Acts 10:44-48

Your Power from Heaven

Lifts You Up On Earth

In the WORDActs 10:44-48

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,

In the WORDActs 10:44-48

46 They heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said,

47 ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Everybody needs a lift some.

• When family troubles get you down, you need a lift.

• When job burdens weight heavily on you, you need a raise.

• A helping hand will get you up and going.

In the background of our text in Acts 10, we find the faithful centurion

Cornelius in need of a lift from Heaven. His resume tells us that he was a "devout man," and believed in the Most holy living God. His residence was at Caesrea and had several prominent Jews as his references.

It appears that Cornelius wanted to have a Family and Friends Day program and invite the Apostle Peter as the guest preacher. But because he was a Gentile, he was not allowed to use the sanctuary in the temple, so he decided to have the service in his house.

• Cornelius’ prayers for a Spirit filled service exceeded his expectations. The Holy Spirit moved and power from Heaven lifted up everyone who were present.

• A. Your Power from Heaven Lifts You Up On Earth Comes When the WORD Connects with the Soul

• B. Your Power from Heaven Lifts You Up On Earth Some Folks don’t Get to Understand

• C. Your Power from Heaven Lifts You Up On Earth Shows Evidence

In the WORD

• 44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.

• As Peter was proclaiming Christ, his miracles, his death and resurrection, and the power of his blood for pardon, before he had done speaking, the gracious operations of the Spirit; and the gifts and graces of the Spirit were given to persons.

• The Spirit falls down from above, from Heaven; the freeness of it is bestowed on whom he pleases; the suddenness of it comes at once; it melts the heart, and converts the sinner with faith and love.

• Cornelius, his family and friends were speaking with the extraordinary gift of new tongues.

Your Power from Heaven Lifts You Up On Earth and Some Folks don’t Understand

• 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,

• They thought the Holy Spirit was restricted only to the Jews; and that the Shekinah glory dwell only in the land of Israel and only upon the families in Israel.

• They did not know that the legal dispensation of the Holy Spirit was now at an end, and the Gospel dispensation had taken place.

Symbols of the Holy Spirit Are…

• 1. Water• 2. Oil• 3. Wind• 4. Fire• 5. Dove• 6. Seal

Prophecy of the Spirit on EveryoneJoel 2:28

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.

No Room for the Spirit • D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that

the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.”

Revelation 22:17• And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.

And let them who hear, Come. And let them that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let them take the water of life freely.

In the WORDYour Power from Heaven Lifts You Up

On Earth Shows Evidence

• 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling (praising) God.

Speaking in Tongues• With various tongues (languages),

which they had never learned, and before did not understand: and magnify God; they spoke of the wonderful works of God in these languages, as the apostles did at Pentecost, (Acts 2:11) they spoke greatly in the praise of God, and gave thanks for his rich grace and mercy bestowed on them:

Reference Scriptures• Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow

them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

• Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Look at these facts:

• Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner.

• Christ is baptized; the Spirit bears witness.

• Christ is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up.

• Christ ascends; the Spirit takes His place.

Gifts of The Holy Spirit1 Corinthians 12:8-10

• To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge… faith … healing … working of miracles … prophecy … the ability to distinguish between spirits (discern) … various kinds of tongues … interpretation of tongues.

Mightier than Physical Forces

• Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6

• And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 6:8

Pray for the Holy Spirit to Come

• If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

Your Power from Heaven Lifts You Up On Earth • The WORD Connects with your Soul• Some Folks Don’t Understand• Shows Evidence