By E. L. Thornton
(Acts 2: 12-13)
What was it about the demeanor, or behavior, or conduct, of these one hundred and twenty people that came out of that upper room worshipping and praising God, that caused the others to think, or imagine, or hypothesize, that they had been drinking wine. Was it their actions, or maybe their speech, or was it the way they were dressed that caught the attention of the worldly crowd.
I think what captured the attention of Jerusalem that day was, not how they were dressed, and not how they were talking as much as how they were acting. I shall try to tell you why the church was likened to people that had too much to drink, or a bar, yes a bar. There had to be something or some reasons that these would say, “these men are full of new wine”.
And did you notice that Peter didn’t refute this claim. For he only said, “for these are not drunken as ye suppose”. Peter knew, because of experience, what the Holy Ghost could and would do. He knew what action and reaction the Holy Ghost does when it comes into peoples lives.
I believe that the Holy Ghost will change your life. I believe that it will cause one to get excited. I believe that it will cause you to act differently. So what does one find in a bar, are in a bottle, that the people on Pentecost accused them of being drunk with new wine.
I. ONE FINDS FELLOWSHIP IN A BAR:
Ordinarily drunks seem to get along good together. Good old-fashion fellowship. I’m told that they sit on the bar stools and talk casually about different subjects.
I believe that the church, of the living God, should enjoy good old-fashion fellowship. If there is anybody that can get along good together it should be the saints of God, not because of your good personality, but because of the likeness of spirit, that binding together spirit, that we have, or should have, between us.
2 Cor 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
(KJV)
These scriptures plainly tells us who not to have fellowship with, but they do indicate who we can fellowship with.
The Disciples knew where to go, after they had gotten out of prison—–
Acts 4:23
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
(KJV)
Notice what the scripture says about the early church, our pattern.
Acts 2:44-47
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(KJV)
The apostle Paul had some things to say about our fellowshipping and who we keep company with.
1 Cor 5:11-13
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (KJV)
I. IN A BAR, A SINNER FINDS, ENJOYMENT AND EXCITEMENT:
I will not argue the fact, there is enjoyment in sin……………………………
Heb 11:25-26
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
(KJV)
Notice, sins pleasure, according to Paul and Moses, is only for a season. It last a while but then fades and the sinner need to go in search of something else to bring enjoyment and excitement.
But in the house of God, and in His presents there’s fullness of joy.
Ps 16:11
11 The wilt hew me the path of life: in they presence is fullness of joy; at they right hand there are pleasures for nevermore.
(KJV)
The reason there is joy and excitement is………
Is 12:3-6
3 Therefore with joy shall yea draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall yea say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hat done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, the inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of the.
(KJV)
Through all the troubles and problems of life, through all the sorrows and grief we endure, there is hope when you are in fellowship with Christ.
Ps 30:5
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (KJV)
I like to have fun at church. Don’t give me no dull religion. But give me something I can feel.
1 Pet 1:8
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
(KJV)
Eph 5:18-19
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(KJV)
III. IN A BAR, A SINNER CAN FIND WHAT IS ADVERTISED:
Pentecost is only a label, and to be honest with you, labels don’t mean very much these days. Too many churches say they are Pentecost and they don’t have the Pentecostal power. Brothers and Sisters, I propose and suggest to you, that we start being what we advertise, or take our sign down.
The public could charge the church with false advertisement and win the case
with ease.
I believe the world wants the church at its best. At its best in worship, at its best in prayer, at its best in singing, at its best in preaching, at its best in displaying a
Godly spirit, at its best in revival.
I believe God requires the church to be at its best. He gave His best and nothing
but our best will satisify Him.
Bubba Clark told me he had done more to bring spirit to this part of the country than any and all Pentecostal preachers. Mister I intend to change that.
Bubba Clark told me that to drink two drinks of liqueur it would make you feel like you was in heaven.
What we advertise can be had without cost, and a little of it will put you in
heaven.
John 7:37-38
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (KJV)
Isa 55:1-3
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (KJV)
