The Day Of Pentecost
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle A
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 (C); Acts 2:1-11 (RC, E)
This passage, vitally important to Christian tradition and theology, reports the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered people. They perceived it as tongues of fire, accompanied by "the rush of a violent wind," and as language of a mysterious sort to them, at once strange, yet strangely intelligible. This report gave rise to the custom among some Christians of "speaking in tongues," a custom not especially appreciated by Paul, who seems to have accepted the practice, but urged that it not be done when people are present who will not understand. The custom still survives today among some Christian groups, but is rejected by nearly all of mainstream Protestantism and Catholicism.
Following the descent of the Spirit, Peter began to preach, to interpret what had happened. The essence of his preaching is that to become a Christian one must be baptized, repent, doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. God will then forgive one's sins and grant the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this passage, Peter emphasizes that the promises of God reported by the prophet Joel have been fulfilled that day.
We see a bit of first century humor in Peter's response to those who "sneered and said, 'They are filled with new wine.' " To this, Peter replied, "These are not drunk as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning." I have to think Peter was in a good mood at the time, and was jollying the cynics along a bit with a smile.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 (C); 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (RC); 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 (E)
This is the preacher's favorite text for preaching about the Church. A number of years ago, a friend of mine visited the well-known Church Of The Savior in Washington, D.C., where he talked with its founder, Gordon Cosby. He asked Cosby, who had won nationwide attention to his innovative ministry, what advice he would give to other clergy about their preaching. He said Cosby replied that he would advise them to preach constantly about the Church.
Here, Paul reminds us that no two of us are alike. What makes the Church strong is its rich variety of personality types and talents. Some are equipped to preach, some to teach, some to manage, some to do the other things which need doing in the church. I don't think we quite know what speaking in tongues really was, though there are those who would argue the point. I think we need to respect each other in matters such as that one. God probably is mainly interested that we find worship forms which enable us to involve ourselves in a worshipful relationship with the divine. That sentiment would eventually issue in a rich diversity of denominations and groups. Even within larger denominations are many varieties of worship and management styles. If they serve the glory of God, who's to judge?
All of this diversity of persons and congregational forms is the work of the Holy Spirit. So, we're all members of one body, baptized by one Spirit. As such, we are to forget our differences and live together in peace.
Gospel: John 7:37-39 (C)
Most of us live near plentiful supplies of water and may rarely, if ever, experience the kind of thirst which was known to desert travelers. Jesus' hearers knew. They were familiar with the emotions which go with the kind of thirst which may not be assuaged. Fear. Anxiety. Physical exhaustion. People died on the desert unless they made ample provisions for water. They could understand what Jesus was saying quite well. If you "thirst" for life's meaning, for a promise of something beyond today's misery, for a sense of value, of being loved for what you are -- if you at times literally weep for what might be and is not, then Jesus has an answer. Jesus can provide "living water" for you.
We notice that John is quoted as saying "there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified." This smacks of a bit of editorial comment by John, who was, after all, writing as much as seventy or eighty years after the fact. Since the Bible reports many references to the "Spirit" prior to Jesus being glorified, we may safely interpret this to mean that the people of that time had not yet come to recognize the Spirit as a reality in their lives. We might use the analogy of electricity. A present-day writer might very well say, "There was no electricity in that day because Benjamin Franklin had not yet made his discovery." Truth to tell, there was as much electricity then as there is now. It had not, however, been harnessed as yet.
Gospel: John 20:19-23 (RC, E)
Jesus suddenly appears to the disciples, who have gathered in secret to avoid the Jews, of whom they were still afraid. Jesus then breathed on them, a symbolic act representing the gift of the Spirit, and then sent them forth with the power to declare forgiveness of sins.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "The Risk Of Faith"
Text: Acts 2:1-21
Theme: The idea of a Spirit such as Peter describes is a difficult one for most of us today. It certainly requires an act of faith. However, as I sit here pounding away on a word processor, without the slightest idea how it works or what kind of mind people must have to invent things like this, I realize I accept all sorts of things on faith without understanding how they're possible. The same applies to electricity. I think I once heard that even scientists don't quite understand electricity, although they obviously know a lot more about it than I do. What I do know is how to flip a light switch. Maybe this is a rather simple-minded analogy, but most of us need simple explanations for things anyway. My point is that we don't need to understand how the Spirit can work in our lives. What we need to do is trust that he does and live on that basis. I don't even care how electricity works as long as my lights go on. So with faith. If the "lights go on," that's all I need to know. William Temple said it well: "I don't know how prayer works. I only know that when I pray, coincidences begin to happen."
