Today is Pentecost Sunday on the Liturgical calendar but just to be clear, there is no problem with Pentecost as the sermon title may suggest as the problem lies within the church due to its rebellion against God’s word. Pentecost was exactly as promised. Jesus said, Luke 24:46 “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” We saw this power come down from heaven and fill the temple which at the time was a building. 2 Chronicles 7:1 “When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” Then in the New Testament the temple was no longer a building and God would then fill the body, which is the church and not a building. 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” Ephesians 2:22 “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” John 14:23 “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” We were told this power would come. Joel 2:28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Luke 3:16 “John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Then that day came of which Peter said, Acts 2:16 “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” 

    Jesus had already shown us what this power from on High would look like.” Matthew 4:23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.” Mark 1:32 “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” When you read the gospels, you see this power that was promised to the church, and it was not just for those few original disciples. Peter said Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Receiving the holy Spirit was to look just as it did when Jesus anointed the disciples with power and authority. 

    When Jesus called His disciples, He anointed them with power and authority. This would be a prelude to Pentecost showing us what the church was supposed to continue to do with the power and authority given to it. Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” It wasn’t just these first few disciples Jesus gave power and authority to. Luke 10:1 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you. 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” After Pentecost took place, we saw the power continue. Acts 5:12 “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” That power would then expand through new disciples. Acts 6:2 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.” We then see the story of two of these new disciples. Acts 6:8 “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 8:5 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 21:9 “He (Philip)had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.” John 20:30 “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 21:25 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” The same applies to all the disciples. There would not be enough books if everything was written down, so we hear the events of just a few of the disciples. The power of Pentecost was not a one-time event but the beginning of many events declaring the power of God. 

    The church was to continue in this power. We were supposed to preach the gospel, cast out demons and heal the sick just as Jesus and the disciples did. Pentecost was the beginning of the church doing just as Jesus did. Matthew 8:16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Mark 6:12 “They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” Jesus told us John 14:11 “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Today most in the church do not actually believe what this verse states which causes the problem with Pentecost power. This is a rebellion against God’s word. The church has done the same as Israel. Ezekiel 5:5 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. 6 Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees. “7 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you. 8 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem.”

    So as you can see by reading scripture, there is no problem with Pentecost as the problem lies with the people who do not believe the words of God. Jesus was given all authority and power and Mark 1:27 “the people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him,” yet many refused to believe. John 10:24 “The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe.” John 12:37 “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” Even in Jesus hometown and among family, they refused to believe. Mark 6:1 “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.” To have the power of Pentecost return, we must repent. Luke 15:17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.”

    This rebellion of unbelief took place even while the Messiah, Jesus walked the earth. The unbelief of the church continued to rapidly disintegrate even at the time of the Apostle Paul. Galatians 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” This rebellion led to the abomination that causes desolation and the church was decimated as seen today; powerless against our enemies yet so deceived not knowing or admitting to the lack of power. satan was given power over the church due to the church’s rebellion just as we saw Israel defeated in the Old Testament. 1 Corinthians 10:1 “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” Yet today most have not listened to the truth of God’s words but to the lies of satan even though we were told 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Daniel 8:12 “Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” The rebellion has already happened and continues to happen, and truth has been thrown to the ground just as we were warned it would. 

    So how do we know this has happened? The answer is easy, though most will refuse to admit it. Look at the church and then look at scripture and you will see they look nothing alike as there is not only a truth problem but a problem of powerlessness. The problem is most read the bible like a bedtime story, filled with mythology and fairy tales. They say, wasn’t Jesus wonderful and continue to desire to hear more and more of the old, old stories as they fall off to sleep. Hebrews 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Most have been taught a powerless gospel and then they teach others the same powerless gospel and get further and further from the truth. Everyday more and more people will not see eternal life because of it. The power we read about in scripture from beginning to end is not seen in the church. Yes, many put on a really good show. You may have seen the service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral in London to mark the queens 70 years on the throne. This was quite a spectacle held in a building of grandeur. The order of service contained some very powerful songs and verses from the bible but there was no power. This has the appearance of power but powerless. We were told 2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” You may say the liturgical service is pretty stuffy and it is, but I dare say there was probably more scripture than most upbeat services have, though the sermon was pretty light. Take a church here in North America that is considered powerful and relevant, with an amazing worship team and inspired preaching with millions watching, yet completely powerless when held up to scripture. 

