Pentecost Sunday

Introduction:

“Grab Bag” Series; May 2026 — No connective tissue; misc. topics important or timely!

1) Conviction {listening to HS instead of my own ego…

2) Discernment {weighing my good vs. God’s ‘best’…

3) Politics & Christianity {Jesus first!; use in moderation; healthy suspicion. BE INVOLVED!

TODAY: Pentecost Sunday; talk about Pentecost

Going to examine new idea heard recently; let it reveal truth & impact today.

Want to take you on a …

Journey up to Jerusalem in Luke-Acts

Want to introduce you briefly to s’thing scholars call ‘cosmic mountain’.

Not just novel to ancient Jewish thought; was a common way of seeing the universe/cosmos in ancient times.

The Cosmic Mountain is the center point (on earth) of God’s dealings with man & His redemptive plan.

Typically a ‘high place’; many God-encounters; center or ‘home base’ for his activity

This C.M. was the particular people-group’s viewed as the center of life & flour’ng—not just earth, but in all space & time, as they saw it.

Iggdrisil, great tree, Norse myth, similar idea—all realms connected by one central focus

Eden described like this:

Genesis 2:10 “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.”

Can find other verbiage in text hinting at this concept at times; esp. in Ps’s & Prov’s.

For Israel, land of Caanan, later more spec. Jerus. viewed as a cosmic Mt.

Center point for God’s redemptive plan.

Ex. “Psalms of ascent”—a ‘going up’ to Jerusalen on pilgrimage —yet, Jerus. wasn’t build on high Mt!

Mt. of Olives [just outside town] higher than Jerus. or temple Mt

They cared less about the actual geography of the land than they did the spir. signif.!

To them, Jerus., temple Mt., was a high place; HQ of God’s revealed plan for world & univ.

Spacial Mirroring in Luke-Acts

Scholars have noticed a pattern in Luke’s two-part series about Christ & His church:

These accounts are written as a spacial mirror.

The central point in Luke’s 2-part ‘gospel-history’ is the ascension of Jesus; and the events taking place in Jerusalem. (Luke 18:31)

Luke 18:31 “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.”

This is just one instance/8! wherein it says Jesus was headed toward to going to Jerusalem.

Jerus. becomes this bullseye for Luke in his retelling

John positions JC going back & forth between Jerus. & galilee many times. Don’t find this same pattern in Mat. or Mk.

Luke is unique—moreso bc we have Acts.

Want to illustrate the mirror that Luke describes, based on Jesus’ loc. on ministry journey.

Show Chiasm Chart 1 (Blomberg)

As u can see, ev'thing heading towards Jerus—focused on that spot

Luke painting Jesus’ mission as heading toward Jerusalem.

Acts is story of Spirit coming in Jerus. & then going out to rest of world… a mirror!

Today, I want to take this narrative framework and bring meaning out of it by looking at the parallels on either side of this central focus.

Lessons from the Spirit’s Descent

Chart: Roy Atwood

On either side of the Jerus. events (Jesus’ Ascension) is Jesus’ Resurrection UP from grave & His Spirit’s descent onto the disciples

I think we can learn something about the heart of God & our actions here on earth from this narr. structure

FIRSTLY,

Jesus was Focused

Jesus was Determined to Get to Jerusalem.

There are 9 different accounts of Jesus determinedly heading toward Jerusalem! (Starting in Luke 9:51)

Luke 9:51 “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

Lit. “set his face toward Jerus...”

Starting in Lk 9 and moving forward, there is a real sense of urgency in Jesus.

Despite sermons, healings, and other ministry, intently focused on Jerus.

Luke pictures it as Jesus’ clear goal and focus.

Similarly… >>

Jesus was Emphatic that the Disciples wait in Jerusalem.

More on the Acts side of things, Jesus implores his disciples, cmds them, not to leave!

Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.””

Acts 1:4 “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”

Looking at parallels I believe Jesus’ commands to stay in Jerusalem parallel nicely Jesus’ intense focus on Jerusalem before.

