PASTOR’S NOTES
So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
This week’s message, as well as last week’s message walks through the same text in Acts 2. Last week we looked at the perfect timing of the giving of the gift of the Holy Spirit and this week we will see the beauty of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the true living presence of God that lives in those who place their faith in Jesus. The Spirit is the one who prays for us when do not have the words to pray and walks with us when we don’t have the strength or will to walk. The Spirit guides us, leads us, and protects us. The Spirit is the perfect gift from God!
In life, a gift tells us so much more than what simply is received and given. A gift tells us just as much about the giver as it does about the recipient. A gift can tell us what’s needed, desired, or even what’s deserved. But I have often felt that the greatest gifts are the unmerited acts of generosity that come with great surprise. The gifts that you did not deserve because of your hard work or a special occasion, but the gifts that are simply driven out of the kindness of the giver and the current need that the gift will fill in the receiver. The giving of the Holy Spirit is exactly that type of gift!
The people of Acts 2 did not deserve, expect, or even understand the needs for the gift that was about to be given, and God still choose to bless the people with the kindness and love that He had for them. The gift of the Holy Spirit was and still is the perfect gift from God! The Spirit shows us not only how much God loves us, but also what He calls us to. The Spirit is a gift that shows us what we need most in the call to the great commission. God knows that we need faith, perseverance, and boldness to survive what waits ahead of us and the gift of the Holy Spirit meets all those needs.
Gifts today are often times expected and meet the need of momentary pleasure; they begin to lose value and importance hours after received. Not the Holy Spirit! The gift of the Holy Spirit grows in power, value, and significance the longer we possess it. It is a gift that was unexpected and undeserved. It was a gift that was perfect!
Praise God for His kindness!
Scripture to go along with this weeks message
Read John 14:26, Romans 8:26, and John 16 on more scripture on the gift of the Holy Spirit.