    So, what is the problem with Pentecost power? Where is the healing and the casting out of demons? Why is the gospel not being preached? Why is there no true repentance? Why does the church look nothing like Jesus when He is talked about all the time and people say they are Christians because they believe in Jesus, yet they look nothing like Jesus, nor do they do as Jesus did? How can you read the Gospels and Acts and not desire that power to be present? As I said at the beginning, it is not Pentecost that is the problem for this power failure. The problem of Pentecost is a belief problem. The power is available to all who would believe so what is the problem and why won’t you believe what scripture states? Paul said Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Christmas is celebrated, Easter is celebrated, but Pentecost is a date on the calendar with little emphasis except for those who follow the liturgical calendar but in the end that is a meaningless ritual. This really is not about an event on the calendar as the church should be Christmas, Easter and Pentecost put together every day. There is a song I like called “Send the Fire” One of the verses says, “Send the fire today, look down and see this waiting host, and send the promised Holy Ghost, we need another Pentecost, send the fire today.” I like the song because it acknowledges our need for Pentecost power, but the problem is we don’t really need another Pentecost, we just need to do as we were told so that Pentecost power would flow among us just as we read in 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” If we want that power once again, we must believe that Pentecost power is actually available.

        This poses a problem as most do not believe that same Pentecost power is available for today. The ones who do, such as the Pentecostals, are not even seeing the power that looks like scripture even though they say they do. Most charismatics have been deceived thinking their babble is a sign of God’s presence, except it is not God who is present. Those on the opposite end of the spectrum have also been deceived thinking that getting wet in a baptismal tank has filled them with the Holy Spirit. I would say one of the biggest problems is a lack of understanding as to what scripture actually says. As John said John 12:38 “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” This unbelief has even caused God to intervene. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” So not only do you have satan deceiving, but God has brought delusion on those who do not believe. Most in the church have either been deceived into thinking there is no power available or they have been deceived by the power they think is available because satan has been masquerading as an angle of light as they did not test the spirits. 2 Corinthians 11:13 “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” The delusion is most think that the church is exactly how it is supposed to be, at least they think their denomination is. The church has accepted the powerless gospel to its own demise.

         We have the bible, and everything is right before us, but due to rebellion most cannot see or hear the voice of Jesus. There is also a famine in the land that is as deadly as those famines we read about in scripture. Amos 8:11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” Week after week people hear sermons about Jesus, yet never understand there is power available. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. 14 A people without understanding will come to ruin!” Even while celebrating Easter, they do not actually believe in a risen savior who “took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” They sing He lives, He lives, He’s in my heart today, but He is not in their hearts because if He was, God would be dwelling and there would be power. Most do not read their bibles and expect what they read to happen as they have been deceived into thinking this power is not available for today. They will say if God so desires to heal, He would, but Paul said, “to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers.” You also have the other side of the coin where people think the power lies from within. The other day I was walking, and someone had a sign in their lawn with the popular serenity prayer widely used by Alcoholics Anonymous. Part of it goes like this “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” If there was actually power, there would be healing but “I” cannot do it. One AA website stated, “Today we are willing to accept the idea that, as far as we are concerned, alcoholism is an illness; a progressive illness that can never be “cured” but which, like some other illnesses, can be arrested.” The god of the serenity prayer is not the God of the bible. The god of their understanding has no power. God does have the power to heal but there doesn’t seem to be the wisdom to know that He does. While there are many who believe in cessationism (power has ceased) there are just as many who say they are continuationists because they would never go as far as someone like John MacArthur and deny publicly the work of the Holy Spirit. The problem is that they do not really believe the church can do as Jesus did nor do they expect it because they do not seek or expect Pentecost power. They read the bible and say wow God is amazing but don’t really believe God is still amazing. So, on both sides there is no power to heal not just an alcoholic but any who are sick from mental health to cancer. 

