Sermon Notes
Pentecost Sunday
The Holy Spirit and Entire Sanctification
Text: Acts 1–4
Pentecost Sunday
- One of the most important days in the life of the Church
- Celebrates:
- Coming of the Holy Spirit
- Birth of the Church
- Empowerment for mission
Key Thought
- Pentecost is not only history — it is present reality.
- The same Spirit who filled the upper room still fills believers today.
Nazarene Emphasis on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit:
- Saves
- Sanctifies
- Cleanses
- Empowers
- Equips believers for holy living and service
Primary Scriptures
- Acts 1:4–8
- Acts 2:1–4
- John 14:16–17
- Romans 8:9–11
Key Verse
Acts 1:8
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
Main Points
- The Holy Spirit Cleanses
- The Holy Spirit Empowers
- The Holy Spirit Produces Christlikeness
- The Holy Spirit Sends
I. The Holy Spirit Cleanses
The disciples needed more
- Already believed in Jesus
- Already witnessed the resurrection
- Already followed Christ
- Yet Jesus told them to wait
Why?
- They needed transformation, not just information
Study Scriptures
- Luke 24:49
- Acts 1:4–5
- John 17:17
- Ezekiel 36:25–27
Entire Sanctification
Nazarene Doctrine
- God not only forgives outward sin
- God cleanses the inward heart
Definition
Entire sanctification:
- A gracious work of God
- Cleanses believers from inbred sin
- Fills the heart with perfect love
Study Scriptures
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
- Acts 15:8–9
- Romans 6:6
- Hebrews 12:14
- Titus 2:11–14
Entire Sanctification DOES NOT Mean
- Sinless perfection
- Never making mistakes
- Never facing temptation
- Spiritual superiority
Holiness IS
- Full surrender to God
- A heart ruled by love instead of self
John Wesley
“Love excluding sin.”
Study Scriptures
- Matthew 22:37–39
- Romans 12:1–2
- Galatians 2:20
- Psalm 51:10
Problem in the Church Today
- Too much self
- Pride
- Control
- Jealousy
- Ambition
- Flesh
Study Scriptures
- Galatians 5:16–17
- James 4:1–6
- Philippians 2:3–5
Pentecost Fire Represents
- Purification
- Cleansing
- Refining
Study Scriptures
- Acts 2:3
- Malachi 3:2–3
- Isaiah 6:6–7
- Matthew 3:11
God Wants
- Holy hearts
- Holy motives
- Holy desires
- Holy lives
Key Thought
Holiness is still possible because the Holy Spirit still has power.
Study Scriptures
- 1 Peter 1:15–16
- Hebrews 10:14
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
II. The Holy Spirit Empowers
Acts 1:8
“You will receive power…”
Power For:
- Witnessing
- Preaching
- Enduring suffering
- Resisting temptation
- Loving others
- Living faithfully
Study Scriptures
- Acts 1:8
- Romans 8:13
- Ephesians 3:16
- 2 Timothy 1:7
Example: Peter
Before Pentecost
- Denied Jesus
- Controlled by fear
- Ran under pressure
Scriptures
- Luke 22:54–62
- Mark 14:66–72
After Pentecost
- Boldly preached Christ
- Stood before crowds and leaders
- Declared salvation through Jesus
Scriptures
- Acts 2:14–41
- Acts 4:8–13
What Changed?
- The Holy Spirit
Study Scriptures
- Acts 2:1–4
- Acts 4:31
- Zechariah 4:6
The Spirit Gives
- Courage to fearful people
- Strength to weak people
- Purpose to broken people
Study Scriptures
- Isaiah 40:29–31
- Philippians 4:13
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
God Uses Ordinary People
Biblical Examples
- Moses — Exodus 4:10
- David — 1 Samuel 16:11–13
- Amos — Amos 7:14–15
- Peter — Matthew 4:18–20
Key Truth
God is not looking for ability.
God is looking for availability.