1. There are certain conditions which enable the power of the Spirit to work in my life. I could use the analogy of electricity: wiring, fuses, and so forth. With faith, it begins with trust. Also, my effort to live by certain standards is important. I don't believe God requires me to do everything just right. Even Jesus said no one is perfect. God does, however, ask of me that I make the effort, and that I grow in the process. Peter said we are to repent as a precondition to the Holy Spirit's activity in our lives. That means doing my best, however good that may or may not be.
2. I must run risks in life. There's a remarkable scene in the third Indiana Jones movie. He stands on a tiny platform on the side of a steep cliff, looking across a chasm hundreds of feet deep toward a cave on the other side. He holds in his hand an ancient document which tells him there is a bridge across the chasm, one which is invisible to the eye due to camouflage which totally deceives the eye. All Jones sees is the yawning chasm before him. The document, years old, assures him if he'll step into space, he'll discover the concealed bridge. Also, the antidote to save Jones' father's life is on the other side and he only has minutes left. Muttering that "this is certainly a leap of faith," Jones steps out into space -- on solid ground.
3. Thus, we are empowered. However, there's only one way to discover for oneself if this is true. A leap of faith. An act of risk. A trust which goes all the way.
Title: "The Body Of Christ"
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Theme: The Church is a "body," which calls to mind the coordination of the many parts of our own bodies in order to successfully accomplish a task. I think of golf, a game I always loved to play, but have never played very well. Keep your head down. Keep your left arm straight. Gently bend your knees, keeping your weight evenly balanced. Use your right arm to draw the club back -- and so it goes. If you mess up even one of those seemingly endless rules, that ball is going somewhere quite different from what you had in mind. The same is true of the church, although the analogy really fails because the church does, thank God, allow for many mistakes and it still works.
1. The Church needs a variety of people. It takes all kinds. Thus, we need to be patient with people who are different from us.
2. There's an old expression (from the newspaper business, I think) which says the role of the Church "is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." We pastors are aware, however, that most people are afflicted in one way or another. We are to minister to each other, in part, by providing a place where people can gather free of conflict and judgment.
3. The Church is also to reach out to those outside her own walls. No matter how generous in other ways, the Church must devote a major portion of her time, money, and talents to those in need.
Title: "Water For The Soul"
Text: John 7:37-39
Theme: Although Christianity is fundamentally a faith premised on the belief that God comes after us, we find Jesus here inviting the troubled person to "come to me." That is, while Jesus is readily accessible to us, and while the very existence of Jesus is the result of an act by God to reach out to us, yet finally, Jesus respects our freedom. I again refer to the story of "the rich young ruler" (if we combine the three versions, we get that description). That young man asked Jesus for the secret to eternal life and when told he would first need to rearrange his values, he walked away. Jesus did not pursue the man. Clearly, he sensed that the man would be back, but the time was wrong just then. Jesus then said that "out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." John said Jesus was referring to the Spirit and, inexplicably, then remarks that "as yet there was no Spirit." I can't see Jesus making his promise when there was no Spirit to make it come true myself.
1. Troubled people may go to Jesus for help. The "water" he referred to is symbolic of refreshment, of healing, and the opportunity for new growth.
2. One need not be a Christian at the time. Here's one of the truly marvelous facts about our faith. Even those persons most remote from a church or the Christian faith itself can turn to him and instantly be in his presence.
3. Whatever John's meaning, there is the Spirit today. That Spirit will grant the gift of living waters.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Barbara Mandrell recently told of her return to show business after having endured a terrible trial in her life. It was an extravaganza performance, introduced by Dolly Parton, who volunteered to be with Barbara on this very important occasion. And, as Barbara waited in her dressing room for her entrance, she was overwhelmed with stage fright. It was so bad she became physically ill and seriously considered a last minute cancellation. She forced herself to step to the edge of stage, just out of sight of her waiting audience. Terrified, she started to pray. She said she told God she knew this fear did not come from him and she asked him to cast it out. Immediately, she said, almost as a tangible feeling of divine closeness, her fear disappeared completely. In that memorable moment of Holy Spirit presence, she stepped out for a show-stopping performance.