    One of the big problems that causes unbelief in Pentecost power is the “I haven’t seen it” response and the question “have you seen it”? This happens when you talk about the available power and the response you get is have you seen it, or this power has not been seen since the early church. They ignore Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” This answer exudes ignorance but also speaks truth. Remember what Paul said to the Galatians, so no, there has not been power because of rebellion but to deny scripture because you haven’t seen it, that is pathetic and displays great ignorance to God’s word. It also reveals that you do not actually believe what scripture says. Many do not even believe in a seven-day creation or a young earth.        Sadly, there is another reason for this lack of knowledge and that is false teachers who have taught you a false gospel / doctrines of demons such as cessationism and that is just one of them. These teachers are everywhere. 1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” Jesus warned us not to be deceived for this very reason. Matthew 24:24 “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.” Acts 20:9 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Instead of believing those who say God no longer empowers His disciples, ask why He no longer empowers His disciples and then read scripture to find out the answer and then repent for your wicked ways and expect Pentecost power once again.

     Israel was always defeated when they disobeyed just as the church has been defeated. They were told as we are told, Deuteronomy 28:25 “The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth.” Leviticus 26:36 “‘As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. 37 They will stumble over one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand before your enemies. 38 You will perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will devour you. 39 Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their ancestors’ sins they will waste away.” That is not how it was supposed to be. Instead, Zechariah 12:2 “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. 4 On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. 5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’ 8 On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.” Instead of believing the lies about a powerless gospel, take the time to actually read the powerful gospel and then believe what it says. Then expect God to move in move just as He said He would because there is hope. Isaiah 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. 8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.”

    False teaching has destroyed the church, therefore there is no power because the church listened and accepted other gospels as truth. Today all you have is man acting like they are powerful based solely on their success, meanwhile those who listen to them will end up in the same darkness they are going to. 2 Peter 2:17 “These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.” Millions of people have died thinking they were taught the truth, only to find out when it is too late that they were deceived. Jesus said Matthew 24:4 “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Jesus also said John 8:31 “To the Jews who had believed him, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Paul said 1 Corinthians 15:2 “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”  If you do not hold to the truth of the gospel, you will not be saved, nor will there be any power.

    Another problem of Pentecost are Pentecostals themselves. This also includes many charismatic off shoots. The charismatics have done tremendous damage to the church because many see their crazy antics and want nothing to do with the church. I was at a couple of men’s breakfast where I saw people who thought the blabbering was nuts. One person was a waitress who just turned and walked out. 1 Corinthians 14:22 “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” Instead Malachi 2:8 “you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty.” There have been many false revivals that have deceived millions across the globe. Just go on YouTube and you can seem some pretty crazy services going on in the name of Jesus. I will admit that at first it was pretty confusing to see people acting as if they were drunk in the power of the Holy Spirit, falling on their backs, some convulsing, most babbling incoherently, even sounding like serpents. I even had people leaning on me while I was wondering what was wrong with me. I would pray, Lord why can’t I speak in tongues or fall to the ground on my back because Your power was too great to stand. I remember clearly hearing God’s answer that shook me and sent me to scripture. The answer God gave me was “that is not Me!” You will notice that in the bible people fell to the ground on their faces, not their backs. Ezekiel 1:28 “Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” Even when people worship royalty, they do not lie on their backs but their faces. Animals lie on their backs in sexual submission. 

