Valley Gospel
A Pentecostal church experience.
Valley Gospel
This Is That
The modern church stands at a crossroads, caught between two dangerous extremes when it comes to the Holy Spirit's power. On one side, many denominations reject spiritual gifts altogether; on the other, counterfeit manifestations and fleshly displays run rampant. In this powerful Pentecost Sunday message, Pastor Bob cuts through confusion to deliver biblical truth about the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Drawing from Peter's inaugural sermon in Acts 2, this message explores the profound declaration "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" - establishing that the Holy Spirit's outpouring wasn't just for the first-century church but for the entire "last days" period from Pentecost until the tribulation. The sermon confronts both religious tradition and charismatic excess, providing a balanced perspective on genuine spiritual power.
Why do so many Christians walk alongside "this Holy Ghost river" instead of diving in? Pastor Bob addresses common objections - from "I think I have it" to "I don't need it" - while demonstrating why this baptism remains essential for effective ministry and victorious living today. Most compelling is his explanation of how this experience democratizes spiritual power, available to everyone regardless of status, gender, or position.
Through biblical examples and practical teaching, listeners discover how genuine Holy Spirit baptism transforms believers "from worriers to warriors" and "from stressed to blessed," providing the discernment needed to navigate increasingly challenging times. If you've struggled to understand this vital experience or wondered why it seems missing from much of contemporary Christianity, this message offers clarity, hope, and a practical pathway to receiving God's power.
But not because of you, but because he is good and you will not have room to receive Him. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, Woo, oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Hello, welcome to Valley Gospel Church. We are a non-denominational Pentecostal church located in Springdale, Pennsylvania. Our sole mission is to present the living truth of a risen Lord Jesus Christ to a remnant church and a lost world. So let's go into the service recorded live at Valley Gospel Church.
Speaker 1:I told you that I've always missed Pentecost Sunday for some reason, because it moves around all the time, so I never delivered that Pentecost Sunday message well, for a long time. But Kevin helped me out and we caught it this time. I am amazed and more than a little concerned about the condition and the spiritual well-being of today's church, and most of this concern stems from a lack of understanding as it pertains to the children of God accepting and walking in the power of the Holy Ghost. In past Bible studies we have looked at abuses and downright satanic involvement in the so-called outpourings movements, ministries. We've studied counterfeits. We've looked at fakes and forgeries, false gospels, false Christ, demonic influence in and around the charismatic and I use that as a broad term to include Pentecostals charismatics, full gospel, however you want to term that. We've studied how Satan picks out the weakest lambs among us to steal and kill and destroy. Yet the very thing, the power that is being forged, that's being abused by charlatans, is what is required to protect us. And it seems that Satan has two deceptions One is that the gifts of the Spirit are not real, or that they passed away, or we accept fleshly displays, forgeries, and those two have worked very well for him. But the reason is why so many are misled by gold, dust and jewels in the pews and feathers in the parking lot and talk show apostles it sounded like that's what you were reading about the worship leader this morning.
Speaker 1:A talk show apostle Is the rejection of the real thing. The rejection of the real thing. The rejection of the real thing or failure to recognize the real thing, it's denying the power and the ability that God, the Son, gives us through the baptism in the Holy Ghost. And make no mistake, it's absolutely real. It's absolutely true. The Bible bears it out. So many in Pentecostal, charismatic, full gospel churches have never experienced, nor do they want to experience, the mighty baptism of power. And the pastors and leaders in these churches make foolish statements that the congregation isn't ready for that. Hmm, on this Pentecost Sunday, I pray the Holy Spirit will reveal to all of us that when a full gospel, spirit-filled gospel, isn't taught and preached in our churches, lives aren't changed, sickness isn't overcome, false gospels, false Christs are followed and deliverance isn't even on the table. Fear and oppression become the norm and the results are our faith isn't shared. We seek supernatural answers outside of God. Brother Bob, if that's true, why is the church moving away from the power and the infilling of the Holy Ghost? Why is the church moving away from spiritual gifts? There's a whole lot of theological reasons I could give you gifts. There's a whole lot of theological reasons I could give you, or spiritual reasons for that move away from the gifts of the Spirit, from the true Pentecostal experience of the first century. But I'd like to cite the reasons that the Holy Spirit gave me Amen. What he gave me, gave me Amen what he gave me.
