On Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Jordan Deal uncovers how the gift of tongues is not just about communication with God, but a divine tool for restoration, reconciliation, and speaking life into the world.

Table of Contents

Dependency and Expectation

Dependency on the Holy Spirit is crucial in understanding how to create a digital product. In my journey, I’ve learned that sometimes the things we dislike most about ourselves are the very things that keep us dependent on God’s guidance and provision. Just like Mephibosheth, who was dropped as a child and became paralyzed, the very thing he hated about himself kept him at the table of the king for the rest of his life. Similarly, our weaknesses and challenges can keep us dependent on the hand of the King, leading to unexpected benefits.

Unmet Expectations and Disappointment

When our expectations are not met, it can lead to disappointment and a sense of missed appointments with God. We often place more hope in our own plans and desires than in God’s plans for our lives. This misplaced hope can lead to disappointment and a lack of trust in God’s faithfulness. The scriptures remind us that hope in God will never disappoint, but when we place our hope in our own desires, we are ultimately trusting in the wrong thing.

Faith as a Person

Faith is not just about belief, but it is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is a person—Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in our own expectations and desires, we are authoring our own faith, which means we have to finish it. However, true faith starts and ends with Jesus. Our ability to have faith comes from Him, and when we understand this, we can release our expectations and place our trust in Him completely.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would be a helper and a friend to them, just like Jesus himself. This promise of the Holy Spirit is not just about communication with God, but it also signifies the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. The Holy Spirit is described as another Savior, coming to save us from the power of sin and to protect, defend, and heal us. This ongoing work of salvation is known as sanctification, where the Holy Spirit continues to save us from ourselves and the effects of sin.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is depicted as a redeemer who ends the curse of sin in our lives, saving us from its every effect. The promise of the Holy Spirit brings the gift of peace, not the fragile peace of the world, but the perfect peace of Jesus. This promise also includes the assurance that we will never be left helpless or abandoned, as the Holy Spirit will always be with us, guiding and empowering us.

Empowerment and Witnessing

Jesus assured his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This power would enable them to be witnesses of Jesus, spreading the message of his love and salvation to the ends of the Earth. The disciples were instructed to wait for this promise of the Father, indicating the importance of dependency and expectation in receiving the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Upper Room and Relational Restoration

In the intimate setting of the upper room, a diverse group of individuals, including former adversaries and those with conflicting backgrounds, gathered at the table as instructed by Jesus. This act of coming together and breaking bread marked the beginning of relational restoration and unity among them, demonstrating the profound impact of communal fellowship in the presence of God.

The Day of Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, occurs 50 days after Passover. It was a time of celebration and harvest, where people from all over gathered in Jerusalem for the festival. This significant day marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, empowering them to speak in different tongues and share the message of God’s love and salvation.

The Gathering and Empowerment

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all gathered together in one place, praying for the promised power from on high. As they were in right relationship with one another, the Holy Spirit descended upon them like a mighty rushing wind, filling each of them with tongues of fire and empowering them to speak in different languages. This divine empowerment marked a restoration of the curse that had scattered people across the Earth in Genesis 11, as God brought unity back to language to build his church and kingdom.

Restoration and Reconciliation

The divided tongues of fire symbolized the restoration of communication and reconciliation among people from different nations. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to communicate the mighty works of God to individuals from diverse backgrounds, signifying the universal reach of the message of salvation. This restoration through the gift of tongues was a powerful demonstration of God’s desire to reconcile and restore all of creation to Himself.

The Restoration of Language and Tongues

The power of the Holy Spirit extends beyond personal communication with God. It serves as a divine tool for restoration, reconciliation, and speaking life into the world. Let’s delve into how the gift of tongues plays a pivotal role in the restoration of language and its significance in the spiritual realm.

Language as an Instrument of Restoration

The ability to speak in tongues is not merely a prayer language, but a means to accurately convey the message of Jesus Christ, promoting reconciliation and restoration. This gift empowers individuals to communicate the ministry of reconciliation and restoration to people from all walks of life, transcending barriers and divisions.

The Power of the Tongue

Scripture emphasizes the immense power of the tongue, highlighting its capability to bring forth both life and death. When under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the tongue becomes an instrument of restoration and reconciliation, aligning with God’s divine purpose for language and communication.

Unity and Restoration

Through the gift of tongues at Pentecost, the restoration of language symbolized the reconciliation and unity among individuals from diverse backgrounds. This restoration through the gift of tongues serves as a profound demonstration of God’s desire to reconcile and restore all of creation to Himself, fostering unity and understanding.

The Goal: Favor with All People

Acts 2:42-47 illustrates the desire for communal unity and favor with all people. The early believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers, leading to a sense of common union and generosity. Their actions and attitudes drew favor from all individuals, resulting in continuous growth and salvation.

The Gift of Tongues: A Means of Intercession

The gift of tongues is a divine tool for intercession, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us in ways that surpass our own understanding and limitations. This spiritual gift serves as a means for the Spirit to intercede on our behalf, especially in moments when our own languages fail us.

The Power of Tongues in Intercession

When we are at a loss for words or find ourselves unable to articulate our prayers effectively, the gift of tongues enables the Spirit to pray on our behalf, expressing the deepest groanings and needs of our hearts in ways that transcend human language.

Praying in the Spirit for Restoration

Through the gift of tongues, we can engage in intercessory prayer for restoration, reconciliation, and healing, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to bring about divine transformation and renewal in our lives and the lives of others.

 

 

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