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THE DAY OF PENTECOST

That's the Spirit!

Acts 2:1-21

Last week was Confirmation Sunday.  Ten young men and women affirmed their baptisms.  In my sermon, I shared with you some of the questions that they posed to me about the Christian faith – How did we get here?  Where are we going?  What is true religion?

But I also had my own questions for them.  Those questions I submit to confirmation students for the writing of their personal faith statements.  Among those questions are:

Do you believe in God?  Why or why not?  Who is God for you?

Do you believe in Jesus as God’s Son?  Why or why not?  What is the most important aspect of Jesus’ life for you?

Do you believe in the Spirit of God (which is also the Spirit of Jesus)?  Why or why not?  How is the work of the Spirit present in your life and in the work of the church?

These are the first three groups of questions in a whole page of questions.  I don’t tell them they have to respond to every question.  Students are good about responding to the questions about God and Jesus.  They most often identify the cross as the most significant aspect of Jesus life.  They respond much less frequently to the questions about the Spirit.  In fact, this year, only two confirmands spoke at all about the Holy Spirit. 

I think that reflects the general reluctance of Lutherans to talk or even think about the Holy Spirit.  Lutheran theologians sometimes call the Holy Spirit, “the quiet member of the Trinity.”  It may be more true to say that Lutherans are quiet about the Holy Spirit.

If we are reluctant to think or speak about the Holy Spirit, then today’s texts will help us, especially Acts 2.

Acts 2 begins with a familiar story.  All the followers of Jesus are gathered together in one place.  Suddenly, there is the sound of a thunderous wind.  Then there are flames of fire that touch each person.  Finally, they all begin to speak in languages not their own – but of others – of all the great things God has done.

This is a pretty impressive show.  And those who witness are impressed.  But they are also bewildered.  For they are gathered from every corner of the known world.  Here in Jerusalem they hear, not in the Aramaic that they are accustomed to hearing, but in their own languages about God’s great deeds.

So they ask, “What does this mean?” although some dismiss it as early morning drinking.

It is Peter who stands up to address just this question – What does this mean?  Peter declares that this is the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. And he draws on the prophet Joel.  

Peter quotes Joel, but he makes some small amendments to this text.  Peter does not correct Joel or misquote him.  Peter adapts old words for a new situation.  The old prophecy has taken on new meaning in light of what God has done in Jesus.

First, whereas Joel says, “After these things…” Peter says, “In the last days…”  What you are witnessing, he tells the crowd, is not one more thing after another.  It is the culmination of things.  Now a new time has begun.

Second, he inserts the word, “my,” before the word, “slaves.”  While Joel meant a specific socio-economic class, Peter broadens the identification of this group.  We all belong to God, Peter is saying.  We are all God’s slaves.

Third, he places an additional, “and they shall prophesy,” at the end of 2:18.  The Spirit is given so that they will prophesy.  It is given so that all people – young and old, men and women, slave and free – all flesh shall prophesy.

Probably about now you’re beginning to think that I’m talking about some other people or some other church.  No, I’m talking about this people.  I’m talking about church.  You are all prophets.

This is not prophecy in the way it is popular understood.  This is not fortune-telling.  If you want fortune-telling, you should go to the grocery store and pick up one of those cheap magazines at the check out counter.

Biblical prophecy is not about seeing the future more clearly.  It is about seeing the present more clearly.  It is about seeing how God is working right now in this time and in this place. 

So, the question about the Holy Spirit really comes down to this: How is God working in your life right now? 

Are there blessings in your life through which you know God’s goodness?

Are there setbacks in your life that are pushing you to reconsider your priorities?

Are there fears in your life through which God is inviting you to deeper trust?

Are there challenges in your life by which God is calling you to grow?

Are there joys in your life which make you want to stand up and cheer, “Yea, God!”?

How is God working in your life right now?  And is there someone you else might talk to about this?  This is the Holy Spirit.

Now I’m not asking you to rush out and tell your life story to the first stranger you meet.  I’m not suggesting you go out and ring doorbells.

Let me suggest two further steps:  First, talk to God about what God is doing in your life.  This will not only clarify for you what God is doing.  It was also ground your heart in God.  This is not about you.  This is about God. 

Second, listen to others.  Ninety per cent of good speaking is good listening.  So, listen before you speak.  That way you will increase the chance that you will not only be speaking your own language.  You will be speaking their language.  You will be speaking in a way that they will hear and understand. 

When you speak of God’s actions in your life so that others may understand, that’s Pentecost.  That’s prophecy. 

That’s the Spirit!