Spirit of Truth

Krista is wrapping up a short break between her Spring semester which just ended, and the start of her summer courses - which are just beginning. So on Thursday, we planned a quick little get away to Ocean City for rest and relaxation. We planned this several weeks ago, and we did not realize that it was car week in OC. Officially titled Cruisin’ Ocean City, this annual multi-day event showcases over 3000 hot rods, customs, classics and trucks. From sunrise until late into the night, the sounds of revving engines, squealing tires, and rumbling exhaust echoed throughout our hotel room. It is an interesting event - there are lots of spectators lining Coastal Highway with their lawn chairs and camera phones, and on the boardwalk, or walking through through the rows of cars at the Convention Center and Inlet.

We had a great time! A little loud - not too restful - but we enjoyed admiring the beautiful and powerful machines that showcased American innovation and style. 56-57 Chevy Belairs with the Jet Eagle hood ornaments (sweet), 67 Plymouth Baracuda (one of my favorites), custom Hot Rods like the t-bucket, 1950 Ford F1 truck - so many sweet rides that got me dreaming and wondering if we really need a house.

Crowds of people drawn to this demonstration of power.

And then when we got home, ready for a little peace and quiet, we were quickly reminded that it was the weekend of the boat races - one block away from our home! Again, loud, powerful vessels screaming around the Choptank with people lined up to watch down Bellevue, Hambrooks and Great Marsh.People drawn to a demonstration of power.

I hope you see where I am going with this…crowds of people making their way to OC and Cambridge to witness powerful machines - whether out of admiration, curiosity, passion, or simple entertainment - whatever the reason, they were caught up in the moment. And I could not help but see the connection between this week’s events and the day we celebrate on the Christian calendar today - Pentecost - the birth of the Church.

However, I must say - there is no real comparison. The people in Jerusalem on that particular Pentecost over 2000 years ago had no expectation that they would be first hand witnesses to the outpouring of the greatest source of power in all of Creation. The course of history forever changed - and unlike cars and boats that will eventually lose power, rust and decay, - the power that was poured out onto the early church - the Spirit of Truth in world of lies - is still at work today - burning just as powerfully.

I would like to offer up this morning a creative re-telling of what we find in Acts chapter 2 and the birth of the Church. Imagine for a moment that we have been supernaturally transported back in time to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Most of you have probably watched shows like the Chosen or one of the films on the life of Jesus (the Passion of Christ) - if so, try to place yourself in that setting - the bustling narrow streets, the colorful garb, the market stalls, the animals and the stone walkways. You notice the large number of people gathered and sense the excitement in the air. People of all different ages, races, ethnicities are speaking various languages - none of which you understand - but they all look awestruck and many seem to be joyfully shouting praises.

Are we all there? Turn to your neighbor and say “Toto, I’ve a feeling we are not in Kansas anymore.”

Now imagine this man approaching us with a smile on his face and he starts to speak to us in English.

“Shalom Aleichem – Peace be with you! My name is Andrew. Can you understand me? Praise God - this is incredible – to suddenly be able to speak a foreign tongue. From your attire I guess you are from a distant land – from the looks of you - really distant. Do you know of Jesus the Christ? You do? Praise God!

Let me fill you in on what is happening. Jesus, after he rose from the dead, met with us many times to teach us and even to break bread with us. He lives! Ten days ago, he instructed us disciples to stay here in Jerusalem until we received a gift from His Father - and I know this sounds wild, but after he told us this, he flew up into the clouds. He is now with His Father! At first we were scared and unsure - not knowing what to make of this promised gift - but I think it is now safe to say that we have received it.

This is well beyond what we expected when Jesus told us to wait here – he said we would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. We disciples had already been baptized - most of us by John, when we repented of our sins and were washed in the water of the Jordon. We wondered what Jesus meant when he said we would be baptized in the fire of the Holy Spirit – well now we know!

We were all sitting around this house this morning – about 120 of us in all – I admit, it has been a bit crammed and smelly - but it was worth the wait. Suddenly there was this sound that shook the place, you know that sound when a large storm front quickly moves in and that initial wall of wind blows through? That is what it sounded like. We were all looking frantically at each other when all of sudden what appeared to be fire came down from above – nothing was burning, but it looked like fire. Are you familiar with the story of our ancestor Moses and the burning bush? That must be the same fire that Moses saw - the holy presence of God. This fire spread out among us and flames like tongues rest on our heads - it is hard to described, but I felt myself overflowing, such power, such love, such connection, all my worries burned away.

I’m telling you, yesterday I was full of worry, not quite sure how I was supposed to follow Jesus’ teachings and tell others about him without getting into trouble or getting hurt. I wasn’t confident in what I knew and worried about messing up. I was beginning to believe all the voices of doubt that I heard in my head. But now…God is with me! Whom shall I fear? He will accomplish what He has set out to do – all I need to do is be willing and obedient. He has shown me what is to come – what the Kingdom of God looks like and how we are to usher that vision into reality. I am on God’s mission – it is so clear to me. Is it clear to you too?

