Pentecost: The Power of God in Your Life

[Darris] You’re in church, the temperature drops and a sudden gust of wind comes through the windows. Papers start flying everywhere. You see sparks and fire appearing in the room like flickering tongues of fire over the heads of everyone. You each look around in shock. No one has seen anything like this before.

People begin to speak in languages like French, German or Spanish. Suddenly there is a burst of excitement and wonder at this strange, yet miraculous event.

We find a similar scene described in the book of Acts. It is the Day of Pentecost, one of God’s annual Holy Days. What does this event teach us about God’s purpose for you? This event is a key to unlocking your understanding of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Stay tuned to Beyond Today as we reveal the meaning of “Pentecost: The Power of God in Your Life.”

[Announcer] Join our host, Darris McNeely and his guests, as they help you understand your future on Beyond Today !

[Darris] Change is something God wants us to do. But He doesn’t expect us to do it alone. Neither does He expect us to rely on a lot of self-help ideas and techniques. God wants us to live successful positive lives and He promises us the help we need to transform our lives into the vibrant happy lives we desire but often find so elusive.

The dramatic events of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, with tongues of fire descending on the congregation, lay out the way by which we can make changes - the most critical and lasting changes in our life. The kind of change that leads to eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Let’s look at what Jesus said would create the change and how it worked in the life of one of His followers.

Jesus Christ promised His disciples the help that they would need to live transformed lives. He said, “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.×). On the night before His death Christ revealed the promise of the Holy Spirit.

And several times in clear language Jesus told His followers that His death, resurrection and ascension was necessary so that “the Helper” as He called it, would come to them (John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.×). This Power, this Spirit, would be the means by which they could overcome the world just as He had overcome the world (John 16:33These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.×).

Serious events were happening that night. Religious leaders were plotting. The crowds following Jesus were agitating for change. And among His closest disciples, the stress was beginning to show. Christ encouraged them again. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” And then, perhaps in the most profound statement of the night Christ told them that He was going away and coming back. He said, “I am going to the Father, for my Father is greater than I” (John 14:27-28 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for my Father is greater than I. ×).

One disciple listening on that very serious evening would be an example of the transformation that was coming. It was the apostle Peter. Peter would sink to the depths of despair and then recover and help lead the greatest beginning in history, the beginning of the Church Christ promised He would build. Peter would stand up in the crowd and deliver a powerfully eloquent sermon.

In Acts chapter 2 we see that Peter did do that. He stood up among the disciples and he delivered an inspired message to thousands who were astonished at the site of the disciples speaking in the many different languages. The Jews who were around and watching this, they thought the disciples were drunk. But Peter said, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only [9 o’clock in the morning]” (Acts 2:14-15 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and listen to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ×).

That Peter gave this sermon is not surprising. He was after all, a leader among the disciples. He was always having something to say when other disciples would keep quiet. But a few weeks earlier, on the night Christ was arrested by the Roman authorities, Peter had acted in a very cowardly manner that would have caused any other man to probably collapse in depression and remorse.

This action, at the most critical moment of Christ’s earthly life, would highlight the underperforming life that Peter had been living. It is a powerful lesson for you and for myself to learn. You see, God cares so much that we succeed that He carries us more than we might realize. And God carried Peter on that occasion.

Christ predicted Peter - who’s also called Simon - He predicted that he would betray Him when the pressure got bad. A few hours before it happened Jesus said to him, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith [would] not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But, we find Peter replying to Christ, he said, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” But Christ said to him with a note of finality, He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this [night] before you will deny [me] three times that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers. 33 And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice deny that you know me. ×).

Those are pretty strong words. And you know, what Christ predicted came to pass. After Christ’s arrest and while He was being shuffled between the Jewish and the Roman authorities Peter, who was following close behind, did exactly as Christ predicted.

Around a fire in a courtyard at the high priest’s home, Peter was sitting. There was a young girl there. She recognized him as one of Christ’s followers. She said, “this man, this man was also with Him.” Quickly, he said, “Woman, I do not know Him.” (Luke 22:56-57 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked on him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. ×)

A little while later another voice from the crowd around the fire said, “You’re also one of them.” And Peter vehemently denied that he was a follower of Jesus. He said, “Man, I am not!” (Luke 22:58And after a little while another saw him, and said, You are also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.×)

About an hour passed. Jesus’ interrogation continued on within the house probably in sight of Peter and the others. Another man saw Peter sitting there and he confidently pointed to Peter and he said, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” (Luke 22:59-60 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what you say. And immediately, while he yet spoke, the cock crew. ×)

One last time we see Peter rising up in denial and he shouted, “Man I do not know what you are saying!” And at that moment, from the inner rooms, Christ heard the crowing of the rooster, He turned. He looked at Peter. And in that look, at that moment, Peter’s whole world fell apart. Can you imagine your Savior turning and looking at you like that? Peter was exposed for what he was. He was humiliated in the presence of the Man whose admiration and esteem meant more to him than anyone.

