Pentecost for today (Acts 2:1-13)

1.     Introduction – dramatic, exciting; but what does this mean for today???

Can we experience the Holy Spirit like this?? With such great effect??

2.     Being together

The disciples had gathered in Jerusalem as Jesus had told them to. This was 50 days after the resurrection, and 10 days after Jesus’ ascension. The disciples and Jesus’ other followers had not been without Jesus long before the Spirit came amongst them. When Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20), he really meant it. The Holy Spirit would continue to promote the work of Jesus and the mission of God.

This was the ‘Day of Pentecost’ – there was a festival happening because of the end of the harvest (50 days after Passover). Visitors from all over the place were in Jerusalem for this festival. Maximum exposure for the wondrous deeds of God! People everywhere … from all sorts of cultures and language groups. A bit like the culmination of the Autumn Festival in Bright … busy, bustling, noisy crowds.

The Holy Spirit was breaking in! Not that the Holy Spirit had ever really been missing. When was the Holy Spirit first mentioned in the Bible??? The Holy Spirit was there at creation – “a wind from God swept over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1b). The Holy Spirit was also there guiding key figures of Israel to where God would have them be, had also inspired the prophets with key teaching about the ways of God. The Holy Spirit had ‘landed’ on Jesus at his baptism (to acknowledge his unique ministry on earth) and guarded him through the devil’s temptations. But there was something different about this incident. The Holy Spirit was coming upon the ‘believers’ collectively for a great purpose. These ‘believers’ would be moulded together and gifted together, for the purpose of becoming the church of Jesus Christ; a church that would continue to re-enact  the life and ministry of Jesus day by day wherever they were.

So, they had to be “all together” (v.1), and they were all together. There was around 120 ‘believers’ by now (according to Acts 1:15): including the remaining 11 disciples plus the new one Matthias, Jesus’ mother and the other women who had been following Jesus for some time. Now there was also Jesus’ brothers (who had become believers after the resurrection), including James – who would later become an important leader of the church and write the famous letter that we have in the New Testament. They had to be “all together” (v.1), and they were all together.

This begs the question! What would it mean for us to be “all together” (v.1b)? Given the complexities of contemporary life, and the unique context in which we live locally, what would it mean for us (in our context) to be “all together”??? Purpose, unity, love. To be on the same page together, working together. To be worshipping and fellowshipping together as much as possible. Implications for being together with other local churches as well.

Given all that, what would it mean for the Holy Spirit to “fill the entire house” (v.2b)??? Everywhere we go together and also apart (separately), gathered and dispersed; all our homes and everywhere we go … working, learning, playing, eating. The whole area!! All the community!!

We should note that the Holy Spirit is never our personal possession – as if we could ever contain the Holy Spirit or to confine it our own needs or purposes. The Holy Spirit inhabits us … to point toward Jesus. The Holy Spirit goes ahead of us … to help us make relational connections, and see the doors of hospitality open to us. And the Holy Spirit’s gifts are supplied for the ‘common good’ (1 Corinthians 12:7).

I read this week about an alarm clock that just wakes up one person, even where there is another in the same room. [The “Wake” alarm takes specific aim and directs a tight burst of light and sound at a person’s face.] The Holy Spirit doesn’t generally work that way – not in this Pentecostal context anyway – the Holy Spirit is collectively and universally awakening us!

3.     Wind and fire

The ‘day of Pentecost’ was all pretty dramatic … a strong wind and the appearance of fire. The “wind” covered every square millimetre of where they were situated. The fire started out in one flame, but separated out to touch (to “rest on” – v.3b) each person there gathered. And immediately there was significant output from these ‘believers’. They started speaking in languages previously unknown to them. Previously timid and fearful ‘believers’ had their hearts ‘kindled’, their minds inspired, their mouths activated, and they spilled out into the streets with a message about God.

