ALL STIRRED UP!
THIS IS US — Message #5
Acts 7:54-60; 8:1ff
INTRODUCTION:
Some time ago I ran across a great definition of what a really good sermon was like. And here’s what I read:
“The ideal sermon should have a great beginning.
And it should have a great ending.
And…the two should be as close together as possible.”
Wouldn’t you agree? Well, no promises today — but I’ll do my best!
Well, as we’ve already mentioned — today is a very important day in the history of the Church. It’s Pentecost Sunday, which means today is the 50th day following Easter (and Christ’s Resurrection). And, it was on this day (nearly 2000 years ago) that the Holy Spirit first stirred within those early believers — and empowered them to live obedient lives unto Him.
It’s this day, that most consider the Birthday of the Church…the day when the Church was launched!
And so, today — we look back and remember the significance of this day, but we also look forward and anticipate the way God will empower us to serve Him and live obedient lives unto Him now.
And, it’s this that I want to talk with you about today. So, if you have your Bible, turn with me to the 8th chapter of Acts. In Acts 8, there’s a story about the early church — and the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.
Now, as you know — the book of Acts serves as a great record of history when it comes to the early church. More importantly, it helps us to understand the ways God works in the lives of His people. So, as we read about how God worked in the past — it points us in the direction of what we can expect God to do in our lives today.
So, let’s see what God says about that early church — and let’s see what we can learn from their story. We’ll look in a moment at Acts chapter 8. But, this chapter has a strange beginning — and you really have to read the previous few verses to know what’s going on. So, let’s do that.
In Acts 7 one of the disciples — a man named Stephen stood before the Jews of his day and leveled some pretty hefty charges against them. He told them that they were incredibly religious — but not very godly.
He said, they were acting more like pagans than Godly people. And he said they were hardheaded and resistant to God and the working of His Spirit.
He told them that God was didn’t live in the Temple (which they loved) — and that He was bigger than their religious ideas.
And finally, he told them that they were responsible for Jesus’ death upon the cross. Well, as you can imagine — they didn’t take that very well. And in Acts 7 the people pick up stones and murder Stephen for his words.
So chapter 7 is all about the rejection of Jesus His work in Jerusalem. But as chapter 8 begins, things change. And the people begin to embrace the message of Jesus and the work of His Spirit.
And as we read through this story — I want you to notice three distinct moments in the people’s lives.
— The first is what is Salvation — the surrendering the heart to Jesus
— The second is what is Proclamation —the Baptism in Water (our witness)
— And the third is what is Empowerment — the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (our empowerment)
It’s what happened initially in Acts 2 (when the first believers prayed and surrendered themselves to God’s work, and He baptized them in His Spirit, and they were empowered. The sound of wind blew, fire appeared above them, and they spoke in other tongues…other languages). And people from all around the known world heard the message of Jesus being proclaimed in their own language. It was supernatural and life changing.
Well, this happens again in Acts 8. Look at it with me. Beginning in verse 1. Here Luke writes,
1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:1-8 (NIV)
First of all, I want you to notice — when there is a genuine move of God upon people’s lives, those people rejoice and celebrate His presence and His work.
When God touches someone’s life — when He free’s them from their sin, breaks the chains of addiction and the bondages off of them — they love it. They rejoice. They celebrate. Now, other people may not like it. Religious people may not approve. But when God touches someone’s life and changes their direction — they rejoice!
But let’s read on. In verse 9, Luke writes,
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.
Acts 8:9-11 (NIV)
So, this man named Simon — had everyone fooled. He did impressive things, but not for God — for himself. Look at verse 12. It tells how the people responded to Philip as he spoke about Jesus and introduced them to the real “Power of God.” It says,
12 But when they believed Philip…
This is really that first moment encounter with Jesus — SALVATION! They believed. It was the experience of surrounding their heart to Christ. The act of believing — of faith coming in their lives. Notice it again, verse 12:
12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ…
Acts 8:12 (NIV)
Luke says, the people believed the GOSPEL, the good new about the Kingdom of God, and more importantly, they believed in Jesus!
This is so important — because He’s describing SALVATION to us. Luke is telling us that the people were saved. Their lives were changed. They’re hearts renewed. What was lost — was made found.
In Galatians 3:26-27 the apostle Paul talks about this. He says,
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV)
This is more than just having a belief system. This is about being immersed into a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.