____________
An old Aesop fable tells of the time the mouth quarreled with the stomach, saying "It's not fair that I have to give you all the food." The stomach, however, was already unhappy with the nether regions of the body because that's where all the food really went. Then the hand got in the act, complaining "I get the food, only to give it to the mouth. It's all so unfair." When the feet heard this, they immediately raised a cry, saying "I quit. I walk all over the place, getting food for the hands, only to see it all given to the mouth. I quit." So, they all quit, and it wasn't long before they were all sick.
____________
A returned missionary's family brought a young lady home with them for a visit. She had never been to an American Christian church before, but she expressed an interest. It also happened that she was handicapped, wheelchair-bound. During the worship service, when the congregation stood for the opening hymn, the young girl, who was able to stand, began to struggle to her feet when the man behind her gently placed his hands under her elbows and helped. When the service was over and the family was driving home, they asked their guest how she liked the service. She said she liked it very much. They then asked her what she liked the most. "The man who helped me to stand," she replied.
____________
The old Together magazine printed a letter from a woman who said her husband had died a year or so earlier. The funeral was in the church, and she found that afterward she simply couldn't return to church. It was too painful. However, after nearly a year, she knew she must go back to her church. With some fear, she entered the sanctuary and took her seat. But the opening hymn was one that had been sung at her husband's funeral. She said she began to panic, started to look around to see if she could leave, when she felt a hand on hers. The woman next to her was calmly singing from her hymnal, face to the choir. But gently, she had reached over and made contact with the bereaved woman. The other woman had understood. The writer said that it was then, as her stifled sobs subsided, that she realized why she needed to be in church.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 104:24-34 (C, E) -- How manifold are thy works, O Lord.
Prayer Of The Day
O God of love and mercy, some among us are parched with the dryness of lives for which nothing new has been sown, nor nurtured for a long time. We are tired of ourselves, tired of the everydayness of life which seems burdened and pointless. Renew us, we pray. Renew in us the faith we once knew, that again, as we dimly recall, we might thrill with the rush of living water and its gift of new life. In the dear name of Jesus we pray.
Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 (C); Acts 2:1-11 (RC, E)
This passage, vitally important to Christian tradition and theology, reports the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered people. They perceived it as tongues of fire, accompanied by "the rush of a violent wind," and as language of a mysterious sort to them, at once strange, yet strangely intelligible. This report gave rise to the custom among some Christians of "speaking in tongues," a custom not especially appreciated by Paul, who seems to have accepted the practice, but urged that it not be done when people are present who will not understand. The custom still survives today among some Christian groups, but is rejected by nearly all of mainstream Protestantism and Catholicism.
Following the descent of the Spirit, Peter began to preach, to interpret what had happened. The essence of his preaching is that to become a Christian one must be baptized, repent, doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. God will then forgive one's sins and grant the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this passage, Peter emphasizes that the promises of God reported by the prophet Joel have been fulfilled that day.
We see a bit of first century humor in Peter's response to those who "sneered and said, 'They are filled with new wine.' " To this, Peter replied, "These are not drunk as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning." I have to think Peter was in a good mood at the time, and was jollying the cynics along a bit with a smile.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 (C); 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (RC); 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 (E)
This is the preacher's favorite text for preaching about the Church. A number of years ago, a friend of mine visited the well-known Church Of The Savior in Washington, D.C., where he talked with its founder, Gordon Cosby. He asked Cosby, who had won nationwide attention to his innovative ministry, what advice he would give to other clergy about their preaching. He said Cosby replied that he would advise them to preach constantly about the Church.
Here, Paul reminds us that no two of us are alike. What makes the Church strong is its rich variety of personality types and talents. Some are equipped to preach, some to teach, some to manage, some to do the other things which need doing in the church. I don't think we quite know what speaking in tongues really was, though there are those who would argue the point. I think we need to respect each other in matters such as that one. God probably is mainly interested that we find worship forms which enable us to involve ourselves in a worshipful relationship with the divine. That sentiment would eventually issue in a rich diversity of denominations and groups. Even within larger denominations are many varieties of worship and management styles. If they serve the glory of God, who's to judge?
