A Day of Difference

But, of course, with this big weekend, it's the weekend of Pentecost. Of course, we'll meet together for services. And oftentimes, people out there in the religious world will finally look at us and say, Oh, I see you finally got your act together in your meeting on Sunday. Like, no, that's not why we're doing this. We're keeping God's festivals. This is the holy days of God. And we get together, yes, it is on a Sunday, but it's a very special day. In fact, one that we have to count in order to get to. And we count from the days of Unleavened Bread to that special day of Pentecost. And sometimes it's even called the Feast of Weeks, because there's seven weeks from Unleavened Bread to the day of Pentecost. And, of course, we count 50 days from that time of Unleavened Bread, where they gave that wave offering. And then on that 50th day, that's the time. That's ultimately keeping the Feast of Weeks, ultimately the day of Pentecost. And you know where the first Pentecost is recorded in the Bible?

Well, God gave it to ancient Israel. Sometimes they dispute whether or not this occurred on the day of Pentecost, but all the evidence seems to point that way. And we can read about that back in Exodus. When Israel came out of Egypt, God gave them a special day. And it was a different kind of a day altogether. In fact, we can read about it. You want to turn over to Exodus chapter 19. Let's notice in Exodus chapter 19, about this very first recorded day of Pentecost.

Well, what's happening here in Exodus chapter 19? In fact, it's here and then in the next couple of chapters. But in Exodus chapter 19, at the very beginning of the chapter, we have a little bit of background information. Notice what it tells us here in Exodus chapter 19, at the very beginning of that chapter.

It says, In the third month, after the children had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day they came to the wilderness of Sinai. For they departed from Rephidim and had come to the wilderness of Sinai and camped there in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. What mountain is it? Sinai. Well, we know what happened at Mount Sinai. That's where God gave Israel the law. He gave the law to Moses. And what day did that take place?

Well, all indication points to the day of Pentecost. That this happened at Pentecost. And so, so powerful things were going on. This is a different kind of a day. A day that was totally different from others that had gone before. In fact, as we begin chapter 19, this day isn't even given a name. It's not given a name at all. And as God speaks His law, we see something powerful begin to happen. Look at verse 3. Exodus 19, verse 3. It says, In the name of Israel, you've seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle's wings, and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me, above all people, for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. For these are the words you shall speak to the children of Israel. So what happened? Verse 7, Moses came, called the elders of the people, laid before all the words which the Lord had commanded them.

And look what the people said. The people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do.

And so here we have the beginning of God giving His commandments to Moses and to the people. And what did it do? What difference did it make? Did it make any difference to the people of Israel?

Absolutely it did.

What was happening here?

Well, Israel becomes God's special people. In fact, if you look back at verse 5, if you were to read this in the King James, the Old King James, I read it here in the New King James, but in Old King James it says, You shall be a peculiar people to me.

Not like we're supposed to be a bunch of weirdos or strangers or oddity. Now, we're not supposed to be that, but this special treasure to God, a different kind of a people. So really, what's happening here?

Israel becomes God's nation, His people. And what made the difference?

Well, it was this day. It was this day of Pentecost, this day that we're looking forward to, well, tonight and tomorrow. The day of Pentecost made the difference for ancient Israel, because on that day, God makes them His special people, His special nation. And in fact, we see a type of what we are, not just a physical nation. For them, it was a physical nation. They were coming out of Egypt, going to the Promised Land to be God's special nation, His people, a physical people. But what about us? What are we supposed to be?

Well, we're to be God's spiritual people, not just a physical people, but we're supposed to be the anti-type to this, God's spiritual people. So it began at the Exodus and that very first Pentecost, that they were called out to be God's special treasure. And that was a huge difference from everybody else in all the world. God focused on Israel. And of course, we are to be spiritual Israel. And so we reflect on that on Pentecost. And as we think about that, in fact, if we turn over just a couple of pages, we'll see another interesting difference that began here, right? As Israel was coming out of Egypt. Look at Exodus 23, verse 14. Now, here's a familiar passage, but let's notice something interesting about this section of Scripture. Because as Israel began, and God gave his law, of course, the Ten Commandments were given just a chapter after verse, or chapter 19 comes chapter 20, with the Ten Commandments. God gives his law. Israel becomes this special people. Then we see another important difference. Exodus 23, 14. God says, three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year.

