PENTECOST
Acts 2: 1 – 11 May 27, 2007
Pilgrim Bud Precise
“Listen to the mighty wind giving power to the sons and daughters of God. Listen to the mighty wind giving power to the sons and daughters of God.
Pentecost.
First, the sound of a mighty wind.
Then tongues of fire appeared and rested on them.
Then they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in all kinds of languages – their own language – not some unknown tongue that no one knew.
There were people from all over – Parthia, Median, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, Cryene and Arabs, Crete and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes.
They were all amazed – for they all understood – each in their own language.
More astounding than all this, was that long existing barriers were broken down at that first Pentecost. They were of such heart and mind that they shared what they had to take care of the 3,000 new members who were added to the church that day.
Pentecost – the Birthday of the Church. What a day to remember! What a day to recover!!
Some scholars point to the story of the building of the tower of Babel in the book of Genesis. The whole earth had one language and the same words. They came together and decided to build for themselves a tower that would reach the heavens – to make a name for themselves. The story goes that God decided they didn’t need that much power. So God confused their speech so they couldn’t understand each other. Since they could not communicate they couldn’t finish the tower and God scattered them abroad over the face of the earth.
Here the Pentecost experience is a reversal of that story. People gather from all over – and language is no barrier. They are united in the Spirit of Pentecost – the Spirit of God.
I eat breakfast a couple of days each week with two friends at Chick – fi –let in Wildwood. The main attraction is the free coffee for senior adults – plus we can share our wisdom and solve the problems of the world. Just last week Robert, who doesn’t ever go to church, but does like to talk religion more than Jesse and I said to me, “Reverend, I think we are living in the last days. Things are getting too bad – out of hand. Time for the second coming of Jesus.” And then he asked me, “Do you believe that?” “Well, Robert, things are bad in a lot of areas and I wish they would get better, But I don’t believe in this idea of God destroying the earth. We may destroy it, but I don’t believe God will destroy creation. As to the 2nd coming of Jesus, I think that has already happened.” Then he really thought I was out to lunch. I tried to explain this Pentecost Experience – the coming of the Spirit of God. I know the church invented the theory of the Trinity – got it from different places in the bible. And if you believe in the Trinity, then those three parts (God the Creator, Redeemer/ Sustainer – Father, Son, Holy Spirit) however you want to say it – if you believe all those three parts are equal, then you have Jesus coming back in the Spirit at Pentecost. Otherwise you are saying that the Holy Spirit is not equal to God and Jesus and that it cannot accomplish the work of God.
Well, what about this Holy Spirit? Are we being shaped by the power of this mighty wind – this Spirit of God? In our lives, is there any evidence of this work of God’s Spirit? Can the world see this spirit at work in our lives? In our Church?
I’ve noticed that trees show evidence that they have been shaped by the force and direction of the wind. Out in the plains states, where the wind blows in one direction most of the time, you can tell by the shape of the trees the direction of the wind. Also along the California coast line, the trees look deformed. The force and direction of the wind literally causes these trees to lean and grow in the direction they are being pushed by the wind.
I believe that this Spirit of Pentecost is the Spirit of Jesus in the world. The Spirit is the continued presence of Jesus in the church. John calls it the Spirit of Truth – of power and truth. I think Jesus is trying to relieve the fears of the disciples through his Pentecost Story.
Fear One – How do we know what to do now that Jesus our teacher is gone?
Fear two – How are we to find energy and power to carry on his mission if Jesus
Is not here to motivate and encourage us?
Fear three – How are we ever to find a sense of peace and satisfaction in our work
If Jesus is not here to tell us what is right?
John answers all these fears of the disciples and ours with his Pentecost story. God Sends an Advocate, Helper, Comforter, Encourager – The Holy Spirit to be with us. And John says this spirit is to be with us forever.
I ask you today, what is Pilgrim trying to accomplish that we cannot do without the Holy Spirit among us? I think of the way we identify ourselves – open, affirming, encouraging, open, diverse, witness to social justice. Could we do any of these without God’s spirit to encourage and support us?
In our congregation Dialogue and Dinner we have talked about being a new or a renewing congregation. It is my belief that what ever we are or whatever we will be – what is important is this continuing presence of God is among us.
I do believe God is still speaking. I believe God’s spirit is among us and in us – and in our future. When we decided that rather than just die in a few years that we would embark on this venture of faith, when we decided we would listen to this Spirit of God and exist as a congregation – we said yes to God and our future. It is not an easy road. We could not imagine leaving this place we love so well. But we can feel and see this very presence of God among us – and in us.
Like the trees shaped by the force and direction of the wind, we as individuals and as a church need to continue to show evidence that we are being shaped by the wind of the Spirit of God.
Listen to the mighty wind. Giving power to the Sons and Daughters of God. |
