Sun, Sea and (no) sermons

Ok! Here's the deal - I'm on holiday for 2 (two) weeks. I am really looking forward to it, and I think that it will recharge my batteries. I won't be back writing until the 17th June, which is Pentecost 2 or Trinty 1 (I think).

Sermon - Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday 2007 - the Birthday of the Church.















Today is a great and grand day in the church calendar; it is one of the great Christian feasts. It is the day when we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit present in the Church of Christ.

It is a commemoration of the day when the disciples asked the question “What does this mean?” and they received the answer. They were invited to have the courage to announce the Gospel message, without worrying about the resistance and hostility they are to encounter – and they are given the spirit of love that overcomes fear, the spirit of justice that overcomes trepidation.

It was the festival of the Harvest. On that day, the city of Jerusalem filled up with believers from various places coming to the festival. As we already know, the disciples were fearful, and gathered without knowing exactly what to do. The gift of the Spirit empowers them to proclaim the Good news to all the peoples who have come to the city.

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us that they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to find the suitable language for the proclamation. The text provides us with an important detail that is frequently overlooked.

It is this; It is not a matter of using only ONE language, but being able to UNDERSTAND one another. The text is clear, the people hear the disciples “speak in other languages”. The native language of those who were there, they all understood in their own language.

The lesson is that EVANGELISM does not mean a superimposed uniformity, but more importantly a FIDELITY to the message of the Gospel, and a commitment to understand others as they worship the Lord.

This is the real message for today – the people outside won’t hear us if we only speak one language – but they will hear us if we can speak their language. The times have gone when the church could expect people to come through the doors because of ‘tradition’ or ‘folklore’ and I thank God that those times have gone. TODAY, we must speak wisdom, justice and love – then people will hear what we have to say.

When we make demands from our elected leaders about trade justice, the people in the street say “Now you’re talking”. When we ask questions about our nations shocking difference between the haves and the have nots, people say “Now you’re talking”. When we care for the homeless, the refugee, the destitute and the lonely right thinking people say “Now you’re talking – and it’s our language too”.

We all speak different languages – and the Feast of Pentecost is the time when we are reminded that God sent the Holy Spirit to give us many and varied gifts – and the church will grow if we only have confidence to use them, and also remember that it is our task to value and support the gifts of others, however different they may be from ours.

If we are working to the building up of the Kingdom, we are in the right. Similarly, if anyone works to the same goal, however unorthodox we may find it, we need to sit back sometimes and think that they might just be our brother or sister in Christ, travelling to the same place, but on a different road. That acceptance of the ministry of others is sometimes very hard for us. We may all be right.

Before we move into ordinary time, for me this is the last real opportunity to proclaim the simple truth of the last few weeks of Christ’s time with us. Today we see the great gifts that God has given to those who would follow Christ to perform the tasks ahead.

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is a glorious connecting with God. From their desolation and despair, their trust in the truth of God has brought them close to the will and purpose of God, through the earthly life of Christ. ! For those however, gathered at Pentecost, it was a huge leap of faith, a jump into the unknown. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be so courageous?

St. Paul’s great theme is that those who are unsuitable, do the task well, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They come to God desolate, with no agenda, and go in the power of the spirit to perform wonderful works. These are great lessons for us all, when we are in despair about our faith, or worldly cares.

This is because in our relationship with God, it is integrity that counts. We come before God with our conscience (and we only have one), it might not be clear, but it has the makings of perfection in it, THROUGH THE WORKING OUT OF THE Holy Spirit in our lives.

I sometimes poke fun at other churches, with their strange ways, and some of the embarrassing things they may do, HOWEVER I always come down to earth with a bump when I see a glimmer of the truth of God, and integrity in what they do. It hurts.

There is ONE GOD and ONE TRUTH, and many ways of expressing it. It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit that authenticates our efforts. Self-Authentication leads to tall towers (even ivory ones), and disconnection from God.

They say that GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS AFTER ALL, but people move that bit more strangely. We must all pray to God for the gift of discernment, to choose who to spend valuable time with, when we are on a mission to spread the word of God, the Good News of the Gospel

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I once likened the Holy Spirit to a TOOLBOX full of wonderful gadgets – some used regularly, some bringing back fond memories. Some we can take apart and understand the workings of. Some tools that are too heavy to handle properly, and some that produce strange and differing results. Some tools in my toolbox still have the wrapper on, because even though some say that they work well, it is a bit new to me, and I know what I like. Some tools are hidden at the bottom, and can only be used if we disturb the trusty gadgets on top. God gives us gifts to help our fears and anxieties, we may use them or go it alone, we may do what we always do, or strike out into uncharted waters. It is a miracle that we have the choice.

A colleague once likened the workings of the Holy Spirit to Mary Poppins’ carpet bag. I’m sure that you have all seen the film, when in the bedroom, she removes a lamp stand, a large mirror, medicine bottles and a hat stand from the small bag. When opened, you can never be sure what will come out, but you can be sure that it is amazing, and beyond our understanding. Through our bedazzlement and bewilderment, something appears that is totally useful. Each time the bag is opened, another chapter to the adventure starts, and it must be followed to the end. God gives us the gifts we need, even though we are surprised.

Take whichever definition you find most appropriate, take both or take none.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit opened the toolbox or carpetbag, and wonderful gifts flowed out. The disconnected were reconnected, the inadequate became adequate, the glue of the Holy Spirit (if you like) bound them together as ONE Church in communion with the ONE God, through the death and resurrection of Christ. Peter and the Apostles were then enabled to go out and make more connections – without fear, putting things right.

The Holy Spirit is at work amongst us – giving gifts, resolving fear, moving us forward and connecting the disconnected.

Jesus said Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you and that's that!