Three seasons in this year we keep. First, verse 15, you shall keep the feast of unleavened bread. Well, that's something we've already done. We kept the Passover the days of unleavened bread. But then he goes on, in verse 16, he says, and the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field.

Now, that's now, almost sounds like the Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of Harvest, but this is the first harvest, the initial harvest, the harvest of first fruits, the Feast of— that's what's cool about Pentecost. Ever notice how many different names Pentecost has?

Was called the Feast of Weeks, as we've known. Also called Pentecost in the New Testament, which ties in with that number 50, it means 50th. Also called the Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Harvests.

And then, of course, we have Tabernacles mentioned here at the end of verse 16, the Feast of In-Gathering at the end of the year, when you gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

And so we have this idea of harvest going on. The initial harvest in the spring, and then the fall harvest, the big harvest. And verse 17, then he says, Three times in the year all your mayo shall appear before the Lord your God. And so oftentimes, even during the Holy Days, we'll mention these particular verses, because they also tie into giving and offering. And when does it happen? Well, in those three times in the year. Now, what's interesting about this is that word, times.

Three times you shall keep it in the year.

Well, does that just mean at these specific events? Or is there something a little bit more to this particular word that ties in with this idea, there's a difference to this day?

Well, you guessed it. There is a difference to this day. And this word, times, if you were to look this up in the Hebrew, it can mean to walk, to walk together, to walk in a procession, to get your feet moving in order as an organized group.

And of course, as we think about this, it can mean literally to strike up a beat. Because if we were supposed to walk together, how does that happen?

Well, if we just start walking, we'd probably just do it any old way, haphazardly, we'll walk one, and walk this way, we want to walk. How do you walk together?

Anybody ever play in a marching band?

Okay, raise your hand up high. I have to raise my hand, I did. Not one of my favorite memories that I have, walking in the band, because sometimes it's like, wow, look at that, everybody's walking out of step, and I'm the only one that's got it right. Okay, I got to jump and change feet, get my feet going. Well, if you're going to walk together, you can march. And whether you're in the military, whether you're in the marching band, this word for times ties in with that idea, that we walk together, and we're walking orderly and regularly, and we're keeping our steps in order. Isn't that kind of interesting? When it comes to God's holy days, these times, we come together, and we march, we walk together in order, as a pilgrimage, as a special procession. And so, what are we doing? We're proceeding together. So, God's saying here at Pentecost, at this time of the year, get your feet moving together. Let's go! We're heading in God's direction. And of course, literally, they were doing that back at the Exodus, weren't they? They were getting their feet marching together, and we're heading to the Promised Land.

Well, it's really no different for us, is it? But we're not heading to a physical country. We're heading to the kingdom of God, and we're going to move our feet together. And what keeps us going in order? Well, it's these beautiful reminders of God's feast throughout the year. And certainly, Passover and the Unleavened Bread reminds us, we've got to be together, and that's our goal. That's the direction we're heading. Now, or 50 days later, Pentecost is reminding us of the same thing. We're together in unity, walking toward the ultimate Promised Land, toward the kingdom of God. And so, these times in the year are great reminders. Let's get the beat. Let's get God's beat. Let's march to God's drum beat, and head His direction. No matter what life has brought us in the last 50 days, let's get our focus back. Let's make sure we're heading that same direction. Let's be sure that we're listening to God's drum beat, because Pentecost is that reminder to pick up the beat of God, we might say. And we're going to follow a different drummer than the world. They're following their own drum beat. And boy, we've got to focus in on where God's leading us. And that makes us different from the rest of the world. Just like God began when He began with Israel. He said, you're my special people. You're the ones that are special to me. This is the way. Walk this way.