For more than three years Peter had sought the approval and the friendship of Christ. Peter labored to prove himself worthy of Christ’s respect. But Peter had never quite seen his own weakness and vulnerable spot. And it took this experience to bring it out.

It says that Peter went out and he wept bitterly. Now later events would prove that this was going to be and was indeed a turning point in Peter’s life. Peter would begin changing and in the end, he would be a different person. The power of the Holy Spirit could change his life.

The power that transformed Peter and the disciples is available to you today. It’s the power Christ promised would come. You can have that power in your life as well.

You see, the story of how your life can be changed by closer contact with Jesus Christ is told in a free study aid that we are offering today on this program called: The Church Jesus Built . Jesus Christ is the head of the spiritual house that He is guiding today. You can be a part of that Church and what Christ is doing with each person He adds to the Church. But don’t assume that you know all there is to know about this Church. This study aid will show you a path to personal transformation unlike any you can imagine. I’ll tell you more about it later in the program - and you can order it anytime you like - right now or after the program.

Peter had denied Christ three times and he was devastated but not quite broken. How about you? Have you ever been discouraged because of the way that you are? Depressed because life has dealt you a bad hand and you can’t overcome it? Or emotionally shattered and can’t seem to find a way forward?

Sure you have. And even if you answer “no” to all those questions, don’t think that you may never get to that point. We all may find ourselves where Peter was. The key to success is knowing how to find your way back.

Remember what Christ said to Peter? He said, “when you have returned to Me, strengthen the brethren.” Peter did return to Christ. Christ encouraged Peter to “feed My sheep” (John 21:15-19 15 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. 16 He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Love you me? And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you gird yourself, and walked where you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not. 19 This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him, Follow me. ×). Peter finally got it! He saw himself as Christ saw him and came around to the point where he could strengthen people struggling with life - just like he was.

Peter stood with the 11 apostles and he called the audience to listen carefully to his words. The disciples who were speaking in other languages and excited about what was occurring, they were not drunk with too much alcohol. The scene there in Acts, in Jerusalem, was foretold by what the prophet Joel, who wrote that God would “pour out His Spirit on mankind” (Joel 2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:×). The result would be inspired living by people of all ages. Men and women of all times would have opportunity to call on God in spirit and in truth. God’s Spirit of love, peace and a sound mind would provide clear-minded thinking to enrich a life and help to create a life as God intended, a life fashioned and molded in the image of Christ.

Listening that morning the crowd was stunned to hear that the Jesus of Nazareth whom they had seen and heard was the One sent from God to show them not only the Father but how to live as His children. Those who had watched Christ teach the masses, heal the sick and the crippled, command evil spirits to leave the mentally tormented were now learning that they had seen God walking among them.

Peter’s message that morning was full of hope.aa It was a message that God can restore the years that were lost. That’s why Peter was inspired to quote from a prophet of Israel’s past. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a promise from God to provide the help to recover from the ravages of sin and its destructive effects.

Christ’s teaching and example revealed a way of life filled with joy. It showed how to live before God and among people. It showed the only way to build a solid relationship with God.

How about your life? Are you really ready to give up the way you have been living? Ready for a change? Are you at the point where you are ready to learn a new and a different way?

Peter’s message worked the crowd to a point where so many were agitated. They were worried. They were thinking and they were realizing finally just how seriously flawed their lives really were. They were no different than you and I in coming to see that there was a gaping void in their lives that needed to be filled with joy and hope and meaning. Here was a message, and for the first time showed them a way forward out of the tiny little traps of a life they had.

For the first time they were hearing words that made sense. They were hanging on a positive message that could frame the remainder of their lives. But there came a moment on which they had all had to act and decide. It was similar to the moment Peter had when he denied knowing Christ and was struck by the turn of Christ’s head and that penetrating gaze.

Peter came to the moment of truth and he said, “let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made the same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.×).

When those words penetrated their minds “they were cut to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?×).

This was Christ looking at them, just as He did at Peter on the night that He was betrayed. Here is Christ looking at you with a look from which you cannot turn away. What will you do?

Peter had them in the palm of his hands. He said, “Repent… let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39 38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. ×).

On this Holy Day, this festival called Pentecost, the Church began. God began to give His Holy Spirit of power to those willing to change and look into the eyes of Christ and admit, I am a sinner. This is the beginning of transformation that can produce the quality of life that represents the Kingdom of God.

