The Pentecost Season
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook - SERIES C
Pentecost as a Festival
In the church year Pentecost is a major festival, a high day. It is one of a cluster of three great festivals: Ascension, Pentecost, and Trinity. As a major festival, Pentecost takes precedence over all other sacred or secular events on the calendar.
It is a high day in the church's life because:
1. Pentecost is the anniversary of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
2. Pentecost marks the completion of Christ's redemptive work and the fulfillment of his promise to send the Spirit.
3. On Pentecost the church celebrates her birthday.
4. It is a traditional day for the reception of new members, particularly youth, by baptism or confirmation.
5. Holy Communion may be celebrated on this festival day.
6. Pentecost initiates the second half of the church year. The first half began with Advent and closed with Ascension. Pentecost begins the longest season of the church year with as many as twenty-seven Sundays. While the first half of the year observes the life of Christ, the second half deals with the life of the church through the work, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost as a Season
Pentecost is observed both as a festival and as a season. Before the appearance of the unified lectionary in 1970, most Protestants observed Pentecost as a festival only. The season following Pentecost was named Trinity.
Up to the seventh century no provision was made for the period from Pentecost to Advent. The second half of the church year consisted only of a reservoir of common masses, ordinary Sundays without any special significance. In northern Europe, the doctrine of the Trinity became increasingly popular. Sundays after Pentecost began to be known as Sundays after Trinity. However, in 1570, the Roman Church adopted the name, "Sunday after Pentecost." Protestants continued to use "Sunday after Trinity." The eastern church followed the Roman custom. Since the new lectionary, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics are using the term, "Sunday after Pentecost."
Names of the Day
1. Pentecost is the official name of the day. The word comes from the Greek, "pentekoste," meaning fifty - fifty days after Easter.
2. Whitsunday. This is an English contraction of "White Sunday," so called because candidates for baptism and confirmation wore white robes on this day to symbolize the joy of the occasion and to indicate that they were cleansed by the Spirit.
Observance of Pentecost
The Christian's Pentecost is related to the Jewish Pentecost. The Jews had a Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; Leviticus 23) seven weeks from the Passover. It marked the giving of the Law and the founding of Israel. In like manner, Christians celebrate Pentecost as the day of receiving the Spirit and the founding of the New Israel.
For the Jews Pentecost was also the Feast of first fruits (Exodus 23:10). It was a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for the harvest. On Pentecost Christians also are grateful for the gift of the Spirit and the gifts brought by the Spirit.
Multitudes of Jews came to Jerusalem from all parts of the world for these feasts. Thus, when the disciples on Pentecost spoke in tongues, Jews from various parts of the world were amazed that they could hear the gospel in their own languages.
On Pentecost a Jewish boy had his Bar Mitzvah at which time he became an adult Jew and assumed full responsibility for obedience to the Law. Likewise, Christian youth are often confirmed on Pentecost and enter into full membership with the church in terms of adult responsibilities and privileges.
Symbols of Pentecost
The color for the Day of Pentecost is red. It is the color of fire, for the Spirit came in tongues of fire. The fire represents God, "the consuming fire." God the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. The fire represents, moreover, warm hearts, fiery zeal, dedication, and devotion. Also, red is the color of blood, and represents the blood of the martyrs which is the seed of the church. The color for the Sundays after Pentecost is green, a color of growth. It is during this season that Christians are to grow in the Spirit.
A dove is associated with Pentecost as a symbol of the Spirit. When Jesus was baptized the Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove.
The number seven is identified with Pentecost, because the Spirit brings the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. In church symbolism, these sevenfold gifts are portrayed as seven lamps, seven doves, seven tongues, and a seven-branch candlestick.
Customs of Pentecost
In the Medieval period it was the custom in some churches to let a disc with a dove painted on it fall from the ceiling upon the congregation below. This symbolized the coming of the Spirit upon the people. Often this was followed by throwing red roses upon the people to symbolize the water of baptism falling on them. In thirteenth century France, white pigeons were released during church services. Some families followed the custom of suspending a dove over their dining tables.
Trumpets were used during the worship services to indicate the Spirit's coming as a rushing, mighty wind as happened on Pentecost.
In England on the day after Pentecost, religious plays were produced and "Whitsunale" was sold. Churches and universities made and sold ale to raise funds for the poor or to repair buildings.
In the northeastern part of America "Pinkster" was celebrated on Pentecost. The word came from the German, "Pfingsten," meaning "spirit." It was an occasion for frolic, fun, and much drinking.
The Mood of Pentecost
1. Celebration. Pentecost has the mood of joy because the promise of Jesus to send the Spirit was fulfilled and the gift was received. Thus, the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 banned kneeling and fasting on Pentecost. Pentecost has the joy of new members received and sinners coming to repentance. It is the joy of a birthday party, for it is the birthday of the church.
2. Gratitude. Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the Spirit and his sevenfold gifts. The Spirit brings life; he calls, enlightens, and gathers believers into the church. Since the church is the product of the Spirit, Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the church as the mother of their faith.
3. Hope. Hope results from the Spirit's making all things new. Pentecost is renewal and revival day in the church. The Spirit is renewed in the faithful. Pentecost is more than an observance of a great event in the past but is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.
OVERVIEW OF THE PENTECOST SEASON
IN THE COMMON LECTIONARY
Lesson 1
1. Lessons come from seventeen books of the Old Testament.
2. Ten Lessons are from 1 and 2 Kings with the story of Elijah and Elisha. (Pentecost 2-11)
3. A possible series of narrative sermons is possible in the long Pentecost season.
Lesson 2
1. Lessons come from ten books of the New Testament.
2. Semi in-course readings are from Galatians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy.
3. A possible series of book sermons on these four books of the New Testament.
Gospel
1. Two books are used: John (three Sundays) and Luke (twenty-six Sundays).
2. Semi in-course selections are from Luke, chapters 7-26.
Thematic Preaching during Pentecost Season
Unlike Lutheran and Roman Catholic lectionaries, during the Pentecost season the Lessons do not correspond in the new Common series to a unifying theme as is the case in the Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter seasons. Consequently, the preacher may choose any of the Lessons for a text without consideration of the theme of the other Lessons. Each Lesson during the season may suggest a series on a theme such as preaching through a book of the Old or New Testaments, or a series on Elijah and/or Elisha. Exceptions to the above are Reformation, All Saints, and Christ the King Sundays.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
The Lessons
Genesis 11:1-9 (C, L)
By the confusion of language, Yahweh stops the building of Babel and scatters the people. In fear of being scattered, men built a city and tower. They would make a name for themselves by building a tower which would reach the sky. To prevent this Yahweh confused their language so that they would not understand each other and the building project had to cease. As a result men were scattered over the earth. Pentecost is a language affair. The evil spirit causes confusion and scattering. The Holy Spirit using various languages brings people together.
Acts 2:1-11 (RC)
For commentary, see below.
Acts 2:1-21 (C, L)
On Pentecost the Disciples receive the Holy Spirit and Peter explains the happening. Luke gives an account of the Spirit's coming upon the gathered Disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost accompanied by a mighty wind and tongues of fire. Then the reaction of the crowd is given - the Disciples are accused of being drunk. Peter responds by explaining the experience as fulfillment of Joel's prophecy that at the end of the era the Spirit would come to all. The overall purpose of the event is salvation for all who call upon God. The Spirit gave the Disciples power to speak in the languages of the peoples assembled in Jerusalem, that all people might hear the Gospel. This is not a case of glossolalia referred to elsewhere when the passage was unintelligible except possibly to the speaker and an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (RC)
See Ordinary Time 2.
John 14:8-17, 25-27 (C)
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-11
John 20:19-23 (RC)
Jesus, in union with the Father, promises that the Father will send the Spirit to teach us all things and to be with us always.
Jesus explains what the Spirit will do for his followers.
The risen Christ gives the Spirit to the disciples.
Here we have a portion of Jesus' final discourse in the Upper Room as related to the Spirit. In the light of his departure in the very near future, Jesus prepares his Disciples by assuring them that he and the Father are one. Because of this unity, prayers offered in the Son's name will be answered by the Father. Moreover, he comforts them with the promise that they will receive the Holy Spirit who will be in them, with them, and will guide them into truth. With this knowledge and promise they will have peace.
Prayer of the Day
"God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom."
Hymn of the Day
"Filled with the Spirit's power, with One Accord."
Theme of the Day: Pentecost: A Language Event
Gospel - The Holy Spirit uses language to teach the truth of God.
Lesson 1 - God the Spirit uses language to confuse the proud.
Lesson 2 - The Holy Spirit uses language to proclaim the Gospel.
