Pentecost: The First Great AwakeningSample

Empowered to Advance

As Acts opens, the disciples had just come off a time of spiritual renewal and encouragement in the company of Jesus, their friend and leader turned Savior. Their consciences clear, their anxiety eased, and their confidence boosted by the power displayed in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the disciples were fired up and ready to take on the world for the sake of God’s Kingdom as they understood it. 

Had Jesus remained in the flesh, the disciples would have followed Him to the ends of the earth, but He did not. According to God’s plan, Jesus issued orders, ascended into Heaven to take His place at His Father’s right hand, and left the disciples to advance the Kingdom armed with nothing but personal knowledge of the Gospel and a promise that help would come soon. 

Talk about a let down! 

What did the disciples do? They trusted God, and He delivered. 

In their wildest dreams—and their dreams were pretty wild considering they had thought Jesus was about to overthrow the government with an army only a few ranks deep just before He ascended—the disciples could never have imagined the miracle they experienced on the day of Pentecost. Besides the coming of the Holy Spirit being an unprecedented spectacle, it changed those involved forever, empowering and equipping them to do things they never could before for the advancement of an eternal, rather than earthly, Kingdom. 

If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, then the Holy Spirit already lives in you. What you’re waiting for is probably something more like what happened after the indwelling of Jesus’ disciples by the Holy Spirit.  The Gospel was preached, an altar call given, and thousands of people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. 

Whets the appetite, doesn’t it? 

So, how did the disciples make it happen? They did not. 

How do you make it happen?  You don’t. You can’t. 

Like the disciples, your only choice is to trust God to empower, draw, and renew souls on His terms, by His power, and in His perfect timing. Anything you might do to try and conjure, manipulate, or force God’s hand would be wasted effort. 

What do you want to see God do in the world around you? What role might He expect you to play if He does? Are you up for the challenge?