Speaker 1:Pastors and church leaders. It seems that the pastor or the leader is the king. He's the rock star, yet the gospel calls him to be a servant star. Yet the gospel calls him to be a servant to minister to rather than be ministered to. Today's church leaders have become increasingly more comfortable sitting at the head of the table rather than waiting on that table.
Speaker 1:This full gospel message expects something from us, all of us Responsibility, faith, trust, loyalty, amen. It requires an individual understanding of who we are in Christ and acting in response, not to the churches leading, not to your pastors leading, but to the spirits leading Glory, these gifts of power, the supernatural manifestation of God, regardless of what it is, his love and his mercy manifest. It are not given by the church, nor are they given to the church. Listen carefully to a denomination, whether it be the Church of God, the Church of God in Christ, pentecostal Holiness, assembly of God, open Bible. They are not meant for pastors and TV preachers alone. These gifts are given to individuals, individuals, chosen men and women of God who together make up this living organism, the church of the living God Glory. This message that, chrissy, let's go to work.
Speaker 1:This is more than a message about gifts and tongues or any manifestation. It's a message of life and faith and power, that we can be confident, vibrant living forces that God intended all along, that we march to Zion, you and I, picking up lost souls along the way, able to discern good from evil, able to discern right from wrong, christ from antichrist. It's not a message of condemnation or reprobation or alienation, not a message of rejection. This, truly, this morning, is the no-spin zone. We will not add anything to it or leave anything out to prove a denominational doctrine. We'll report, you decide, amen. Acts 2. Acts 2. And, incidentally, peter's in the church. This is the church's first message in Acts 2. Acts 2 and 14. Peter delivers the church's first message, delivered from Solomon's porch in the court of the Gentiles, and he spoke these words Whenever you get there, would you please stand for the reading of God's word Acts 2, 14 through 18.
Speaker 2:But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them lifted up his voice and said unto them you, men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you and hearken to my words, for these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. It shall come to pass. In the last days, saith God, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall see dream dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out, in those days, of my spirit and they shall prophesy.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 1:So he cites the prophet Joel explaining what the people were hearing, what they were seeing, what they were witnessing all around them, and he says and this is my focus, this is that. This is that, this. What you are seeing and hearing, is that what was spoken by the prophet Joel, that will be poured out in the last days. So when are the last days? The last days are from Pentecost to the tribulation. That's the last days, and I'll use for a subject those three words. This is that. Amen. Let's pray, heavenly Father. Thank you, lord, thank you for this message of truth and reality, a Pentecostal message albeit, but a message of necessity, especially in these times as we move forward. Lord, in this time, this place, this period of remnants, lord, we ask you to anoint your people to hear and to receive not only this truth but your power. It is in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen and amen. Amen. Please be seated, seated.
Speaker 1:I would like to begin by examining what we read in those few passages, and starting with verse 15. For these are not drunken as you suppose, seeing it is, but the third hour of the day, as you suppose. These are not drunken as you think. These are not drunken as you're used to, perhaps? Oh, they're high, no doubt, but not in the manner that you're accustomed to, not with wine or strong drink or drugs of any sort. They're drunk with new wine. They're under the influence of the Holy Spirit. They're P-U-I. Praising under the influence.
Speaker 1:Now this brings us to our message title. This is that. This is that. Wow, that's this, is that.
Speaker 1:What you're seeing and witnessing is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. Notice, peter says in his preaching this is that in his preaching, this is that. So he's not calling an end to anything. In fact, he's saying it's rather just the beginning. If it were the end, he would have said that is this. He's saying this is that. You're confusing me, pastor, and this shall come to pass in the last days.