STAY HERE! Don’t waver, don’t doubt!

Jesus was communicating to His closest followers: “You need this”!

He didn’t mince words and told his disc. repeat’dly to wait here.

With a similar focus & fervor, He clearly told them that this gift from Father is important.

Same is true today—not just as a sealing of God’s promised salvation, but the act of Pentecost poured out in power… PURSUE THIS! TARRY.

Follow-up Question here, then… WHY so focused? Bc IN JERUS. >>

God Accomplished His Purpose

On the Luke-side of our mirror, we know what would go down in Jerus…

Christ Died & was Resurrected.

Luke 23:44–46 “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Again, Jesus was laser-focused on getting to one place. Why? So he could die.

Now, Gethsemane makes it clear—JC did NOT want to XP death… but he did want to follow out God’s plan for whole world; whole COSMOS!

Unfortunately? sacrifice on a cross was the path. But Resurrection took place on Sunday!! AMEN??

JC headed resolutely toward Jerus… so he could save us.

Aren’t you grat’l for love for Christ? That he'd suffer so much so we can be with Him!

Jesus was so focused so we could be set free!

on the Acts side of things,

God Poured out His Spirit.

Remember: Jesus was just as focus'd to have his disc. stay in Jerus. WHY?

Acts 2:1–2 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

This Jewish festival of Pente. was backdrop for God’s Spirit to fall.

THIS was, on other side of ascension, Jesus’ focus for disc.

Just like His work on the cross & defeat of death, Jesus wanted to fill & empower His Church!

JC wasn’t on earth anymore, but there still work 2b done!

Anointed His Church at Pentecost to go and change the world in HIS image.

Truth is—still same mission today:

Acts 2:38–39 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.””

But, Pastor, how does the Spirit achieve this revival? >>

The Spirit Brought Truth & Authority

So if Pentecost matches with His resurrection account what do we see back in Luke 24 that echoes what the Spirit does?

One thing I saw:

Jesus opens hearts & eyes; forecasts power.

On the road to Emmaus & later, Jesus opens disciples’ eyes to the truth of the Gospel & His plan (see Luke 24:45-47).

Luke 24:45–47 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Jesus, here, reveals the truth of the Gospel which is a significant work of the Spirit—revealing truth

Discernment sermon: Spirit can reveal to us what is true vs. what we’ve been TOLD is true or what our past relat’s said about me.

Also, Jesus, before Pentecost, calls them to a very bold mission: global evangelism!

The Spirit cleans us & we speak with His authority.

Notice, Peter again speaks about Jesus’ exaltation.

Acts 2:32–33 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear…37–38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

From Galilee, Samaria, Jesus ascends to the cosmic Mt. (Jerus., temple) eventually centering on his ascension (to the R. hand of Father in heaven). Up up up!

Now, in context of narr., has descended to be on and in His Church

God makes us new on the inside—truth powerfully cleans us

As we grow closer to His Spirit,

The Spirit gives us the power to overcome our old sinful desires and instead want to do God’s purpose & will.

We get to speak in Christ’s authority to those who promote Satan’s lies; to the powerful who abuse it; to the weak who need uplifting.

In fact, Jesus calls us to do this & empowers us to be successful in it.

He cleans us, helps us clean one another in community, and speak truth were it’s going to make a powerful difference.

My biggest challenge for you today should be an ongoing pursuit >>

Set your Face Toward the Spirit!

Spend time in focused prayer, asking for His Spirit to move in you.

The NT regularly talks about the Spirit as though He is a given part of a redeemed life… but it commands us to walk His Way.

So you’re not asking for the Spirit for the first time… that happens when we trust in Jesus.

However, you should ask for His power and His Way to be made clear in you:

1 Corinthians 14:12 “…Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”

Theological ponderings

Action Steps

Listen for the Spirit’s voice.

Galatians 6:8 “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Committal?

Altar time?

Salvation call?