Holy Ghost Sunday

In preparing for this message tonight, on the HOLY GHOST, I found 3 different terms used in the bible on receiving the HOLY GHOST, but all 3 terms mean the same thing.

Acts 8:15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Acts 8:19

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands; he may receive the Holy Ghost

Notice the term [receive the Holy Ghost]

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.

Acts 9:17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Notice [filled with the Holy Ghost.]

Acts 1:5

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Notice [baptized with the Holy Ghost]

So we see here within the bible, we have 3 different writers that describe the Holy Ghost 3 different ways.

Receive the Holy Ghost- Filled with the Holy Ghost-and Baptized with the Holy Ghost.

But I think we can also see very clearly, within these verses of scripture 3 very important facts on receiving the Holy Ghost

FIRST!

1.     The Holy Ghost is a gift.

2.     The Holy Ghost has already been given, to those that believe.

3.     The Holy Ghost can become yours, if you will receive it.

In Acts chapter 1 Jesus began to talk about the Holy Ghost. He said in

Acts 1:5

But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Notice; he said that it would happen. He said YE SHALL, not maybe, or hopefully, but YE SHALL be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

In fact in ACTS 1:8 he said; Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: talking very positive, and very direct, that this would happen.

Then we see a fulfillment of what Jesus said in

ACTS 2:1-4

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of

fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This is supposed to be how it is when you receive the Holy Ghost. It is suppose to be an experience like none other, it may feel like a mighty rushing wind within your spirit, the Holy Ghost may come as cloven tongues as of fire. But how ever it comes, it will be the Spirit that will take over.

Now there are those that will say that Luke 24:49 is a formula on how to

receive the Holy Ghost.

Luke 24:49

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Could it be that we have told people to tarry for the Holy Ghost and that is not scriptural for our day, listen if we have to tarry for the Holy Ghost, than we also have to go Jerusalem to receive the Holy Ghost.

If you will study this out, after the disciples went to Jerusalem the 1^st time, they did tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost. But from there on, You can’t find anyone else from there on, that had to wait to get the Holy Ghost.

Everyone you read about from there on all received the Holy Ghost right away.

I believe that it would be good for us to start teaching those who are wanting the Holy Ghost, that when you come to this altar, the Holy Ghost is already here waiting for you, all you have to do is receive it.

I want you to know even though we have those that will say the Holy Ghost is not for us today. Peter the one the Lord gave the keys to the kingdom stood up on the day of Pentecost and said.

ACTS 2:38,39

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the

name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, AND YE

SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

For THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, and to YOUR CHILDREN, and

to ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, EVEN AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL.

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a gift to us, just as much as salvation is. And it’s up to us to receive that gift of the Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in other tongues; it’s for you tonight!

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.

I read a story on time of a trinity man that was seeking the Holy Ghost. And one day in prayer the man received a revelation on the Holy Ghost and how it would come, and that he would not have to wait for it, and when it came it would come by speaking in other tongues.

The man went to an Apostolic preachers house, and it just so happens they were in revival. He told the preacher I want the Holy Ghost and the pastor said that great, just wait until tonight in the revival service and right after the preaching come to the alter and seek for the Holy Ghost.

The man said you don’t understand, I want the Holy Ghost and it’s not going to take me very long to receive it. The pastor invited the man in, and the evangelist was there at the house. He said I don’t remember the Pastor or the Evangelist giving me any instructions at all on how to get the Holy Ghost.

I just knelt at the living room couch, closed my eyes, forgot about everything around me, lifted my hands, opened up my mouth, and I said [I RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST], and right then he began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave the utterance.

You see, the Word of God says in Acts 8:15 that Peter and John prayed for the Samaritan believers ” . . . that they might RECEIVE the Holy Ghost.”

And in Acts 19:2, the Apostle Paul asked the disciples at Ephesus, ” . . . Have ye RECEIVED the Holy Ghost, since you believed . . . ?”

It’s not a matter of God giving the Holy Ghost; it’s a matter of our receiving

The Holy Ghost. Believing that the Holy Ghost is for us.

This man told the Lord “I receive the Holy Ghost”.

He told the pastor; the scripture says, And they were all filled with the Holy

Ghost, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit

gave them utterance.

He said, So I thank You because I’m filled with the Holy Ghost. And God, I  now expect to speak with tongues. He went on to say, Thank You for giving me the utterance. Hallelujah.

This man said I knew the Holy Ghost was for me, so I said Hallelujah about 8 times and about then, it felt to me like someone had built a bonfire down in my spirit.

It just seemed to blazed up. Strange words started blazing up, and I just began speaking in an another tongue and the Holy Ghost came to me, by the evidence of speaking in other tongues

I opened my eyes and saw that it was 8 minutes past 6:00 p.m. When I’d knocked at the door, it was 6:00 p.m. I was baptized in the Holy Ghost and began speaking in other tongues in eight minutes!

Holy Ghost seekers, I want you to know the Holy Ghost is a gift. God has already given it to you; all you have to do is receive it.

You see after you have repented of your sins, and been baptized in Jesus name, you are ready for the Holy Ghost.

ACTS 2:37,38, they asked;

Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every

one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of

sins, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

Those that heard Peter that day, and had repented, were immediately ready to receive the HOLY GHOST.

You need to understand there is nothing you can do to merit the Holy Ghost.