Speaker 1:This shall come to pass in the last days. Remember last days being on the day of Pentecost. Continue unto the great tribulation. Last days correspond to the church age. Church age, dispensation of grace, amen. I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, all people everywhere. All flesh, all people everywhere, not limited to a place, not limited to a specific outpouring, a race, a gender, a denomination, a group or a ministry. All people everywhere, all flesh. So what do we know so far? So far we know is truth. The Holy Ghost was given at Pentecost as part of that that was prophesied by Joel. That would be continued through the last days unto the tribulation.
Speaker 1:Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, prophesy, big word today, right Late night, prophets all over the television and YouTube and wherever else you want to go, prophetic messages. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The Greek word is prophetio, prophetio, and it means to speak under divine inspiration. It means to speak by inspiration of God, the office or the operation of a prophet, male and female, equally able, equally able to hold that office or to operate in that gift. The prophetic. Young men shall see visions. Old men shall dream dreams, visions and dreams. The Greek implies that both young and old shall see visions and that both young and old shall dream dreams. It also says that it will include both male and female.
Speaker 1:And here's my favorite part that the Spirit revealed to me and on my servants and handmaids I will pour out of my Spirit. In those days I will pour out my Spirit. What days? Last days, right these days, pentecost to Tribulation, on who, servants and handmaids, servants and handmaids, and this when he showed me this. It just, it gave me goosebumps. Those that were given very little status in Peter's day, slaves and women. Slaves and women, those not expected to possess any power, any authority, have any place in the modern, in that church. Not make a church leader, not a televangelist, hallelujah, but servants and handmaidens. He would pour out his spirit. Now to the heart of this message, what I believe the holy ghost is ministering on this pentecost sunday morning.
Speaker 1:Some questions that arise. Is this mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit for you today? Is it relevant to the modern Christian? Now? We already know that it's real and it was a valid experience for the early church. How do we know? How do we know that? All right, real. Quickly, just single verse ones Acts 9 and 17.
Speaker 1: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, has sent me that thou mayest so through this practical inception of Paul's conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit at Ananias' house on Straight Street, acts 10, 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. So Cornelius and all his family were baptized and spoke in other tongues Chapter 11, 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us. In the beginning, gentiles were baptized and spoke in other tongues, as the apostles did in the very beginning Acts 19., 19 and 22. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, timotheus and Eretas. That's not right. Yeah, that's not the right scripture though. See, jeff. This is why I check. Obviously I didn't. A certain disciple was baptized and spoke with other tongues. But getting to the crux of the message, is it for us today? Thank you, teddy. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongue and prophesied Thank you, we've learned what Joel prophesied about the last days.