The Holy Spirit gave the Disciples the power to speak. To do so required language. Miraculously each foreign group heard the Gospel in its own language. (Lesson 2) As language was used to proclaim, so God used language to confuse people possessed by the evil spirit of pride. (Lesson 1) Jesus promised that the coming Spirit would lead them into truth and teach them the truth of God. To do this required language as a means of communication. (Gospel) The Prayer refers to the renewal of the Spirit. The hymn remindsus of the power of the Spirit. The overall theme is naturally the Spirit but he is related to the use of language.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 14:8-17, 25-27
1. Anything (v. 14). On the surface, this appears to be a stupendous promise. Ask God for anything and you will receive it. The catch is "in my name." To ask God in the name of Jesus means that what we ask will be whatever Christ would ask. He asked only for that which harmonized with the will of God. Christ stands for truth, love, and justice. We can be sure of answers to our prayers because we ask in the spirit of Christ, a spirit of love and obedience.
2. Counselor (v. 16). The Spirit is identified as "Counselor." In the King James Version, the word is "Comforter." The Greek word is "parakletos." It is a legal term for "Advocate," advisor, intercessor, or helper. The Spirit is our advisor who stands up for us in our defense. He is by our side at all times to help us. He takes the place of the earthly Jesus who was the advisor, friend, and guide to the Disciples. When the Spirit comes, he is Jesus-in-spirit for every believer. What Jesus did for the Disciples in terms of companionship, comfort, and teaching, the Holy Spirit will do for each follower regardless of space and time.
3. Teach (v. 26). The Spirit is a teacher as Jesus was. He is the Spirit of truth, and truth needs to be taught and explained. The Spirit enlightens us so that we can see and understand the truth. He is to teach us "all things," not everything to be known in history or science, but all things about God. He will be our memory in enabling us to recall what Jesus taught. The Spirit does not give us truth beyond what Christ taught. To determine whether the Spirit is giving us truth is to learn whether the truth is in harmony with Jesus' teachings.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
1. All on one day. "The first day of the week." (v. 19) Did as many things happen on one day in the entire history of God's people? On Easter day, Jesus rose from the dead, issued the great commission, breathed the Spirit on the Disciples, and gave them authority to forgive. It could be called the busiest day in the life of Jesus.
2. Peace (vv. 19, 21). Twice Jesus speaks peace to the Disciples. The repetition emphasizes the importance of peace. It is a peace that passes understanding, and a peace which the world cannot give. It is not a peace that is negotiated by enemies. This peace is a gift of Christ to those like the Disciples who sit in fear and anxiety.
3. Spirit (v. 22). The Spirit is given by Jesus. "He breathed on them" as God breathed into Adam. In Hebrew "breath" and "spirit" are one word, rauch. In this case, the Spirit is identified with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus. To have in one's heart the spirit of Jesus is the same as having the Holy Spirit. Thus, we can discern the spirits that possess us to see if the spirit is truly the Holy Spirit.
4. Forgive (v. 23). Who am I to forgive? Is the authority to forgive placed solely in the hands of the clergy or is it the authority of every Christian? The power to forgive is the power of the keys of the kingdom. To forgive is to open the gate to eternal life. Who then but God can forgive? Christ gives his followers the authority to forgive by virtue of being instruments of the Spirit who through Word and Sacraments forgives the penitent.
Lesson 1: Genesis 11:1-9
1. One (vv. 1, 6). There is power in unanimity. In this ancient story of the tower of Babel, the people were one and had one language. By that one language they understood each other, for they spoke the same language. The oneness of Gideon's three hundred defeated an army of Midianites. In unity there is strength, for each cooperates and contributes to a common goal. The power of Jesus was in his oneness with the Father.
2. Name (v. 4). Unanimity can be dangerous if it is used for wrong ends. In their oneness expressed in one language, the people decided to build a city and tower so high that it would touch the sky. Pride was the reason for building it - "to make a name for ourselves." By this common project they hoped to overcome the fear of being scattered over the earth and thereby losing their identity and power. What they feared, they became.
3. Confuse (v. 7). The unanimity expressed in a common language could lead to untold harm. When people are united to do wrong, the consequences are horrible. If a people like the Nazis is one in their ambition to rule the world, the evil done is dreadful. God had to prevent future evil by a unanimous people by confusing their language. Then they could not communicate nor understand one another. As a result, the city and tower were unfinished.
Lesson 2: Acts 2:1-21
1. Together (v. 1). The Holy Spirit comes as a communal experience. The Apostles were assembled in Jerusalem. They were together in their desire for the Spirit. They were together in prayer and in faith in Christ as Lord. Together they were hoping for the Spirit. The Spirit is a gathering force, and he comes when believers are in unanimity.
2. Utterance (v. 4). The Spirit gave the Disciples the ability to witness, to speak in various languages that all might hear the Gospel. The Spirit and the Word are inseparable. The Spirit comes in the Word when it is read, preached, or administered as a sacrament. Consequently, the Spirit gives believers the power to speak, preach, and witness.
3. Language (v. 6). This Pentecost experience was not glossalalia, the speaking in unknown tongues which are intelligible only to the speaker and possibly to an interpreter. The miracle was that unlearned, uneducated peasants were given the ability to speak foreign languages so that the foreigners in Jerusalem at the time could hear the Gospel in their own native tongue.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching on Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost is a Greek word, "pentekostos," meaning "fifty." It falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. Jews celebrated Pentecost as a harvest festival. Later it was the day to celebrate the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and the birthday of Israel. Christians celebrate Pentecost as one of the major festivals of the church year, the giving of the Spirit to the Disciples, the birth of the church, and the beginning of the kerygma. In many churches Pentecost is the day for the reception of new members by baptism, confirmation, or transfer of membership. It is the hope that today's disciples will receive on this day a renewed and increased gift of the Holy Spirit.
1. Is there time for a full sermon?
Pentecost may be one of those full Sundays when the time for the sermon is cut short in the interest of getting out within the hour. It may be the day for Confirmation. Or, it may be Communion Sunday. It could be Confirmation and Communion. If none of these, it could be the day for the reception of new adult members by baptism, confirmation, renewal of faith, and transfer. Will we be too busy to give adequate time for the preached Word on a very special day, a major festival of the church?
2. The importance of preaching on Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday may be the last time this church year to deal specifically with the Holy Spirit, because the rest of the Pentecost season does not deal directly with the Spirit. The remaining Sundays of the season deal only indirectly with the Spirit as the source of gifts and fruits of the Christian. Moreover, there is widespread interest in the subject of the Spirit. Charismatics and Pentecostals have brought the subject to the forefront. In addition, many have a misunderstanding of the Spirit and need a sermon of clarification. Who can deny that the average church today does not need a new birth of Spirit to carry on her work zealously? Through preaching, as on the first Pentecost, a new Pentecost can take place in the church. If it is neglected, the congregation may miss the experience of the Spirit.
3. What to preach on Pentecost
The subject of the Spirit is so large that the preacher must ask what aspect of the Spirit shall he deal with this year. The lessons assigned for the Day would help to answer the question. Even in the Lectionary, there is a broad number of subjects. It gets down to the question of what to preach about according to the Lectionary. Probably the solution is to study the immediate needs of your congregation.
Does the congregation need a revival or renewal of Spirit? Is there a lack of interest among the people in church services and work? Is apathy the order of the day? Is the attendance poor? Are the offerings lagging? Are you having difficulty getting people to take leadership positions?
Are your people not sure they have the Spirit? Are they full of doubt and upset by those who claim they were baptized a second time with the Spirit? If so, then a sermon on assurance would seem to be in order.
Maybe there is a wholesale lack of understanding of the Spirit - his nature, gifts, and fruit. For many church people the Holy Spirit is an unknown God.
Is the congregation divided over the Spirit, especially as related to speaking in tongues? Is there a claim that unless one speaks in tongues, he/she does not have the Spirit?
Gospel:
John 14:8-17, 25-27
1. Your Spiritual Advisor. 14:15-17, 26
Need: Who does not need an advisor? There is more to be known than one person can know. Two heads are better than one. Life is full of complexities and problems that are too much for one average person. Each of us needs an advisor with expertise. A person of means has a financial advisor. The politician has more than one political advisor. A business man has a tax advisor. A Christian has a spiritual advisor in the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls him a "Counselor," "Comforter," or "Advocate." Don't go through life without your spiritual advisor.
Outline: According to Jesus, your spiritual advisor -
a. Is always with you - vv. 15, 17
b. Lives in you - v. 17
c. Teaches you - v. 26
2. Are You Sure You Know The Spirit? 14:17 "Even the Spirit of truth ... you know him."
Need: It is often said that the Holy Spirit is the Christian's unknown God. We are confused whether to refer to the Spirit as "he" or "it." We do not know where he comes from, how we get him or if he can leave us. We are not sure the Spirit is a personal possession. In this text, Jesus claims that the Disciples know the Spirit. If we do not know him, Jesus tells us in the text who he is and what he does.