Well, He tells us the same thing. And Pentecost is such a great reminder of that. Yeah, we're walking a little bit differently than the rest of the world.

But who's got the right beat?

Well, we do, because God's given it to us. And so, during this time, we're reminded of that. We're reminded that's the beat that we're walking to. That ultimately, we are God's people, His spiritual people, that have called to walk a different way of life. And what makes the difference?

Pentecost. The fact that God's called us out of this world and given us this opportunity by the power of His Holy Spirit. And so, Pentecost makes all the difference in that sense.

In fact, we mentioned that Pentecost has a number of different names.

There's another name that is referred to in the Old Testament for Pentecost. And that's the fact that sometimes Pentecost is referred to as the Feast of Wave Loaves. You ever heard that one before? The Feast of Wave Loaves? That sounds kind of funny. What's it got to do with making loaves of bread? Let's see, is that unleavened bread? We're supposed to come out of sin and get rid of leavened? Well, Pentecost is different because on the day of Pentecost, they would bring a special offering before God back in the very Old Testament times. They would bring two loaves of bread. Two loaves, not just one loaf, but they would bring two loaves of bread that would be baked from this new harvest. And so they would bring this loaves of bread and Pentecost, because Pentecost came toward the end of the wheat harvest back in Palestine. And so they would take these fresh loaves of bread and bake it, or the grain, bake it into two loaves. Now, why would they do that? What would be the significance of Pentecost and the Feast of Wave Loaves? Well, there are many different aspects that connect to those two loaves. I mean, of course, when God was working with His people, He had a special nation. He had Israel that He was working with.

But as Christ came on the scene, it was never intended just to be Israel. God was always going to call the Gentiles. That was part of His purpose, part of His plan all along. And ultimately, the Church would begin. And it was to be made up of not only Israel, but also the Gentiles, those who were not Israelites. And so these two loaves at Pentecost had that representation, that there are more than one people that God was going to work with, not just Israel, but that He would also work with the Gentiles, that He would call others as well. And so interesting that these two loaves carry that representation. Some also think that it has a connection to the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, that these two loaves point to the different agreements that God would make with His people. Of course, we're under the terms of the New Covenant. And so we have these wonderful spiritual promises that God has given to us, which seems to encapsulate Pentecost as well.

Also interesting that these loaves, different than unleavened bread, were actually baked with leavening.

They're baked with leavening. And as we think about that, symbolic of these loaves, yeah, we remember leaven can represent sin. It doesn't always represent sin, but sometimes it does. So why would these loaves then be baked with leavening?

Well, it seems to point to the fact that we, as God's people, we're still dealing with sin. We're still striving to overcome. You know, is God's church made up of perfect people?

No, we're not. That's why I can be here. Because we're not perfect. We are still overcoming. We're still striving to rid ourselves of sin. We're striving to put on Jesus Christ's character. We are sinful people. We're overcomers. And so we're not perfect yet. And so these weighted loaves kind of illustrate that fact. We're still striving to overcome. And we're different because of the power of God's Spirit. We can overcome. And so this feast of weighted loaves points to an important difference. We're offset from the rest of the world because we are striving to overcome. We're not satisfied with where we're at. We're striving to be more Christ-like. And by the power of God's Spirit, we can change. And we can grow. And so Pentecost points to that critical difference. That we're marching a different direction, striving to overcome that sin in our lives.

Of course, as we fast forward from Exodus, where is it in the New Testament that points to that day of difference? That day that certainly was offset as not only the law was given, but now a very special people were called.

Well, that's in the book of Acts, where God's church begins. Acts chapter 2. You know this section of Scripture, but let's take a quick look at it. I'm sure we'll be talking a lot about it tomorrow as well.

