More Wine, Please (Jn. 2:1-12)

Read John 2:1-12.

1.  The host had run out of wine.  It was essential to the event's festivities.  Has the church run out of "wine"?  Have you? (v. 3).

2.  Tell Jesus when you run out of "wine" (v. 3).  He wants to hear you tell Him what He already knows.

3.  Jesus will provide the "wine", but not without your cooperation and obedience (v. 5).  Fill the "pots" (v. 7).

4.  Jesus' best is saved for "right now" (v. 10).  The best "wine" was not served 100 years ago, or yesterday, or at Pentecost.  The best wine is not reserved for a time you won't be able to enjoy it.

This could be adapted for a sermon on Pentecost Sunday.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 7) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Conclusion:

We must get beyond the hindrances and have Pentecost. Pentecost can be repeated!

Since we have the same hindrances to Pentecost as the initial 120 believers did, we must overcome those hindrances the same way they did. How did the initial 120 believers overcome those hindrances?

• They overcame them by prioritizing obedience (Lu; 24:49; Ac. 1:12-13).
• They overcame them by persevering in prayer (Ac. 1:14).
• They overcame them by preserving unity (Ac. 1:14; 2:1).

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 6) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PHENOMENA (2:1-4).

Wind, fire and tongues – are they for today or not? That question caused (and still causes) a lot of attention, speculation and division. It is helpful to note that the phenomena are not for their own sake. 

Phenomena must always remain secondary to the purpose. Three purposes for tongues are given in Ac. 2:1-13.

• First, speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:4) for the purpose of being a bold witness (Ac. 1:8).
• Second, speaking in tongues assists in giving due worship to God (Ac. 2:11b).
• Third, speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelieving observers (Ac. 2:6-8, 12).

Your stance on speaking in tongues might vary from the classical Pentecostal viewpoint, but the truth around which we unite is that the Holy Spirit wants to move powerfully in your life, your church and your community.

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PERSECUTION (2:5-13).

Those who disbelieve attribute what is inexplicable (supernatural) to what is explainable (natural). Some overhearing bystanders said that the 120 were drunk (Ac. 2:13). This was an example of rationalism.

If we're going to get to Pentecost and fulfill its purposes, then we're going to have to get comfortable with persecution. Right now in the United States, persecution isn't physical but verbal. Nonetheless, that is already too high a price for some Christians to pay. Many don't want to be embarrassed about anything having to do with faith in Jesus.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 5) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PERSEVERANCE (1:14).

Many people fail to experience all that the Holy Spirit has designed for them, simply because they give up.

• Anyone can pray once. Will you keep on praying?
• Anyone can wait a little while. Will you wait a long while or until the answer comes?
• Anyone can be in unity for a moment. Will you remain in unity until the promised power and blessing falls?

May we become people whose minds are stayed upon the Lord (Isa. 26:3). Let there be continuity, consistency and conviction in our seeking!

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF POLITY (1:12-26).

Judas had to be replaced, according to two verses quoted from the Psalms. The number of apostles had to be twelve, since Jesus gave a promise based upon that number (Mt. 19:28).

It wasn't that there was no occasion for a business meeting. The issue concerned what happens in a business meeting. In this business meeting, as in most, there was both selection and election. Two names were selected and then the people voted. Can you imagine the hurt, suspicion and division that business meeting could have caused?

There is nothing like a business meeting to test the spirituality of people!

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 4) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PRIVILEGE (1:9-11).

Instead of privilege, how about we use the word 'blessing'? Can God's blessing be a hindrance? Read Hosea 13:5-6. Can a delightful or powerful spiritual experience be a hindrance? Yes, if that experience hinders you from pressing in for the rest of what God has in store.

The eleven apostles had received a promise and then encountered two men in white clothing. These two men were both seen and heard by the eleven apostles. Three apostles had already experienced something similar (Mt. 17:1-5). How easy it would've been to stay right there, camp out and not leave the place of blessing!

One of the greatest hindrances to what Jesus is about to do might be our preoccupation with what He has already done. Having just witnessed the Ascension of Jesus, who wouldn't have wanted to stay right there and keep on enjoying the afterglow? What did the two men say to get the apostles moving again? “Stop gazing at the sky! Jesus will return again. Right now, follow through with the command you were given.” (Lu. 24:49)

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't reflect upon past blessings, be grateful for them and then express that gratitude in praise.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 3) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

THERE IS THE HINDRANCE OF PROPHECY (1:6-8).

The apostles wanted to know if it was the end time. Jesus preempted the question and basically told them, “Don't worry about that time; be concerned about this time.” In other words, “Keep your eyes on what I'm doing today, not just on what I will do at some point in the future.”

How divisive and distracting prophecy can become! While prophecy is filled with hope, what will happen in the last days should not distract us from pursuing what Jesus is doing in this day.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with prophecy itself. Titus 2:13 says that we are to be “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 2) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Introduction:

1. Pentecost . . .

• It is the birth of the Church.
• It is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
• It is exciting to read about!
• It can be repeated today!

2. Did you ever think that, unless God Himself exercised His sovereignty, there is a good chance that Pentecost, as it is recorded, might not have happened? There was a series of hindrances that had to be overcome. If we are to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit today, then those same hindrances must be dealt with.

Hindrances To Pentecost (Part 1) (Ac. 1:4-2:13)

Title: Getting To Pentecost 

Text: Acts 1:4-2:13

Theme: Hindrances to Pentecost

Exegetical Subject: What events happened prior to and right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Exegetical Complement: Prior to and right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, there was Jesus' promise, the Ascension, a business meeting (to replace Judas), a one-accord mindset, supernatural phenomena and persecution.

Homiletical Subject: What are the potential hindrances to Pentecost today?

Homiletical Proposition: Since we have the same hindrances to Pentecost as the initial 120 believers did, we must overcome those hindrances the same way they did.