Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.” Acts 2:14
On the Sunday of Pentecost, the day we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, we also celebrate the birth of God’s Church. In our worship, our learning and our serving, we see God’s Spirit in action. We feel the power of God’s love as the Spirit comes like the rush of a violent wind, stirring the hearts and minds of God’s people to faithfulness. These are the themes of Pentecost; the power of God’s Spirit blowing through the lives of God’s people.
It isn’t about wearing your red dress or shirt to church on Pentecost Sunday. It isn’t about confirming our youth as they complete their initial study of the catechism. It’s about the Holy Spirit of God blowing in the doors of the hearts and minds of God’s people, rearranging the furniture of our lives and filling us with all the confidence, strength, excitement and assurance the disciples had in order to share the good news of God’s redemption.
Think about the world around you. Think about the things you have heard and seen. Think about all the times in your life when you thought you were at wits end. In these instances, don’t you think the world needs to hear the good news of great joy that angels proclaimed to shepherds so long ago? In so many ways and in so many instances, God makes his presence and power known. Often it comes to us in the quiet moments of our lives. At other times it comes in ways so clear and powerful that no matter what, people can know and understand that God’s mercy and grace through Christ our Lord are real promises made to all who believe. God’s promises are real and his love lasts forever.
When God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in Jerusalem, amazing things began to happen. Suddenly, men who seemed to feel inadequate and frightened were filled with a bold confidence only God can provide. They took to the streets and faced the crowds they were, just moments before, afraid to confront. They spoke of the Old Testament prophecies, the faith of people such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They proclaimed the power of the Risen Christ, a power unmatched by the evil and brokenness of our world. And the people listened and believed.
The gospel of our Lord is the best news you are ever going to get in your life. The time you first realized God’s grace is for you, that you have been rescued from the consequences of sin forever, is as good as it gets.
When you are young, prom is a big moment. Some of us know kids who have recently gone to their first prom. Guess what, as good as the prom was, God claiming you to be his child is better. When you get older, graduation comes with all of its pomp and circumstance. Guess what, it can’t compare with all the glory of heaven. There are still bigger moments ahead in your lives. College, your first real love, engagement, marriage, the purchase of a home, and the birth of a child. You know what? All of these are wonderful blessings from our loving God, yet because of Christ Jesus, the best is yet to come.
People of God, all of these are wonderful events; they are milestone moments, monumental achievements, and times of great joy. But if that is where you live, if these are the most important times in your life, you’ve missed the boat. None of these can even compare with the fact that through Christ Jesus, God has saved you from sin and death, made you holy in his sight and prepared a heavenly home for you. Nothing can compare with the fact that through Christ Jesus, God has saved your life for all time. That’s good news, that’s exciting.
On the day of Pentecost, as we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray that God stirs us to such faithfulness that we cannot help but tell others the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus. As we strive to follow the example of our Lord Jesus, may we continue to love others as we are loved, feed the hungry, care for the sick and minister to those who are least of all.
May we continue to pray: “Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love!”
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