But in Acts chapter 2, we find this day, the day of Pentecost, this day that was so very different, not only in the past, but here in Acts chapter 2. Notice what amazing events take place. We know this. We're familiar with this. Let's just take note of it again. Acts chapter 2, verse 1, talks about the day of Pentecost fully coming.

And what was happening? Well, it says everyone was together in one place.

Okay, they kind of took that initiative to get their feet all marching in the same direction, and we're together. It says, in one accord. And then we know what takes place. It says, when they were there, there came a sound from heaven.

It says it was like a rushing, mighty wind.

Now, was it wind?

No, it wasn't wind, but it sure sounded like it. Sounded like it was. In fact, if you read this in other translations, some translations say it was like this mighty, violent blowing. So it sounds like a hurricane, or like a tornado, or something like that. It sounded like that. And it said it was so loud.

Have you ever heard descriptions of people that have gone through hurricanes or tornadoes? Anyone ever been through a hurricane? Been through a tornado? Oh, wow. You've ever been in those situations? Everyone seems to describe it. It was like a train, a locomotive was coming right through my living room. Because it's just so overpowering with just the decibels of that sound. Well, this was something like that. It says this sound, this is probably an understatement, filled the whole house. Must have seemed like the whole building was going to collapse.

Then, that was at the end of it. It says there was something that appeared to them, divided tongues, as of fire.

Now, was it fire?

No, it wasn't fire, but it says it was like fire. So it seems like it is, but it's not. Well, we know it wasn't, because it says it sat on each of them. And if you ever have fire sit on you, you'd probably be like Mr. Van Oostel and burn your hand. That was sitting on his hand. I don't know any fire sitting on my hands. But we see this looks like this, and it was there among them. Looks like fire, but it's not. How strange would that have been? Interesting that that's the way it looked. And then, verse 4, it says, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Not gibberish, that's not what this is. This is various languages. They're speaking in different languages. So imagine this scene. We've got the disciples coming together. Probably individuals who were isolated in many ways. They were living their lives separately, and then suddenly brought together, ultimately, by Jesus Christ, by God drawing them together, receiving the Spirit of God, which makes them the body of Christ. And so we have this interesting parallel all the way back to Exodus 19, don't we? Where God calls out Israel, makes them a special nation. Now we have God calling out these people, making them what?

Not a nation, this time, but making them His church, making them His body. And this is that ultimate fulfillment, where Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come, and that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Matthew chapter 3 talks about that very fact. So here we have what you could call the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which, of course, is interesting. It's not about the fire, and it's not about the wind, but it's about this critical difference of the Spirit of God. And here we find this birth of the church. And, of course, if we've been baptized and had hands laid on us, we're in the same situation. We've been given God's Spirit. And so it's not just about the law, it's about being one, being one by the power of God's Spirit. And so this day of Pentecost, the church began, the body of Christ. And so we see this connection in making us a body, making those that were present there the body of Christ. And so this beautiful type that took place in ancient Israel now is demonstrated to be a spiritual thing. And perhaps that reminds you of the section of Scripture that talks about being the body.

How did they become the body of Christ?

Oh, it's by the power of God's Spirit. Without the Spirit, they wouldn't be the body. Just like without God drawing Israel together, they wouldn't have been His nation. Well, now we can be God's peculiar, special, spiritual nation by the power of God's Spirit. That's certainly a reminder of what the Apostle Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 12. Take a look over at 1 Corinthians chapter 12 for just a moment. Notice how God's Spirit is what makes all the difference, making Pentecost, especially this day of difference. 1 Corinthians chapter 12. That will begin in verse 12. 12, 12. 1 Corinthians 12, 12 shows how being very different people by the power of God's Spirit, we can be brought together. And notice this huge difference that it makes. 1 Corinthians 12, 12.

Sometimes 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is known as the spiritual gifts chapter because so much has talked about the gifts that God pours out upon us. Notice this very special gift God gives us as his people. It says, As the body is one and as many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact, the body is not one member, but many, many. And that's us. We are many people from many different backgrounds, but God has brought us together as one.