All of this diversity of persons and congregational forms is the work of the Holy Spirit. So, we're all members of one body, baptized by one Spirit. As such, we are to forget our differences and live together in peace.
Gospel: John 7:37-39 (C)
Most of us live near plentiful supplies of water and may rarely, if ever, experience the kind of thirst which was known to desert travelers. Jesus' hearers knew. They were familiar with the emotions which go with the kind of thirst which may not be assuaged. Fear. Anxiety. Physical exhaustion. People died on the desert unless they made ample provisions for water. They could understand what Jesus was saying quite well. If you "thirst" for life's meaning, for a promise of something beyond today's misery, for a sense of value, of being loved for what you are -- if you at times literally weep for what might be and is not, then Jesus has an answer. Jesus can provide "living water" for you.
We notice that John is quoted as saying "there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified." This smacks of a bit of editorial comment by John, who was, after all, writing as much as seventy or eighty years after the fact. Since the Bible reports many references to the "Spirit" prior to Jesus being glorified, we may safely interpret this to mean that the people of that time had not yet come to recognize the Spirit as a reality in their lives. We might use the analogy of electricity. A present-day writer might very well say, "There was no electricity in that day because Benjamin Franklin had not yet made his discovery." Truth to tell, there was as much electricity then as there is now. It had not, however, been harnessed as yet.
Gospel: John 20:19-23 (RC, E)
Jesus suddenly appears to the disciples, who have gathered in secret to avoid the Jews, of whom they were still afraid. Jesus then breathed on them, a symbolic act representing the gift of the Spirit, and then sent them forth with the power to declare forgiveness of sins.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "The Risk Of Faith"
Text: Acts 2:1-21
Theme: The idea of a Spirit such as Peter describes is a difficult one for most of us today. It certainly requires an act of faith. However, as I sit here pounding away on a word processor, without the slightest idea how it works or what kind of mind people must have to invent things like this, I realize I accept all sorts of things on faith without understanding how they're possible. The same applies to electricity. I think I once heard that even scientists don't quite understand electricity, although they obviously know a lot more about it than I do. What I do know is how to flip a light switch. Maybe this is a rather simple-minded analogy, but most of us need simple explanations for things anyway. My point is that we don't need to understand how the Spirit can work in our lives. What we need to do is trust that he does and live on that basis. I don't even care how electricity works as long as my lights go on. So with faith. If the "lights go on," that's all I need to know. William Temple said it well: "I don't know how prayer works. I only know that when I pray, coincidences begin to happen."
1. There are certain conditions which enable the power of the Spirit to work in my life. I could use the analogy of electricity: wiring, fuses, and so forth. With faith, it begins with trust. Also, my effort to live by certain standards is important. I don't believe God requires me to do everything just right. Even Jesus said no one is perfect. God does, however, ask of me that I make the effort, and that I grow in the process. Peter said we are to repent as a precondition to the Holy Spirit's activity in our lives. That means doing my best, however good that may or may not be.
2. I must run risks in life. There's a remarkable scene in the third Indiana Jones movie. He stands on a tiny platform on the side of a steep cliff, looking across a chasm hundreds of feet deep toward a cave on the other side. He holds in his hand an ancient document which tells him there is a bridge across the chasm, one which is invisible to the eye due to camouflage which totally deceives the eye. All Jones sees is the yawning chasm before him. The document, years old, assures him if he'll step into space, he'll discover the concealed bridge. Also, the antidote to save Jones' father's life is on the other side and he only has minutes left. Muttering that "this is certainly a leap of faith," Jones steps out into space -- on solid ground.
3. Thus, we are empowered. However, there's only one way to discover for oneself if this is true. A leap of faith. An act of risk. A trust which goes all the way.
Title: "The Body Of Christ"
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Theme: The Church is a "body," which calls to mind the coordination of the many parts of our own bodies in order to successfully accomplish a task. I think of golf, a game I always loved to play, but have never played very well. Keep your head down. Keep your left arm straight. Gently bend your knees, keeping your weight evenly balanced. Use your right arm to draw the club back -- and so it goes. If you mess up even one of those seemingly endless rules, that ball is going somewhere quite different from what you had in mind. The same is true of the church, although the analogy really fails because the church does, thank God, allow for many mistakes and it still works.
1. The Church needs a variety of people. It takes all kinds. Thus, we need to be patient with people who are different from us.