Outline: You know that the Spirit is -
a. Your Counselor - v. 16
b. The Spirit of truth - v. 17
c. Your teacher - v. 26
3. Enroll in the School of the Spirit. 14:8-17, 25-27
Need: Today we believe in education. Many spend the first twenty-five years of their lives in getting an education, and thereafter we feel the need for continuing education. To get an education seems to be the birthright of every American. While we emphasize secular education, we neglect a spiritual education. One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to teach us. (v. 26) Because of our ignorance in spiritual matters, it is time to convince the congregation to enroll in the school of the Spirit with the Spirit as the perfect teacher.
Outline: What the Spirit can teach us -
a. Who Jesus is - vv. 8-11
b. How to get prayers answered - vv. 13-14
c. What the Spirit can do for you - vv. 16-17, 25-26
Gospel:
John 20:19-23
1. The Spirit ofJesus. 20:22
Need: The Gospel lesson connects Jesus with the Spirit. On Pentecost, we do not leave Jesus in heaven and now deal with the Spirit as a separate entity. Jesus identifies with the Spirit. The church needs to see and understand the relationship of Jesus and the Spirit. It will help people to know who the Spirit is and to solve the problem of having Jesus with you always as well as having the Spirit.
Outline: In this text we see that -
a. The Spirit is of Jesus
b. The Spirit is from Jesus
c. The Spirit is like Jesus
2. The Breath of Life. 20:21-22
Need: The Hebrew word for spirit is breath or wind. To live is to breathe. Popularly we determine whether a person is dead if he stops breathing. On Easter evening Jesus breathes the Spirit on his disciples. This is an experience all of us need. We want and need life, as much as possible.
Outline: The breath of life consists of -
a. The breath of spirit - "Receive the Holy Spirit."
b. The breath of peace - "Peace be with you."
c. The breath of purpose - "So send I you."
3. When God Is Your Mother. 20:22
Need: The Spirit is the creative agent of God. In Adam's creation, God breathed into him, and he became a person, a living soul. The Spirit is given credit in Genesis for creating the universe. On Easter Jesus breathes the Spirit on the Disciples. There resulted a new creation. The Spirit is like a mother who gives birth to a new creation.
Outline: The Spirit is our mother.
a. Birth as a new creature. A Christian is born again of the Spirit, born into a relationship with Christ.
b. Birth as a new humanity - the church. Pentecost is the birthday of the church. The Spirit gathers believers into a church, a new people of God.
Lesson 1: Genesis 11:1-9
1. They Don't Speak the Same Language. Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-11
Need: Here we face the problem of unity among people. It is a problem of communication. And communication involves language. And language reflects the Spirit, Pentecost is a communications event involving tongues and language.
Outline: They don't speak the same language -
a. That's bad! Genesis 11 :1-9
Because of a bad spirit, pride, the people of Babel's tower had their language confused. As a result they could not communicate, nor understand each other. When there is no communication, estrangement and separation follow. Here is the centrifugal power of an evil spirit - it scatters.
b. That's good! Acts 2:1-11
When the Spirit came, the Apostles gave one message in diverse languages, intelligible to all people with different languages. The Spirit used the various languages to unite the world in Christ. Here is the centripetal power of the Holy Spirit - gathering through the Gospel into one fellowship, the church.
2. Weeping over Progress. Genesis 11:1-9
Need: The question is often raised whether it is progress to destroy the environment in order to have super-highways, factories, and cities. Years ago an illiterate man was walking on an old stagecoach road to Boston. Unable to read, he mistook milestones for gravestones. When he came to one, he stopped, took off his hat, and bowed his head in deep respect. When he was asked what he was doing, he explained, "There are so many graves alongside this road that I have stopped ten times today to mourn." The stranger explained, "My friend, these are not tomb stones; they are milestones. You are weeping over progress." Lesson 1 gives us reason for weeping over progress as made by the city in which (here was the tower of Babel.
Sermon:
Weep over a city's progress.
a. Babylon - the building of a proud city - v. 4
b. Babel - a tower reaching to heaven to be God - v. 4
c. Babble - pride leads to confusion and separation - v. 7
Lesson 2: Acts 2:1-21
1. Pentecost: What's it All About?
Need: People have difficulty understanding Pentecost. Many are afraid of having another Pentecost because they have wrong ideas about it. People are asking as they did in the first Pentecost: "What does this mean?" (v. 12)
Sermon:
What Pentecost is all about.
a. Wind and fire - the situation - vv. 1-4
b. Sounds crazy - the inquiry - vv. 5-12
c. Not spirits but Spirit - the explanation - vv. 13-21
2. People Aflame! 2:1-4
Need: The average church member is not on fire for the things of the Spirit or the church. There is a lack of enthusiasm, zeal, and vitality. The average church needs to experience the boldness, fervor, and unction of those upon whom the Spirit came. The Spirit is described in the text as tongues of fire.
Sermon:
Spirit-filled people are a Burning Bunch.
a. Caught on fire by the Spirit - v. 3. The Holy Spirit is God and God is "a consuming fire." John the Baptizer promised that Jesus would "Baptize you with fire and water." Trueblood described the church as "an incendiary fellowship."
b. The fire of the Spirit can be put out. You can douse the fire with the water of worldliness. It can be smothered as with a blanket or candle snuffer. It can be encircled and allowed to burn itself out.
c. The work of a fire. It burns up trash - fire of final judgment. It can cleanse - burn out evil. It can empower - produce energy. It can spread - it lives by lighting other fires. If the person next to you does not catch on fire for God, your fire is out!
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 - See Ordinary Time 2.
The Holy Trinity
(First Sunday after Pentecost)
The Lessons
Proverbs 8:22-31
Wisdom was with Yahweh when he created the earth. Before the earth was created, wisdom, a female figure, was created and observed Yahweh's bringing the world into shape: the earth, heavens, the boundaries of the sea, and the foundations of the earth. According to this passage, Yahweh did not create out of nothing, but ordered creation. The climax of creation is humanity in whom wisdom delighted and rejoiced. In the Old Testament wisdom is used to express God's self-disclosure in revelation and action. Wisdom is the personification of God's creative purpose. On this Trinity Sunday, we see God the Father's work of creation.
Romans 5:1-5
Christians have peace with God by faith in Christ whose love comes into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. In previous chapters Paul proved that all people need the Gospel because of universal sin. The Gospel is the good news that we are reconciled to God by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. In this chapter Paul tells us about the results of our justification. Being reconciled we have peace with God the Father because of our faith in God the Son. Thus, we rejoice in the hope of sharing God's glory and in our suffering. Moreover, we experience the love of God through the gift of God, the Holy Spirit. In the experience of salvation, the three persons of the Trinity are involved.
John 16:12-15
The Spirit glorifies the Son who shares all with the Father. God the Father and God the Son possess the one truth. When Jesus was on earth, the Disciples could not hear the whole truth. Now God the Spirit will reveal all to believers. This is not a new truth given by the Spirit nor truth given on the authority of the Spirit. The Spirit will report and reveal the truth which he hears from the Father and the Son. He will glorify the Son and will share the truth of the Son with believers of each succeeding generation. On this Trinity Sunday we see the involvement of the three persons of the Trinity in giving the whole truth of the Godhead to disciples.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and everliving God, you have given us grace, by the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of your divine majesty, to worship the unity. Keep us in this faith and worship and bring us at last to see you in your glory, one God, now and forever."
Hymn of the Day
"Father, Most Holy, Merciful, and Tender"
Theme of the Day: The Work of the Trinity
Lesson 1 - God the Father created the world.
Lesson 2 - God the Son redeemed the world.
Gospel - God the Spirit reveals the Word.
The Trinity is implicit in the Scriptures. The three persons of the Trinity are involved in creation with primary emphasis on the Father's work. (Lesson 1) In the experience of salvation, the three persons are also involved (Lesson 2): peace with the Father, faith in the Son, and love through the Spirit. In receiving the truth of God, the three persons are again involved and integrated: The truth of the Son is the truth of the Father shared with humanity by the Spirit. The prayer as well as the hymn deal with the Trinity.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 16:12-15
1. Yet (v. 12). Jesus did not tell the Disciples everything. He had much more to say but the Disciples were not capable of hearing his all. If he had told them, they would not have understood. What further things might he have said? Jesus never spoke of justification by grace through faith. The Spirit led Paul to understand this central doctrine of the Christian faith. Moreover, Jesus never mentioned the Trinity nor solved its mystery. Only later did the church gain this truth. Are there still other truths the Spirit will give us?