AND WE ALL NEED TO BE SAVED — and experience salvation.
This was not just an act for the ancient church. This BAPTISM into Jesus is for us as well. The people of your home, and your neighborhood, and your workplace — they too need to experience this BAPTISM INTO JESUS! Because it will change their lives. It did for the people of Judea and Samaria.
And so Luke tells us in verse 12,
12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12 (NIV)
And this marks the SECOND encounter that we’re all called to experience. And that is — the Baptism in Water. Maybe you’ve heard it called the “Believer’s Baptism”. This is more than just having a personal, private experience (like salvation).
This is where what happens inside comes out. This is where the private becomes public. This was a testimony of their salvation. Luke says, everyone — men and women — everyone who BELIEVED and was BAPTIZED INTO JESUS now went public with their faith…and were BAPTIZED IN WATER!
Now, let me be clear — you don’t have to be baptized to be saved, but if you’re saved, you ought to be baptized. Because this is that moment of going public for Jesus.
And you should be — for the same reason why we have a wedding ceremonies. Our commitments to one another as husbands and wives need to be made public.
It’s the same reason we wear wedding bands — not because we love rings, but because we love our spouse and we want the world to know! This band doesn’t make me married to my wife. It just tells you that I am.
Some of you may have been saved but haven’t been water baptized. And you should. We are gathering names now for our next baptism event. Plan now to be a part of that day!
It’s biblical. In fact, this happened again and again in the bIble. On 27 different occasions in the New Testament as people decided to follow Jesus!
Well, let’s pick back up in verse 13. Here, Luke reminds us of the power of the Gospel when he says,
13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:13-17 (NIV)
And here we come to the THIRD significant moment of faith — the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
You might want to think of this as THE HOLY SPIRIT’S STIRRING!
According to Luke, this was the third step in the faith of those who believed. They were Baptized into Jesus (at salvation), then Baptized in water (as they testified of their faith), and then finally — they were Baptized in the Holy Spirit (as they were empowered to live for Jesus)! Empowered to become obedient (and fully surrendered) to Jesus.
What sticks out (most) to me — is that these people in Acts 8 were completely transformed. Empowered to live for Jesus. They refused to become complacent or stagnant in their pursuit of God. Unlike the people of Jerusalem — they wanted more!
They longed for an authentic encounter with the Presence of God.
And that’s exactly what Jesus promised back in John 16, and Acts 1. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise. Just as He had said — His followers received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Listen, God is showing us that there is a spiritual journey (a progression of faith) that He has in store for all of us (you and me). And it’s a journey to be empowered to live for Him. Empowered to really participate in His Kingdom work.
And each of these Baptisms is important — and they work together to prepare us and equip us to experience God’s best in our lives.
So, How Can We Be Filled, Stirred, and Baptized with the Holy Spirit?
Well, I want to offer you a simple path way that I have observed throughout my pastoral ministry. It’s not original to me — but it certainly a pathway that I’ve witnessed others take to experiencing God’s best — and the Baptism of His Spirit in their lives.
And the first step is to…
1. LET’S REMOVE THE BARRIERS!
We often have barriers that block us from fully surrendering ourselves to God’s work. Sometimes these barriers can hold us back from experiencing a triumphant life in Jesus. So what ever it takes — let’s work to remove the barriers.
On the day of Pentecost — what many consider to be the BIRTH of the Church, Peter was preaching and noted that there is often things that stand in the way of us experiencing the Spirit’s Empowerment — things that needs to be dealt with before we can move forward.
Sometimes it’s sin, sometimes it’s fear, sometimes it’s other people or wrong beliefs. But what ever it is, lay it down, tear it down, move it away — and trust God.
Here’s how Peter put it (regarding salvation). But its these same with each step forward with God. Acts 2:38 tells us,
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38-39
Peter says, remove the barriers! Repent of your sin, deal with it. Let it go.
Maybe you’re afraid — fearful of what the Holy Spirit might do in our lives.
But I remind you — the Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit. Just as Jesus was fully God — so also is the Holy Spirit. And He isn’t going to hurt you, or shame you, or cripple you in some way. He wants to bless you and empower you, and strengthen you to live A BETTER LIFE!
So, remove the barriers that stand in the way and surrender your will to His!
