A New Way Of Living
What if Pentecost wasn’t just a moment–but a mission? The Holy Spirit didn’t just arrive with power, but with purpose–to transform hearts, unite nations, and launch a global movement. And God isn’t finished! More than an ancient event, discover how Pentecost is a call to live a new way of life today.
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What if Pentecost wasn’t just a moment—but a mission?
The Holy Spirit didn’t just arrive with power, but with purpose: to transform hearts, unite nations, and launch a global movement. And God isn’t finished! Pentecost is more than an ancient event—it’s a call to live a new way of life today.
Today is a special day in the global church. It’s called Pentecost Sunday.
Aren’t you amped?
Okay, maybe not. When I say “It’s Christmas Eve,” you’re like, “Yeah, baby, I’m here for it.” Easter Sunday? Same thing. But when we say it’s Pentecost Sunday, the response from most American or Western churches is… meh.
If you’re like me, you didn’t grow up celebrating Pentecost at all. I didn’t even know what Pentecost was. And yet—Pentecost is one of the most significant days in all of Christian history.
Globally, many churches celebrate this day with great fanfare. I remember a few years ago, someone was outraged that we didn’t celebrate Pentecost. I had to admit—I didn’t even know what it was. And I was the pastor! But after attending seminary and engaging with the global church, I’ve seen it. Churches in Africa, Russia, the Philippines—you name it—they celebrate Pentecost Sunday as a major event.
Why? Because it commemorates the moment when God poured out His Spirit for the first time—not just as an external experience, but an internal one. The Holy Spirit came to dwell within people.
In many churches, this is normal. But for Western churches, we’ve often relegated the Holy Spirit to a corner. Here at HighPoint, we’re part of a ministry called Every Nation, which gives us a global spiritual family. And this year, for the first time in our movement’s history, all Every Nation churches—around the world—are preaching from Acts 2 on this day. We’re praying the same prayers. Aligning in faith. And stepping into this moment together.
So today, whether you’re in a big church or a house church, in a school gym or a secret meeting in a closed country, we’re unified in mission and message.
Let’s pray.
“Father, speak to us. Let us experience a fresh encounter with your Holy Spirit. I thank you for the spirit of faith that was present during worship. Continue to move in us today. Amen.”
Let’s be honest: when it comes to the Holy Spirit, many of us are unsure.
We understand the Father. We understand the Son. But the Holy Spirit? That can feel like the “crazy uncle” at the family reunion. We’re a little unsure what to do with Him.
But the Holy Spirit is not the strange relative. He is God. And when we push Him aside, we grieve the heart of God. The fullness of the Trinity—the fullness of God Himself—is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And Pentecost Sunday marks the day God’s Spirit came to live in us.
That was never possible before.
Before Pentecost, God’s presence came and went. People in the Old Testament didn’t experience what you and I can experience. The Spirit of God didn’t live in them. The Psalms reflect this—there’s often sadness and longing because God felt far away. But now? In 2025? You and I live in a world where the Spirit of God can dwell within us.
Turn with me to Acts 2.
“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. Tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…”
People from every nation heard God’s wonders declared in their own language. Amazed and bewildered, they asked, “What does this mean?”
Let’s pause there.
There were about 120 disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. He had died, risen, and appeared to His followers. He gave them proof He was alive, purpose for His kingdom, and now—He was giving them power.
Proof. Purpose. Power. That’s what Pentecost represents.
As Westerners, we don’t often know what Pentecost means. Here’s a quick lesson:
The word “Pente” means “fifty.” Pentecost occurred fifty days after Passover. At Passover, Israel sacrificed a lamb for the forgiveness of sins. At that exact time in history, Jesus—the true sacrificial Lamb—was crucified. The timing was no coincidence.
Fifty days later, Israel celebrated Pentecost. It was a harvest festival. Families had stayed in Jerusalem for nearly two months—far from home and comforts. This offering wasn’t personal; it was communal. The priests prepared it. You didn’t bring your grain—it was given to you. And together, people thanked God for the harvest He had already provided and the harvest that was still to come.
Let’s join them.
Please stand.
This is how they worshiped—through a call and response. They didn’t have projectors or screens. They simply stood and listened to God’s Word and responded.
Here’s Psalm 67. I’ll read a line, and you’ll repeat it after me:
May God be gracious to us and bless us.
May God be gracious to us and bless us.
And make His face shine upon us.
And make His face shine upon us…
([This section continues as a responsive reading of Psalm 67])
You may be seated.
That might not seem significant—but it’s ancient. It’s how Pentecost was celebrated. The people thanked God for the harvest and looked forward with expectation to the next one. And not everyone’s “harvest” looked the same. But they worshiped together, as one.
Now let’s go even deeper.
The first Pentecost happened fifty days after the first Passover in Egypt. The blood of the lamb spared God’s people from judgment. They were set free—and fifty days later, they stood at Mount Sinai. Moses ascended into God’s presence and brought down… the Law.
It changed the way they lived. It gave them a new way to relate to God.
Now fast-forward.
Jesus—the new Moses—has ascended into God’s presence. And what does He send down?
Not the Law… but the Spirit.
It’s beautiful. It’s divine orchestration. And it transforms the way we live and relate to God. Just like the Law once did—only now, it’s even more intimate. God isn’t just beside us. He’s within us.
So, is Pentecost just about tongues? No. We believe in spiritual gifts, but Pentecost is so much more. It’s not just about a charismatic experience.
It’s about transformation.
Language is transformed.
Hearts are transformed.
Mission is transformed.
This is why we celebrate Pentecost: to say, “Look what God has done—and look what He is still doing.” And just like the first harvest, we look forward to the next—not a harvest of crops, but a harvest of people.
Jesus said the fields are ripe for harvest.
So now, we raise our hands in expectation. We say:
“God, thank you for what you’ve done—and we’re believing for what you’ll do next.”
Now, we’ll watch a video together that captures this global mission—how Every Nation churches are reaching the world.
([Insert video segment summary or direct the audience to watch])
After the video:
We’ve just seen what God is doing—across continents, in closed nations, on university campuses, in elementary schools.
I remember going to India on a mission trip before I was even married. The church that was planted during that trip is now planting more churches across the most populous nation on earth. Our church helped plant one in Paris. God is at work.
But we’re not done.
So what does this mean for us, right here in Kennesaw, Georgia?
It means we pray. And we prepare to say “yes.”
We long to see students reached in middle and high schools. We long to see Bible clubs in elementary schools. We long to see the nations reached from our church.
The truth? We’re entering a season of new doors opening.
So I’m asking you today: pray. Be ready to say “yes.”
We may not have all the plans worked out, but God does. We’re hitching our wagon to His.
Would you open your hands in front of you?
Life often feels like we’re holding on tight. But today, we say:
“God, this is my life. I hold it with open hands. Whatever you want to do—do it.”
Let’s pray:
“Father, pour out your Spirit. Refresh us. Fill us with your presence. Give us a hunger for the harvest. Let the nations be our inheritance. Use us. Move through us. We may not know the whole plan, but we’re saying ‘yes.’ We thank you for the harvest—and we thank you for what’s to come. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”