The only thing that can wash away you sins and clean you up is the blood of Jesus. And you find that at an old fashion alter.

When you come to this alter, come with the mindset I’m coming to get the Holy Ghost, and then realize how the Holy Ghost comes.

It comes by speaking in other tongues, which means God needs your vocal cords, so that he can put a supernatural language in there.

Acts 2:4 says, “And THEY were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and [they] began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

In this verse, “they” is the subject. They were all filled, and

[They] began to speak as the spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Ghost doesn’t force itself upon you. God is a gentleman in every way; you will have to invite him into your life.

And when you do, he will give you the utterance, but you have to do the speaking. You have to be willing to let your mouth and vocal cords loose and let the Holy Ghost speak, no matter what it sounds like, what does it matter it other tongues anyway

When you come to this alter you must come with faith, and also you must come and yield yourself to him.

 

That word yield means, to give up, to surrender, and to give in.

Isaiah said, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

When you come and you begin to feel those stammering lips, that’s the Holy Ghost, just let go and let it speak, and don’t worry about what it sounds like.

A newborn baby doesn’t talk, as fluently as an adult, but over time the Holy Ghost will develop it’s own language that is unique only to you.

Listen here’s the key to you receiving the Holy Ghost tonight.

I have seen over the year’s people seeking the Holy Ghost. And when they come to the alter and seek for the Holy Ghost they get stammering lips, and they might even say word or two.

And then those praying with them would say that’s it that’s it, let the Holy Ghost speak. And people would stop and let the Holy Ghost speak and that would be the end of it.

Get this scripture; The Bible says, “And THEY were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and [they] began to speak with other tongues.

I want you to know it will have to be you that does the speaking, the Holy Ghost will give you stammering lips, but it will be you that let’s go and let’s the Holy Ghost speak through you.

In closing I want you to remember these 5 things when you come tonight to pray for the Holy Ghost.

1.     Your not seeking tongues, you seeking God.

 

2.     The Holy Spirit is a gift already given by God, and

It’s up to us to you to receive it.

3. If you have repented of you sins and been baptized in Jesus name, you are ready tonight, to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

4.  When the Holy Ghost comes it will move upon your lips first, and then it will want to speak, but you have to be the one who speaks.

5.     You must come with faith, and come prepared to yield yourself totally to him. You’re mouth, your lips, your body, and your mind.

 

One day during a series of meetings I was riding down the

street with the pastor when he pointed out a certain man.

“He’s the choir director of the largest Full Gospel church

in the city,” he said, “and he’s also their music and

Sunday school director. He’s been there for twenty three

years and has never been filled with the Holy Ghost.”

I thought no more about it. Then that very night he

was in the service, sitting nearly in front of the pulpit

and next to a woman I assumed was his wife. When I invited

people to come to be filled with the Holy Ghost, she tried to

get him to come, and, finally, he did. I could tell by the

look on his face that he was thinking, I’m not going to get

anything, but I’ll go up there anyway just to please you.

As I went down the line laying hands on people, each

one started talking in tongues right away. This man had

shut his eyes and lifted his hands. When I reached him and

laid hands on him, immediately, I received a word of

knowledge concerning him. I knew the devil had lied to him

and convinced him that he must have some secret sin that he

didn’t know about. This man believed that if it weren’t for

that, he would have received the baptism in the Holy Ghost.

There isn’t any secret sin in anyone’s life that he or

she doesn’t know about!

That’s just a trick of the devil to rob people of

God’s blessings. Receiving is a matter of faith and yieldedness.

I said to this man, “Put your hands down and open your

eyes.” He did, and I said to him, “There is not anything in

your life–no secret sin, nothing–that would keep you from

receiving or being filled or baptized with the Holy Ghost.”

He let out a sigh. “Do you think so?” he asked.

“No, I don’t think so; I know so,” I said. “I’d stake

my life on it!”  “Boy,” he said, “what a relief!”

“Let me tell you something else,” I said. (You see, I

had to work on his faith.) “I will not laid hands on

you more than three times before you are filled with the

Holy Ghost.”

“Do you think so?” He asked.

“No, I don’t think so; I know so!” I replied.

The next night he was back, and he was the first one

down to the altar. When I got to him, he said, “This is

number two.”

“That’s right,” I said.    “You said you wouldn’t lay hands on me more than three times,” he added.

“That’s right!” I said  “The next time is number three,” he reminded me.

“That’s right,” I said.

Now each morning, instead of holding a regular

service, we held a prayer meeting for anyone who wanted to

come. That next morning I was kneeling by a chair on the

platform praying when, suddenly, someone tapped me on the

shoulder. I looked up, and there stood this man. He asked,

“Hey, do you still think I’m going to get the Holy Ghost?”

“No, I don’t think you’re going to get the Holy

Ghost,” I answered. “I know you will!”

“Well,” he said, “I told them over at my church,

That he said he wouldn’t lay hands on me more than

three times without me being filled. There’s no use waiting

until tonight; I’ll go over there this morning.”‘

“Well, kneel down here,” I said, and he knelt down

beside me. I laid my hand on his head and said, Receive the Holy Ghost!”

And right then and there he received the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.

You see it’s a matter whether you believe what I am preaching or not. I say by the authority of Gods word that we have, the Holy Ghost is for you tonight, do you believe it!

If you do, come and receive it right now, let it speak, let it become a witness to all those that are here, that the Holy Ghost is for this generation.