SOM: The Spirit is Poured Out
Shadows of the Messiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 49:05
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· 23 viewsDelivered May 28, 2023 at Ukarumpa English Service
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Read Acts 2:1-21 before sermon.
Introduction
Introduction
Turn with me in your Bibles to Joel 2. We’re going to start in Joel 2 this morning, but we’re not going to stick exclusively with Joel 2. We’ll also spend some time in Zechariah 12, Isaiah 59, and various other OT passages.
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.
This series, as you may recall, is called “Shadows of the Messiah,” and the theme verse for this series is found in Luke 24:25-27. The conversation in this passage comes just after Jesus’ resurrection while he was walking on the road to Emmaus with a couple of his disciples:
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
I would have LOVED to have been a fly on Jesus’ robe for that conversation! But, I don’t think we have to wonder too hard what Jesus explained to them, because the rest of the New Testament basically tells us—it shows us how the Old Testament points to the work of Christ and unpacks what it means for our lives.
Still, some passages are easier to figure out than others. So our aim throughout this series has been to unpack the question “What did Jesus say to his disciples on the road to Emmaus?” Or, more specifically, “In what ways did the Old Testament point towards and anticipate the person and work of the Messiah, the Christ?”
In Acts chapter 2, we have the story of Pentecost Sunday, which we’re celebrating today. I think that sometimes we read the story of Pentecost and other such stories in Acts and think, “boy, that must have been cool to be a part of that and to experience the working of the Holy Spirit like that!”
FCF: The fact is, though, that the Holy Spirit is still at work today through you and I, we just often take Him for granted and don’t recognize the ways he’s at work in our lives.
Main Idea: The Holy Spirit’s presence in your life is a gift from God that you should not take for granted.
So, this morning we’re going to survey some of the Old Testament passages that foreshadow the coming Messiah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and then take a look at how the Spirit is still at work in our lives today.
Prayer for Illumination
Transition: Most of us are not surprised by the claim that the Old Testament foretells of the coming Messiah. But, in some of those same passages, the Old Testament foretells not only of the coming Messiah but of the nature of the age that he would introduce.
The coming of the Messiah in OT prophecy marks the arrival of the age of the Holy Spirit.
The coming of the Messiah in OT prophecy marks the arrival of the age of the Holy Spirit.
Many OT prophecies point towards a day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon believers.
Many OT prophecies point towards a day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon believers.
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Jesus, of course, cites this verse as having been fulfilled in him when he preached at the synagogue in Nazareth. (Lk. 4:18-19)
26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
29 And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”
This future outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not something that is really talked about early on in the Old Testament.
But, as we approach the close of the OT, more and more the prophets begin to anticipate and prophesy about some major changes. Messianic prophecies become more and more frequent and more and more detailed.
There was a growing sense among the prophets that something big was coming, but it was still a bit cloudy as to exactly what.
As is captured in our theme quote for this series from St. Augustine:
“The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.” —St. Augustine, Quaestiones in Heptateuchum VII, 2,73: PL 34, 623; cf. DV 16.
The Old Testament not only foretold of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but that it would specifically accompany and complete the work of the Messiah.
The Old Testament not only foretold of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but that it would specifically accompany and complete the work of the Messiah.
The Messiah will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit:
The Messiah will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit:
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
16 Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.
It’s challenging to figure out who is speaking here, but if we pay attention, we have three figures identified: the speaker (who is sent by God), God the Father (“the Lord God”), and the Holy Spirit.
If you continue reading, there are times where it seems that the speaker is Isaiah himself, but throughout 48 and 49, this “Servant of the Lord” comes more clearly into view as the Messiah.
So, again, we see the coming Messiah being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We also have here a concealed reference to the Trinity, which is more fully revealed at Jesus’ baptism.
Not only would the Messiah be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but his arrival would signal the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on ALL of God’s people.
Not only would the Messiah be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but his arrival would signal the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on ALL of God’s people.
20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. 21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
If we ask, “Who are the offspring of the Messiah,” it becomes clear that this is a promise for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers.
Zechariah even prophesies that the coming of the Holy Spirit will follow the death of the Messiah:
Zechariah even prophesies that the coming of the Holy Spirit will follow the death of the Messiah:
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves. 1 “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.
When Zechariah prophesies that God will “pour out...a spirit of grace,” does he mean that God will pour out a “gracious attitude” or that God will pour out the “Spirit of Grace” (i.e., Holy Spirit)?
When Zechariah prophesies that God will “pour out...a spirit of grace,” does he mean that God will pour out a “gracious attitude” or that God will pour out the “Spirit of Grace” (i.e., Holy Spirit)?
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
At first glance, this appears merely to mean that God will pour out a ‘gracious attitude’ so that the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be gracious to God and repent of their ill treatment of him. However, I think this is actually an OT prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for three reasons:
the juxtaposition of “pour” [שׁפך shafach or יצק yatsach) and “spirit” always refers to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit elsewhere (Pro. 1:23; Is. 44:3; Ezek. 39:29; Joe. 2:28-29)
The phrase “spirit of grace” [ר֤וּחַ חֵן֙ ruach hen] does not occur anywhere else in the OT. It occurs once in the NT in Heb. 10:29 as a very clear reference to the Holy Spirit.
Even if “gracious attitude” was the primary meaning intended, ANE culture did not view such character traits from a naturalistic worldview. The idiomatic expression “spirit of wisdom” is, indeed, an idiomatic way of saying “wisdom,” but it also presumes that the source of that wisdom is spiritual. In other words, people aren’t just wise or skilled or gracious on their own, they are endowed with these traits by the spirit(s) residing in them. See these examples:
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,
31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,
1 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
So, when Zechariah prophesies that God will pour out “a spirit of grace,” he doesn’t mean merely that God will pour out a gracious attitude, he means that God will pour out a Spirit who grants grace to God’s people.
Why does that matter? Because if this is true, then Zechariah has prophesied that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will follow the death of the Messiah and it would enable true repentance among God’s people and forgiveness of sins through the Messiah’s death.
Why does that matter? Because if this is true, then Zechariah has prophesied that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will follow the death of the Messiah and it would enable true repentance among God’s people and forgiveness of sins through the Messiah’s death.
So, there are a lot of passages in the OT that foretell the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in connection with the Messiah. So what? Why is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit such a big deal?
The way in which the Holy Spirit related to his people under the Old Covenant was vastly different than how he relates to his people under the New Covenant.
The way in which the Holy Spirit related to his people under the Old Covenant was vastly different than how he relates to his people under the New Covenant.
The character and person of the Holy Spirit has not changed.
The character and person of the Holy Spirit has not changed.
The Holy Spirit, as God, is immutable.
6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
As such, anything that the Holy Spirit is capable of in the NT, he was capable of in the OT.
And, much of the way that he acted in the OT was quite similar to the NT.
So, what was the experience of the Holy Spirit under the Old Covenant?
So, what was the experience of the Holy Spirit under the Old Covenant?
The way that the Holy Spirit related to his people is primarily what changed, specifically in regards to the frequency and the extent of his dealings with his people.
Take your parents, for example. I recall that at some point in my twenties, it felt like my parents changed personality. There were certain types of jokes they would make with me that they had never done before. They were a little more open with me and began to treat me differently. In hindsight, I don’t think they changed a whole lot from who they were when I was a child. But, now that I was an adult, the way in which they related to me had changed. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit (or for that matter, any member of the Trinity) didn’t change personalities or character in between the OT and NT, but the way in which the Holy Spirit interacted with his people DID change.
In the OT, the Holy Spirit could indwell anyone, but he primarily focuses his work through prophets, priests, and kings.
The average Hebrew believer would not have much, if any, interaction or direct experience of the Spirit.
God’s presence was concentrated in the Temple or tabernacle, but law after law and barrier after barrier was put in between the average Hebrew believer and the Holy Spirit.
Not sure what God’s will is? For the average believer, the way in which they discerned the will of the Spirit was by consulting with a priest. Even for them, the will of God was often discerned not through personal means (listening to the internal leading of the Spirit) but through impersonal means (casting lots/ummim and thummim).
Need forgiveness of sins? Take your sacrifice to the priest and he’ll intercede for you. You’ll probably have to wait in line for a while, though. And, it’ll be costly.
Can’t decide what’s right or wrong in a specific circumstance? Better talk to a Levite, scribe, or priest—someone with in-depth knowledge of the Law and wisdom to interpret and apply it. Special cases would require someone to intercede for you.
