Sermon Preached by the Rev. Richard Marsden
Pentecost 10
John 14:8-27
Acts 2:1-21
I know some of you are a bit confused about what just happened. The gospel lesson was read in a number of different languages—and it probably felt a bit like this on that day we celebrate today, so many years ago –where untrained, common men—in the days before Rosetta Stone—proclaimed the gospel miraculously to the world. This holy day reminds us of an amazing event, and an amazing heritage that maybe we don’t give enough attention to these days.
At Christmas we say Merry Christmas, Easter has its Happy Easter. But what do we say today—Happy Pentecost – Merry Pentecost— well that just does not seem to do it!
Most of us who have been around the Church for any time know about this feast.
We have heard about how before his trial and arrest, Jesus tells his disciples that he will be sending the Holy Spirit to be with them to lead them into truth to empower them in the world. John records that at length in his gospel.
Luke records that in one of Jesus’ resurrection appearances, and on the occasion of his Ascension he tells the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they are clothed with power from on high, that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
In today’s gospel we hear Jesus words to his disciples promising that they would be sent a comforter—a counselor–a paraclete—who is the spirit of truth—who will dwell with us and in us–teach us all things—and will equip his disciples to do even greater things than he had done.
And then it happens, as we hear in Acts: as the disciples were gathered together in a room, there was the sound of rushing wind, and tongues of fire appeared on their heads and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began immediately to spread the gospel message –the message about Jesus–in languages they did not know with a courage and devotion they had never before possessed.
The rest of the book of Acts—indeed all of church history from that day on is a witness to the effects of Pentecost—even up to this present day—right here in this parish—in each of our lives—the Holy Spirit is in us and working. In the words of John Stott; Anglican priest and theologian—“the Christian life is life in the spirit.”
The problem is, when we talk of the objective reality of Pentecost, it feels ironically a bit superficial; something is missing.
It’s like describing the Grand Canyon as a great hole in the ground in terms of its geological development.
Or more personally for me– describing my marriage in terms of how Gail and I met, and what we have done in life.
It is all true, but misses the deeper and more significant meaning—of how it impacts us.
When one tries to describe the Grand Canyon—it is almost beyond words—breathtaking may fit.
When I try to describe my marriage—I find I am at a loss—just to say I am blessed doesn’t seem enough – i need to express how this relationship with this person has impacted me—changed and affected me in so many and significant ways.
If we really grasped the personal significance of this feast maybe the response should be –“whoa! Pentecost; how awesome.”
The uniqueness of Pentecost comes in that God’s purpose is to do something to, rather than something for us—his disciples. Jesus came to earth for us, he died for us, he was baptized for us. But Pentecost he sends the holy spirit to us.
It is that act by which the Church becomes the true body of Christ on earth, that the Christians as a whole would represent him.
God authorizes and prescribes a transference of power and responsibility from Jesus himself to that community on earth—commissioning and authorizing them to be the representatives of his kingdom and ministry with all the rights and powers and responsibilities of Christ himself.
And this is not just talking about the corporate body—the institutional church. This commission —this transference occurs in every believer. For every person who has been baptized, confirmed, for every person who has made an altar call, or however one has confessed their sin and professed faith in Jesus Christ as their lord and savior— (9:00 –including these two precious souls who will be baptized today–) they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
That should boggle our minds—we have—every Christian here—has the very spirit of God in him or her—each of us has the Holy Spirit of Jesus himself in us.
Do you not find that awesome!! Unbelievable!! But that is what we celebrate every holy Eucharist we attend—every time we receive communion we are reminded—encouraged in this reality– that we have Jesus life in us!
It is the Lord’s intention that we be his witnesses: that by who we are and what we do, that the world may come to know of Jesus and his kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit who does this in us and through us.
In us he produces—grows– those qualities that marked Jesus’ life, qualities that make us more like Jesus—he changes us—scripture calls these the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Then through us, the Holy Spirit equips us to do the things Jesus did; Jesus said we would do even greater things—using the gifts of the Holy Spirit; skills, abilities, talents that he gives to us, or anoints or adapts to his holy purpose—enabling some to teach, to lead, to shepherd, to heal, to greet, to give, to prophesy, to preach, to do a myriad of things that God wants done and has equipped us to do for him—in his name.
Without ammunition—what good is a gun? An expensive paperweight perhaps. Without gasoline what do you use a car for? An expensive lawn ornament maybe. Without electricity what use is a hair dryer? And I have no idea what you can use a hair dryer for except drying hair.
Without the Holy Spirit recognized and released in our lives, a Christian is in the same situation. More like the hairdryer–powerless to do what they have been created for.
If you are a Christian, you are a charismatic Christian, a spirit filled Christian—there is no other kind of Christian. But are you functioning—are you empowered—doing what God has created you and redeemed you and filled you to do?
If not, why? –Because the Holy Spirit is in you and the Holy Spirit wants to use you, but he won’t do it against your will.
There are obstacles to living the spirit-filled life. One is sin—simply put—resistance or rebellion against God.
Flowers can’t grow in concrete. It blocks the growth of roots. Sin, like concrete, needs to be broken up in our lives, so the fruit of the spirit can take root. We need to acknowledge those areas to the Lord, ask for his forgiveness, and for his power to change and we will see a difference.
And please don’t think that you have to be perfect—God uses sinners—I know that to be true for me—ask Gail or my friends. But the trajectory of our lives and wills does need to be aimed at God and away from sin and self for him to be able to use us.
Just like in a marriage—saying you’re sorry and changing behaviors that hurt your spouse put the relationship back on the right track. Repentance is the same with the Lord—it puts us back on the right track. if we are willing to be used by Jesus, he is able to make us usable.
Maybe you don’t feel you have enough faith. Well, first of all we need to realize that we don’t live by feeling, we live by faith—we put our trust in God and what he has promised us—if we confess our sins –he forgives them—when we invite him into our lives, he comes.
If we have been baptized, if we have confessed our sins and accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord—we have the Holy Spirit—that’s the fact whether we feel it or not—and some do have that inner feeling and that is ok—but that is not the assurance—we put our trust in God’s promises to us—and he promises he sends the Holy Spirit to every believer.
Related to faith is fear—maybe you are afraid—afraid to yield to the Holy Spirit—that it will make you some type of raving maniac. Well, God doesn’t do that—that is not what Jesus did or does. Jesus uses, not abuses, what we give him of our lives.
Maybe you are afraid to step out into what God is calling you to—I will remind you that fear is not of God. If you are sensing God’s leading to a particular ministry come and talk to one of us—let the clergy help you discern what God might be calling you to. Some of the best swimmers once had a fear of water—only testing their skills against the fear brought confirmation of their abilities.
So know that you have the Holy Spirit and he wants to equip you, anoint you and use you for his work in ways great and small. It’s who we are created to be as Christians.
Seek him daily in prayer and in the word, keep your relationship with him on the right track, and trust him and you will be used, personally and individually for his purposes. That’s his Pentacost promise to you and me.
Let us pray—
Come Holy Spirit and fill us this day and every day. Build up our faith and trust in you. Give us an evermore intimate and personal relationship with you. Heal our weaknesses, bind up our wounds, help us confront our fears in your strength. Grow in us the fruit of your spirit, that in what we do and how we live, you may be seen in our lives, that in our lives we may show others who you are and constantly bringing you glory and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.