    Many reject the power of Pentecost because they think that these nonsensical signs and wonders from satan are the only signs and wonders and do not expect signs and wonders from God. Matthew 12:23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Hebrews 2:4 “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Yes, you should run away from much of what you see in charismatic circles but don’t reject scripture because of them. The babble you hear from charismatics is not God speaking though them as Acts 2 tells us what tongues is. Acts 2:5 “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.” Prophecy is not a new word from the Lord and never for profit, but a true prophet only speaks the word of God as led by God. There are also examples such as Acts 11:28 “One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.” We are also told there will be dreams and visions. Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” but be very careful and test the spirits. Sadly, these days are like the days Samuel was born into. 1 Samuel 3:1 “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” So be careful! As far as spiritual drunkenness. Revelation 18:3 “For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” You also have laughing like a hyena, convulsing, angel feathers, gold dust, gold fillings and on and on but what you don’t have is God’s presence nor His power. Yes, satan can mimic and make it look like God is present, just look at the Toronto Blessing and Brownsville revivals but He was not. While those events are in the past now, the demonic presence is still here in other groups such as Bethel Redding and many more. I found it interesting that when covid struck, Redding’s school of the supernatural was hit hard by it with absolutely no power to do anything about it.  One article from November 2020 said “In recent weeks, more than 300 COVID-19 cases have been reported by the church and its Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (or BSSM), an unaccredited school focused on prophecy and miracles. It has been the largest cluster of cases in Shasta County.” That should have been an eye opener.

    You then have the opposite of Pentecostalism with those who do not believe there is power for today such as many Baptists. The extreme of this is cessationism. This is defined as “miraculous gifts of the Spirit, such as healing, tongues, and prophetic revelation, pertained to the apostolic era only, served a purpose that was unique to establishing the early church, and passed away before the canon of Scripture was closed.” This is a doctrine of demons because the bible says no such thing. The early church was just the beginning and was supposed to continue in the power of the Holy Spirit, not stop. While there are fundamentalists (belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture.) on both sides, this side does not believe miracles, signs, wonders casting out demons, healing is something God will give man. They are okay if they pray and God heals but not okay if someone actually has the gift of miracles or healing. This is the part that makes no sense, as they read literally but reject what they have literally read such as 1 Corinthians 12 because it does not line up with their doctrines. They say you are to read literally but then are free to interpret those parts they deem not suitable for their belief system and stop reading literally. Because God has turned His face from us, understanding of His word is all over the place and everyone does as they see fit. Instead we need this again which comes with Pentecost power. John 16:12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” There a millions of people who have only heard of John’s baptism of repentance but have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit just as we see here. Acts 19:1 “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.” We also saw this happen with Peter. Acts 10:44 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” This group is just as bad as the Pentecostals. There are all kinds of other groups who do not believe what scripture says when it comes to the power of Pentecost. 

    Another problem of Pentecost is the church growth movement or the build it with your own hands movement. Like the serenity prayer, this is a do-it-yourself movement. This has the appearance that God is with them because of their worldly success but again there is no power. You don’t really need the Holy Spirit if you can do it yourself and many have accomplished amazing things. Those who do amazing things amass a vast following of those who hope to do the same. In my time as a minister people followed Bill Hybels and Rick Warren as if they were Jesus himself, yet neither of them had the power and authority of Jesus. Then you had the fall of the great Bill Hybels for sexual sins. The mentality that man’s strength can replace the power from on high is absurd, but many do it anyway because it appears to work but it never does and has alarming eternal consequences that many will find out when it is too late. Imagine standing before Jesus and hearing depart from me after you have been part of a church all your life that has been emulated by those wanting to be like them from around the world. Many of these churches have amazing worship services and inspirational preaching, yet there is no power. Instead of following Jesus, they follow man who say they are following Jesus, but their lack of power gives them away. Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.” Isaiah 2:6 “They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. 7 Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.” Deuteronomy 31:29 “For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse his anger by what your hands have made.” 2 Kings 22:17 “Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.” Unfortunately, these church gurus will keep leading in their own power and many will keep following their evil ways. They will continue to spread false gospels which are powerless to defeat our enemies. They will keep working for the enemy and millions are going to hear depart from me I don’t know you. Don’t be part of their deception. Rebranding yourself will not lead to eternal life. The church must repent from these wicked ways in order to see the power of Pentecost once again. While they may have the power of success, they are not anointed with power from on high. They need to say Hosea 14:3 “Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” 

    Another problem with Pentecost is Jesus Himself. No, Jesus is not the problem but our understanding is. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father.” Hebrews 2:9 “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” 