2. Truth (v. 13). The Spirit is to guide us into all truth. "All" truth or all spiritual truth? There is scientific truth which has given us the automobile, the airplane, and the computer. There is medical truth that has given us cures for polio and smallpox. Rather the Spirit leads us to spiritual truth which cannot be gained by reason, research, or experimentation.
3. Declare (vv. 13, 14, 15). Three times in three verses Jesus uses the word "declare" to describe the function of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Spirit to reveal, explain, and proclaim the truth. The Spirit uses human agents to declare the truth of God. At Pentecost, the Spirit gave the Disciples utterance to preach the Gospel. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord anointed me to bring good tidings ..." Possession of the Spirit is a prerequisite for preaching.
Lesson 1: Proverbs 8:22-31
1. Me (v. 22). Who is "me"? Jesus? The Logos? The Spirit? "Me" in this passage is a woman, Wisdom, who watched God the Father work and rejoiced in his workmanship, the creation of the world. Wisdom may be considered the feminine counterpart of the Father. The woman, Wisdom, was used by the Old Testament to express God's self-disclosure. Wisdom tells us what the situation was before creation, who created the world, and how worthy it was for rejoicing.
2. Work (v. 22). The creation of the universe is described as "work." Indeed, to make all the millions of stars, all of the plants, fish, animals, and humanity was a work only God could do, especially if he did it all in six days. When he was finished, he was tired and needed to rest on the seventh day. Work is an honorable activity. To create or to be creative requires work. Jesus told us to work while it is day before the night comes when no man can work. Honest work brings rewards of satisfaction, pride, and joy in a work accomplished.
3. When (vv. 27, 28, 29). In three verses the word "when" is used six times. We say, "Way back when" or "When we were kids ..." "When" is the time of creation. Wisdom was there "when" God created and formed various parts of the universe. Do you remember the time "when" Jesus washed the Disciples' feet? Were you there "when" they crucified my Lord?
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-5
1. Therefore (v. 1). The word refers to that which preceded it, and on the basis of the foregoing, certain truths or actions follow. On the basis of the truth in previous chapters, Paul says we being justified by faith have peace with God. What truth precedes this claim? One truth is that all have sinned and are subject to judgment. Moreover, we are not made right with God by obeying the law but by the grace of Christ who died for our sins. This grace is accepted by faith. On the basis of all this, "therefore" we have peace with God.
2. Access (v. 2). We have access to the grace of Christ. Since grace saves us, we need to get access to it for our forgiveness. How can we get the love of Christ? Christ is the way to access to the grace of God. He has opened the way. The chasm between the holy God and the sinner has been bridged by the cross. "No one comes to the Father but by me."
3. Hope (vv. 2, 5). Because of being justified by grace through faith, we have reason to hope. Now hope is more than wishful thinking or optimism. The ground of hope is in the nature of God's love and the atoning work of Christ on Calvary. He is our hope of some day sharing the glory of God. In this, hope will not let us down because we have the experience of God's love given to us by the Spirit.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching on the Trinity
1. The problem ofpreaching on the Trinity.
Trinity Sunday calls for preaching on a doctrine rather than on an event of salvation. The Bible does not specifically give the doctrine of the Trinity. It is implicit rather than explicit in the Scriptures. Various passages refer to the three persons of the Trinity. This leads to the problem of finding appropriate Scripture for preaching on the doctrine. In the Lessons for this Sunday we find the Trinity but the passages do not directly deal with the subject of the Trinity.
2. Today 's need for preaching on the Trinity
a. The Trinity in the life of the Christian. Since references to the Trinity are encountered frequently in worship, a Christian should understand the doctrine of the Trinity. The worship service opens with the Invocation: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The service may close with the threefold Aaronic benediction which is followed by the words used in the Invocation: "In the Name ..." The Christian life begins with baptism: "in the Name of the Father ..." At Confirmation the Trinity is used for the blessing: "The Father in heaven for Jesus' sake renew and increase in you the gift of the Holy Spirit ..." After a Psalm the congregation says or sings the Gloria Patri: "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost." Sometimes a Doxology is used at the dedication of the offering:
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow ... Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." The New Testament benediction involves the Trinity: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14)
b. The Trinity is the doctrine that identifies a Christian. No other religion holds to or teaches the Trinity. A Christian is one who holds that Jesus is God, the Spirit is God as well as the Father-God. None but a Christian will confess this.
c. The Trinity is needed to give balance to our understanding of God. For some God is too far above us, beyond us, transcendent to this point that we cannot know nor approach him. Christ then becomes our all-in-all. He is the common man's God. Yet, Jesus is not God but close to God like a son. As for the Spirit, he (usually referred to as "It") is a mystery, a ghost, who is experienced by fanatics, charismatics, pentecostals, and others. The average Christian refers to God. Then there are the lesser deities, Jesus and the Spirit. If God the Father is held exclusively, we become Unitarians. If Christ is supreme, we over-rate him to the down-grading of the Father and Spirit. For some, the Spirit overshadows Father and Son. In referring to God, we need to refer to the particular person of the Trinity; God the Father or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit.
3. The Trinity is needed to give a comprehensive view of God.
The doctrine of the Trinity embraces the full nature and work of God as well as his relationship to man. God's relationship with man -
Father - God above us
Son - God with us
Spirit - God in us
God's work -
Father - creation
Son - redemption
Spirit - sanctification
God's location -
Father - God in the universe
Son - God in Jesus of Nazareth
Spirit - God in the believer
Three Lessons
Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
What the Trinity Can Do For You
Need: Our people need to see God as a whole in his relationship to them. Often they think of God or Christ or the Spirit. Seldom do they see the entire Godhead working in their behalf and being related to him.
Outline: What the Trinity can do for you -
a. God the Father created and creates you - Lesson 1
b. God the Son saves you - Lesson 2
c. God the Spirit guides you - Gospel
Gospel:
John 16:12-15
1. The Three Are One
Need: The truth that the Trinity means three persons often confuses people. It seems as though the three persons are in competition with each other. This sermon would help the congregation to see and understand that the three persons of the Trinity are distinctive and individual persons but are essentially one, of one substance. The sermon is to show that each person of the Godhead is equal with the other two and has all that each of the others has. The Father is not greater, nor knows more, nor has more authority or power than the Son and Spirit.
Outline: Why the three are one
a. Father - shares all with the Son - v. 15
b. Son - is glorified by the Spirit - v. 14
c. Spirit - witnesses to the Son - v. 13
2. Our All-Sufficient God. 16:12-15
Need: Is there anything too hard for God? Is any problem too complex? Any tragedy too deep for God to handle? People need to see and respond to a triune God who has all grace and power which he makes available to his children.
Outline: Our all-sufficient God, the Trinity
a. Father - the God who has all - v. 15
b. Son - the God who shares all - v. 15
c. Spirit - the God who shows all - v. 13
Lesson 1: Proverbs 8:22-31
1. The Lady who Watched God Create. 8:22-31
Need: Much emphasis today is upon women who cry out for equality with men. Accordingly, we are trying to remove sexist language in the Bible and in other religious literature. Some want to refer to God as "mother." In this pericope, wisdom is a female person who is with God at the time of creation. This sermon is not necessarily in support of the current women's movement but is to show that God's creation was wise.
Outline: What the lady of wisdom saw -
a. God can make something out of your nothingness - vv. 23-26
b. By virture of his creation, this is our Father's world - vv. 27-30
C. You are the very best God has created - v. 31
2. If God Created the World. 8:27-31
Need: How did the universe come into existence? Science has several theories. The Bible unanimously tells us creation was the work of God. It was not an accident or a natural conjunction of plants or chemicals. How it was done and how long it took to bring the world into its present shape is of secondary importance. The purpose of this sermon is to affirm that God the Father is the creator and to show what the practical implications are of this simple fact.
Outline: If God created the world, then -
a. This is our Father's world
b. Every created thing is good
c. Humanity is the steward and trustee of nature
d. People are the crown of creation
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-5
1. It Takes Three to Save You
Need: It takes all of God - three persons - to bring us to oneness with him. Usually we give all the credit to the Son. We are reconciled to the Father through the grace of the Son, and made to feel the oneness with God through the Spirit's filling our hearts with the love of God.
Outline: It takes three to save:
a. The Father gives peace - v. 1
b. The Son makes it possible through grace - v. 2
c. The Spirit confirms the relationship - v. 5
2. What More Could You Want? 5:1-5
Need: We keep calling, inviting, appealing for people to come and be reconciled to God, to repent, and to join the church. We may forget to point out the blessedness of being right with God. Paul in the text tells what comes to those who are justified, the blessing from God through the three persons.
Outline: What more could you want of God.
a. Peace with God the Father - v. 1
b. Joy of the Hope of God's glory through the grace of the Son - v. 2
c. Love of God in your heart through the Spirit - v. 5
In the church year Pentecost is a major festival, a high day. It is one of a cluster of three great festivals: Ascension, Pentecost, and Trinity. As a major festival, Pentecost takes precedence over all other sacred or secular events on the calendar.
