The Church Sweeps in with Fire and Wind (5-31-2020)

The church sweeps in with fire and wind 5-31-20 One of the reasons I love Peter is he is so enthusiastic and yet prone to doubt. I do so identify with him on both counts. Listen to this little story in Matthew 14: 29-30 about my friend Peter: Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” His heart drove him out of that boat into the sea, so filled with enthusiasm for Jesus he was walking on water! But then he looked around at the choppy sea of Galilee, heard the mighty wind whipping across the surface, and suddenly became self conscious. He thought about the weight of his body in that water, and that quick - out of his heart and into his mind - he started thinking about sinking. He’d been buoyed by his faith and trust in Jesus, but now he was distracted from his beloved master by the wind and waves, and the thought of sinking cast him into a world of fear and doubt - focusing then on the danger of drowning and losing his life. The thought of loss filled him with panic and he shouted, “Lord, save me!” Do you ever feel like you are sinking in an ocean of danger, fear, and mistrust all around you? I do. I allow myself to be distracted by the evil, anger, and the atmosphere of blame and shame I see and hear on television and mass media. I get sidetracked away from Jesus, I trip and fall into a puddle of anger, pulled under by my mind focusing on “those people.” And “those people” become a mighty wind and a choppy sea within me. That is what happened to me early last week but then I remembered that Sunday was what many Christians celebrate and commemorate as Pentecost. That was when, seven weeks after their Savior ascended from them, they were gathered remembering his encouragement and his promise. The promise was: they would receive power to go into the world and testify about him. And in that house, not two months after he left them they were again thinking of him and how he lifted them up and made them believe in a God who would rescue them and would use them to rescue non-believers. I studied that Pentecost story and again read it in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, found many other scriptures and writing related to this great event of Pentecost. And suddenly I was raised up out of my own morass of messy thinking and again some small breeze of the Spirit entered me and I became inspired. Here is the main recollection in Scripture of this momentous day in Acts 2: 1-4 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. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Wind In my study of Pentecost I discovered that the description of fire and wind mentioned in the Pentecost account resounds throughout the Old and the New Testament. The sound of the wind at Pentecost was “rushing” and “mighty.” Throughout Scripture, references to the power of wind abound – all these references were understood to be a sign of God’s power. Fire Fire too is often associated in the Old Testament with the presence of God and with His holiness. Likewise, in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, fire means God is present as well as his power to purify life. God’s presence and holiness are implied in the tongues of fire at Pentecost. Indeed, fire is identified with Christ Himself in the book of Revelation. This association of fire and Christ underlies the Pentecost gift of the Holy Spirit, who according to John would teach the disciples the things of Christ. Visions and Dreams Another Scripture, Joel 2:28 prophesies the coming of the Holy Spirit “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Being an old man, this prediction by Joel is encouraging to me. Maybe some of the dreams that wake me up too early in the morning are from the Holy Spirit. I believe some of them are. I also know of many young men and women whose vision leads them to preach, teach, and to write and sing songs. These songs regularly inspire me during my drivetime and computer time. The Holy Spirit is moving all around us like the winds of April and May – just as Joel predicted. The Church It is said that on that day of Pentecost the church was born. It began functioning as a body, as the Body of Christ through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:44 says: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message.” One source I read said that these actions by the Holy Spirit are equivalent to the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised in these words repeated in Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” It seems to me that there is a parallel between the birth of the church on Pentecost and individual Christians being reborn, baptized and dedicating themselves to follow Jesus. The church did not exist in Old Testament times. Pentecost was the beginning of something very new in human history and I think this is one reason it is such an important event. As I have read the Acts of the Apostles over the years it occurred to me that the Holy Spirit was particularly active in those early Christ followers. But I might be wrong about that, for it can be said that the movement of the Spirit can be seen, especially during challenging times, throughout Christian history. But Acts is saturated with evidence of the dramatic movement of the Spirit in the early church. The Holy Spirit now and in the past We might not experience the mighty wind and the fire that appeared in those early Christ followers at Pentecost but I am curious about the role of the Holy Spirit in Christians’ lives today and how he has been active in among Christians throughout history? One source I read says this: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are saved, filled, sealed, and sanctified. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s thoughts, teaches, and guides believers into all truth… The Holy Spirit also helps Christians in their weakness and intercedes for them. Here is a partial list and description of the role of the Holy Spirit: 1. The Holy Spirit is a helper who teaches and reminds 2. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers and fills them. 3. The Holy Spirit is a source of revelation, wisdom, and power. 4. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holy-spirit/10-roles-of-the-holy-spirit-in-christian-life.html As I have said before, I see the Holy Spirit alive in our people here in this church and my heart overflows with gratitude for that. Questions and Challenges • During the coronavirus crisis how have you and members of your family been inspired to make adjustments, perhaps taking on new roles and responsibilities within your family and outside your family with others? • How do you identify with or appreciate Peter and his enthusiasm as well as his doubt? • Describe how the Holy Spirit fills you up or has filled you up in the past. Prayer Come Holy Spirit, fill us up with your inspiration and give us the necessary gifts, teaching, and wisdom to follow Jesus and surrender to him fully each day. Thank you for your divine presence in our church community and leaders. Lift us up and chase away the accuser and the darkness that he brings into our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ our precious Savior we pray, Amen.