And what is it that makes the ultimate difference?

What makes that even possible?

It's by the power of God's Spirit. And so here is an interesting passage because this is really, I think, the only reference in Scripture that points to the Spirit and baptism and the body of Christ, all in one nice little package. We don't have to go to all kinds of different sections of the Bible to draw this out. We find it all right here in chapter 12, with the Spirit at baptism and becoming the body of Christ. And of course, that's what brings us together. And when we go through baptism and we have hands laid on us and received the Spirit, now we are a part of the body. We are the body of Christ together. And so now we're in a whole different category. And of course, it's interesting as we think about this idea of wind and fire and then this baptism by God's Spirit. Well, what does that have to do with this beginning of the body? I mean, the sound of a rushing mighty wind and then this thing that appears like fire, tongues of fire dancing on people and these different individuals. And then these different languages.

What difference is that making?

I think one of the things that's interesting about considering those three things, the languages, you think about the sound of this wind and then this fire, I think they are connected to what we're reading about here in 1 Corinthians 12 and the body. How do we function as God's people? What is it that brings us together and enables us to do those spiritual things that we need to be doing as the body of Christ, as God's church? Now, how does that happen?

Well, I think in a way, here in what we read about in 1 Corinthians 12, reflects back to that Acts 2. Because you think about the wind for a moment.

This wind came like this mighty, rushing, powerful wind that filled the house.

Well, some of you have been through hurricanes. Some of you have had tornadoes go by. Those are powerful things.

Can you see the wind? I can't really see. Now, I've seen those pictures on the Weather Channel, those tornadoes that they've had out in Oklahoma. You see those, right? Well, why can you see those? I hadn't really thought about it before, but I was watching this one documentary about tornadoes. When they first formed, you could see the cloud. And then, of course, as they touched down, they pick up all this debris and they're throwing it all. And you see all the debris and the dust and the pieces of wood and the cars that they're throwing. You can see all that, but you can't see the wind. You can't see the wind itself.

And what we begin to see, then, and understand is this wind has this beautiful connection to power, to this unseen, invisible power. And that's what the wind is like.

It's a powerful thing. A mighty, and especially some of these, indensible force. Are we supposed to be filled with the power of God?

See, I think Pentecost is a great reminder of that. Is power an attribute of God's church?

It should be. It should be. But is it something you can see and put your finger on? No. You can't really do that. But this power, like the wind, is to be a characteristic of all of us as God's church. Because what is it that brings us together?

I mean, is it because we're so alike that we're all of the same race? That we're all of the same background? That we've all had the same experience? No. We didn't. We may even choose to be together? We're just up to... Probably not. But we may have never met. But by the power of God's Spirit, we're bound together. And we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one.

And it doesn't make any sense to people that look at us from the outside. It's like, you know, what are these people? They're so very different, but how can they be together?

And by this invincible power of God's Spirit, like the wind, we are brought together. And of course, we're brought together ultimately because we understand the significance of the life, of the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That He is our Savior. And we are bound together as men and women. And how do we operate? How do we function together?

What's by His Spirit?

And with His Spirit, we can do amazing things. Unheard of things. Unlikely things. And we can operate by that invisible power that, you know, just looking at us doesn't seem like we should, but that's the source.

And when we're operating in that way, can we be stopped?

I mean, we know it's not us. It's not me. It's not you doing these things. It's God in us. And by the power of His Spirit, we are an unstoppable force. And we can grow. And we can change. And we can be different people than we were before. Because it's by the grace of God that He has called us and put us on this beautiful spiritual path. And God is such a great reminder that, like the wind, we can, when we submit our lives to God, be a force for good in this world. And so when we think of that, what an important symbol that He gives us. Of course, it doesn't stop there, either.

In Acts chapter 2, we also talked about the fire.

And the fire, I think, also has interesting significance.