It is a high day in the church's life because:
1. Pentecost is the anniversary of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
2. Pentecost marks the completion of Christ's redemptive work and the fulfillment of his promise to send the Spirit.
3. On Pentecost the church celebrates her birthday.
4. It is a traditional day for the reception of new members, particularly youth, by baptism or confirmation.
5. Holy Communion may be celebrated on this festival day.
6. Pentecost initiates the second half of the church year. The first half began with Advent and closed with Ascension. Pentecost begins the longest season of the church year with as many as twenty-seven Sundays. While the first half of the year observes the life of Christ, the second half deals with the life of the church through the work, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost as a Season
Pentecost is observed both as a festival and as a season. Before the appearance of the unified lectionary in 1970, most Protestants observed Pentecost as a festival only. The season following Pentecost was named Trinity.
Up to the seventh century no provision was made for the period from Pentecost to Advent. The second half of the church year consisted only of a reservoir of common masses, ordinary Sundays without any special significance. In northern Europe, the doctrine of the Trinity became increasingly popular. Sundays after Pentecost began to be known as Sundays after Trinity. However, in 1570, the Roman Church adopted the name, "Sunday after Pentecost." Protestants continued to use "Sunday after Trinity." The eastern church followed the Roman custom. Since the new lectionary, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics are using the term, "Sunday after Pentecost."
Names of the Day
1. Pentecost is the official name of the day. The word comes from the Greek, "pentekoste," meaning fifty - fifty days after Easter.
2. Whitsunday. This is an English contraction of "White Sunday," so called because candidates for baptism and confirmation wore white robes on this day to symbolize the joy of the occasion and to indicate that they were cleansed by the Spirit.
Observance of Pentecost
The Christian's Pentecost is related to the Jewish Pentecost. The Jews had a Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; Leviticus 23) seven weeks from the Passover. It marked the giving of the Law and the founding of Israel. In like manner, Christians celebrate Pentecost as the day of receiving the Spirit and the founding of the New Israel.
For the Jews Pentecost was also the Feast of first fruits (Exodus 23:10). It was a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for the harvest. On Pentecost Christians also are grateful for the gift of the Spirit and the gifts brought by the Spirit.
Multitudes of Jews came to Jerusalem from all parts of the world for these feasts. Thus, when the disciples on Pentecost spoke in tongues, Jews from various parts of the world were amazed that they could hear the gospel in their own languages.
On Pentecost a Jewish boy had his Bar Mitzvah at which time he became an adult Jew and assumed full responsibility for obedience to the Law. Likewise, Christian youth are often confirmed on Pentecost and enter into full membership with the church in terms of adult responsibilities and privileges.
Symbols of Pentecost
The color for the Day of Pentecost is red. It is the color of fire, for the Spirit came in tongues of fire. The fire represents God, "the consuming fire." God the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. The fire represents, moreover, warm hearts, fiery zeal, dedication, and devotion. Also, red is the color of blood, and represents the blood of the martyrs which is the seed of the church. The color for the Sundays after Pentecost is green, a color of growth. It is during this season that Christians are to grow in the Spirit.
A dove is associated with Pentecost as a symbol of the Spirit. When Jesus was baptized the Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove.
The number seven is identified with Pentecost, because the Spirit brings the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. In church symbolism, these sevenfold gifts are portrayed as seven lamps, seven doves, seven tongues, and a seven-branch candlestick.
Customs of Pentecost
In the Medieval period it was the custom in some churches to let a disc with a dove painted on it fall from the ceiling upon the congregation below. This symbolized the coming of the Spirit upon the people. Often this was followed by throwing red roses upon the people to symbolize the water of baptism falling on them. In thirteenth century France, white pigeons were released during church services. Some families followed the custom of suspending a dove over their dining tables.
Trumpets were used during the worship services to indicate the Spirit's coming as a rushing, mighty wind as happened on Pentecost.
In England on the day after Pentecost, religious plays were produced and "Whitsunale" was sold. Churches and universities made and sold ale to raise funds for the poor or to repair buildings.
In the northeastern part of America "Pinkster" was celebrated on Pentecost. The word came from the German, "Pfingsten," meaning "spirit." It was an occasion for frolic, fun, and much drinking.
The Mood of Pentecost
1. Celebration. Pentecost has the mood of joy because the promise of Jesus to send the Spirit was fulfilled and the gift was received. Thus, the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 banned kneeling and fasting on Pentecost. Pentecost has the joy of new members received and sinners coming to repentance. It is the joy of a birthday party, for it is the birthday of the church.
2. Gratitude. Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the Spirit and his sevenfold gifts. The Spirit brings life; he calls, enlightens, and gathers believers into the church. Since the church is the product of the Spirit, Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the church as the mother of their faith.
3. Hope. Hope results from the Spirit's making all things new. Pentecost is renewal and revival day in the church. The Spirit is renewed in the faithful. Pentecost is more than an observance of a great event in the past but is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.
OVERVIEW OF THE PENTECOST SEASON
IN THE COMMON LECTIONARY
Lesson 1
1. Lessons come from seventeen books of the Old Testament.
2. Ten Lessons are from 1 and 2 Kings with the story of Elijah and Elisha. (Pentecost 2-11)
3. A possible series of narrative sermons is possible in the long Pentecost season.
Lesson 2
1. Lessons come from ten books of the New Testament.
2. Semi in-course readings are from Galatians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy.
3. A possible series of book sermons on these four books of the New Testament.
Gospel
1. Two books are used: John (three Sundays) and Luke (twenty-six Sundays).
2. Semi in-course selections are from Luke, chapters 7-26.
Thematic Preaching during Pentecost Season
Unlike Lutheran and Roman Catholic lectionaries, during the Pentecost season the Lessons do not correspond in the new Common series to a unifying theme as is the case in the Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter seasons. Consequently, the preacher may choose any of the Lessons for a text without consideration of the theme of the other Lessons. Each Lesson during the season may suggest a series on a theme such as preaching through a book of the Old or New Testaments, or a series on Elijah and/or Elisha. Exceptions to the above are Reformation, All Saints, and Christ the King Sundays.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
The Lessons
Genesis 11:1-9 (C, L)
By the confusion of language, Yahweh stops the building of Babel and scatters the people. In fear of being scattered, men built a city and tower. They would make a name for themselves by building a tower which would reach the sky. To prevent this Yahweh confused their language so that they would not understand each other and the building project had to cease. As a result men were scattered over the earth. Pentecost is a language affair. The evil spirit causes confusion and scattering. The Holy Spirit using various languages brings people together.
Acts 2:1-11 (RC)
For commentary, see below.
Acts 2:1-21 (C, L)
On Pentecost the Disciples receive the Holy Spirit and Peter explains the happening. Luke gives an account of the Spirit's coming upon the gathered Disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost accompanied by a mighty wind and tongues of fire. Then the reaction of the crowd is given - the Disciples are accused of being drunk. Peter responds by explaining the experience as fulfillment of Joel's prophecy that at the end of the era the Spirit would come to all. The overall purpose of the event is salvation for all who call upon God. The Spirit gave the Disciples power to speak in the languages of the peoples assembled in Jerusalem, that all people might hear the Gospel. This is not a case of glossolalia referred to elsewhere when the passage was unintelligible except possibly to the speaker and an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (RC)
See Ordinary Time 2.
John 14:8-17, 25-27 (C)
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-11
John 20:19-23 (RC)
Jesus, in union with the Father, promises that the Father will send the Spirit to teach us all things and to be with us always.
Jesus explains what the Spirit will do for his followers.
The risen Christ gives the Spirit to the disciples.
Here we have a portion of Jesus' final discourse in the Upper Room as related to the Spirit. In the light of his departure in the very near future, Jesus prepares his Disciples by assuring them that he and the Father are one. Because of this unity, prayers offered in the Son's name will be answered by the Father. Moreover, he comforts them with the promise that they will receive the Holy Spirit who will be in them, with them, and will guide them into truth. With this knowledge and promise they will have peace.
Prayer of the Day
"God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom."
Hymn of the Day
"Filled with the Spirit's power, with One Accord."
Theme of the Day: Pentecost: A Language Event
Gospel - The Holy Spirit uses language to teach the truth of God.
Lesson 1 - God the Spirit uses language to confuse the proud.
Lesson 2 - The Holy Spirit uses language to proclaim the Gospel.