2. There's an old expression (from the newspaper business, I think) which says the role of the Church "is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." We pastors are aware, however, that most people are afflicted in one way or another. We are to minister to each other, in part, by providing a place where people can gather free of conflict and judgment.
3. The Church is also to reach out to those outside her own walls. No matter how generous in other ways, the Church must devote a major portion of her time, money, and talents to those in need.
Title: "Water For The Soul"
Text: John 7:37-39
Theme: Although Christianity is fundamentally a faith premised on the belief that God comes after us, we find Jesus here inviting the troubled person to "come to me." That is, while Jesus is readily accessible to us, and while the very existence of Jesus is the result of an act by God to reach out to us, yet finally, Jesus respects our freedom. I again refer to the story of "the rich young ruler" (if we combine the three versions, we get that description). That young man asked Jesus for the secret to eternal life and when told he would first need to rearrange his values, he walked away. Jesus did not pursue the man. Clearly, he sensed that the man would be back, but the time was wrong just then. Jesus then said that "out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." John said Jesus was referring to the Spirit and, inexplicably, then remarks that "as yet there was no Spirit." I can't see Jesus making his promise when there was no Spirit to make it come true myself.
1. Troubled people may go to Jesus for help. The "water" he referred to is symbolic of refreshment, of healing, and the opportunity for new growth.
2. One need not be a Christian at the time. Here's one of the truly marvelous facts about our faith. Even those persons most remote from a church or the Christian faith itself can turn to him and instantly be in his presence.
3. Whatever John's meaning, there is the Spirit today. That Spirit will grant the gift of living waters.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Barbara Mandrell recently told of her return to show business after having endured a terrible trial in her life. It was an extravaganza performance, introduced by Dolly Parton, who volunteered to be with Barbara on this very important occasion. And, as Barbara waited in her dressing room for her entrance, she was overwhelmed with stage fright. It was so bad she became physically ill and seriously considered a last minute cancellation. She forced herself to step to the edge of stage, just out of sight of her waiting audience. Terrified, she started to pray. She said she told God she knew this fear did not come from him and she asked him to cast it out. Immediately, she said, almost as a tangible feeling of divine closeness, her fear disappeared completely. In that memorable moment of Holy Spirit presence, she stepped out for a show-stopping performance.
____________
An old Aesop fable tells of the time the mouth quarreled with the stomach, saying "It's not fair that I have to give you all the food." The stomach, however, was already unhappy with the nether regions of the body because that's where all the food really went. Then the hand got in the act, complaining "I get the food, only to give it to the mouth. It's all so unfair." When the feet heard this, they immediately raised a cry, saying "I quit. I walk all over the place, getting food for the hands, only to see it all given to the mouth. I quit." So, they all quit, and it wasn't long before they were all sick.
____________
A returned missionary's family brought a young lady home with them for a visit. She had never been to an American Christian church before, but she expressed an interest. It also happened that she was handicapped, wheelchair-bound. During the worship service, when the congregation stood for the opening hymn, the young girl, who was able to stand, began to struggle to her feet when the man behind her gently placed his hands under her elbows and helped. When the service was over and the family was driving home, they asked their guest how she liked the service. She said she liked it very much. They then asked her what she liked the most. "The man who helped me to stand," she replied.
____________
The old Together magazine printed a letter from a woman who said her husband had died a year or so earlier. The funeral was in the church, and she found that afterward she simply couldn't return to church. It was too painful. However, after nearly a year, she knew she must go back to her church. With some fear, she entered the sanctuary and took her seat. But the opening hymn was one that had been sung at her husband's funeral. She said she began to panic, started to look around to see if she could leave, when she felt a hand on hers. The woman next to her was calmly singing from her hymnal, face to the choir. But gently, she had reached over and made contact with the bereaved woman. The other woman had understood. The writer said that it was then, as her stifled sobs subsided, that she realized why she needed to be in church.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 104:24-34 (C, E) -- How manifold are thy works, O Lord.
Prayer Of The Day
O God of love and mercy, some among us are parched with the dryness of lives for which nothing new has been sown, nor nurtured for a long time. We are tired of ourselves, tired of the everydayness of life which seems burdened and pointless. Renew us, we pray. Renew in us the faith we once knew, that again, as we dimly recall, we might thrill with the rush of living water and its gift of new life. In the dear name of Jesus we pray.
