarded with false
ideas everyday. Everyday our children are receiving thousands of messages of what
truth is according to the world. I am sorry to say that we lost the Truth.
The Holy Spirit came to
tell us about the Truth. He is also
the Truth, because the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit all are one.
Again, the Truth is
transforming us from INSIDE OUT. We need to have to accept the Truth in our
life. We need to allow the Spirit of God to touch us and “burn” us from the inside,
so it will reflect out.
Today the challenge of the
Pentecost is clear.
Are we united to pray that
the Holy Spirit will come?
Do we give time for
praying together?
Do we allow the “fire” of
the Spirit to “burn” us from the inside? Are we in the process of
Sanctification?
Are we deceived by the
world?
Do we know the Truth?
1 Illustration from eSermons
2 Illustration from eSermons