The Holy Spirit gave the Disciples the power to speak. To do so required language. Miraculously each foreign group heard the Gospel in its own language. (Lesson 2) As language was used to proclaim, so God used language to confuse people possessed by the evil spirit of pride. (Lesson 1) Jesus promised that the coming Spirit would lead them into truth and teach them the truth of God. To do this required language as a means of communication. (Gospel) The Prayer refers to the renewal of the Spirit. The hymn remindsus of the power of the Spirit. The overall theme is naturally the Spirit but he is related to the use of language.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 14:8-17, 25-27
1. Anything (v. 14). On the surface, this appears to be a stupendous promise. Ask God for anything and you will receive it. The catch is "in my name." To ask God in the name of Jesus means that what we ask will be whatever Christ would ask. He asked only for that which harmonized with the will of God. Christ stands for truth, love, and justice. We can be sure of answers to our prayers because we ask in the spirit of Christ, a spirit of love and obedience.
2. Counselor (v. 16). The Spirit is identified as "Counselor." In the King James Version, the word is "Comforter." The Greek word is "parakletos." It is a legal term for "Advocate," advisor, intercessor, or helper. The Spirit is our advisor who stands up for us in our defense. He is by our side at all times to help us. He takes the place of the earthly Jesus who was the advisor, friend, and guide to the Disciples. When the Spirit comes, he is Jesus-in-spirit for every believer. What Jesus did for the Disciples in terms of companionship, comfort, and teaching, the Holy Spirit will do for each follower regardless of space and time.
3. Teach (v. 26). The Spirit is a teacher as Jesus was. He is the Spirit of truth, and truth needs to be taught and explained. The Spirit enlightens us so that we can see and understand the truth. He is to teach us "all things," not everything to be known in history or science, but all things about God. He will be our memory in enabling us to recall what Jesus taught. The Spirit does not give us truth beyond what Christ taught. To determine whether the Spirit is giving us truth is to learn whether the truth is in harmony with Jesus' teachings.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
1. All on one day. "The first day of the week." (v. 19) Did as many things happen on one day in the entire history of God's people? On Easter day, Jesus rose from the dead, issued the great commission, breathed the Spirit on the Disciples, and gave them authority to forgive. It could be called the busiest day in the life of Jesus.
2. Peace (vv. 19, 21). Twice Jesus speaks peace to the Disciples. The repetition emphasizes the importance of peace. It is a peace that passes understanding, and a peace which the world cannot give. It is not a peace that is negotiated by enemies. This peace is a gift of Christ to those like the Disciples who sit in fear and anxiety.
3. Spirit (v. 22). The Spirit is given by Jesus. "He breathed on them" as God breathed into Adam. In Hebrew "breath" and "spirit" are one word, rauch. In this case, the Spirit is identified with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus. To have in one's heart the spirit of Jesus is the same as having the Holy Spirit. Thus, we can discern the spirits that possess us to see if the spirit is truly the Holy Spirit.
4. Forgive (v. 23). Who am I to forgive? Is the authority to forgive placed solely in the hands of the clergy or is it the authority of every Christian? The power to forgive is the power of the keys of the kingdom. To forgive is to open the gate to eternal life. Who then but God can forgive? Christ gives his followers the authority to forgive by virtue of being instruments of the Spirit who through Word and Sacraments forgives the penitent.
Lesson 1: Genesis 11:1-9
1. One (vv. 1, 6). There is power in unanimity. In this ancient story of the tower of Babel, the people were one and had one language. By that one language they understood each other, for they spoke the same language. The oneness of Gideon's three hundred defeated an army of Midianites. In unity there is strength, for each cooperates and contributes to a common goal. The power of Jesus was in his oneness with the Father.
2. Name (v. 4). Unanimity can be dangerous if it is used for wrong ends. In their oneness expressed in one language, the people decided to build a city and tower so high that it would touch the sky. Pride was the reason for building it - "to make a name for ourselves." By this common project they hoped to overcome the fear of being scattered over the earth and thereby losing their identity and power. What they feared, they became.
3. Confuse (v. 7). The unanimity expressed in a common language could lead to untold harm. When people are united to do wrong, the consequences are horrible. If a people like the Nazis is one in their ambition to rule the world, the evil done is dreadful. God had to prevent future evil by a unanimous people by confusing their language. Then they could not communicate nor understand one another. As a result, the city and tower were unfinished.
Lesson 2: Acts 2:1-21
1. Together (v. 1). The Holy Spirit comes as a communal experience. The Apostles were assembled in Jerusalem. They were together in their desire for the Spirit. They were together in prayer and in faith in Christ as Lord. Together they were hoping for the Spirit. The Spirit is a gathering force, and he comes when believers are in unanimity.
2. Utterance (v. 4). The Spirit gave the Disciples the ability to witness, to speak in various languages that all might hear the Gospel. The Spirit and the Word are inseparable. The Spirit comes in the Word when it is read, preached, or administered as a sacrament. Consequently, the Spirit gives believers the power to speak, preach, and witness.
3. Language (v. 6). This Pentecost experience was not glossalalia, the speaking in unknown tongues which are intelligible only to the speaker and possibly to an interpreter. The miracle was that unlearned, uneducated peasants were given the ability to speak foreign languages so that the foreigners in Jerusalem at the time could hear the Gospel in their own native tongue.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching on Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost is a Greek word, "pentekostos," meaning "fifty." It falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. Jews celebrated Pentecost as a harvest festival. Later it was the day to celebrate the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and the birthday of Israel. Christians celebrate Pentecost as one of the major festivals of the church year, the giving of the Spirit to the Disciples, the birth of the church, and the beginning of the kerygma. In many churches Pentecost is the day for the reception of new members by baptism, confirmation, or transfer of membership. It is the hope that today's disciples will receive on this day a renewed and increased gift of the Holy Spirit.
1. Is there time for a full sermon?
Pentecost may be one of those full Sundays when the time for the sermon is cut short in the interest of getting out within the hour. It may be the day for Confirmation. Or, it may be Communion Sunday. It could be Confirmation and Communion. If none of these, it could be the day for the reception of new adult members by baptism, confirmation, renewal of faith, and transfer. Will we be too busy to give adequate time for the preached Word on a very special day, a major festival of the church?
2. The importance of preaching on Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday may be the last time this church year to deal specifically with the Holy Spirit, because the rest of the Pentecost season does not deal directly with the Spirit. The remaining Sundays of the season deal only indirectly with the Spirit as the source of gifts and fruits of the Christian. Moreover, there is widespread interest in the subject of the Spirit. Charismatics and Pentecostals have brought the subject to the forefront. In addition, many have a misunderstanding of the Spirit and need a sermon of clarification. Who can deny that the average church today does not need a new birth of Spirit to carry on her work zealously? Through preaching, as on the first Pentecost, a new Pentecost can take place in the church. If it is neglected, the congregation may miss the experience of the Spirit.
3. What to preach on Pentecost
The subject of the Spirit is so large that the preacher must ask what aspect of the Spirit shall he deal with this year. The lessons assigned for the Day would help to answer the question. Even in the Lectionary, there is a broad number of subjects. It gets down to the question of what to preach about according to the Lectionary. Probably the solution is to study the immediate needs of your congregation.
Does the congregation need a revival or renewal of Spirit? Is there a lack of interest among the people in church services and work? Is apathy the order of the day? Is the attendance poor? Are the offerings lagging? Are you having difficulty getting people to take leadership positions?
Are your people not sure they have the Spirit? Are they full of doubt and upset by those who claim they were baptized a second time with the Spirit? If so, then a sermon on assurance would seem to be in order.
Maybe there is a wholesale lack of understanding of the Spirit - his nature, gifts, and fruit. For many church people the Holy Spirit is an unknown God.
Is the congregation divided over the Spirit, especially as related to speaking in tongues? Is there a claim that unless one speaks in tongues, he/she does not have the Spirit?
Gospel:
John 14:8-17, 25-27
1. Your Spiritual Advisor. 14:15-17, 26
Need: Who does not need an advisor? There is more to be known than one person can know. Two heads are better than one. Life is full of complexities and problems that are too much for one average person. Each of us needs an advisor with expertise. A person of means has a financial advisor. The politician has more than one political advisor. A business man has a tax advisor. A Christian has a spiritual advisor in the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls him a "Counselor," "Comforter," or "Advocate." Don't go through life without your spiritual advisor.
Outline: According to Jesus, your spiritual advisor -
a. Is always with you - vv. 15, 17
b. Lives in you - v. 17
c. Teaches you - v. 26
2. Are You Sure You Know The Spirit? 14:17 "Even the Spirit of truth ... you know him."
Need: It is often said that the Holy Spirit is the Christian's unknown God. We are confused whether to refer to the Spirit as "he" or "it." We do not know where he comes from, how we get him or if he can leave us. We are not sure the Spirit is a personal possession. In this text, Jesus claims that the Disciples know the Spirit. If we do not know him, Jesus tells us in the text who he is and what he does.