This all came as a bit of a surprise to the gathering crowd. Look at the repeated reactions of the crowd: “bewildered” (v.6), “amazed and astonished” (v.7) – this was not normal; then, “amazed and perplexed” (v.12) – to be “perplexed” suggests that something has touched a nerve.

This was a miracle in communication. We know that this was a miracle that only God could bring about, because why?? It is noted that these people doing this incredible communicating, were “Galileans” (verse 7). These “Galileans” would NOT have had the education or opportunity of learning these languages of other places; being known as simple and humble folk. This was a work of God; or at least some would come to understand that.

We should note that these “languages” are NOT the spiritual ‘tongues’ we associate with ‘speaking in tongues’ (that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians). These are real “languages” and dialects of different national groups, through which, when heard, communicated the good news of Jesus – refer verse 6b. This certainly engaged them – every single one of them (everyone was covered)!

4.     Who was there?

Who was there? People of the Hebrew faith from a variety of places far and wide … as far as Rome (listed in verses 9-10). Jews had been dispersed all over the Greco-Roman world over past centuries through various conflicts. So they would have a variety of first languages. There were also “proselytes” (v.10b) – who were not Jews by birth, but had been attracted to the Jewish faith. The Jewish faith had a few attractive features … not late-in-life circumcision, not that … but certainly monotheism (one God), and ethical standards way above other religious or societal standards. In being attracted to the Jewish faith, such ‘seekers’ as these would also likely be interested in this new expression of spirituality. Mentioned specifically were certain Gentiles – Cretans and Arabs – they were also hearing interesting and amazing news in their own languages.

What were they hearing about (v.11b)?? “God’s deeds of power”! If we read on into Peter’s great sermon, we will see that these “deeds of power” were concerned with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; and how this has brought the possibility of forgiveness and salvation to all humanity. The good news about Jesus was being shared in every language present.

5.     Pentecost today

How can this be replicated today? We are God’s people, and having accepted Jesus into our lives, we too have received the Holy Spirit. This is the same Holy Spirit that each of us has received – a “tongue of fire” has “rested on each” of us … from the same Holy Spirit. How will the Holy Spirit deal with us?? Each day we would be waiting to see … expectant for God’s next move. But we also have to ready … more than this, we have to be willing, we have to be open! As we see in the New Testament, there was often things that had to be in place before the Holy Spirit became evident – usually obedience and prayer. And we see in Paul's letters (and in other places like the early chapters of Revelation), often various churches had to be called to account for their behaviour, action or inaction. 

On the basis of what we read here though, the key work of the Holy Spirit in us, will be effective communication. This will happen even across difficult barriers, not just cultural barriers, but other more common barriers such as: non-belief, antagonism, bad experiences and deep hurts. Also, sadly, more and more people (often through no fault of their own) have never heard of Jesus, or seen any credible witness to the life of Jesus. So, when we share our faith in Jesus with anyone, it is unlikely to get an immediate positive response (although sometimes we may be pleasantly surprised). But what we want to create, is the space where someone will ask, “What does this mean?” (v.12). We want a dialogue to begin, which includes both words and also actions; that together add up to a very credible presentation of faith.

Sometimes, we will be sneered at and called all sorts of things – ‘nuts’ and worse, or accused of being ‘on something’. There will be those who misunderstand or pull down the blinkers. But that’s okay surely! We remain true, and wait for those who say, “What does this mean?”. There will always be those who are seeking truth or needing new solutions to old problems. When the ‘believers’ were “all together” and ready for God’s Spirit to move, the Holy Spirit worked, and a crowd was created around the sharing of the good news. Can we actually get involved in things, and conduct activities, that get people to ask the question: “What does this mean?”. This, against the tide of the mockers and cynics; and we might also say, against the tide of the times!?!

