Working Brief

March 23, 1998

PAM 143. Homiletics I

Reverend Luther Strasen

Mark Berlin

1817 Glenwood Ave.

Fort Wayne, In. 46805

Intro.: Illus. - Game show Truth or Consequences, choices, doors, transition to behind the door of the upper room, background for the text, what is truth and where does it come from.

I. The Spirit of God Guides us.

A. It guides us to the truth about our sin.

1. We are in a state of rebellion against God: We resist truth, the “truth hurts”, easier to lie, running from tr. (Peter- “you can’t die”, Denial of predicted passion, afraid of future, denial of true natures-sinners., putting our heads in sand, symbol for the Holy Spirit is dove not ostrich, Joseph’s’ brothers, Cain, Abraham., 1John 1:10, Gen 3:4-5.

2. The penalty for our disobedience is death: Capitol punishment points to spiritual punishment, Ananias and Sapphira, Lots wife, Wages of sin is.., Final separation from God, All have sinned… Rev 20:6,14, Guilty of whole law, ill.-Smallest accident still an accident, Perfection demanded by God, sin not just what we do but what we are.

B. It guides us to the truth about Christ.

1. Through Jesus we are unconditionally loved: By the Father-through his Son, Jesus loved disciples-loves us, aware of all our needs. Word and sacraments gifts of love, loves all people - believers and unbelievers, died for all, lives that all might live. Natural revelation.

2. Through Jesus we have forgiveness and life: Truth is revealed - about God(Trinity), glory of Trinity revealed, Christ is the truth, “what is truth” Spirit points only to Christ, salvation revealed, gift of faith given - baptism, Spirit works through Word, This is truth.

II. The Spirit of God equips us for a purpose.

A. We are equipped to do good works

1. We are unable to witness to the truth on our own: On our own we are dead to this world and the next, spiritually dead don’t(can’t) talk, no understanding, can’t see, If at first you don’t succeed -try try again - all folly, Rom 3:12.

2. We are able to do good works because we have been made righteous through Christ: Eph 2:10, 2 Tim 3:17, prepared in advance for us to do…

B. We are equipped to proclaim the Gospel.

1. Without Gods Spirit we proclaim the lies of the temporal world: No faith without H.S., no word, no understanding, working for treasures that decay, illu. God didn’t show up in Texas, #1 lie is not proclaiming Christ.

2. With Gods Spirit we proclaim Christ boldly: Pentecost - promise fulfilled.

Conclusion: Back to upper room, as Christ rose from the tomb, and the disciples departed from the “tomb” of the upper room on Pentecost, we too arise from the tombs/rooms and proclaim Christ.