Outline: You know that the Spirit is -
a. Your Counselor - v. 16
b. The Spirit of truth - v. 17
c. Your teacher - v. 26
3. Enroll in the School of the Spirit. 14:8-17, 25-27
Need: Today we believe in education. Many spend the first twenty-five years of their lives in getting an education, and thereafter we feel the need for continuing education. To get an education seems to be the birthright of every American. While we emphasize secular education, we neglect a spiritual education. One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to teach us. (v. 26) Because of our ignorance in spiritual matters, it is time to convince the congregation to enroll in the school of the Spirit with the Spirit as the perfect teacher.
Outline: What the Spirit can teach us -
a. Who Jesus is - vv. 8-11
b. How to get prayers answered - vv. 13-14
c. What the Spirit can do for you - vv. 16-17, 25-26
Gospel:
John 20:19-23
1. The Spirit ofJesus. 20:22
Need: The Gospel lesson connects Jesus with the Spirit. On Pentecost, we do not leave Jesus in heaven and now deal with the Spirit as a separate entity. Jesus identifies with the Spirit. The church needs to see and understand the relationship of Jesus and the Spirit. It will help people to know who the Spirit is and to solve the problem of having Jesus with you always as well as having the Spirit.
Outline: In this text we see that -
a. The Spirit is of Jesus
b. The Spirit is from Jesus
c. The Spirit is like Jesus
2. The Breath of Life. 20:21-22
Need: The Hebrew word for spirit is breath or wind. To live is to breathe. Popularly we determine whether a person is dead if he stops breathing. On Easter evening Jesus breathes the Spirit on his disciples. This is an experience all of us need. We want and need life, as much as possible.
Outline: The breath of life consists of -
a. The breath of spirit - "Receive the Holy Spirit."
b. The breath of peace - "Peace be with you."
c. The breath of purpose - "So send I you."
3. When God Is Your Mother. 20:22
Need: The Spirit is the creative agent of God. In Adam's creation, God breathed into him, and he became a person, a living soul. The Spirit is given credit in Genesis for creating the universe. On Easter Jesus breathes the Spirit on the Disciples. There resulted a new creation. The Spirit is like a mother who gives birth to a new creation.
Outline: The Spirit is our mother.
a. Birth as a new creature. A Christian is born again of the Spirit, born into a relationship with Christ.
b. Birth as a new humanity - the church. Pentecost is the birthday of the church. The Spirit gathers believers into a church, a new people of God.
Lesson 1: Genesis 11:1-9
1. They Don't Speak the Same Language. Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-11
Need: Here we face the problem of unity among people. It is a problem of communication. And communication involves language. And language reflects the Spirit, Pentecost is a communications event involving tongues and language.
Outline: They don't speak the same language -
a. That's bad! Genesis 11 :1-9
Because of a bad spirit, pride, the people of Babel's tower had their language confused. As a result they could not communicate, nor understand each other. When there is no communication, estrangement and separation follow. Here is the centrifugal power of an evil spirit - it scatters.
b. That's good! Acts 2:1-11
When the Spirit came, the Apostles gave one message in diverse languages, intelligible to all people with different languages. The Spirit used the various languages to unite the world in Christ. Here is the centripetal power of the Holy Spirit - gathering through the Gospel into one fellowship, the church.
2. Weeping over Progress. Genesis 11:1-9
Need: The question is often raised whether it is progress to destroy the environment in order to have super-highways, factories, and cities. Years ago an illiterate man was walking on an old stagecoach road to Boston. Unable to read, he mistook milestones for gravestones. When he came to one, he stopped, took off his hat, and bowed his head in deep respect. When he was asked what he was doing, he explained, "There are so many graves alongside this road that I have stopped ten times today to mourn." The stranger explained, "My friend, these are not tomb stones; they are milestones. You are weeping over progress." Lesson 1 gives us reason for weeping over progress as made by the city in which (here was the tower of Babel.
Sermon:
Weep over a city's progress.
a. Babylon - the building of a proud city - v. 4
b. Babel - a tower reaching to heaven to be God - v. 4
c. Babble - pride leads to confusion and separation - v. 7
Lesson 2: Acts 2:1-21
1. Pentecost: What's it All About?
Need: People have difficulty understanding Pentecost. Many are afraid of having another Pentecost because they have wrong ideas about it. People are asking as they did in the first Pentecost: "What does this mean?" (v. 12)
Sermon:
What Pentecost is all about.
a. Wind and fire - the situation - vv. 1-4
b. Sounds crazy - the inquiry - vv. 5-12
c. Not spirits but Spirit - the explanation - vv. 13-21
2. People Aflame! 2:1-4
Need: The average church member is not on fire for the things of the Spirit or the church. There is a lack of enthusiasm, zeal, and vitality. The average church needs to experience the boldness, fervor, and unction of those upon whom the Spirit came. The Spirit is described in the text as tongues of fire.
Sermon:
Spirit-filled people are a Burning Bunch.
a. Caught on fire by the Spirit - v. 3. The Holy Spirit is God and God is "a consuming fire." John the Baptizer promised that Jesus would "Baptize you with fire and water." Trueblood described the church as "an incendiary fellowship."
b. The fire of the Spirit can be put out. You can douse the fire with the water of worldliness. It can be smothered as with a blanket or candle snuffer. It can be encircled and allowed to burn itself out.
c. The work of a fire. It burns up trash - fire of final judgment. It can cleanse - burn out evil. It can empower - produce energy. It can spread - it lives by lighting other fires. If the person next to you does not catch on fire for God, your fire is out!
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 - See Ordinary Time 2.
The Holy Trinity
(First Sunday after Pentecost)
The Lessons
Proverbs 8:22-31
Wisdom was with Yahweh when he created the earth. Before the earth was created, wisdom, a female figure, was created and observed Yahweh's bringing the world into shape: the earth, heavens, the boundaries of the sea, and the foundations of the earth. According to this passage, Yahweh did not create out of nothing, but ordered creation. The climax of creation is humanity in whom wisdom delighted and rejoiced. In the Old Testament wisdom is used to express God's self-disclosure in revelation and action. Wisdom is the personification of God's creative purpose. On this Trinity Sunday, we see God the Father's work of creation.
Romans 5:1-5
Christians have peace with God by faith in Christ whose love comes into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. In previous chapters Paul proved that all people need the Gospel because of universal sin. The Gospel is the good news that we are reconciled to God by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. In this chapter Paul tells us about the results of our justification. Being reconciled we have peace with God the Father because of our faith in God the Son. Thus, we rejoice in the hope of sharing God's glory and in our suffering. Moreover, we experience the love of God through the gift of God, the Holy Spirit. In the experience of salvation, the three persons of the Trinity are involved.
John 16:12-15
The Spirit glorifies the Son who shares all with the Father. God the Father and God the Son possess the one truth. When Jesus was on earth, the Disciples could not hear the whole truth. Now God the Spirit will reveal all to believers. This is not a new truth given by the Spirit nor truth given on the authority of the Spirit. The Spirit will report and reveal the truth which he hears from the Father and the Son. He will glorify the Son and will share the truth of the Son with believers of each succeeding generation. On this Trinity Sunday we see the involvement of the three persons of the Trinity in giving the whole truth of the Godhead to disciples.
Prayer of the Day
"Almighty and everliving God, you have given us grace, by the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of your divine majesty, to worship the unity. Keep us in this faith and worship and bring us at last to see you in your glory, one God, now and forever."
Hymn of the Day
"Father, Most Holy, Merciful, and Tender"
Theme of the Day: The Work of the Trinity
Lesson 1 - God the Father created the world.
Lesson 2 - God the Son redeemed the world.
Gospel - God the Spirit reveals the Word.
The Trinity is implicit in the Scriptures. The three persons of the Trinity are involved in creation with primary emphasis on the Father's work. (Lesson 1) In the experience of salvation, the three persons are also involved (Lesson 2): peace with the Father, faith in the Son, and love through the Spirit. In receiving the truth of God, the three persons are again involved and integrated: The truth of the Son is the truth of the Father shared with humanity by the Spirit. The prayer as well as the hymn deal with the Trinity.
Theological Reflections
Gospel: John 16:12-15
1. Yet (v. 12). Jesus did not tell the Disciples everything. He had much more to say but the Disciples were not capable of hearing his all. If he had told them, they would not have understood. What further things might he have said? Jesus never spoke of justification by grace through faith. The Spirit led Paul to understand this central doctrine of the Christian faith. Moreover, Jesus never mentioned the Trinity nor solved its mystery. Only later did the church gain this truth. Are there still other truths the Spirit will give us?