We should note that this “Good News” that we share, has to remain ‘good news’ – it needs to be presented in a way that touches people deeply where they are, and significantly answer long-held questions … it needs to be heard and received as ‘good news’. We are all sick of ‘bad news’; lives will only be changed through ‘good news’. This is why we have to be (and discern well) where other people are at, so that we know we are offering ‘good news’ solutions to those problems that frustrate and oppress; rather than speaking words that go above heads or miss targets entirely. The language of our place … our comfortable ‘religious’ words may not translate, so that is why we need other languages up our sleeve – largely the language of love, the language of compassion, and the language of hope. [There are other languages to … more on this next week.]

If we read on in Acts 2, we find that about three thousand people responded to the gospel that day and were baptised (2:41). We pray for people to make decisions for Jesus in numbers like this. Not only so we feel good about ourselves, not only so our faith seems vindicated; but primarily because this is the decision people need to make, were created to make, will be thoroughly thankful for in time.

So what might be the ‘Pentecost’ vision for today? All of us connected together by Jesus, and by a desire to lift his name high before the entire community (“entire house”) – in our various giftedness, personalities, roles, vocations and interests; empowered by the Spirit to communicate the good news of Jesus in creative, meaningful, understandable, culturally and contextually relevant ways. Exciting yes! But this may mean there are things to be left behind – i.e. convenience, personal preferences, comfort zones.

Another question! Did you want to experience the Holy Spirit working through your life to the betterment of the world? Then this starts at the cross of Jesus.

A Pentecost Blessing:

May we enter the adventure, and discover where the winds of the Holy Spirit are blowing.

A Model Prayer for use in public worship gatherings

We thank you loving God that we can gather here today for worship.

We thank you also that other people can gather in your name in other places.

We have come from our homes and community to meet with one another and with you.

We thank you for the Saturday we had, with all its joys, activities and the various places of gathering.

We thank you that today we can sing your praise, we can read your word, share in communion, and pray.

We thank you for the many resources and gifts you have given us, that we can use in a ministry to others.

We thank you for the recent rains, then followed by some beautiful weather.

We thank you for our family, friends, neighbours, church, and all those who love us and encourage us.

Our minds turn to those we care for.

We pray for any who are sick, incapacitated, lonely or sad.

We pray for a fresh awakening of grace and healing in their lives:

[insert names & particular situations].

We pray for those who are recovering from illness or surgery: […] or anyone else.

We pray for those who are away from us – on holiday or for other reasons:

[...] or anyone else.

We continue to pray for the people of [Nepal], and as well those seeking to serve them.

We continue also to pray for peace to come to troubled places, for evil intent to turn in repentance, for injustice to bow to Jesus.

We pray for those who know that they need to worship, but have found it hard to do so.

We pray that there will be a fresh awakening of your love and Spirit in them.

Help us to be encouragers in the coming week.

Help us to do something or say something that makes a real positive difference in the life of another.

Help us to be part of your mission in the world.

We pray for the challenges and decisions before us as a church, that we will know your very close guidance.

We look forward to seeing many people that are on our minds come to know you.

We look forward to seeing a movement of your Spirit, and of your people;

That we will cause us to grow, and to rise up in even more praise and worship.

We now pray that we can be attentive to your word as it has been searched;

That we might be more ready, more prepared, and more equipped.

Amen!

For Mother's Day - "Care & Service" (John 19:23-30 with emphasis on verses 25-27)

1.     A Human Story

What stands out to you??

This is one of the most emotional, heart-tugging, gut-wrenching, yet inspiring scenes of scripture.

Jesus is in torturous agony – dying an innocent death with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

At the same time there is our view (and also Jesus’ view) of the Roman soldiers dividing up Jesus’ clothes and gambling over his tunic.

At the conclusion we hear Jesus’ say, “It is finished”. There is of course more to this than just the end of a human life – this also speaks of the accomplishment of a mission i.e. the creation of an open door of forgiveness for all those who will humble themselves and believe.

But what else is there? There is yet a stunning reference to the ongoing human story.

Standing near the cross were the four women closest to Jesus. One of these was Jesus’ mother. The disciple John was also there with the women.

