The Spirit comes
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is an exciting and important story to share with all ages. Through this message, we see and understand how the disciples received the Holy Spirit and were able to begin sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone. Our task is also to share Gospel joy with others!
Law/Gospel Theme: The story of Pentecost brings the church calendar into a new season. Easter is the culmination of the Gospel story, the fulfillment of all that the prophets spoke about the Messiah. With Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is given to carry the church into its next phase. The Holy Spirit enables God’s people to spread the Gospel. With joy we share the good news with those around us.
Prayer: O God You taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant that in our day by the same Spirit that we may have joy and rejoice in your many good gifts.
Hymn: #10 Abide with Me
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Acts 2:1-20 selected verses
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 11—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Hymn: #8/9 A Mighty Fortress is our God
Last week we talked about how Jesus promised to send the disciples a special present that would help them share about the news of the Gospel.
Well, the disciples were waiting for this gift. And they were hanging out in a room in Jerusalem just as Jesus had commanded them. There were actually a lot of people in town at the time, because they were having a special celebration called the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Tabernacles.
This was an important time that all Jewish people had to honor. And they would come to Jerusalem from all over the known world to celebrate it. So there were people from many countries with many languages there, and the disciples were patiently waiting. Then, all of a sudden, there was a big sound like a rushing wind!
And then, there were little bits of fire that appeared!
This was a special fire that did not burn up or catch their hair and clothes into flames. It showed that God’s spirit was present.
Many times in the Bible, God appears as fire (think Elijah, burning bush with Moses, etc.).
Here was the Holy Spirit! Now, the Holy Spirit is sort of a special go-between…It is the spirit that makes all things possible. Sometimes we don’t know what to say or how to pray…the Holy Spirit comes in to help.
The Holy Spirit came to these disciples and appeared as flames above their heads!
And then another amazing thing happened. The disciples started speaking in other languages. There were people in Jerusalem that spoke a lot of languages, but the disciples didn’t have their dictionaries and translators with them.
Two weeks ago my wife and I traveled to visit our daughter and son-in-law. Our son-in-law’s mother was visiting from Hungry. We don’t speak Hungarian. And she doesn’t speak English. But Google translate on our phone worked wonderfully.
During the first Pentecost they didn’t have technology capable to translate one language into another …yet with the Spirit’s help they were able to just talk automatically in other languages!
And they started eagerly sharing the story of Jesus. Some people criticized them. But Peter assured everyone that they were not intoxicated or crazy.
They were full of God’s love! And with that, they all continued talking about the story of Jesus and sharing the amazing things He had done.
A lot of people came to believe, and after that, the disciples began meeting together regularly. They shared everything with other believers, and continued meeting and sharing and caring for one another.
So at Pentecost we get to celebrate the birthday of the church’s mission! It was the start of an amazing way that God allows us to serve and love each other. And that is the truly exciting thing…
Once we have received the light of Jesus, we can take that to other people and “light up” their lives as well. God wants us to share His story and His love with the whole world. It only takes a spark or a single candle to get others going. Let’s celebrate, and let’s share with one another! Shall we thank God for that?
Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care. Thank you for sending your Spirit into this world. Thank you for your Word the Bible. I’m glad I am part of your family. Help me to share your love. And tell others about Jesus.
As the Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.
As the Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
As the Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.
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