God holds out to you a promise. It is the promise of a transforming power, the power of His Holy Spirit. You can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, a transforming power that enables us to deal with all of the challenges of everyday life. That promise begins with a desire to change how we live. Can you do that? Can you change your habits? Can you and will you come to see that your life, no matter how honest, no matter how sincere, no matter how good, you’re life is still insufficient. You see, we have all fallen short of the mark of righteousness - the true godly life - that Peter summoned people to live.

To receive this Spirit you must repent, which means to change and turn to a life based on God’s law and the example of Jesus. It begins inside you, winning over the desires of self and personal interests that crowds out the life of God.

Here is your challenge. Christ is looking at you, just as He did with Peter, and in His eyes is the summons to follow Him, to become a disciple, one who wholeheartedly desires to walk in His footsteps and do what He taught and practiced. It is the opportunity to change your life. The opportunity to pull out of the rut that entangles you in a world that has missed this summons of Christ to a new life based on a tried and proven way that works. That way is based on God’s eternal law.

Receiving this look from Christ requires a response. Peter melted in despair on that night and he ran. But he returned, and learned from the experience, and he went on to accomplish significant things by the power of the living resurrected Christ within him. Peter summoned others by his preaching to do the same. That message is before you right now. The challenge is to turn around and face Christ and meet His look. Turn toward God and let your eyes meet Him in willing obedience and surrender of your life to Him.

You can change and your life can be transformed by this power. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit given on that Day of Pentecost . Christ said He would not leave His disciples without help, a comforter sent from the Father. And on the Day of Pentecost He dramatically fulfilled His promise. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the Church of God began. To be a part of that Church you must begin to keep this festival.

Next up, we are going to discuss how to make changes in your life. Fellow Beyond Today host, Steve Myers will be joining me and he’ll show you how we can make personal change in our modern world that is so filled with distraction. And we’ll see how to really change our lives through the power of God’s Spirit. But first, let me tell you about our free offer for today.

In this story of Pentecost we see the start of the Church of God. It was the beginning of the Church that exists today. Jesus Christ is the head of this Church. It is a spiritual body of believers and the fascinating story is told in this free study guide that we are offering today, The Church Jesus Built . You may think you know the story of this Church, but this booklet will take you on a study through the Scriptures to understand what the Bible says about the Church Jesus Christ heads today and how it can change your life. There is an entire chapter in this booklet on spiritual transformation ! It is going to help you a great deal.

You can begin reading it online now at BeyondToday.tv . If you would like your own hard copy, you can also request it free right now by calling: 1-888-886-8632. That’s 1-888-886-8632. And if you live outside of North America, you can also write a letter to the address that’s on your screen [Beyond Today, PO BOX 541027, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45254, USA].

Please also request our free magazine, The Good News . This magazine will help accelerate your Bible study as you prepare for the coming Kingdom of God. And with it, you will gain invaluable insight into the Bible, learning how to use the Bible - Holy Scripture - as a guide to the challenging issues that you face in your everyday life.

The Good News will help you clearly see where world events are taking us through the lens of your Bible. It is a magazine of understanding and you can get a free subscription. It is also available free as an iPad app for those who prefer to read it on their tablet.

Once again, you can call: 1-888-886-8632 or go online at BeyondToday.tv for the Bible study aid, The Church Jesus Built , and our magazine, The Good News .

And, let me mention that Beyond Today television programs and BT Dailies can be viewed on-demand, anytime of day or night, on dedicated Beyond Today television channels on Roku , YouTube and Vimeo . And you can access them through your Wii , Xbox , PlayStation 3, Apple TV and many other streaming-enabled devices.

I’m joined now by my fellow Beyond Today host, Steve Myers. Steve, as we talk about one’s life being transformed and changes, I know someone is asking the question that is, and saying that is pretty difficult. Why…

[Steve] It is really difficult.

[Darris] Why is it so difficult to change your life?

[Steve] Change is tough. You know, you have got your whole life experience and somehow you have got to look at it and say, you know, this is not working. And that’s a tough thing to do because we often times want to blame maybe our parents. We want to blame our situation. We have challenges that we’re faced, that we really don’t see a way out. And to come to the point to say, this isn’t working and I need to do something about it. It is, it’s monumental! It is monumental to try to do that. You can look up Psychology Today , read all kinds of scientific articles. You can look at the psychologists and read about them and they say how difficult it is to do that. And so if you don’t recognize you’ve got a problem, how are you going to change? It is just, it’s just a difficult challenge.

[Darris] I know I have an article in my files that talks about change and it makes the point, and the reason I even put it in my files and kept it - it says that, most people don’t make a change until some crisis hits them, something really, maybe a health emergency, and then they change. Otherwise, the good resolutions, it all just don’t seem to make it.

