Pentecost Sunday Sermon – Being United in Christ

Illustration/Introduction for Pentecost Sunday Sermon:

There is a story of a small child who got lost and had subsequently fainted in a large field filled with tall grass and weeds. Since she wasn’t responding to the calls of those searching for her, the search party decided on a plan to find her as quickly as possible. They decided to hold hands unitedly in a straight line across the width of the field, and then walked through the field searching for the child. As they did so, holding hands together in a united search, she was soon found safely .

In Acts 1:4-5, while having a meal with His disciples, the Lord Jesus commanded them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by the Father.  He said, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In response, the disciples waited unitedly (“In one accord” – Acts 2:1) for the promise of God to be fulfilled. 

The word ’unity’ is described as “a state of having a shared mindset, a shared purpose, and a shared passion”. It refers to having “oneness in agreement, with no division or dissent”. One of the Greek meanings of the phrase “being in one accord”, describes it as ‘different notes harmonising together’, once again referring to being united.

In this sermon, as we remember Pentecost, we will look at 3 ways in which the disciples were fully united on Pentecost Sunday. As a result of that unity, they first experienced the supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s power and gifts, which later empowered them in united ministry. Let’s look at those 3 points.  

1. THEY WERE UNITED IN PRAYER

Acts 1:14 says, “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

So, we see that the disciples and the believers joined together constantly in united prayer before Pentecost, seeking God’s will. Among them were many ladies including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Lord’s brothers. That would certainly have been a very meaningful season of united prayer.  

Acts 2:1 further says, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” This scripture shows us once again the spirit of unity that prevailed among the believers on Pentecost Sunday. It tells us that a once divided group had come together with one mind to seek God’s promise in prayer. 

They prayed unitedly, seeking the power of the Holy Spirit as promised in Acts 1:8 which says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” And as they prayed unitedly, that power  came upon them in a remarkable way. They were all filled with the Holy  Spirit at Pentecost. 

As a result, they also became united in their faith and in one Spirit as revealed in Ephesians 4:4 which says, “ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;…”

Let us remember that every revival in history, whether in nations, families, or communities, always began with united prayer. Even in our day, may the church be so united in prayer, that we would experience Pentecost once again! 

2. AFTER PENTECOST THEY WERE UNITED IN MISSION

Acts 1:8 “….and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The church was called to one central mission; to be God’s witnesses, taking the Gospel to the whole world. It was a global calling and a huge task. But as they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, they fulfilled that mission to perfection. 

As one united team, the believers carried the message of Christ wherever they went, performing great signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:33 says, “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”

Further, when persecution came against the church and the believers were scattered, the Bible tells us that, “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). Then in Acts 19:10 it says, “All the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” 

Someone said that after Pentecost, the believers went straight from the upper room to virtually every room in Jerusalem – “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching” (Acts 5:28).

As a result, it is believed that the church grew from 120 believers to around 100,000 in roughly 25 years! Such a united mission is very much needed in our world today, so that the church may faithfully take the Gospel to the whole world. 

Sadly, in a survey I read recently, it said that the majority of believers today were more inward looking, and less focused on being an outward witness for Jesus. Many are embarrassed to share their faith in Christ or to invite a friend to a church service.

Illustration: There is a story of a Christian who would leave home for church on Sunday mornings around the same time as his neighbor who was on his way to the golf course. The neighbor invited the believer on many occasions to join him to play golf; a request that was politely declined by the believer because he was on his way to church. 

After a few weeks, and yet another declined invitation to play golf, the neighbor said, “It’s strange. I have invited you many times to the golf course, and you declined saying you were heading to church. But not once have you invited me to join you to attend your church!”   

You and I still have a great opportunity to serve God and to be His witnesses to a broken world. 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 

Think of the inconvenience and even the pain we face, when a part of our body is hurt or unable to function properly. It’s not pleasant right? We feel fully healthy only when every part of our body functions as it should. It’s the same with the church, the body of Christ.

Let us therefore be a part of God’s work and take His message to the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. We can start with our neighbors and our work or school colleagues.

3. THEY WERE UNITED IN LOVE

John 13:34-35 – “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The command of Jesus to ‘love one another’, seemed a distant dream after the arrest of their Lord and Master. But it became a living reality after Pentecost as the church unitedly demonstrated the love of God to all who crossed their path. They preached in love and cared for those who were added to the church with that same love. The church became a loving community where people would be accepted and loved. 

Acts 4:32 says, “ All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” 

What a great example of love displayed in unity! We need to exhibit the same kind of love in the church today through forgiveness, humility, gentleness, acceptance, and generosity. Here is a powerful quote by Donald English – “The church was meant to be a working model of what the rest of society should look like”.

Can we truly set that kind of an example?

Closing:

As I prepare to close, let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:25. It says, “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” 

Division in the body of Christ is always destructive. Most often churches, and even organisations, have been defeated because of division. So, let’s be united. Let’s have equal concern for each other. Let us “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

As we celebrate Pentecost, let’s be united in prayer, united in mission, and united in love.

Prayer Points:

1) Pray for unity and the power of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in our local church, in the national church, and in the worldwide church. 

2) Intercede for unity in prayer, unity in mission, and unity in love.

For another sermon about the early church, click here.

If you are battling worry today, here are 4 steps to be an overcomer. To read click here.