Oftentimes, when you look in the Old Testament, especially, fire was oftentimes used in at least two different ways. One, we heard about in the sermonette where you heat things up, and you can get rid of the bad stuff. If you're going to be working with metals, whether it be gold or silver, when you heat it up really hot, it melts, and all the dross, all the bad stuff can be taken off and leave only the best. So, what is that fire, what is that heat used for?

For purifying us. Because you can get rid of the bad, you can get rid of the garbage, you can get rid of the waste. So oftentimes, in Scripture, we'll see that reference. The fire can get rid of the things that shouldn't be there, the things that are bringing down the value of what really is most important. And so, that's really important. But there's also a second aspect to it as well. When you think of fire, if you look over to Psalm 39, not only can the heat and the fire be used to purify, but Psalm 39, verse 4, points to a second aspect to the idea of fire. And I think it ties in with this idea that we see in Acts chapter 2. In Psalm 39, notice verse 4. Psalm 39, verse 4, says something interesting.

It says, But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

So, I'm...

Well, I guess we could say if we did a modern translation. Well, when I'm just sitting around doing nothing, nothing good's happening. Just kind of wasting my time. It says, I was just an anguished, not accomplishing anything. Verse 3, then. My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.

Then I spoke with my tongue.

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days. Let me know how fleeting is my life. You've made my days a mere hand breath. The span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Now, Psalm 39, I think, focuses on a couple of different things going on here. Well, I'm just sitting around doing nothing. I'm kind of down. I'm discouraged and depressed.

Put your light of fire under me.

Yeah!

Yeah, okay, let's get going. I've got to get things moving. When I see God's purpose in his plan and what God has in store, he says, when I meditated about God's way, now his way is put into action in my life.

And so, not only does fire purify, but I think here we see it as a symbol for enthusiasm, for passion, for God's way, a purpose that we're driven. That it's not just good enough to kind of know the truth, but I've got to live the truth and I've got to speak the truth. And so, I think what we see here is we, as God's people, as his church, we're to be characterized by this passion for God's way. Really a purifying passion. We have a passion not just to sit back and say, oh, good enough, I'm a part of the church, I guess that's fine. No, it's not good enough, because if better is possible, is good, good enough.

I mean, think about that.

We're to be as Christ. Christ is living in us and we're told, we've been given a commission, in a sense, to be Christ-like, to let this mind be in you. Philippians 2 says we're to have the mind of Christ.

I'm not there yet, but isn't this good enough, God? I've come such a long way. No, if better is possible, good isn't good enough. And so Pentecost is such a reminder of that difference between where I'm at and where God really wants me to be. And so this purifying passion that I'm to have is that I'm putting on Christ. And it's interesting here that I've got to have that hunger and that thirst for God's way, and this relentless drive to be more godly in my life. And that fire of Pentecost is such a great reminder, and maybe symbolizing that very aspect of the word God is striving to lead all of us, and as his people to do that very thing. And of course, this Psalm 39 also kind of hints at this idea of talking about it. Because not only did God light a fire within us, here we see it brings out the action of talking about it.