2. Truth (v. 13). The Spirit is to guide us into all truth. "All" truth or all spiritual truth? There is scientific truth which has given us the automobile, the airplane, and the computer. There is medical truth that has given us cures for polio and smallpox. Rather the Spirit leads us to spiritual truth which cannot be gained by reason, research, or experimentation.
3. Declare (vv. 13, 14, 15). Three times in three verses Jesus uses the word "declare" to describe the function of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Spirit to reveal, explain, and proclaim the truth. The Spirit uses human agents to declare the truth of God. At Pentecost, the Spirit gave the Disciples utterance to preach the Gospel. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord anointed me to bring good tidings ..." Possession of the Spirit is a prerequisite for preaching.
Lesson 1: Proverbs 8:22-31
1. Me (v. 22). Who is "me"? Jesus? The Logos? The Spirit? "Me" in this passage is a woman, Wisdom, who watched God the Father work and rejoiced in his workmanship, the creation of the world. Wisdom may be considered the feminine counterpart of the Father. The woman, Wisdom, was used by the Old Testament to express God's self-disclosure. Wisdom tells us what the situation was before creation, who created the world, and how worthy it was for rejoicing.
2. Work (v. 22). The creation of the universe is described as "work." Indeed, to make all the millions of stars, all of the plants, fish, animals, and humanity was a work only God could do, especially if he did it all in six days. When he was finished, he was tired and needed to rest on the seventh day. Work is an honorable activity. To create or to be creative requires work. Jesus told us to work while it is day before the night comes when no man can work. Honest work brings rewards of satisfaction, pride, and joy in a work accomplished.
3. When (vv. 27, 28, 29). In three verses the word "when" is used six times. We say, "Way back when" or "When we were kids ..." "When" is the time of creation. Wisdom was there "when" God created and formed various parts of the universe. Do you remember the time "when" Jesus washed the Disciples' feet? Were you there "when" they crucified my Lord?
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-5
1. Therefore (v. 1). The word refers to that which preceded it, and on the basis of the foregoing, certain truths or actions follow. On the basis of the truth in previous chapters, Paul says we being justified by faith have peace with God. What truth precedes this claim? One truth is that all have sinned and are subject to judgment. Moreover, we are not made right with God by obeying the law but by the grace of Christ who died for our sins. This grace is accepted by faith. On the basis of all this, "therefore" we have peace with God.
2. Access (v. 2). We have access to the grace of Christ. Since grace saves us, we need to get access to it for our forgiveness. How can we get the love of Christ? Christ is the way to access to the grace of God. He has opened the way. The chasm between the holy God and the sinner has been bridged by the cross. "No one comes to the Father but by me."
3. Hope (vv. 2, 5). Because of being justified by grace through faith, we have reason to hope. Now hope is more than wishful thinking or optimism. The ground of hope is in the nature of God's love and the atoning work of Christ on Calvary. He is our hope of some day sharing the glory of God. In this, hope will not let us down because we have the experience of God's love given to us by the Spirit.
Preaching Possibilities
Preaching on the Trinity
1. The problem ofpreaching on the Trinity.
Trinity Sunday calls for preaching on a doctrine rather than on an event of salvation. The Bible does not specifically give the doctrine of the Trinity. It is implicit rather than explicit in the Scriptures. Various passages refer to the three persons of the Trinity. This leads to the problem of finding appropriate Scripture for preaching on the doctrine. In the Lessons for this Sunday we find the Trinity but the passages do not directly deal with the subject of the Trinity.
2. Today 's need for preaching on the Trinity
a. The Trinity in the life of the Christian. Since references to the Trinity are encountered frequently in worship, a Christian should understand the doctrine of the Trinity. The worship service opens with the Invocation: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The service may close with the threefold Aaronic benediction which is followed by the words used in the Invocation: "In the Name ..." The Christian life begins with baptism: "in the Name of the Father ..." At Confirmation the Trinity is used for the blessing: "The Father in heaven for Jesus' sake renew and increase in you the gift of the Holy Spirit ..." After a Psalm the congregation says or sings the Gloria Patri: "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost." Sometimes a Doxology is used at the dedication of the offering:
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow ... Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." The New Testament benediction involves the Trinity: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14)
b. The Trinity is the doctrine that identifies a Christian. No other religion holds to or teaches the Trinity. A Christian is one who holds that Jesus is God, the Spirit is God as well as the Father-God. None but a Christian will confess this.
c. The Trinity is needed to give balance to our understanding of God. For some God is too far above us, beyond us, transcendent to this point that we cannot know nor approach him. Christ then becomes our all-in-all. He is the common man's God. Yet, Jesus is not God but close to God like a son. As for the Spirit, he (usually referred to as "It") is a mystery, a ghost, who is experienced by fanatics, charismatics, pentecostals, and others. The average Christian refers to God. Then there are the lesser deities, Jesus and the Spirit. If God the Father is held exclusively, we become Unitarians. If Christ is supreme, we over-rate him to the down-grading of the Father and Spirit. For some, the Spirit overshadows Father and Son. In referring to God, we need to refer to the particular person of the Trinity; God the Father or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit.
3. The Trinity is needed to give a comprehensive view of God.
The doctrine of the Trinity embraces the full nature and work of God as well as his relationship to man. God's relationship with man -
Father - God above us
Son - God with us
Spirit - God in us
God's work -
Father - creation
Son - redemption
Spirit - sanctification
God's location -
Father - God in the universe
Son - God in Jesus of Nazareth
Spirit - God in the believer
Three Lessons
Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
What the Trinity Can Do For You
Need: Our people need to see God as a whole in his relationship to them. Often they think of God or Christ or the Spirit. Seldom do they see the entire Godhead working in their behalf and being related to him.
Outline: What the Trinity can do for you -
a. God the Father created and creates you - Lesson 1
b. God the Son saves you - Lesson 2
c. God the Spirit guides you - Gospel
Gospel:
John 16:12-15
1. The Three Are One
Need: The truth that the Trinity means three persons often confuses people. It seems as though the three persons are in competition with each other. This sermon would help the congregation to see and understand that the three persons of the Trinity are distinctive and individual persons but are essentially one, of one substance. The sermon is to show that each person of the Godhead is equal with the other two and has all that each of the others has. The Father is not greater, nor knows more, nor has more authority or power than the Son and Spirit.
Outline: Why the three are one
a. Father - shares all with the Son - v. 15
b. Son - is glorified by the Spirit - v. 14
c. Spirit - witnesses to the Son - v. 13
2. Our All-Sufficient God. 16:12-15
Need: Is there anything too hard for God? Is any problem too complex? Any tragedy too deep for God to handle? People need to see and respond to a triune God who has all grace and power which he makes available to his children.
Outline: Our all-sufficient God, the Trinity
a. Father - the God who has all - v. 15
b. Son - the God who shares all - v. 15
c. Spirit - the God who shows all - v. 13
Lesson 1: Proverbs 8:22-31
1. The Lady who Watched God Create. 8:22-31
Need: Much emphasis today is upon women who cry out for equality with men. Accordingly, we are trying to remove sexist language in the Bible and in other religious literature. Some want to refer to God as "mother." In this pericope, wisdom is a female person who is with God at the time of creation. This sermon is not necessarily in support of the current women's movement but is to show that God's creation was wise.
Outline: What the lady of wisdom saw -
a. God can make something out of your nothingness - vv. 23-26
b. By virture of his creation, this is our Father's world - vv. 27-30
C. You are the very best God has created - v. 31
2. If God Created the World. 8:27-31
Need: How did the universe come into existence? Science has several theories. The Bible unanimously tells us creation was the work of God. It was not an accident or a natural conjunction of plants or chemicals. How it was done and how long it took to bring the world into its present shape is of secondary importance. The purpose of this sermon is to affirm that God the Father is the creator and to show what the practical implications are of this simple fact.
Outline: If God created the world, then -
a. This is our Father's world
b. Every created thing is good
c. Humanity is the steward and trustee of nature
d. People are the crown of creation
Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-5
1. It Takes Three to Save You
Need: It takes all of God - three persons - to bring us to oneness with him. Usually we give all the credit to the Son. We are reconciled to the Father through the grace of the Son, and made to feel the oneness with God through the Spirit's filling our hearts with the love of God.
Outline: It takes three to save:
a. The Father gives peace - v. 1
b. The Son makes it possible through grace - v. 2
c. The Spirit confirms the relationship - v. 5
2. What More Could You Want? 5:1-5
Need: We keep calling, inviting, appealing for people to come and be reconciled to God, to repent, and to join the church. We may forget to point out the blessedness of being right with God. Paul in the text tells what comes to those who are justified, the blessing from God through the three persons.
Outline: What more could you want of God.
a. Peace with God the Father - v. 1
b. Joy of the Hope of God's glory through the grace of the Son - v. 2
c. Love of God in your heart through the Spirit - v. 5