We could only begin to wonder how Jesus’ mother would be feeling; no doubt distraught for the situation her son was in.

The anguish and terror of Jesus’ mother at the sight of his crucifixion must have been indescribable.

We have recently seen scenes of how distraught was the mother of Myuran Sukumuran as the time moved closer to his execution … unimaginable anxiety.

Jesus’ mother was no doubt in great need of support and care. She knew who Jesus was … that her son Jesus was actually God’s Son, and that there was a higher purpose behind his death. But that didn’t change the human reality of the moment. That you have some knowledge that this was likely to happen, in no way lessens the pain when it does.

Just because we realise or understand the higher purpose of some particular suffering, this does NOT lessen the human tragedy.

Jesus could have said “toughen up Mum” … but he didn’t; or Jesus could’ve reminded her that he would rise again (which he had spoken about a few times earlier) … but he didn’t!

Rather, Jesus entered into this solemn moment of human suffering, and brought about a tender response.

The tender concern that Jesus showed for his mother, in his own hour of mortality, illuminates Jesus’ true humanity and compassion.

The disciple John would be struggling too. Even though we often see Peter as the leader of the disciples, John and his brother James were often shown to be part of the inner circle. John was clearly very close to Jesus, referring to himself as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

John would need someone to support and care for him as well going forward.

So Jesus, despite his agony, in compassion, reaches out to his mother and to his best friend, and says, “Woman, here is your son”, and to John, “Here is your mother”. Here is love and gratitude, expressed toward both a dedicated mother and a devoted friend. Don’t you just love Jesus!!

Mary was now 33 years older than when Jesus was born, perhaps now in her late forties. Not particularly old, but she’d had more sons, and probably Joseph her husband would have died by now; and she’d had to endure all the criticism, rejection and opposition that Jesus had encountered.

Where were her other sons? Would they not care for her … well not necessarily. We know that they had difficulty accepting and believing who their brother Jesus really was, and just wanted Jesus to pull his head in and just be normal. This possibly had put them at odds with their mother. So they may not have been in the best position to offer good care and support, even if they had wanted to. Mary needed a ‘son’ who understood, and felt the same way she did.

Mary and John were clearly best suited together as mutual carers, because they had both lost so much. John, to his great credit, then follows through, and takes Mary to his home. Here were two faith-filled people necessarily caring for one another, as no one else could care for them (in such a deeply spiritual way).

John, with his brother James, had left the Zebedee family home three years ago, and had followed Jesus everywhere he went. John was now ready to step up into whatever ministry Jesus had for him (without looking back). As we begin to read the book of Acts, we see that taking Mary into his home, did not hold John back from further adventurous ministry. We might imagine how Mary was cheering John on, as he perpetuated Jesus’ ministry in the post-resurrection and early-Church development period. John was good for Mary and Mary was good for John.

Jesus, from the cross, extends into the future Christian community, the pastoral care he lived out in his earthly life.

We could see this simply as the oldest son making provision for his mother, but an oldest son would have been more likely to enlist the second-oldest son. This has far more to it … here was God (in Jesus) initiating and encouraging caring spiritual community.

2.     What does this say to us?

(a)  Care & support

Part of our response to Jesus (and what he has done for us) is to care for others. And there may be very particular specific others who we are called to care for and support. Very naturally, there will be our parents, there will be our wife or husband, there will be our children. The ideal would be that such caring relationships as these, although primary, would not hold us back from the wider ministry work of Jesus. The ideal in fact would be that these primary relationships would actually fuel us for more and broader relationships. These relationships within the family circle become the training ground and the source of encouragement for more relationships. In mind here are not only brothers and sisters in the Christian community, but also, and importantly, neighbours, friends and acquaintances in the wider community. And anyway, the way for our family (and our church) to grow in well-being and harmony, is for us to also give attention to the broader human dynamic around us. People are hurting with a developing propensity toward depression and destructive behaviour. Maybe some care and support for these and others will not only be personally helpful, but also community-building.