[Steve] Yeah that was reminding me of what it says in Romans 8:13For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.×. It talks about living according to the flesh. You know if we, we just live by a physical perspective, He says here, we will die! But if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you’ll live. So recognizing that need, that if I continue in this way, this is not the solution to my problems. I’ve got to change that and recognize that. That I need help and that help doesn’t come from within automatically. That’s something that’s got to come from God.

[Darris] Which is why Christ said that He would send a comforter, a help, the Holy Spirit. He would not leave people alone. Don’t be afraid. That’s really the most important step. That’s the most important plan. It takes God’s Spirit but how do you get that Spirit?

[Steve] Yeah I think that’s interesting because in any situation, let’s say it’s an addiction. You’ve got to recognize you’ve got a problem.

[Darris] Number one.

[Steve] Once you recognized you’ve got that problem, okay we do that spiritually - I need help. If I’m going to change and overcome, I need help. I need God’s Holy Spirit. Well in order to get that, well if you’re watching this today, God’s probably working with you! And John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.×says, the Father has to draw you to Christ. Once that process begins and we recognize that need, God draws us and then we’ve got to do something about that calling. He calls us into His way. So that means, I’ve got to repent and be baptized. In fact, that’s kind of the lesson that you were talking about on Pentecost.

[Darris] It is. That is what Peter said, repent is a word people don’t always understand today. And it’s a hard word to put your mind around especially a modern mind to understand what - repent from what? Repent of what? What does that mean? What do you think it means to a modern mind?

[Steve] Well if you go back to this section of Romans 8, it means changing from this physical perspective to try to put on a spiritual frame of mind. Paul said, I should have that mind of Christ. Well, where am I going to get the mind of Christ? Well, I need God’s Spirit to change my perspective. And so I’ve got to change my thinking and that’s essentially what repent is all about - changing my way of thinking, from my way to God’s way. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.×says I have to be crucified with Christ and yet I am living, but Christ is doing the living within me!

[Darris] And the life I now live, I live by the life of the Son of God, Jesus Christ in me.

[Steve] And so in that sense I am putting away the physical and I am being transformed into thinking God’s way and that’s why I need the Holy Spirit. God’s got to give me that Holy Spirit - I can’t work it up. I have got to repent, and be baptized, have hands laid on me and have the gift of the Holy Spirit given to me.

[Darris] Probably for a religious-minded person watching our program, you’re talking here in language that they may not relate to - the Holy Spirit being a power. Being something that God gives to us as a gift as we obey Him and as we repent. That’s a different way than how people, most religious people will look at the Holy Spirit and yet it is God’s power within us. What is really the role of God’s Spirit then in our life today?

[Steve] You know, I believe once we’ve received God’s Spirit , it is His power. It does change lives. It is what works in us and when we think about what it accomplishes, it gives us that opportunity to draw closer to God, to have a spiritual relationship with Him, that we can understand more about what His will is, what His purpose for us is. Helps us to understand this Word so we can read the Bible with a lot deeper understanding. And when we begin to do that, then we see the need to change. We see the shortcomings in our life and through God’s Spirit that helps us to overcome. It helps us to change. It convicts us. It works with us. It helps us to see where we need to realign our lives to God’s way.

And so it does all those amazing things that then turns it around from sin to be able to produce God’s fruit in our life. So that we can have the fruit of the Spirit rather than living by just our physical outlook. And so those are amazing changes that God allows us to happen, or to happen in our lives because of His Spirit.

[Darris] One of the most encouraging parts of, I think, or descriptions the Bible offers is what Paul said to Timothy. Where he said, God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind. So, it’s serious. It’s important but it is available and it is something you need to think seriously about.

And so, remember the free offers that we’ve been offering today. You’re going to want to get your own copy of our booklet, The Church Jesus Built as well as your free subscription to The Good News . You can call the toll free number on your screen. That is: 1-888-886-8632. 1-888-886-8632. Or, you can go online and order or read both online at BeyondToday.tv . And I you want to write to us please do so by sending any request or any other comment to us at the address that’s on your screen [Beyond Today, PO BOX 541027, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45254, USA].

The Day of Pentecost pictures the only way you can really change your life. You need the power of God’s Spirit working with you to be the type of person God wants you to be. Remember Peter: With the help of God’s Spirit he went from being an underachieving disciple to being a bold apostle of Jesus Christ and a representative of the Kingdom of God. You too can experience this change in your life with the power of God’s Holy Spirit through the miracle pictured by the Day of Pentecost.

I’ll be right back after this:

[Narrator] “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for generations to come” (Exodus 31:13Speak you also to the children of Israel, saying, Truly my sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD th