Myth Buster Series

            Possessed

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Are you ready to challenge our myths for today?

So far in our myth buster series we have dispelled two practical myths and two spiritual myths concerning Christianity and the Church. The first practical myth we busted dealt with pop rocks and coca-cola. We all saw it live on stage … despite the claims … I did not blow up!

That Sunday our Christian myth dealt with the issue of “dead men walking”. We found that all good people do not go to heaven just because they are good. Rather, the statement Jesus made to that good man named Nicodemus in the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 7, “You must be born again!”, proved to be the truth from God’s Word.

The second Sunday was entitled, “Buried Alive”. Our practical myth centered on a claim that Mountain Dew, mixed with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide could become a flashlight. We saw the video, heard the testimony and read what we considered to be a confirming report from a credible news source. However, in the end it just did not work! We decided that without regard to what we are told or even what we believe for that matter … “Nothing works quite as good as the truth!”

Moving on to our Christian myth for that Sunday we turned out attention to the subject of water baptism. The question of the day was, “Does a person have to be water baptized to be saved?” Once the scriptures were interpreted correctly in agreement with the ‘one story’ God is telling, it was plain to see that:

We do not get water baptized to become saved, rather we get water baptized because we have been saved. Basically, water baptism only works on those who have already repented and already have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.

Today we are going to use the Word of God to uncover another myth which many Christians believe to be true. But, before we go there, let’s take a look at our practical …

Myth For Today!

            Cell phones generate enough microwaves to pop popcorn?

Let’s watch this video: (play video …)

Not only have I watched several of the videos showing cell phones popping popcorn during my research into this claim this past week, along with those showing cell phones cooking eggs and boiling water, but I have also read numerous reports verifying these occurrences as a representation of fact.

On top of all of this I was able to get a personal report from a credible source that they had actually attempted to duplicate this video and failed in a first attempt, due to using microwave popcorn instead of the real old fashion popcorn. They reported that their second attempt, using the real stuff, was successful and the pop corn promptly popped!

So, without further ado … My assistant please …

Here we have four cell phones, much like you saw in the video. And based upon the testimony of a person who claims to have actually seen this done, I have here in the middle of these phones a few kernels of microwavable popcorn and a few of the original stove top in the pan of oil variety.

Now here is where I need your participation. Some of you have your cell phones with you, I know because I will hear a couple of them go off later, especially when it gets to noon whereupon I will be reminded by your alarm that it is time for me to quit preaching. However, now I need four volunteers with cell phones to make a call for me and activate these phones into their radioactive states.

(Have floor assistant choose four people and give them a slip of paper with one of the numbers on the paper)

Ok now, ready to call? Call! Once the phones all start to ring, it is reported that, due to the concentrated microwaves, this will only take less than three seconds before we see the popping begin. Anyone have a stopwatch …

(Conclude: What’s the verdict? Answer from the audience … on screen!)

(I am purposefully leaving out the conclusion because I am not sure myself what will happen … this is the problem with claims in which you have people, credible people, on both sides of the claim. Unless we have specific knowledge about the real basis of a claim, in this case physics or radiology, or microwave technology … and I don’t, then it is difficult not to be skeptic, stand in the middle, and just not know. However, I sure hope it is not true! But, if it is, I now have an answer for why some of my staff are the way they are.)

So, do 4 standard cell phones generate enough microwaves to pop popcorn?

Now for our Christian myth for today - Remember we are talking about being possessed. Have you ever been possessed? Don’t worry we do have exorcists standing by. This may be a poor attempt at an old joke but … Do you know what happens when you don’t pay your exorcist? You get repossessed! Ok, Ok, Ok – let’s get to the Word.

Christian Myth For Today

            The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, which happened to Believers in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, is not a valid experience for the Christian today.

Let’s turn in our Bibles to the book of Acts.

Acts 2

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 was the fulfillment of a promise made by Jesus in:

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.

Recorded again by Luke when he penned the introduction to the book of Acts in:

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Power to be a witness … the ability to fulfill the Great Commission and go into all the world to proclaim the Gospel.

Some theologians who attempt to prove their personal or denominational doctrines, have explained away the Baptism of power by claiming that God only gave the Holy Spirit and the gifts to birth the church. This, they say, accounts for some other scriptural accounts in Acts which detail similar experiences like that of Acts 2. Well let’s look at these claims and see if they are valid according to the whole story of the Bible.

Remember, no one scripture can be allowed to tell its own story. All scripture must come together to support the one story God is telling. Taking bible verses or bible stories out of context is dangerous and leads to doctrinal error.

Ok, so under the premise that God only gave the Holy Ghost to birth the church in Jerusalem, Judea-Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world,  Acts 2:1-4 would represent the church being birthed in Jerusalem.

            Acts 2:1-4                 Jerusalem

            Acts 8:14-17            Judea-Samaria

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

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

16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

            Acts 2             Jerusalem

            Acts 8             Judea-Samaria

            Acts 10:44-48         Uttermost Parts of the World

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

If God only gave the Holy Spirit to initiate the birthing of the Church in Jerusalem, Judea-Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world, this should have been the end of people experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mission accomplished!

However, there is at least one problem with this conclusion …

Acts 19

6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7  And all the men were about twelve.

And … what about Paul? Where did he receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? He was not in the upper room; he was not at the revival in Samaria; he was not in Caesarea with Peter and Cornelius …

Then, there is the business of the whole church at Corinth, a whole new generation of Believers in Greece. Paul spent several chapters in his letter to that church detailing how to properly benefit from the ministry of those who were being baptized by the Holy Ghost and demonstrating gifts, signs, wonders and miracles.

Believe me, it did not stop there! The Holy Ghost has not passed away and neither has the office and ministry of the prophet and the apostle.

For a final word on this subject this morning let’s turn to:

Acts 2

38  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.

39  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.

You were once far off but now have been called by the Lord. Peter was talking about you! The promise of receiving the Holy Spirit is unto you!

So, in answer to the claim made by our Christian Myth for Today:

            The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, which happened to Believers in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, is not a valid experience for the Christian today.

Not true! Busted! The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is more needed today than ever before. Why?

Sinners are still being born every day

God has no grandchildren, only children

The church must be birthed in every generation.

It still takes the power of the Holy Spirit to birth the church.

You have heard it said that possession is 9/10’s of the law … well that’s not exactly true … Possession, Christ in me that is, fulfills 10/10’s of the law.

I am no longer under the law of sin and death but because that same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead dwells in me, my mortal body has been made alive, I have been buried with Christ, and I am now filled with the power of God to be a witness to the whole world in my generation.

It’s Christ in me, and Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Be possessed today!

How can you experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

            Luke 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

            Acts 5: 32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

It is like everything else a person wants from God:

            1. Pray and

            2. Obey