It has to be said that some of our family relationships aren’t in the best shape, for a great variety of reasons. Even when we sincerely try to repair these, it doesn’t necessarily go well. Who knows what Mary’s relationship was like with her other sons! Who knows how close the brothers John and James really were, or what the relationship with their parents was like (having left the family business behind just to follow an itinerant prophet)! But in the following of Jesus, we will have ample opportunities to invest ourselves into the lives and needs of many others. “Woman, here is your son … John … here is your mother”. Who is Jesus asking us to care for and support – to take into our inner family circle?

(b) Mutuality – interdependence

In our formation, God has given us both limitations and responsibility. This is the possibility of making gross mistakes, while retaining great responsibility in caring for God’s world. We are limited on our own and thus need each other. At the same time we have responsibility for the welfare of others. So both our limitations and our responsibility lead us into relationships of mutual care. “Limitations are a sign pointing to your need of the other; while responsibility reveals the other’s need of you” (refer to “The New Parish” page 73).

Sometimes we are ready to care, but are not so open to others caring for us. This is something we need to get our heads around … being open to others caring for us.

(c)  Serving

Many of us want to serve God. But to do this well and maintain this desire is quite challenging. Jesus committed the care of his mother to the one who was closest to him. This might suggest to us again, that if we want to serve Jesus well, into the lives of others, then we have to be close to him i.e. Jesus. Larry Richards wrote, “The closer we are to the Lord, the more likely He is to commit precious things and precious people to our care”. We need to get to know Jesus as well as we can, so that his heart of compassion, understanding and care can rub off on us.

What do we do when we become overwhelmed by the evil and violence in the world? What do we do while our prayers are in the process of being answered?? Follow in the Jesus way: care and service – believing that this will indeed make a difference!

3.     Conclusion: Reversals (in a good way)

Today I selected for the closing song at church “Let the weak say I am strong” for the following reason. The one who has felt weak or poor because of life’s disappointments can be made to feel strong and rich, when embraced by a personal ministry of Jesus through another human traveller. The work of Jesus on the cross is NOT yet complete without it being lived out by us in the service of others. Jesus’ work of salvation is complete, but it still needs to be lived, seen, experienced and felt in the general human environment, especially if it’s going to catch on.

When we sing the third verse, which begins “I will rise from waters deep into the saving arms of God”, can we picture this as happening together, on mass, the whole lot of us, and more; not only because we have been saved by Jesus, but also because we have been ministered to by others (in the name of Jesus).

Autumn Festival Prayer of Thanksgiving

God of Love, we are grateful for all Your creativeness,

And part of this are the colours of Autumn;

We are awestruck by this beauty,

Which reminds us how wonderful You are.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

Living God, we are grateful for people on the street,

Some of them locals, others our visitors;

Walking up and down, looking, shopping, enjoying,

Which reminds us that You are the giver of life.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

Lord Jesus, we have enjoyed the festival with all its activities,

The markets, parade, music, art and craft;

Places to go, and people to see,

Which reminds us about the importance of community.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

God of Grace, we have noticed the local crowds for Anzac Day,

People who want to respect and honour sacrifice;

We would long for there to be peace on Earth,

So we commit ourselves to Jesus, Saviour and Prince of Peace.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

God of Mercy, we regret that this week has been tinged with sadness,

People losing their lives in Indonesia and Nepal;

Life is so fragile, yet so precious,

We have been reminded of our deep need of You.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

God of Comfort, we are grateful for our places of worship,

Where we gather to express our love for You;

We thank You that here today we are together,

Which reminds us of our unity in the Name of Jesus.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

Creator God, we are grateful for this beautiful part of Your world,

With its mountains, trees, rivers, birds and animals;

We have enjoyed both the rain and the sun,

We have been reminded that the Spirit of God lives here.

Loving God, we are grateful for your great mercy and many blessings.

Please enliven us through Your Spirit.

Amen.