The Gift of the Spirit May 28th, 2023
Spirit of God, at Pentecost you created new understanding among Jesus’ gathered disciples. We ask you to fill us with new understanding of the Scriptures this day. Energize us to act faithfully in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Living Word. Amen.
Today is a special Sunday in both the Christian church as a whole, and in Union Presbyterian church in particular. For the Church it is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which, over 2000 years ago, as Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and entered into the Apostles and the other followers of Christ who were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. The apostle Luke, the author of the book of Acts, describes that event in these words, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:1-4)
At that incredible time, they could understand and appreciate each other even though many came from different places and spoke different languages. They could work together to help each other and give glory to God. And for us here in Union Church this morning, today is an extra special day, not only is it Pentecost Sunday, but it is also Volunteer Appreciation Sunday, the day we recognise those who work diligently to strengthen and build up the faith here in Thorburn and beyond. These are the people who work so hard, day in, day out, to keep things running smoothly here at the church. Also, many are out in the community offering encouragement and support to all those who need it. They are dedicated to our church and community, putting God’s words into action. They are the ones obeying this command which Jesus gave to his first disciples, “‘…Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:15)
Regarding the festival of Pentecost, it was a feast day for the Jewish faith. The name Pentecost means “the fiftieth.” It was so-called because it fell on the fiftieth day after Passover. According to Jewish law every male Jew who lived within 20 miles of the Jerusalem was supposed to attend. No work was to be done on that day. It was a festive holiday occasion, and the streets were filled with people.
The Apostle Peter was able to use this opportunity to speak to the Jewish pilgrims who had come from across the Roman Empire for the feast of Pentecost. These travelers spoke a variety of languages, yet Peter was able to communicate with each and everyone of them. One of the gifts that Holy Spirit had given to those first disciples was the ability to speak to people in their native tongue. As a result, Luke tells us, “Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language.” (Acts 2:5-8) And because of Peter’s sermon, over 3000 people came to faith in Jesus Christ on that amazing day. This was the beginning of Christianity, and because of this we look on this day as the birthday of the Church.
The lives of the disciples were completely transformed on the day of Pentecost. No longer were they fearful and powerless. No longer were they afraid and elusive. They were now gifted with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. They were filled with divine boldness. They felt the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised during his ascension.
And the reason Pentecost is so important to the church is that without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the church would have died out long ago. It’s what took place on Pentecost that gives us the power to accomplish that which is impossible. But at the same time Pentecost should not just be a celebration of an event which took place centuries ago, but a celebration of what must and should happen to us each and every day in our church now.
One of the best definitions of Pentecost I’ve heard is this one, “The meaning of Pentecost is God equipping His Church with the power of His Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations.” God sent his Holy Spirit to dwell within all believers to strengthen our faith and to develop the gifts he has given each of us so we can serve God and his church more effectively. We may not immediately recognize these gifts, but we all have them, and we should take the time to find our own unique gifts given by God.
And like that crowd of pilgrims gathered in that hot, dusty square in Jerusalem that day listening to the words of Peter’s sermon, we need to be impressed again on how important the Holy Spirit is for us. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no Christians and no Church. The gospel message would be unknown. The world would be lost without any hope and there would be no hope of eternal life.
So today on this Pentecost Sunday, we give thanks to God for our group of dedicated volunteers who share this hope and comfort with all. They’re able to do all that they do thanks to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, just before his ascension to be with the Father had promised his disciples, “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 1:8). And that’s the same for us today, when we come to faith in Christ the Holy Spirit becomes part of us and he is there to help and guide our lives. Once again, these words of Jesus, “‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.’” (John 14:15-17)
And the work many of you do goes far beyond the four walls of this church. I know many of you do volunteer work wherever you find a need. Wherever we go in life the Holy Spirit is there, helping us and guiding us in all that we do. By sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in all parts of our lives we obey the words of Jesus and are his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
So, in closing, let me ask you a question. If we had to give up one of the four major celebrations of the Church calendar, being Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, or Pentecost, which one would seem the least crucial?
Well, there couldn’t have been a Good Friday nor an Easter Sunday without the birth of Christ which we celebrate at Christmas. Good Friday would have been a meaningless martyrdom if it wasn’t for the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ which we celebrate at Easter. But it is Pentecost that gives us the gift of faith by which you and I can know that the birth, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are for us! Jesus was not finished when he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. He came back to give the greatest gift of all — the gift of his own Spirit to live in us.
Pentecost is a wonderful time to celebrate how the Holy Spirit touches our lives and how we continuously use our spiritual gifts. As essential as is Christmas, as is Good Friday, as is Easter, these three would not be celebrated at all if it were not for Pentecost. Just as Jesus came to earth in human form; and in the crucifixion, Jesus died for the sins of the world; and in the resurrection of his Son, God triumphed over sin and death, even so in Pentecost God empowers you and me and his church to live to his glory and to do his work until he comes again.
Let us Pray:
Gift-giving God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, open our minds to the mystery of faith and the truth that the Gospel message is still moving out through the simplest actions of people in your world. Strengthen and sustain all those who volunteer in our church; that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.