That I speak, I spoke with my tongue, is what verse 3 says, and there's also this connection to counting as well, helping to number my days. And of course, we remember that third symbol that was given in Acts chapter 2 is about tongues, about languages, about... it wasn't just, you know, some kind of Pentecostal kind of a thing that we might imagine with the Pentecostal churches that are out there today that just talk gibberish. Now, it's not about that. This isn't unheard of alien tongues. That's not what this is about. Or some God language that people make up. No, this is talking about real languages. They were understood when they spoke. So like talking Spanish or German or Italian. These were real languages. Like that word there in Acts chapter 2 is a word that would be translated dialects, different dialects of different languages. And so we see that they were talking about these things. How does that relate to us? Well, should we be speaking with boldness? Should we, as God's people, be sincere and speak with earnestness and clarity as we live God's way? Absolutely we should. Can we talk about the great things? Well, we're given an opportunity. We know, 1 Peter tells us, we should be ready to give an answer of the hope that lies within. When someone asks us about, well, I see you leave it every Saturday to go to church, but now why are you leaving on Sunday? Well, are we ready to give an answer? Are we ready to speak with enthusiasm? Are we ready to give an answer of the hope that lies within? Well, hopefully we are. We're moving in that direction. Those people that were there in Acts chapter 2, they were ready to talk about these great things that God did in their life. We can do that. We can do that. Acts talks about the fact that they were filled with the Spirit. And we need to get ourselves out of the way so that we can be filled with the Spirit. In fact, it's an interesting study if you'd like to do that. So just look through the book of Acts. How many times it says, they were filled with the Spirit and they spoke. Many times it references that throughout the book of Acts. They were filled with the Spirit and they spoke. Because if we're filled, we can't help but talk about it. We can't help but talk. So when we're given that opportunity, we don't want to shy away. You know, what are you doing on Saturday? Well, I'm going to a meeting. Okay, you could say that. Or you could say when someone asks you, I'm obeying God's commands and I'm keeping the Sabbath day.

Well, guess what that's going to do if you say that? Well, the people say, oh, okay, whatever. Well, they might. Or they might say, well, why are you doing that? And it might lead to other opportunities to talk about this hope that lies within. In fact, we'll talk about it a little bit more tomorrow about our mission. You know, this mission that God has given the church, that's not just a cinematic thing. That's a job He's given to all of us. And Pentecost is such a great reminder of that. That we all can speak the truth in love. We've all been given this opportunity to express our faith. Because you might be the difference in someone's life. And so, as God's people, as His church, Pentecost is such a great reminder of the passion and the enthusiasm that we're to have as we live this life that makes us different. And as we talk about God's plan and His purpose, because Pentecost makes that—it is a unique holy day of God, a holy feast. It is a feast day of God. And one of the things that we read here in Psalm 39 is this idea of fire that should be lit under us, also then helps us to see where we are in life.

And Pentecost, as we read earlier, was one of those days that you have to count to in order to keep on the right day. We count 50 days. It's the 50th after the wave sheep offering. And so we have to count it. Here in Psalm 39, we're going to count our life. Count the days of our life. Where are we in our life? We imagine our life as a measuring stick, a yardstick.

A yardstick is three feet, right? Well, if we're at a foot and a half, you think about the average lifespan, average lifespan in America is less than 80 years. So if you're 40, you're in the middle of that yardstick, aren't you? Well, count your days. That's what Psalm 39 says. Count your days. Pentecost is a good reminder of that. As we count those days from unleavened bread to Pentecost, it reminds us, where am I in life? Well, guess what? I'm not at the middle anymore. I've got a lot more days behind me than I have ahead of me. Should that be a reminder to me?

I better get my act together. I have not as many days left. Who knows what other things might come up? Pentecost is a day that God has us count because it helps us to number our days, as Psalm 39 says. I think it also reminds us, in this connection to the Holy Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit is something that we just received, we're done, it's over, and I'm there, I made it?

Or is God's Spirit something that has to be, in a sense, counted and renewed? That we just don't take it for granted, but something that I continually have to be renewing. I wouldn't know when to keep Pentecost if we didn't have the count, or that little card I keep in my wallet that says, okay, that's the day that we keep it. Yeah, we got that one, too. But we count that, and what we recognize as well is that God's Spirit is something I have to continue to count on and rely on, and not just take it for granted. In fact, if you turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 4, look at 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 16.

This unique piece that we're going to keep tomorrow is one that we count in order to keep properly, and it points to this fact that in my life I have to count my days, not take it for granted, but put my life to good use for God's way, and also what it says here in 2 Corinthians 4 verse 16. Yes, I have received God's Spirit at baptism, and the last one is that I have received God's Spirit at baptism, and the laying on of hands, but it's something that has to continue to be refreshed and nourished.