Speaker 1:But the argument from today's denominational church, even from recognized Pentecostal circles, is that the gifts have ended. Today, they will tell you that tongues was a sign for the early church and it passed away with the last of the apostles, or when we got the Bible, or at some other point in history. And one pastor at Ellison Park wrote a book and said we don't need that anymore because we have microphones. I don't even understand that, but it seems to contradict listen. It seems to contradict Peter's sermon. His inaugural address to the new church Seems to contradict that. Again, you decide we're back at Acts 2, 2 and 38. To the new church Seems to contradict that. Again, you decide we're back at Acts 2, 2 and 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 you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto you, to your children and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call, even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call, even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call to you, your children, your children's children, generation after generation after generation. So let me ask you has the Lord stopped calling? If the early church needed the baptism of power, for ministry, for getting the word out, for telling others about Jesus Christ, do we need this experience any less? If this is the great harvest, if this is the age that we are to go out and win a harvest for the Lord, do we go it alone? Do we go it in the flesh? If this is the church's finest hour, a remnant of sold-out believers reaching the very gates of hell to call the lost to his kingdom, to call them to repentance. And Satan is. You all know it, you all feel it. Satan is at his most active, he is at his most powerful right now. Right now, even though the Bible says human effort is not very good, is not well received, do we not need the Holy Spirit in these days? So why does much of the church, why do so many denominations oppose this Pentecostal experience? Why is it documented? Why is it documented in church after church? You read it in their bulletins. You read it in their statement of faith that in their church decorum that says anyone exercising these so-called gifts of the Spirit will immediately be put out of the church. Huh, that's what South Hills Bible Chapel teaches. That's what's in their statement. You probably listen to them every day on Word FM. I'll explain to you what the Holy Spirit explained to me. Because Satan does his best work in religion and most Christian denominations are stuck in religion. I'm not saying they're not trying. I'm not saying they don't want to do what God wants, but they're stuck in religion. Not saying they're not trying, not saying they don't want to do what God wants, but they're stuck in religion. That's why we use Colette, the term remnant, because the term remnant means a part, a fragment of the big piece, my, just a fragment, but that's all it takes. Just a fragment, but that's all it takes. Just a fragment. Glory. Satan wants to keep you. Look, he's not concerned. He's not concerned where you go to church, he's not concerned how committed you are to church, how active you are in your church. And I'm going to say something that might sound really strange, but he's not even too concerned that you recite the sinner's prayer and give your heart to the Lord. You say how can that be? Because he knows, without a power source, you'll go back. You'll go back. You'll go back to what you used to do, you'll go back to where you were, you'll go back to what you used to believe. And he knows that he wants to keep you from that power source. That power source enables that walk. It keeps you strong, it keeps you connected to the throne, it keeps us connected to the kingdom. That's our lifeline. He wants to keep you from gaining that confidence, that strength, that faith that threatens his authority, that removes his influence, not only in you but for those around you, your family, your friends, your circle, mine. Those things are available to all of us through the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Just this past week I ran into an old pastor acquaintance and he said what's your message this week? And I said well, I remembered that it's Pentecost Sunday, so it's going to be a message on the Holy Spirit. Even though I don't have it completely in the can, I'm sure that'll be the subject. He wasn't a spirit-filled pastor and he took the opportunity to poke me in the eye and tell me that the reason tongues weren't for us is because now, listen carefully, this is a pastor. This is a pastor with a degree, has a fairly large church that the Holy Ghost would never put us in a position of seeming unintelligent or appearing foolish to the world, because that's who we're trying to reach. That was his reasoning. In fact, I think he has a doctor in front of his name and my response to him was clearly, the Bible says the things of God are foolishness to the world and I asked him several questions Do you mean the foolish thing that Jesus did when he made spit and dirt and rubbed it in some guy's eyes? Do you mean that foolish thing? Or do you mean on the day of Pentecost, when they mocked the apostles and said they were drunk? They were filled with wine? Or how about Naaman, the mighty army general, who was told by Elijah's helper, elisha, to go and dip in the polluted, waste-strewn river Jordan and dip seven times to be healed? You mean that kind of foolishness? Or the lame man who was leaping and