29 March 2009

Text: Joel 2

“I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT”

(I) THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD ON HIS PEOPLE

“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” Joel 2:28

“…I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:29

1. To show the Lord’s restoration of relationship with His people

“Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the LORD your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.” Joel 2:27

2. To form a new distinct entity

“…Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants…” Joel 2: 28-29

3. To end the famine of the word

a) The Lord’s judgment of a famine of the word

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the LORD.” Amos 8:11

b) The word of God given to all

“…Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

4. To be seen as a one time thing

a) For the Jews

“Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33

b) For the Gentiles

“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.” Acts 10:45

(II) THE RESULTS OF THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT

1. Preaching God’s word (Acts 2:14-41)

2. Soul winning work (Acts 2:14-41)

3. Steadfast continuity in ministry (Acts 2:42)

a) In the doctrine

b) In fellowship

c) In having Holy Communion

d) In Prayer

4. Caring for one another (Acts 2:44-45)

5. Continue daily in oneness (Acts 2:46)

6. Worshipping together (Acts 2:47)

(III) SEEKING THE FILLING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD TODAY

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

1. Through fellowship with the word of God

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…” Ephesians 5:19

2. Through singing to the Lord

“…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19

3. Through giving thanks to God

“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20

4. Through submitting to one another

“Submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:21