Study Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 1:26–29
- Isaiah 6:8
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
The Modern Church Needs the Spirit
Without the Spirit:
- Worship becomes performance
- Preaching becomes empty words
- Ministry becomes human effort
- Church becomes powerless
Study Scriptures
- John 15:5
- 1 Corinthians 2:1–5
- Ephesians 5:18
III. The Holy Spirit Produces Christlikeness
Misunderstanding About Pentecost
- Some reduce it to emotion only
Greatest Evidence of the Spirit
- Christlike character
Study Scriptures
- Romans 8:29
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
Fruit of the Spirit
Paul the Apostle teaches:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
Main Scripture
- Galatians 5:22–23
Spirit-Filled Believers Become
- More loving
- More forgiving
- More compassionate
- More humble
- More obedient
Study Scriptures
- Colossians 3:12–14
- Philippians 2:1–8
- Ephesians 4:1–3
Holiness Is
- Becoming like Jesus
Study Scriptures
- Romans 12:1–2
- 1 John 2:6
- Ephesians 4:13
True Evidence of Holiness
- Love
Study Scriptures
- John 13:34–35
- 1 Corinthians 13
- 1 John 4:7–12
IV. The Holy Spirit Sends
Pentecost Was Never Meant to Stay in the Upper Room
Jesus Said
“You will be My witnesses.”
Study Scriptures
- Acts 1:8
- Matthew 28:19–20
Nazarene Mission
- Evangelism
- Discipleship
- Compassionate ministry
- World missions
Holiness Always Moves Outward
Study Scriptures
- Mark 16:15
- James 2:14–17
- Luke 4:18–19
The Spirit Compels Us To
- Share the Gospel
- Love the hurting
- Care for the poor
- Reach the lost
Study Scriptures
- Romans 10:13–15
- Matthew 9:36–38
- Micah 6:8
In Acts
- Spirit moved → Church went
Examples
- Philip the Evangelist — Acts 8:4–8
- Peter — Acts 10
- Paul the Apostle — Acts 13:1–4
V. Do Not Quench the Spirit
Main Verse
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
We Quench the Spirit When We:
- Resist conviction
- Cling to sin
- Refuse surrender
- Hold bitterness
- Ignore God’s calling
Study Scriptures
- Ephesians 4:30–31
- Hebrews 3:15
- Psalm 139:23–24
Danger in the Church
- Spiritual complacency
- Comfortable Christianity
God Calls Us Deeper
- Deeper holiness
- Deeper surrender
- Deeper obedience
- Deeper love
Study Scriptures
- James 4:8
- Philippians 3:12–14
- Hebrews 6:1
VI. The Promise Is Still for Today
Joel’s Prophecy
“I will pour out My Spirit on all people.”
Scriptures
- Joel 2:28–29
- Acts 2:16–18
God Still
- Saves
- Sanctifies
- Cleanses
- Transforms
- Empowers
Study Scriptures
- Hebrews 13:8
- Romans 15:16
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Key Truths
- There is still power in the Gospel
- There is still victory through Christ
- There is still cleansing through the Holy Spirit
- There is still room at the altar
Study Scriptures
- Romans 1:16
- 1 John 1:7–9
- Revelation 3:20
Conclusion
Pentecost Celebrates
- Coming of the Holy Spirit
- Birth of the Church
- Promise of sanctification
- Empowering presence of God
Pentecost Is Not Just Remembered
- It is experienced
Study Scriptures
- Acts 2:38–39
- John 7:37–39
The Holy Spirit Still Calls
- Sinners to salvation
- Believers to holiness
- Church to mission
Closing Questions
- Are you fully surrendered to God?
- Is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart?
- Will you allow Him to cleanse you?
- Will you allow Him to fill you afresh?
- Will you let God use your life?
Final Challenge
Ordinary people filled with the Holy Spirit can do extraordinary things for God.
The same Spirit who filled the upper room is here today.
The message of Pentecost remains:
- Jesus Christ saves
- Jesus Christ sanctifies
- Jesus Christ empowers
- Jesus Christ is coming again
Amen.