shouting in the temple because he was healed by Jesus through the power of the Holy Ghost? That kind of foolishness, brother. You see, it's not tongues we seek. Everybody gets caught up on that. It's not tongues we seek, it's the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen, it's the baptism of power that Jesus promised he would send. Don't leave, don't go anywhere, don't leave Jerusalem until you receive power. Tongues are merely the evidence and manifestations from God. Look, they're not always dignified, they're not always the picture of decorum. And understand, I'm not endorsing the fleshly displays or foolishness. No, not at all, in fact. Uh, one wednesday, not too long ago, we identified these things that may or may not be of God, like barking in the spirit, quacking in the spirit, laughing as a gift to the spirit and just as a disclaimer hold on, god is God, he's sovereign, he can do whatever he wants. I'm not trying to rope him in here, hallelujah, but I remember some time ago in Lakeland, florida, they had this supposed outpouring. That's where they were finding feathers and gold dust, and nobody bothered to check the gold, the dust, whether it was really gold or not. I don't understand that, but they didn't. But they were at that time. Not only did they have all these manifestations, supposedly, but they spoke in tongues as well. But the baptism in the Holy Spirit isn't for all those things, it isn't for the quacking and the barking and the laughing and the spirit. It's to endue you with power and sometimes, sometimes, when that power comes on you, it's like touching a live electric wire. Sometimes it's like putting your hand on the spark plug and saying go ahead, pull the cord. You react. You react on the spark plug and saying go ahead, pull the cord, you react, you react. And think of that in the natural. For a second Friday we all got back to the shop and we were in the shop emptying trucks, putting tools away, and if you were outside, that storm passed through and there was a lightning crack right outside the door of the shop and we all reacted. And if I were to tattle on Teddy, he ran through the garage. Now you have a power that you didn't have before the power of the Holy Ghost. We have a guide, a teacher, a comforter the Greek calls him Paraclete One called alongside to help us to get us through Mark 16. Mark 16 and 18. They shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing and it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. These 17, these signs shall follow them. That believe in my name shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. This scripture is at the very end of the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel, meant for every believer, every time, every place, every age, not just some, not for a period of time, not in the first century. It's the same commission that Jesus gave. Go into all the world and preach the gospel for a period of time, not in the first century. It's the same commission that Jesus gave. Go into all the world and preach the gospel for a witness, and then shall the end come. In order to preach number one, if we're sharing the gospel, we need to be a believer. That's first and foremost. It's kind of like the ordinances of the church. You need to be a believer to be baptized. You need to be a believer to receive the Lord's Supper. In order to spread the gospel, we need to be a believer and these signs will accompany them. That believe. When you see a true believer, these signs should accompany them. Okay, but isn't that, isn't that an open to imitation? Can't the devil imitate the gifts of the Spirit? Doesn't he imitate, especially tongues? Because you can practice and sound like you got it right? Let me tell you this the devil has a substitute that he has cultivated and polished over the years. For every blessing, every ordinance, every, every great thing in the church, every anointing, every blessing, he has a substitute. The Bible warns us of antichrist and false prophets that will perform miracles, that will perform healings. That's why it's so important that we have that discernment, that we have that discernment, that we have that gift of discernment. It is no accident, brothers and sisters, no accident that John said I indeed baptize you with water, but once coming after me, he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Fire. Fire's good, fire's good. Fire's good. Keeps us warm. Fire's a great thing, gives us light. But fire can be dangerous. Fire can be dangerous. It's up to you and I to stay focused on his word and his work and make sure that we're led by the spirit. That supposed outpouring don't mean to go back to Lakeland, but that supposed outpouring in Florida, with jewels and gold dust and people speaking in tongues yeah, those are the same ones that were quacking and barking. A deceived church, a deceived church. And you know what amazed me about that Is all the local churches who were running to Lakeland. Aren't you going, pastor? Aren't you going to Lakeland? There's an outpouring. I said I don't believe it's an outpouring, I don't believe it's of God. And here's what I noticed during that time period when all these assemblies of God were taking buses to Lakeland to see this farce that went on there. Incidentally, he went to jail. Most of the congregation went to the people who were truly baptized in the Holy Ghost, people who knew the word, that were filled with his word. They didn't run, they didn't go to Florida, they knew it was fake, they knew Luke. I know it's a lot. I'm almost done. Thank you, john. Luke 11, 9. And I say unto you ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you, for everyone that asks receives, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son asks bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone. If he asked a fish, will he, for a fish, give him a serpent? Or if he asked an egg, will he offer him a scorpion. 