Sermon: 7 June 2020 (Day of Pentecost Celebrated) - Acts 2:1-21, “The Gift of the Spirit”
“And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I shall pour out my Spirit on all flesh, ….”
Acts 2:17a
Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
The celebration of Pentecost is always a joyous and powerful occasion. The account in Luke tells us that the saints, the followers of Jesus, were together all in one place. Most likely they were in worship at the Temple. And, as other Jews arrived for the celebration of the Jewish Festival of Pentecost, some amazing things began to happen.
First there was the sound of a great rushing wind. The text only mentions hearing it, not actually feeling a wind, but the sound caught their attention. Maybe it was like a great tornado, often described as the sound of a freight train coming. Surely that would gain everyone’s attention.
Then, there was the sight of tongues “as of fire” descending above the heads of the believers. A visual sight further gaining the people’s attention. Tongues of fire that one would think would start a great fire, and yet the text simply says, it “rested upon them.” Sights and sounds that caught everyone off guard and commanded their attention as the Holy Spirit worked in them.
And as the Spirit worked, they were amazed to discover that each could understand the other no matter their native tongue. Each would hear the other speak and it would be understood in the hearer’s language. Nothing like this had happened since language was divided at Babel so many years earlier. God was at work, putting back together what He had torn apart. Enabling language to be heard and understood, no matter the language of the speaker or hearer. People could all communicate and share, especially the praise of God. This was astounding!
People were amazed, confused, and dumbfounded by all that was happening. But what did it all mean?
The Last Days Begun
It was a sign that the Last Days had begun. We understand those days to be the entire time from Jesus’ Ascension (40 days after the resurrection) until His return on the Last Day. These, Last Days, are days where the ministry of the Gospel will do its work.
Jesus gave one command to His followers at His ascension, “Go, therefore, into all the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
That command was to take the Gospel of Reconciliation which Jesus gave us and share it with the world. Simple enough. The Gospel in its most elemental form can be understood as “the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus came, out of love, in order that our sins would be forgiven, and we would have the gift of life eternal with Him. These last days are filled with the invitation to all people to hear and believe. It is an invitation to receive all that Jesus has for us.
The message is all about Jesus. It tells how He lowered Himself to become a man and take our place under the Law. It tells how He lived a perfect, sinless life that we could not. It tells of His sacrifice on the cross, earning our salvation once and for all. It tells of His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven to rule over His Kingdom of Grace and to prepare a place for us in eternity. It is a message of grace and mercy from God to us.
But how in the world will all of this take place? Consider the obstacles we face daily. The language barrier certainly remains today, only briefly being lifted here at Pentecost. And people aren’t just indifferent toward God today, they are often seriously opposed to Him, ridiculing Christians, persecuting them in many ways and even imprisoning or murdering them in many places.
The Gospel is Empowered
Pentecost was also a sign that the Gospel was empowered. Jesus Himself gives us the answer. Despite the seemingly overwhelming obstacles we face in delivering the Gospel message, the Holy Spirit is with us, empowering it. In other words, it’s not us who cause the message to be effective, but it is God the Holy Spirit Who accomplishes that. We are the means God uses to deliver the message, but God is the One Who causes it to be effective.
That is comforting to us who so often feel weak and powerless. We wonder who would listen to us. We can’t imagine how we would ever convince someone of the Gospel’s truth, and we are reminded that we don’t have to do that. It is the Holy Spirit’s work to convince people, to change their hearts, leading them from unbelief to repentance and faith. We simply tell of Jesus in our words and deeds.
In the Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed in Luther’s Small Catechism Luther writes, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”
It is God’s work to change hearts. He has given us the work of delivering His Gospel message that where the Gospel is delivered, He might be at work.
It is His power behind the message. It is His chosen method of working. He knows what is best and He works through His means to empower His action. That’s what is so wondrous about God’s Word. It does what it says. When Jesus says, “I forgive you,” through His Word your sins stand forgiven right then and there. He accomplishes His work. When elements are consecrated and served in Holy Communion, they deliver exactly what the Words promise, forgiveness and life, strengthening of faith. It’s not because of what we do but what God is doing there. When Jesus promises eternal life to us, He delivers it, sure and certain. He accomplishes His purposes through His chosen means, Word and Sacrament.
So we carry that Word with us. We study it. We use it in Worship trusting Jesus to deliver on His promises, knowing for certain that He does and will. We share it as well, knowing that He will change hearts along the way.
The Spirit, The Helper, is with Us
And Pentecost was also a sign that the Spirit of power would be with us. Are you fearful or frightened in delivering the Gospel message? You need not be. As the Holy Spirit showed His power on the Day of Pentecost, He continues to do just that today. Peter had been fearful with the other disciples and was hiding from the Jewish Leadership lest he be arrested and possibly crucified as well. Now, as the Holy Spirit comes upon Him, He is moved to action. He explains what is happening to those gathered on the Day of Pentecost. He comforts them with the Gospel. He assures them that this is the time of God’s favor. Repent and believe is the message. Jesus has died for your sins and now reigns victorious in heaven.
And yet, as Jesus promises in Matthew 28:20, He is right here with us now. That Spirit who empowers the Gospel makes His dwelling in our hearts. He continues to be with us, to remind us of the Gospel and to call us back when we wander. He keeps us strong in faith and assured that we are well in Christ. Thus, we need not fear in carrying our Jesus command to share the gospel. We need not ever fear, in fact. With eternity assured and God working to keep us close we are in very good hands.
Our risen Savior is preparing a place for us in eternity with Him. Keep your eyes on Him. He is with you to see you through this life and on into life everlasting. Yes, these are some difficult days with many scoffers in the world. But Jesus assures us, He has overcome the world.
Amen.