THERE ARE MANY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES OF GOD; ONE OF THE GREATEST IS THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT

1.- As we have studied the life of Christ, we would do well to search out and claim each promise
2. Baptists are often afraid of the Holy Ghost, but we worship and serve a Trinity- mystery of 1
3. Jesus told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem v.49, "I am sending" -wait for power

We need to know the difference between being Born, Baptized, and indwelling, filling and empowering

I.- WAIT! "I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER" v.49a

The Lord did not send his Apostles out to the world at once, but rather said -wait!

A.- THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FULL OF THE DIVINE PROMISE OF GOD'S SPIRIT BEING PROMISED TO MANKIND

1. Joel 2:28 -the Promise of the Spirit on all flesh - note v.32- Salvation in Name of Lord
2. Isa 59:21 -the Promise of the Spirit, & Gentiles coming,- 60:3 & all the world being blessed
3. But note 59:20 From Mt. Zion the promise to come- SW corner of Jerusalem- the Upper Room located there

B.- LUKE CALLS FORTH THE PROMISE, ACTS SHOWS THE FULFILLMENT, BUT MANY MISUNDERSTAND IT TODAY

1. Jesus breathed on them creation- John 20:22 "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" -He gave them Spirit
2. In Luke he said Tarry-, In Acts 1:4 -Wait, v.5-not many days, v.8 Power, then 2:3,4 -Pentecost
3. These were all Israelites- but this was not just for their Kingdom-but every nation-v.5

C.- THE HOLY SPIRIT DID A MIGHTY WORK AT PENTECOST, BUT IT WAS NOT THE PROPHECIED FULFILLMENT OF JESUS

1. Many were saved- but not "all flesh", Israel was not reborn, the nation rejected Christ
2. The Saved were changed- Peter was empowered, but Acts 5:1- Some soon learned to lie - and died
3. The early Church was great- but NOT perfected yet!  Acts & Epistles show troubles, doubts, sin

The new age of the Spirit is a great adventure- but the Kingdom has not yet come!-

II.- "TARRY TIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER" ! Luke 24:49c

We live in an age of vast power, many waste it, but few utilize it! We see a World Amuck

A.- JESUS PROMISED THEM THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT "NOT MANY DAYS HENCE" Acts 1:5

1. He had promised them a Comforter - John 14:16, to abide with us, fill lonely hearts with glory
2. He was to work in our hearts -John 16:8-11 -Working in hearts of men -Enlightened Conscience
3. He would guide to All Truth- John 16:13 -In Jesus this covers a lot! Cf. I John 2:27 - Carefully

B.- THIS GREAT PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT IS NOT MUCH IN EVIDENCE TODAY, WAS NOT SHOWN EVERYWHERE THEN

1. The early church soon found themselves with difference of opinion Acts 15:39-Paul & Barnabas
2. Today hair-splitting over dogma -When Church Born?  When Spirit Born?  Miss fruit- LOVE!
3. Some churches today- powerless, some sleeping power, some doing little, but all with problems

C.- THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT WAS TO BE THAT OF POWER, NOT OF TURMOIL, PRIDE, AND SPIRITUAL HATE

1. Our God is exceedingly practical- after all He created the Natural Law that runs universe
2. The purpose of the Power was not for Believers Ecstatic feelings- but for WITNESSING, -SOULS
3. The purpose of the Language miracle- was not to talk with God- but to give Gospel to ALL NATIONS

The Disciples wanted a Kingdom, Some today want a mysterious personal power But God wants WITNESSING

III.- THE TIME TO TARRY HAS PASSED :~ a Time for Everything

Some Christians try to live a passive life- Waiting, Praying, Soaking! Others Go, and Glow!

A.- WE CANNOT LIVE IN THE PAST, OR THE FUTURE, WE NEED TO LIVE AND SERVE THE LORD RIGHT NOW!

1. Joel's prophecy will be fulfilled when Jesus comes- note "afterward" Joel 2:28, now-v.30,31
2. We cannot live in Pentecost-The Apostles went on to other adventures, witnessing, & dying
3. An ecstatic Experience in Tongues- Religious "High" but not edifying- I Cor 14:3,4,19

B.- DO YOU WANT THE EMPOWERING AND ENDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE?  SEARCH SCRIPTURES

1. Only Jesus can Baptize you with the Holy Spirit- Mark 1:8- Seek Him, not Spirit! wrong goal?
2. To be Born of the Spirit- John 3:5- receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior- v.15,16
3. To be Spirit Led- Grieve not the Spirit- Eph 4:30 -note Walk of Christian v.17-32-practical

C.- IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, AND WANT MORE OF THE JOY, POWER, AND PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -WITNESS!

1. Many formulas -generally- a.-Confess all sin, b.-Ask for Empowering, c.-Act on power you have
2. Eph 5:18-"Be Filled"-Imperative, Present, Plural, (Command, now, to all) Passive Voice
3. To test it- "Attempt something for God so impossible that, unless God is in it, it will be doomed to failure! - And the Lord will thrill your heart with victory or defeat- His will!

CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR THE NEW YEAR, AND IF THERE IS FAILURE, LET IT BE GOD'S PLAN, NOT YOU

1. Get yourself right with God- what every person needs- Saved, Confessed up, in the Word
2. Get down to business of witnessing,- Your neighbors, your friends, Bring them to Jesus
3. Let's see our church grow- pull together as an army, launch an invasion of our city for Jesus!

Our faith is not for our own fun and games- it is to accomplish something for the Lord