2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 16, and I'm jumping in the middle of a thought here. It says, therefore we don't lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, even though that yardstick of my life is getting more used up all the time, and I'm getting closer to the end of that yardstick, what has to happen?

It says, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. Even the book of Romans in chapters 6, 7, and 8 talk a lot about this. Receiving God's Spirit is a fantastic beginning, but it has to be utilized. I have to submit to God's Spirit and continue to renew it day by day by day. Don't take it for granted. Pentecost is a great reminder of that. As we get closer to that day, here we are just the day before Pentecost now, we're to be refreshed every single day as ultimately that day draws near.

Ultimately, the kingdom draws near. We have to continue to be refreshed and re-endurished and inspire the power of God's Spirit. And so we count our life as we continue to recognize we're putting our old man, that old individual, farther behind. And so hopefully, as we look at that yardstick of our life and we see where we are, the overall scheme of things, we can look back and say, you know, I am so different today than I was.

And I still have a ways to go. I still have to be perfected. I'm still striving to do that. So each day, I have to remind myself, Steve, get out of the way and allow God's Spirit to work in you so you can be more Christlike. In fact, remember what Paul said? He said it so beautifully in Galatians 2. In fact, maybe we should read that.

Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. Paul spoke of this concept of numbering his days and constantly renewing the Spirit. He puts it a little bit differently, but what a powerful way to envision God's Spirit being renewed in us. Paul talks about it in Galatians chapter 2. Notice verse 20. Paul says, I've been crucified with Christ, and we have as well. If we've been baptized, we put away the old man, literally buried that old person.

We crucified them, in a sense. They're dead and buried and gone. Is that the end of the process?

No. Paul says, yes, I've been crucified with Christ, but it's no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Can you imagine getting to that point, seeing yourself no longer living at all? Here's Paul talking about his life, saying, I'm not alive anymore. Paul is dead. It's Christ who you see.

Wow. That is an amazing perspective to have. That's what I'm striving for. That's what God's called us each to do, to put away ourselves, so that we're not the ones living this life anymore, but Christ is living through. Which means, I've got to remind myself every single day, Steve, get out of the way and allow Christ to live in and through you. And so, it's Christ who is seen. And how do we do that? We do that by that constant renewal of God's Holy Spirit, drawing near to God. And so, he says, I live by faith in the Son of God, by the power of God's Spirit. That's what makes the difference. That's what makes it possible. And so, by the supply of that Spirit, and getting ourselves out of the way, it makes it possible by that power of God in us. And so, what an amazing calling that God has given us. And the Day of Pentecost is certainly a reminder of that fantastic difference from where we were to where God is calling us to be. And of course, there's coming a time when there won't be any difference anymore, because we won't be in the flesh anymore. We'll finally be a part of the Kingdom of God. We're looking forward to that time when we will be told, well done, you good and faithful servant, enter the Kingdom. What a blessing! There won't be a difference. We will be that Spirit. And we're looking forward to that day when ultimately we will be totally, completely, fully converted. Wow! Imagine that! That's the goal. And Pentecost is that reminder of that very thing, because God has called us to be His special people, to be His spiritual body. And He's told us, let's get our feet moving in that direction. Always stay on the path. Don't go off the path. Let's keep those feet moving to that drumbeat of God, heading toward the Kingdom. And get yourselves out of the way, because that can be such a distraction if we don't continually renew the Spirit. Because I've given you this powerful force that's in you, not just with you, but this wind of the Pentecost of Acts chapter 2. It's such a great reminder of that. You've been given invincible power. In fact, we've been given the power to be able to overcome sin. Wow! What an amazing thing! God's given us that power. And Pentecost is such a reminder of that very difference. And so, we've got to burn off the dross, the garbage, and have this burning desire within us to complete the work that God started. And so, let's continue to count. Let's continue to constantly renew that Spirit that God has given within us. And as we do that, that will make all the difference. And so, Pentecost is that day of difference. So, let's never take it for granted. And thank God, thank God for the calling that has made us so different.