Wait for it - the HS will give you the strength etc - word
Acts 1:1-11 Wait for it the Holy Spirit will give you the strength etc 20 May 2007
Have you ever wondered how you are going to do something new? I suppose the first question to ask is have you tried something new?
A silly question really because we all have – even Adam and Katherine have had to learn to walk?
How do we do it?
Preparing this sermon for today caused me to think about how I’ve learnt to do new things over the last few years.
People have said of me that now I could do most things associated with building a church – and without boasting I have to agree with them. But 3 years ago if you had said that would be the case I would have said you were dreaming. How did it change?
I learnt from others – while there were times when Allan and I had a difference of opinion I learnt a lot from watching him, working with him and asking him questions.
I learnt from people like Rob and Francis by watching and working with them.
I learnt by asking Chas a lot (and I do mean a lot of questions)
And I learnt by trial and error – thankfully you can’t see most of the errors! And I’m not going to tell you about them! Thos times of trial and error were usually times when I’d get an idea that we should do something and after talking with Chas I’d try to put it in place.
Where did those ideas come from? I think they were given to me by God. Actually that’s not true I KNOW they were given by God through his Holy Spirit.
Our passage today tells us of some of the events that happened between Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday and his ascension 40 days later when he returned to be with Father God.
This was the culmination of 3 years of earthly ministry. It was the end of his time with his disciples – his students for that’s what they were – the word disciple can be translated student.
These 11 men had spent 3 years watching him heal the sick, forgive the sinners, teach the people and being devout Jews. They had spent some of that time doing some of those things – they had been sent on a mission to reach towns for him, they had help him perform his miracles like distributing the loaves and fishes. In short they had learnt by listening, by doing and by asking questions.
And they had been looking forward to the time when Jesus would exercise his power as the Messiah.
Yet once again they were to be disappointed. I suspect they knew by now that Jesus was not going to be the warrior king deliverer they thought he was but to be told he was going and to wait for the Holy Spirit I’m surprised they didn’t wonder just a little – what’s going on now.
I suspect they did wonder but this time it was only for a moment – I’ll tell you why I think that after we have read from Act 1:1-11
READ the text
Once again, as he has so often during his earthly ministry Jesus teaches the disciples over a meal. A meal had been a time of fellowship and a time to learn so many times throughout his ministry – that’s one reason why I like to have the service – it’s a chance to fellowship and learn from each other.
Jesus here tells the Disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had been baptised by the Holy Spirit. Why did they not ask the obvious question – Why? What will he do for us?
Because they already knew – He had already taught them what to expect. He’d told them about 6 weeks earlier that he was God the Father would send the Holy Spirit
John 14:15-17 (NLT)
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
Another Advocate, who will never leave you. – advocate – one who speaks on your behalf – but this one unlike the lawyer for instance who is there for you in court – this one will always be with you.
But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. Those who aren’t Jesus’ disciples don’t know him but his disciple do because they feel him in their hearts.
And more than that – because of his earlier teaching they knew
The Spirit gives the right words (in any situation)
Mark 13:11 (NRSV)
11 When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:11-12 (NRSV)
11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”
Luke 10:21 (NRSV)
They knew that those who humbly seek revelation will receive it thru the HS
21 At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
They knew that all they had to do was ask and they would receive the HS
Luke 11:13 (NRSV)
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
They knew that HS would give them the power to do what God called them to do
Luke 24:49 (NRSV)
49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
They knew that by having the HS Jesus would still be with them
John 14:19 (NRSV)
19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.
And they knew that they didn’t have to remember it all and that they would still have a teacher
John 14:26 (NRSV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
As Jesus told them to wait I like to think that some of the disciples at least were thinking back to Jesus words and taking comfort from those words of Jesus.
What about today? In the 21st century
What is it that allows, the harassed student – working on assignments and exams to pick themselves up and do God’s work?
What is it that gives the mother organizing her daughter’s birthday and farewell party and preparing for that daughter to go overseas for a few months to lay it all aside and work with children
What is it about the young teacher – learning how to teach children in a new culture – make time to learn new games and ways of reaching children in a different culture with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ
What is it that gives the draughtsman working to get ahead of his work so he can take his family on holiday, who has clients pressuring him for plans and permits the peace to know that he can get it all done even when he takes time out to teach children about peace.
What is it that gives the mother and pre-school teacher the strength to organise name tags even though she’s battling a cold?
I’m sure you’ve realised I’m talking about people within our congregation. These are just 5 of you who have had to endure what we could say were difficulties because we’ve been called to work with and reach the children of this area for God. Each of these has battled through difficulties and put things aside so that they can bring the word of God into young lives through CIA.
What is it that allows them to do that? It’s not a what it’s a who – it’s the Holy Spirit who directs their paths, gives them the ideas of what to do even when doing something new, who gives them the strength to do it and who is beside them as they work with the kids.
Just as the disciples knew about the Holy Spirit so can you
You can
be certain that he will give us the right words (in any situation)
Mark 13:11 (NRSV)
11 When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 12:11-12 (NRSV)
11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”
Luke 10:21 (NRSV)
When you humbly seek revelation he will give it to you
21 At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
That he would give you the power to do what God calls you to do
Luke 24:49 (NRSV)
49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
That by having the HS you can know that Jesus is with you
John 14:19 (NRSV)
19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.
That he will teach and guide you
John 14:26 (NRSV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
As Jesus told them to wait I like to think that some of the disciples at least were thinking back to Jesus words and taking comfort from those words of Jesus.
Know him, because he lives with you now and if you have received him he is in you and if you haven’t you can receive him and he will be in you.
John 14:15-17 (NLT)
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
Because you know that all you have to do is ask and you will receive the HS
Luke 11:13 (NRSV)
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
No matter where you are or what you are doing.
No matter what God call s you to – the Holy Spirit is there – teaching, guiding and helping you – giving you the strength and assurance that you can do God’s will and do whatever he calls you to.
AMEN
Time of ministry to receive the HS for those who want to
This is the first time I have done this – I don’t know what you believe about how you receive the HS – personally I believe
Can receive it by asking for it - personally i.e. with noone else present
Can receive it through the laying on of hands
Today – right now I’m giving you the chance to receive it through the laying on of hands
Those who feel led to lay hands on others please feel free to do so
As Lynda play this next song I ask you to stay silent and if you want to receive the Holy Spirit come to the front. Don’t worry about what may or may not happen to you – I believe the Holy Spirit works in many ways sometimes with great manifestations of power sometimes quietly giving that sense of peace that says … I’m here.