Pentecost, The Day of Pentecost (2024)

Acts 2:1-21

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, what a glorious day as the promised helper arrives and lights upon the heads of those gathered like a tongue of flame. They then boldly go forth to share the message of the Gospel that all may hear the wonders and glories of God that the world might know that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God and in Him they may find eternal life. To accomplish this great and mighty work He gives to the Apostles the Ability to speak in Different tongues.

The Work of the Spirit

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and called Him the Helper.

But the world paraclete also meant helper, encourager, and comforter, which is all wrapped up in the word helper. He was especially needed as the disciples were being sent into the world to share the Gospel.

He would convict the world.

He would impart to the world the truths of Holy Scripture, that you are a sinner who has rejected God by your sins. Then regarding righteousness, that Jesus has given His righteous life for you. So that there is nothing for you to add, for He has done it all, and that is the why the ruler of this world is judged and condemned and we ought not trust him.

He would teach and guide them to the truth.

Not a truth, your truth, or my truth, but the truth. That isn’t just for one group of people or period of time, but that which is eternal and for all mankind. Our present age doesn’t recognize that there is absolute truth, and that is part of the reason that we are in this present mess. To our own shame we go along with it.

The Spirit would give the Disciples the right words.

For what Jesus did, it was for all mankind and so they were to share the gospel with all the world, but the question remained exactly how this would happen.

The Gift of Tongues

What barrier did God place between mankind?

If you ever been in that situation where you try to speak with someone and you don’t share a language it is difficult. You hope by slowing down that you can better understand what they are saying, but that doesn’t help. It sounds like gibberish, and you know that by the way they look as they speak they are in their right mind, you just can’t understand them.

The Spirit gave them different tongues.

Now the in the text today, it uses the word tongues and a little further down, it even mentions the dialects. This would be like if you or I were to travel to a different country, and then suddenly hear someone not only speaking english, but talking about where the bubbler was located.

This shows the gospel is meant for all.

Christianity isn’t limited to one people group, to one language, or to one area. It shared across the world, and we have supported missionaries, like Rev. Schuske who share the gospel in distant lands.

It is why we have English Bibles.

The Scriptures were originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, but you don’t have to learn those. This message is meant to be shared in our native languages. That’s why at the time of the Reformation, we abandoned the Latin, because the day of Pentecost shows the gospel is meant to be shared in that native language.

For All Nations

There were 3000 baptized on this day.

What a glorious celebration as they were brought into the faith and they were from all around the empire. The Church grew rapidly that day, and it is still growing to this day around the world. We don’t see it all in one location, but that is because it is no longer just centered in Jerusalem but it is all around the world.

The disciples bore witness.

To what they had seen with their own eyes. They had seen the miracles, they had witnessed the death and the resurrection of Jesus and seen his ascension. They wanted everyone to know that the Messiah had come and accomplished what He promised to do.

This witness has been shared with you.

For what we have in the New Testament is the witness that was borne by those who saw the things that Jesus had done that it might continue to be shared until the day that Jesus returns in glory. We enter into Jesus’ kingdom.

Before the Throne of God

There are people from every people, and language.

Throughout the history of the world there has been much division that has taken place, but the message of salvation truly is for all people. Doesn’t matter their background or where they come from, or what sins they have committed, this message is meant for everyone,

Because Jesus died for sinners.

We have to talk about sin, and I don’t just mean the sin that is in the world, it easy to point the finger out, but we have to look at ourselves. For how can we can we share the message of salvation if we do not recognize our own sins and what Christ has forgiven in us? The trouble that we all were in because of our failings. Consider

The Missionaries who risked their lives.

They understood what the cost was, and the firm grip that sin has on our hearts. They knew that they had to confront sin, and could not let false gods live side by side in the hearts of the people. That meant speaking the truth which at times was painful, but it was for the good of those that Christ died for, who does desire the death of the wicked.

Sharing the Gospel

You have the same spirit.

It was given to you on the day that you were baptized, you also have the Word of Holy Scripture which the spirit works through to create and sustain faith that guards your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, the question is

Why do we hesitate?

It is a daunting task to speak to people about the truth in an age that doesn’t care for it. We are afraid of the opinions of men who might look down us, who might mock us, or who might shun us. However, If anyone remains in their sins, and is unrepentant, it means eternal damnation. Be it idolatry, blasphemy, rejecting God’s gifts, rebellious spirit, fornication, stealing, lying, or coveting. When we are called to confront sin, there will be times that people get angry. On this day Peter accused the crowd of Crucifying Jesus by their sins.

Why don’t we have to be afraid?

We have the promised Helper, the encourager and comforter, and whether or not they believe depends upon the Spirit who calls.

The Spirit Converts

He works through the word.

Share with them the Word, both the Law and the Gospel not only revealing what their sin is, but also the hope that is found in Christ our Lord. This is a difficult and challenging art and knowing when to share each is something you only learn through experience.

The Spirit calls when He wills.

Not when you will or desire, and this is important to remember because we often have an idea of when our the person should believe, typically very quickly, there were evangelism efforts that would treat it like a sale pitch and have you figure out your elevator talk. All we can do is bring to people the truth, and trust the Spirit to create faith, when and where He wills.

Speak the truth in love.

This is hard for the world to understand. Because love might be sharing with someone that what they are doing is wrong even when they don’t want to hear it. To stand up for what’s right. There are also folks who neck deep in shame and guilt, and need to hear that Christ has taken that guilt and shame upon themselves. You only learn this through experience, which means you will mess this up, but that doesn’t mean we don’t speak.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are still called today to share the Gospel with our neighbors. Do not let fear prevent you, but rather be confident. We don’t need to travel far to find folks who are away from Christ. There are neighbors and family members that have fallen away. Do not give up on them, Jesus shed His blood for their sake, just like he did for you. They need the forgiveness He gives through Word and Sacraments and if they are cut off from it they will perish. So share with them the Word, and keep them in your prayers that the Spirit might bring them to life in Christ. In jesus name. Amen.