Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4, NIV When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Hallelujah! Let us greet each other, saying, “Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Hallelujah! I would like to share the grace of God under the title, “Be Filled with the Holy Spirit,” based on Acts 2:1-4. Could you please repeat after me? “Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Today is the Day of Pentecost. On the Day of Pentecost about 2,000 years ago, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, and the Church was established. The Church came into being through the work of the Holy Spirit. When the work of the Holy Spirit stops, the Church will lose its power. The secret of church growth is the fullness of the Holy Spirit?from the beginning to the end. Because the Holy Spirit has been at work in Yoido Full Gospel Church, we have become the world’s largest church, giving glory to God. No other church has emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit as much. Fifty-one years ago, Pastor Cho started a tent church in Bulgwangdong. For the past 51 years, he has emphasized the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, Yoido Full Gospel Church has become the largest church in the world, awakening lethargic churches in Korea, bringing about great revival, and sending many missionaries to preach the Gospel. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is the answer to all kinds of problems. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is crucial in a Christian’s life. Therefore, we must always long to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We must pray, “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit, and make us Your precious servants, dedicating our lives for the glory of God.” When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can anticipate wonderful changes, blessings, and miracles. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples hid in fear after Jesus’ crucifixion. Even after meeting the resurrected Lord Jesus, they were still terrified, so they closed all the doors. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, however, they became bold and came out of the house in which they had been hiding. They preached that Jesus was the Christ. Thousands of people came to the Lord in one single day. We need this kind of work of the Holy Spirit today, too. Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the Holy Spirit! The Scripture tells us to wait for the gift the Father promised. First, I want to speak about the gift the Father promised. Acts 1:4 says, “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.’ ” The Lord told His disciples to wait for the gift the Father had promised. What was the gift? According to the following verse, we can see that it was the baptism in the Spirit. Acts 1:5 says, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Receiving the Holy Spirit is very important. That was why the Lord Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit at the Last Supper. John 14 through 16 records the last teaching of Jesus, in which He speaks about the Holy Spirit in detail. John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever?the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” The Lord said that He would give His disciples another Counselor. Jesus came to them as a Counselor. A Counselor is a person who helps someone by his side. The Counselor comforts, defends, advises, and encourages a person. The Counselor is a comforter and a problem solver. Jesus came to earth as a wonderful Counselor. However, Jesus said that He would be leaving soon. The disciples were troubled and worried at this news. Then Jesus told them that He would send another Counselor to them?just like Him. By another Counselor, He meant the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is another Counselor who is sent to be with Christians, helping us and leading our steps until we are called to the kingdom of heaven. When we are in utmost sorrow, the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” This promise of the Lord has been given to all Christians. Acts 2:39 says, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off?for all whom the Lord our God will call.” We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We must receive power by being filled with the Spirit, and we must become witnesses of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. When we are filled with the Spirit, we will be filled with joy and gratitude given by the Lord. When we are filled with the Spirit, as precious children of God, we can fight and gain victory over sin, bearing much fruit according to the grace of God. We can serve the church with joy and pleasure when we are filled with the Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can be the devoted children of God, shedding the fragrance of the Lord Jesus. We will witness wonderful things that we have not seen before when we are filled with the Spirit. Great things will be occurring in our lives. Therefore, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the gift promised by God. To receive God’s gift, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we must hold on to the Word and long for it until we are filled with the Spirit. Second, I want to speak about the faith that waits. Acts 1:4 says, “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.’ ” The Lord told His disciples to wait for the gift the Father had promised. The disciples obeyed and prayed fervently, waiting for the gift the Father had promised. We must wait for God’s specific time. Just as God poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, there is a time for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We must long for that day and pray fervently for it, saying, “Holy Spirit, come to me. I long for You.” When we cry out and pray constantly and persistently, God will pour His Spirit upon us like a great waterfall. As the deer pants for streams of water, we must pant for the grace of the Spirit, saying, “Holy Spirit, come to me. Dear Spirit, come!” Evan Roberts started the Wales Revival. He had prayed for revival in that area for more than ten years. He was a coal miner. Even though almost everybody was drunk and lived quite debauchedly, he kept his faith. He knelt down and prayed. He prayed, “Heavenly Father, give us revival in this land. Give us revival.” While he was praying in 1904, he saw a vision. He saw a meadow and in the vision, a flame of fire was sweeping over the meadow. He heard, “Revival will come. More than 100,000 people will repent and come to the Lord soon.” The Lord also showed him the flames of the Holy Spirit spreading out to all of Europe, China, and Africa. He was overwhelmed at this vision. He went to his pastor and said, “Pastor, I have a message for people. Give me a chance to speak to the congregation.” Persuaded by his eagerness, the pastor said, “After the evening service on Wednesday, speak to those who remain.” On Wednesday, the pastor announced, “If you have time, please remain in the sanctuary after the service.” Seventeen people were there after the service. Those seventeen people were truly blessed, because they were filled with the Holy Spirit when Evan Roberts preached. His message was simple. First, he spoke about repentance, saying, “You must confess to God all your sins that you can remember.” Second, he spoke about changing bad habits in life, saying, “You must stop all the bad habits of your life.” He preached, “You must obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” He spoke about immediate obedience to the Spirit. He said, “Go to people to bear witness to Christ.” He called them to be witnesses of the Gospel. When the congregation heard his message, fire from heaven fell on them. They received the Holy Spirit and knelt down in prayer and repentance. They prayed, “Lord, bring revival on this land.” As word about this meeting spread, more people gathered the following night. The wave of a great revival spread out to other churches in the area. Thirty days later, 37,000 people had repented of their sins, accepted Jesus as their Savior, and received the Holy Spirit. Five months later, 100,000 people were converted and believed in Jesus Christ. The vision was fulfilled. A great revival began in Wales. According to the records, a judge, inspired by the Spirit, stopped a trial and prayed. Then the defendant repented and accepted the Lord Jesus. There were no drunkards anymore. Since there were no crimes, the judges had no trials and wondered what to do. During such a short period, more than two million people came to the Lord in England. The Holy Spirit movement in Wales spread out to all of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It provided the foundation of the 1906 Azusa revival in the United States and the 1907 great revival in Korea. Admire the grace of the Holy Spirit. Seek the Holy Spirit. Pray to the Lord, “Lord, fill me with the grace of the Spirit. I acknowledge You and welcome You. Come into my heart.” Proverbs 8:17 says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” When you fervently seek the Holy Spirit with all your heart, the Spirit will come to you, even if you are only a baby Christian. When the Holy Spirit is upon you, you will receive fundamental changes in your life. We must wait patiently for the Holy Spirit until our Lord pours the Spirit upon us. Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” He heard my cry! Waiting is a part of our Christian life. It shows our maturity as Christians. Waiting strengthens our personalities. Koreans are well known for being impatient. We often ask for prompt service at a restaurant even before we order. We are so impatient that we make many mistakes, causing car accidents, losing our tempers over trivial things, and yelling at and hurting others. When we arm ourselves with gentleness and humility by being filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to wait for God’s timing, praying, “Lord, help me to understand the grace of waiting. Help me to be broken in humility. Help me to repent of my sins and to wait for Your grace until I am clothed in the Holy Spirit, until I am filled with the Holy Spirit.” When we ardently pray and cry out to the Lord, the Holy Spirit comes upon us like wind, fire, and water. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. They were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Third, I want to talk about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5 says, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” In a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit! This promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in Acts 2. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is expressed, “being filled with the Holy Spirit,” in Acts 2:4. Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” What is the baptism in water? It means immersion. After we are saved by believing in Jesus, we should be baptized in water. The moment we go under the water, our old self dies. The moment we come out of the water, we begin to live a new life as a changed person like the resurrected Lord. Baptism has this spiritual and symbolic meaning. We put our old self to death by immersion. What is the baptism in the Spirit? It means that a saved person is totally immersed in the Holy Spirit, being seized by the power of the Spirit. When we receive the Holy Spirit, fundamental changes will occur in our lives. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, our efforts are limited in our Christian life even if we try very hard. It is very hard to believe and serve the Lord Jesus if we try to do so with our own efforts. That is why the lyrics of this hymn say, “Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me.” Before receiving the Holy Spirit, no matter how hard we may try, our efforts are limited. Since we want to follow Jesus in our own power, it is really hard and toilsome. That is why the hymn includes these words. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is hard to serve the Lord. On the other hand, when we are filled with the Spirit, we will have overflowing joy, gratitude, and grace. Our lives will change fundamentally when we receive the Holy Spirit. A new world will be spread before us. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, we used to be sad and troubled. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, however, we are so grateful and joyous that we will always think about our Lord Jesus in whatever we do, trying to serve Him as much as we can. I first came to Full Gospel Church in April 1964. At this church, I heard something that I had never heard before?a message urging people to receive the Holy Spirit. Pastor Cho called people to receive the Holy Spirit at every worship service: on Sundays, Wednesdays, Friday nights, and even in Sunday school. I grew up in a Christian family?a Christian family for many generations?but I had never heard about the Holy Spirit. When I came to Full Gospel Church, people talked about the Holy Spirit all the time. I thought I could not survive here unless I received the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I asked the Lord to give me the Spirit. I was told that I needed to speak in tongues. Even though I did not know what that meant, I asked the Lord to give me the ability to speak in tongues. I prayed for the fullness of the Holy Spirit for two years. In February 1966, Pastor Cho led a revival services for five days. On Thursday, the fourth day of the revival, my tongue began to bend strangely, and I began to speak in tongues. I received the Holy Spirit! Hallelujah! Let us give glory to God. I was so happy and grateful that I covered my mouth with my hands while I was praying, lest I should lose it. One great change followed this experience. I used to believe in Jesus with my head before. After receiving the Holy Spirit, I realized that Jesus was alive in my heart. I was so grateful that I could not help thinking about the Lord Jesus all the time. I had never cried before because of Jesus, but now I kept on crying whenever I prayed. I could see Him praying at Gethsemane. I could see Him on the Cross. Therefore, I cried and cried whenever I prayed. I do not think I am as pure as I was in those days. It takes me awhile to cry before the Lord these days. Back then, however, I automatically cried when I started to pray. I cried while praying, and an hour passed by so swiftly, as if it were only five minutes. I was overwhelmed by the grace of the Lord. I was occupied with Jesus wherever I was, in whatever I was doing. I realized one thing then. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with Jesus. When we receive the Spirit, we will focus on nothing but Jesus. When we fail to receive the Spirit, we cannot testify for the Lord Jesus. When we fail to receive the Spirit, we cannot control ourselves. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be totally occupied by the Lord Jesus. “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit. Pour Your Spirit upon us as You poured the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. How did the Holy Spirit come? The Spirit came upon them like the blowing of a violent wind. Acts 2:2 says, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” We need the Holy Spirit like the blowing of a violent wind. Even though we cannot see wind, the wind has great power when it blows. The Holy Spirit, too, has great power, doing great works, even though we cannot see the Spirit. We need the wind of the Holy Spirit. When the wind of the Spirit blows, it will resolve all problems. The words wind and spirit come from the same Greek word, pneuma. Pneuma means “wind, breath, or respiration”. The wind, breath, or respiration of God is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when we receive the Holy Spirit, the wind of God will blow. Genesis 2:7 says, “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” The breath of life in this verse is pneuma, the wind. God breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of the man that God had formed from the dust of the ground and the man became a living being. We can become living beings, only when the Spirit comes upon us. “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit this morning. Let the wind of the Spirit blow in our hearts. Let the wind of the Spirit blow.” When the wind of the Spirit blows, it will drive away all worry, problems, and trouble in life, filling us with grace, joy, and gratitude in the Lord. The wind of the Holy Spirit needs to blow away the polluted air, for it has been contaminated by sin. We need the wind of the Holy Spirit. We need the holy wind of the Spirit. We need the fresh wind on this land, because it has been contaminated by sin and unrighteousness. This country can be healed?only when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows. Our homes will be restored?only when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows. Churches will be revived?only when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows. The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples like wind and fire. Acts 2:3 says, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” The Holy Spirit descends upon us like fire. Fire scatters darkness and provides light for us. The world is darkened by sin. We need to raise torches of the fire of the Holy Spirit. Fire also burns down things. We need to burn away all the sin in our hearts with the fire of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit who burns away our sin. Isaiah 4:4 says, “The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.” We must pray, “Lord, let the fire of the Spirit come and burn away all the sin in my heart.” According to Acts 2, the fire of the Spirit seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. When tongues of fire are separated to rest on us, the fire of the Spirit will occupy our tongues, and we will preach the Gospel to other people. John Wesley confessed that he was used as a witness of the Gospel to the ends of the earth due to the burning flames of the Spirit throughout his life after he had received the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Spirit seized him and caused him to work for the Lord. That is why the flag of Methodist churches carries the cross and fire around it. Indeed, we need to receive the Holy Spirit. “Lord, let the wind of the Holy Spirit blow. Help us to receive the fire of the Spirit now.” Fire rested on the disciples, and they spoke in tongues. Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” We need to speak in tongues and be filled with the Spirit. Speaking in tongues is our spiritual prayer. Even though we cannot understand the tongues, God will hear our prayers in tongues and answer them. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” If you do not speak in tongues yet, I pray that you will receive the Spirit and speak in tongues now. I pray that all of you will receive the Spirit and speak in tongues Last week, I went to Jooan Presbyterian Church and led revival services. Pastor Na, the senior pastor of the church, said, “Even though my church is a Presbyterian church, it is truly Full Gospel. My wife used to be a Sunday school teacher at Yoido Full Gospel Church. She still prays for Pastor Cho first, and then prays for me next. One day I was not very happy about that, and I told her to go to the Full Gospel Church. Then she said, ‘Since I pray for Pastor Cho first and then for you, you have become what you are now.’ I stopped complaining after that.” Pastor Na also said, “Even though my church is a Presbyterian church, more than 50 percent of our members pray in tongues.” Hallelujah! There is something strange occurring these days. Presbyterian churches with Full Gospel style are growing fast. We should be alert, so that we may not fall behind. Some churches, on the other hand, are Full Gospel churches, but they have a Presbyterian style. We may call them a Presbyterian-style Full Gospel church. They will be in trouble since the church may stop growing. We need to be filled with the Spirit all the time. When we are filled with the Spirit, we will see the wonderful works of God. We need to pray, “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit, and let us speak in tongues.” Then the glory of God will be revealed. Fourth, I want to talk about revealing the glory of God. Acts 2:11 says, “Both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs?we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Many God-fearing Jews from every nation were staying in Jerusalem for the feast. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. The Scripture says that they heard them declaring the wonders of God. What were the wonders of God? Dr. Bavinck, a Dutch theologian, said that the wonders of God signified the wonderful work of salvation through Jesus Christ. That is true. What are the wonders of God? This is the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. When we are filled with the Spirit, we cannot help preaching the Lord Jesus. When the Spirit enters into our hearts, we are bound to preach the Good News to all people gratefully and joyously. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be clothed in the power of the Lord and will be witnesses of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit. Bless us and make us Your servants, revealing Your glory all over the world.” When we receive the Holy Spirit, we will have a burning desire to preach the Gospel and become witnesses of the Gospel. We need to be filled with the Spirit?not just at one moment?but also throughout our lives until we go to heaven. When we fail to receive the Holy Spirit, we do not have the power to overcome problems in the world. We will be easily frustrated and dismayed. This is why we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to be filled with the Spirit to fight against sin and gain victory. We need to be filled with the Spirit to fight against our own selfishness and pride. We need to be filled with the Spirit to serve the Lord with joy. We need to be filled with the Spirit so that we may have God’s grace upon our homes. Then we will have happy and blessed homes. We need to be filled with the Spirit so that our cell groups will grow. We need to be filled with the Spirit so that our workplaces, our schools, and our businesses will change. When we march forward as spiritual people, being filled with the Spirit, we will witness the unprecedented work of great revival, miracles, and blessings from God. “Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the Spirit. Make us spiritual people. Help us receive the Spirit and speak in tongues, experiencing Your wonders and miracles.” I pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit! A Japanese theologian, Uchimura Ganzo, spoke about the Holy Spirit. He said, “A Christian who has not received the Holy Spirit is most miserable. He owns neither worldly things nor heavenly things. Even when the world despises him, he does not have the power to overcome it. Even if he tries to be clean, he cannot be clean. He needs the Holy Spirit, for otherwise, he would be less than a non-Christian.” He warns that Christians without the power of the Spirit will be less than non-Christians. Do you want to lead a sanctified life? Then be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Be filled with the Spirit! Be filled with the Spirit! Do you want to lead a victorious life? Then be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do you want be a powerful witness of the Gospel? Then be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do you want to have a happy life, bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Then be filled with the Holy Spirit. I pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit every day and live victoriously in the Lord. I also pray that you will greet the Lord with great joy when you are called home. This is my earnest prayer for you. Let us pray. Our Father of infinite love, grace, and mercy, we long for the Holy Spirit this morning. We yearn for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we may live as witnesses of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, overcoming this sinful world. Pour Your grace upon us. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.