8 am Sunday 11th May 2008

Pentecost

The last few weeks have been rather fraught. For some – uncertain as to what the future might or might not hold for them, there has been a forced time of having to be patient as they wait the final outcome. And during that waiting period, a certain fear for their future may have brought with it, doubts and even despair.

Not least, there has also been, various concerns for the future of their leader. No, I am not talking about the London Mayoral election or those awaiting the outcome of the local government elections or even the present situation in Zimbabwe, no not even the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, but rather that period between Maundy Thursday and Ascension Day, when Jesus took his final leave of the disciples and returned to his Heavenly Father.

For following three years or so of preparation, there has been a final time of waiting and anticipation for the disciples. And today as we celebrate once again the events of Pentecost, we have read how the promised gift of Jesus, has been delivered to the disciples. And now the ball so to speak, is in their court. They are facing a make or break situation. For Jesus, his work on earth completed, can now only look on and see whether, those given to him by the Father, can meet the challenge of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the World!

Jesus’ final prayer to God for them was – ‘Protect them in your name so that they may be one, as we are one.’ Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples is as relevant for us today, as it was for the disciples 2000 years ago.

Preparation – waiting – receiving - action.

With regard to those first three stages - Preparation, Anticipation, Waiting, all who have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives will have passed through them. But the question we all have to ask of ourselves at this Pentecost Season is whether or not, our profession of faith, has led to the fourth stage – action? And ask ourselves ‘How, has our faith been visible to the world and those with whom we share our lives? As the Spirit of God enters into each one of us, and works within us, so like the disciples, we will be moulded by the force of it, into the person that God wants us to be.

So the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, and poured out on Peter and the other disciples at Pentecost, was to be the means by which the good news of the Gospel could be spread throughout the world. The invitation by Jesus is for any one who is thirsty to come to him and for the one who believes to drink. For the water given to us by Jesus will become in each of us a living fountain.

It is a new kind of water as described by Cyril of Jerusalem – ‘for it is a water that is living, leaping water, welling up for those who are worthy.’

And just as the water that comes down from Heaven produces many different effects, throughout creation itself, so it does in the humans who receive it, for while essentially remaining the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature who receives it.

Like a dry tree that puts forth shoots when it is watered, the soul bears the fruit of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit. While the Holy Spirit never changes, the effects of the Spirit’s action by the will of God and in the name of Christ are both many and marvellous.

The invitation to receive God’s Holy Spirit into our lives, is no less relevant to all the people of our world today. And today we continue to pray for the living water promised by Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God, to fill each one of us.

But the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, means, that unless, having asked for the Spirit of God and received it, our own way of life remains unchanged, we will have failed not only ourselves, but more importantly, Jesus Christ himself. And having received the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, each one of us is then called to bear fruit for God. (Romans 7.4)

For the fruit of the Holy Spirit is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Unlike those recently elected to serve at local and in National government, our election as Christians is for life. The time of Preparation, Waiting and Receiving – is now over, the call of Pentecost as witnessed to us by the Apostles is for action.

While for some the effect of the Holy Spirit is a sudden experience, in many the HS comes gently. It is not felt as a burden, for it comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen and console. The spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through that person, the minds of others as well.

As this evening we witness the baptism and confirmation of those called by Jesus here in St. Andrew’s, people of all ages, so we will pray for them and ourselves, that we may all through the gift of God’s Holy Spirit be, or continue to be, faithful soldiers and servants of our Lord Jesus Christ to the end of our lives.

©Revd Peter Vickers May 2008

(Based on Sermon for Pentecost 2005)

Also Celebrating the Seasons – Page 282 – ‘Thursday before Pentecost’

Delivered at 8.00am service

Posted: 12/05/2008