    So even though Jesus became like man, yet was still God as John said, many reject Pentecost power because they think that Jesus wasn’t really man, so no wonder He was so powerful or could not be tempted. They think of course He could not be tempted because He was God, yet satan seemed to think he could be. John the Baptist baptized Jesus and Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit just like we need to be. Luke 3:21 “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Then Luke 4:1 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Yes there is only one Jesus, one Messiah and Savior but we are all called to be like Him and we too will become sons of God. Galatians 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

    The problem is that many do not believe what Jesus said when it comes to power. Jesus came to show us the way and to empower us to do the same. Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” Yes, Jesus was powerful but He empowered others to do what He did and called us to do as He did. John 14:12 “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” I like this verse where Jesus told His disciples to feed the people. Mark 6:35 “By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” They could have done as Jesus did; Elisha did. 2 Kings 4:42 “A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said. 43 “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked. But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.” James tells us James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

    The gospels are about Jesus, but they are also about showing the church what would happen after Pentecost. If the gospels were just about Jesus and His power, he would not have chosen disciples to do as He did. Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.” The gospels are about the power and authority of Jesus and about the power and authority available to all who believe. John 8:31 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” Matthew 10:1 “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Then after Pentecost we see the church go out in power just as they were told they would. Don’t be deceived by the thought it is no use to fight this temptation. Don’t think Jesus was God so no wonder He could not be tempted. Instead draw on the same power that enabled Him to resist the devil. Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Don’t think the power you read about in scripture is not available to you because Jesus was God. Look at scripture and you will see the plan was to authorize and give power to the church to destroy the work of satan just as Jesus did. 1 John 3:8 “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” Luke 10: 17 “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Mark 6:12 “They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” 

    What we saw with Jesus was what we were supposed to do as the church. Matthew 9:33 “And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 8:16 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” 

    The church was supposed to continue to do as Jesus did, clothed with the same power from High. Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Paul said Acts 26:17 “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” What the church has done is to say that was Jesus or that was Paul or even Stephen and Philip but where does it stop. You can either believe like the cessationists, a doctrine of demons that this power was no longer available to the church, or you can believe scripture knowing that Jesus is alive and wanting to send out workers in Pentecost power. We desperately need God to turn His face back to the church but are you willing to turn from your wicked ways and repent and then are you willing to wait for God to authorize His church once again to go to the ends of the earth clothed in power from on high? 

    Pentecost was the church being baptized in power to go and do as Jesus did. Luke 24:48 “You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Acts 1:4 “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus said to His disciples John 16:7 “very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” We can’t be the church by following our own ways and going to the ends of the earth in our own power. To be the true church, we must submit to Him who is all powerful, the One who wants to empower us to proclaim His name to the ends of the earth.          So don’t be afraid to seek God with everything you have. Don’t be afraid to expect amazing things to happen. Moses was told Exodus 34:10 “Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.” Don’t turn away from scripture because of what you may have been taught by false teachers or what you have seen from the charismatics or the dead churches. Turn back and seek God. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Paul said 1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” The bible does not say any of these gifts have stopped and if you believe they have, you have been deceived. What you see in the Gospels and Acts is what the church is supposed to look like. The power of Pentecost is available to all who believe. It was not just for a few. This problem of Pentecost power is an easy fix, but will you do as commanded and turn from your wicked ways, giving up the ways of man? John said Matthew 3:10 “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” We cannot defeat satan in our own strength, just look at the desolation of the church today. Will you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or “depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” The only way to make it through this tribulation the church is now in is to have the power of Pentecost once again among us. Mark 6:53 “When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” Mark 1:27 “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

    The question isn’t whether you believe Pentecost took place, but whether you believe the power of Pentecost is still available for today and believe that the verses you just read above can and will take place today? Jesus is still alive and so is His teaching. If the church would actually teach what the bible states as truth, we would once again see the truth of the bible in our lives. John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Take the time to read the Gospels and Acts but when you do, set aside the denominational and doctrinal distinctives you have been taught and let God speak to you through His word. Ask God to open your eyes and ears to all that He desires for His church and you will see the available Pentecost power. Daniel 9:17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”