This filling of the Spirit is too much to contain - praise for what God has done burst forth from our lips and we disciples discovered that we were all speaking in foreign languages. Languages that we had never studied. Your language is so different from mine - but it is like a key has unlocked a difficult puzzle - it just all makes sense now.

Well, as you can imagine, that attracted the crowds – as you see, Jerusalem is packed with people from all the surrounding nations, like yourselves, and I can see the surprise on their eyes when they heard us speaking in their own native tongues. The Spirit had something to say and our personal limitations are not going to stop the work of God.

Now of course, you will always have your nay-sayers – mockers who try to explain away the mystery of God, do you have people like that where you are from? People who doubt the creative power of the God of the universe? Like there are things that our Creator cannot do? A few exclaimed to the crowd that we were probably drunk. I’m not sure how that argument explains our sudden ability to speak in foreign languages – but Peter would have none of it.

You have probably heard of Peter, right? Peter stood up, along with the rest of us, and commanded everyone’s attention. Peter stood there like a rock and spoke with such boldness that the crowd quickly hushed and listened to what he had to say. The Spirit was definitely speaking through Peter and revealing to him what was happening and how it all ties in to God’s redemptive plan.

This is a Jewish crowd, so Peter pointed everyone back to the prophet Joel – every Jew listening is familiar with the prophet’s words.

“And it will be in the last days, says God,

that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;

then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

and your old men will dream dreams.

I will even pour out My Spirit

on My male and female slaves in those days,

and they will prophesy.”

Yes – that’s what’s happening. Men, women, young, old, slaves and free – all of us are praising God for what he has done and what he is going to do – prophesying…and we are speaking to all nations! God no longer will only speak through the occasional prophet, like Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah – but through all who believe and receive His Spirit! Have you prophesied? Do you have a clear picture where this is all heading and are you sharing that with others?

The prophet Joel spoke of signs and wonders, both in the heavens and the earth, before the glorious day of the Lord arrives. Now Joel calls it the glorious day, but that last day is not something I would want to live through. God’s wrath is going be poured out on a rebellious people – but Joel had also said that those who call on the name of the Lord would be saved.

The prophecies are coming true in our day! Jesus worked signs and wonders – but instead of seeing these evidences for what they were – that God himself had sent Jesus to us – the people killed Jesus by crucifying him on the cross.

Yet God would not let him lie in the grave. Jesus rose from the grave and we all saw Him. We met with us, ate with us, continued to prepare us for this day! Then God exalted Him, lifted him up to sit at the right hand of the Father, Jesus himself filled with the Holy Spirit has in turn has now poured the Spirit upon us!

Peter said “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both our Lord and Messiah.”

What can people say? They all knew of Jesus and the wonders he performed. They all had heard the stories. Most were here when he was killed – some even chanted “Crucify Him!” They certainly had heard the rumors that Jesus has been seen alive. Now Peter has opened their eyes to the ancient prophecies and how Jesus fulfills those words. And they have just witnessed 120 of us Galileans, simply country folk, praising God in all the languages of our world. What can they do? The Spirit is convicting their hearts! They cried out “brothers! what are we to do?”

Peter told them “Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The people have been so eager, they pushed forward in droves. There were some who were hesitant, but Peter pleaded “save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” How do you argue with that – who hasn’t noticed how corrupt this generation of people have become here in Palestine. Is it the same where you are from?

Well, I’m glad you are part of the ecclesia, the church, I’ve got to get back to baptizing people – it is going to be a long day. It looks like there are 3000 people here! I hope you will have many respond to God’s invitation in the land where you are from as you share this story.

Remember, if you declare Jesus Lord and believe He is God’s Son, the Holy Spirit is promised to you – he has marked and sealed you for redemption and He will direct your steps and give you the words to speak. All you need to do is be willing and obedient. Call people to repentance, baptize them and welcome them into the Kingdom of God. Take care my brothers and sisters.”

Ok - we are transported back to Cambridge. Time may separate us from that moment in history - but we are very much still right there with them. The same Spirit that rose Christ from the grave is the same Spirit who was poured out on the Church that day and is the same Spirit today preserving Jesus’ Church, guiding and teaching us, convicting sinners, protecting us from the enemy, revealing truth and helping us understand God’s Word, praying on our behalf, comforting us in our trials, giving us boldness and courage, and providing us with every spiritual gift we need to grow the Church.

Grace Church - we have all that we need - more than we need - to bring the light of Christ to all and demonstrate the power of God to change lives. Let’s ask and seek for a new outpouring of the Spirit - a refilling - so that these old bones may bring new life to Cambridge.

Let’s pray.