Want to experience the presence of God and his empowerment in your life? You could get a taste of it by traveling to the Temple in Jerusalem. But, unless your name was “David,” “Joshua,” or “Aaron,” you’d probably live your entire life without any awareness of God’s presence, unless you happened to have been at the Red Sea crossing or the Temple dedication.
Of course, God could and did reveal himself to whomever he wanted in the OT, and there are certainly exceptions to the ‘prophet, priests, and kings’ rule, but they are just that—exceptions. The average OT believer didn’t have much direct access to God’s presence, and Gentiles had even less access. For most believers, their experience of God was always mediated by someone else.
Perhaps an analogy will be helpful. In the Old Testament, the average believer’s access to the Holy Spirit was kind of like the average American’s access to the President, or the average PNGan to the Prime Minister. Most Americans never get to meet the President. If they do, it’s very brief and very special occasions. For most people, their access to the President is mediated through the laws he passes, reading about things he does in news articles, or interacting with local level government officials. Of course, occasionally people get lucky and they get to meet the president, and some are fortunate enough to rub shoulders with him on a regular basis, but those are a select few.
But, in the New Testament, all that changes. When the Holy Spirit was outpoured in Acts 2, it was as if the President gave out his personal cell phone number to every single citizen. It’s like if he says, “Are you having trouble interpreting a particular law and how it applies to you? No need to bother your mayor or look for a lawyer, just give me a buzz!” “Having a rough day? Call me, we’ll chat. Need some advice? I’m told that I’m a wonderful counselor. And by the way, I’ll even go with you to work, to play basketball, to church, eat dinner with you, and be there with you while you’re doing the dishes afterwards. Nothing you do is too small or insignificant for me to be involved in it.”
Do you realize what a privilege you have been granted as a New Testament believer?!?!?
Do not take for granted the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
Do not take for granted the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
Need forgiveness? All you have to do is ask!
Need forgiveness? All you have to do is ask!
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Not sure what God’s will is?
Not sure what God’s will is?
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
You also have access to God’s will as revealed in Scripture, which the Spirit helps us interpret and apply to our lives
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Want to experience God’s presence? You are the temple!
Want to experience God’s presence? You are the temple!
The Holy Spirit indwells EVERY believer (not just important people!) from the moment of conversion until they are reunited with him by death.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Adoption, an Inheritance, Brotherhood with Jesus, Confidence of our standing with God.
Adoption, an Inheritance, Brotherhood with Jesus, Confidence of our standing with God.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
The doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers
The doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(2:5) You are a priest—able, through the work of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s sacrifice—to offer up your own sacrifices directly to God!
(2:9) You are a royal priest—a priest-king just like David.
(2:9) You are a proclaimer, a prophet—someone who receives a word from the Lord and proclaims it to others.
(2:9) You are part of God’s people, a chosen race—no longer a Gentile outcast.
You are prophets, priests, kings—God’s chosen people—and as such, the Holy Spirit resides in you.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Under the Old Covenant, people like you and I would have had very little, if any, access to the Holy Spirit. But, under the New Covenant, because of the work of the Messiah, the veil has been torn down. The laws and regulations that would have kept you from experiencing the presence of God were torn down through Christ.
Believers, thank God for this gift! Are you living a Spirit-filled life? Are you taking advantage of the Spirit living within you? The Spirit of wisdom when you’re struggling with decisions? When you’re struggling with sin, he’s the Spirit of freedom. When you’re struggling with insecurity, feeling unloved and unwanted, he’s the Spirit of adoption who calls you his child.
But if you’re here today and you have never experienced the presence of God, I invite you to let God take away that veil. You can have access to the Holy Spirit through Christ, if you believe.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Closing prayer
Communion
Communion
Announcements:
Announcements:
The order of which section goes when to the front to get the elements
Gluten-free option on the small round plate
Please put the used communion cups in the baskets/bowls with the colourful serviette at the exits.
I will lead us through the elements together
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
People file forward to get the bread and wine during congregational songs.
Prayer of confession and repentance
I will read a short passage and then pause after each to give you time to eat and drink the elements and reflect on what Christ has done for us.
Read Lk. 22:14-19
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Eat Bread
Read Lk. 22:20
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Drink wine/juice
Prayer of thanksgiving
Congregational song
Benediction
Benediction
I want to leave you with this New Testament encouragement that we read from II Corinthians. As you go out today, live boldly in the confidence that the Spirit resides within you.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