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? We sang it today right, your god is a good god, your father is a good father. He's in tune with our needs. He's in tune with what we want to accomplish, what we want to do, and as long as we're asking dad, as long as we're asking Abba, father, for that need or what we're concerned about, you're under his protection, you're under his supervision. As long as we're true, if we walk with him, he'll nurture every gift, he'll expand every gift that we seek, every responsibility. A good father who takes care of his children. Some of you will remember before seatbelts right, I'd be in the truck with my dad and he'd have to hit the brakes and the arm bar would go out. Right, this was before safety seats and seat belts and all that. And I have to tell you that into my 20s he would still arm bar me. All right, he would still hit the brakes, put the arm out, protect my kid. And you know he would tell. He was always telling my brother and me, you know, always giving us advice don't do that, don't go there, don't go there, don't do this, don't do that. That's how the Holy Ghost watches out for us. That's how he watches out for us. He protects us. Isaiah said, with stammering lips and another tongue will I speak to my people? This will be the rest to my weary people. John the Baptist said and he indeed baptizes with water, but the one who I'm not even worthy to untie his shoes, and he, he, he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The Bible instructs every believer to earnestly seek this baptism of power, and that's important because not just if it happens. Well, if it happens, I'll go along with it. That's not what he said. He said desire and pursue receiving the baptism in the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking with other tongues, but accompanied by joy and peace in the Holy Ghost. See, that's where it comes from. So many in Pentecostal churches walk along the water, this Holy Ghost river, and we say things like well, I think I have it. I didn't have to speak in tongues, or I don't really know if I have it. I didn't have to speak in tongues, or I don't really know if I have it, or I don't know if I want it. You know, we've heard so many terrible sermons regarding this infilling of power or, my favorite if God wants me baptized, he can knock me down here and make me do. He'll never do that. Your God, god, the Holy Ghost, will never do that. He's always a gentleman and will never force you to do anything. And the silliest thing that I've ever heard in a church is I don't need it. I don't need it. This middle-of-the-road gospel is working just fine for me In times of stress, anxiety, in this age of the emerging remnant. Oh, this is getting hairy, colette, this is getting really hairy. All right, you'll find that you're hopeless and helpless and fearful without the Holy Spirit and you will react in a totally ungodly way. And you will react in a totally ungodly way. So if you're thinking I don't need it and of course I know, you all know better than the Lord what he has told you you need desperately and should look for and seek. And we say we don't need it, I'm doing just fine. What Jesus said will get us over, get us through and give us victory. Put joy and peace in our hearts, direct us on the right road, give us confidence and power and keep us from having a nervous breakdown. And we say I'm not sure. It's the most wonderful thing that we can receive from God after salvation. God gave his son to the world Amen. He gave the church the Holy Ghost. The church the Holy Ghost. It's God's spirit and our spirit become one Glory, one unmovable, unshakable, unstoppable force, all for the glory of God. It's a wonder of wonders, given not by man, not by a denomination, not by a pastor or a preacher, given by God. This is that. This is that the prophet Joel, the apostles, jesus himself said. It would revolutionize it, meaning the baptism. It would revolutionize your life and your walk with him. It would change you from a warrior warrior to a warrior, amen. It would change you from stressed to blessed. It would change you from being confused to confident and allows you to understand liberty Like I could never explain Hallelujah. This is that.
Speaker 2:This is that the end of my Live inside of me. Welcome, holy Spirit. We are in your presence. Fill us with your power. Fill us with your power. Live inside of me. You're the living water. You're the living water. You're the never-drying fountain, comforter and counselor. Take complete control. Welcome, holy Spirit. We are in your presence. We are in your presence. Fill us with your power. Live inside of me as we gather. May your spirit work within us as we gather. May we glorify your name, knowing well that, as our hearts begin to worship, we'll be blessed because we came. Oh, yes, we'll be blessed because we came. Oh, yes, we'll be blessed because we came. Welcome, holy Spirit. We are in your presence. Fill us with your power. Live inside of me. Welcome, holy Spirit. Welcome, holy Spirit. We are in your presence. Fill us with your power. Heaven's side of me.