Listen, God has more steps in your spiritual journey than you’ve taken so far. No matter how far you’ve come with Him, He still has more to do in and through you.
There are probably some barriers that need to first be stripped away. Figure out what is stopping you from going forward — and remove that barrier.
REPENT: Change your mind, change your heart, change your direction…move those things out of the way and you will receive what this BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
So, what’s holding you back?
Is it doubt? Is it fear? Is it pride? Whatever it is — let that go, trust in God.
The second thing you can do is…
2. LET’S REQUEST GOD’S STIRRING!
Let me just say — when you are saved, the presence of God comes to reign in you. The spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit (Christ’s spirit) moves in and lives in you. And as you submit to Him, He begins to stir in you…to mix into your life in every way.
He’s already living in you — but through your submitting to Him more and more, He takes an active role in your life. He stirs you up, or baptizes you, fills you with His Spirit.
Let me give you a visual picture of what I’m talking about. I like milk — but I like chocolate milk better. How about you?
In the same way, I like being saved, knowing that I’ve been forgiven. But I like living fully surrendered to Him even more. Because life is just sweeter when I allow Him to have every part of my life…and I hold nothing back from Him.
In like manner — salvation can be pictured by Chocolate being poured into milk. It’s there. And it’s enough to change the substance. No longer is it just milk. It’s chocolate milk But when it gets stirred up — everything’s different. It looks different. It smells different. It tastes different.
Something dramatic happens when it gets all stirred up!
Likewise, the when we are Baptized in the Spirit — God’s Spirit begins to stir within us. And like this milk, our lives become dominated by the Spirit’s Presence.
He comes in at salvation — but He stirs within us when we welcome the promise of the Baptism of His Spirit in our lives.
Paul even says, we should CONTINUALLY BE FILLED with His Spirit. Meaning, we invite Him to keep stirring around inside us! Day after day after day after day!
And this can happen in you when you REQUEST GOD’S STIRRING in you.
What I’m saying is — just ask God to work in you. Trust Him enough to submit to Him.
Pray about this — and request of Him what He’s already promised (and if you’ve experienced salvation — then, He’s already living in you).
And If you ask, I know He will honor your request and stir within you. Because it’s been His promise from the beginning. More than that — Jesus said He would.
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
John 14:15-17 (NIV)
At the heart of it all, the Holy Spirit, is about empowering you to live for Jesus!
Folks, that’s the baptism (the stirring) of the Holy Spirit in your life.
If I’ve learned anything in my 43+ years of following Jesus, it’s the importance of not resisting God — but welcoming, or inviting God to work in my life.
So, let’s remove the barriers — and let’s request the Gift of His Spirit’s baptism. And lastly,
3. LET’S RECEIVE GOD’S PROMISE!
And like everything else (with God) — this requires FAITH! Nothing weird or cooked — just receiving God’s promise in faith!
Just like getting saved, surrendering to Him and experiencing the promise of the Spirit’s stirring is a STEP OF FAITH.
It seems we’ve touched on this verse several times in this series. But in Hebrews 11, the writer tells us:
“…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
He rewards those who seek Him. So what are we waiting on. Let’s seek Him. Let’s believe and welcome His stirring with us.
There’s a prophesy in the Old Testament that talks about taking STEPS OF FAITH. It’s found in Ezekiel 47. And here’s what the prophet of God tells us — Notice the progression on faith:
“As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.
He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep.
He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.
He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in–a river that no one could cross.”
Ezekiel 47:3-5
This is a picture of faith. It’s trust God’s lead — and walking with Him as He leads. And, it will always take steps of faith.
The question is — are you willing to do that today?
CONCLUSION
If you are, then can we make this room an altar? Can we just turn and kneel where we are — and begin praying? Can we begin submitting ourselves completely to Jesus? Let’s remove all the barriers. And let’s invite Him to stir up within us. And let’s respond in faith.
And as we pray, let’s allow Him to empower us with His Spirit. Let’s welcome the promise of His Spirit’s Baptism in our lives. And let’s live without compromise — completely obedient to His lead.
Let’s seek God today with all of our heart. Let’s welcome Him and trust in Him. And let’s be filled with His Spirit.And as you pray — removing the barriers, requesting His stirring, and receive His promise — our pastors and prayer team are here to pray with you. If you’d like us to stand with you and pray for you or with you…come meet us here today.