ICYMI: The Spirit Has a Sound!

In Case You Missed It, we are discussing some of the essential things to know and do following Jesus' return from the dead. These are not just messages but life-transforming principles and practices.

In Case You Missed It: The Spirit Has a Sound! | Amy Nicholson | 11 May 2025

Catch up: YouTube | iTunes | Spotify

Jesus told the disciples to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit... as soon as the Spirit arrived, there was a sound like a violent wind, and the sound that came from them as they spoke was in different languages! There was a courage and a boldness that wasn't there before.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 (NIV)

Fire is a symbol of commissioning, see also Moses and the burning bush, and Isaiah's vision.

Exodus 3:1-21 (NIV) Uncommissioned to Commissioned through fire

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV) Unclean to Clean through fire

There is a connection between being commissioned and speaking out God's message!

In the case of Isaiah, the people didn't listen; even so, he spoke!

Obedience is your responsibility, the outcome is God's

Before Jesus was crucified, Peter denied Jesus three times. After being restored and receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter's sound completely changed. Same city, same people (who had shouted for Jesus to be crucified), same Peter... but this time he declares the truth of Jesus instead of denying Jesus - the result: 3000 people get saved in one day!

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36 (NIV)

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)

What sound is coming out of your mouth? Is it the sound of the Holy Spirit, or the sound of the spirit of this world?

• Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (bsb)

  
  

• Every kind of animals, birds, reptiles and fish is tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. James 3:7-10 (csb)

  
  

• The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,  Proverbs 10:11 (NIV)

  
  

• Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Proverbs 11:11 (NIV)

Are your words like a fountain of life, pure and clean? Or are they like the Hennops river, stinky and full of toxic waste?

The spirit of this world sounds like criticm hate, despair, self-centeredness, gossip, exclusiveness, violence, and breaking down.

The sound of this world is "breaking down"

The sound of the Holy Spirit is encouragement, love. praise, self-control, hope, peace, certainty, faith, blessing.

The sound of the Holy Spirit is "blessing".

Our words are powerful. They create worlds!

It's not easy to change a negative narrative! It takes intentionality and persistence

The greatest blessing you can give is to share the message of the Gospel and God's great love for the world.

 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:13–14 (NIV)

Imagine a church that was more like Jeremiah - the words of God like a fire that counldnt' be tamed.

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9 (NIV)

---

• Discussion Questions for Life Groups:

  
  

  • Do you know someone whose words are pure and clean like a fountain of life? How does being around them impact you?

  • Do you know someone whose words are like the Hennops river, stinky and full of toxic waste? How does being around them impact you?

  • If you were to ask those close to you, do you think they would say your words are life-giving, neutral, or negative?

  • Do you agree with this statement: "Obedience is your responsibility, the outcome is God's"? Why or why not?

  • In what area might God be leading you to sound more like the Holy Spirit and less like the spirit of the world?

  • Are you carrying a wound from words that someone has spoken over you? Ask others in your group to pray for you to find healing and freedom!