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June 3, 2001 LECTIONARY
READINGS [
Read Pentecost Sunday texts at the Vanderbilt Divinity On-Line Library ] The Underlined / Linked
Texts above will take you to "What's
The Meaning of This?" Our scripture readings for this Pentecost Sunday contain two amazing stories. On the surface they are rather fantastic. In the Genesis story, God visits the human race and causes confusion in language so that people can not understand each other and the human family is scattered. In the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit comes to bring understanding so that the scattered human race can be gathered into the family of faith. In a sense these two stories span the broad scope of the biblical drama. The biblical narrative takes us through alienation from God and separation from each other to reconciliation with God and reunion with each other through the Body of Christ. And the Day of Pentecost is the day it all comes together! *** There is a wonderful panorama of God's plan to redeem us in the span from the Tower of Babel and the launching of the church on the Day of Pentecost. As we explore this biblical landscape, we have the opportunity to see the overall plan of God in a snapshot. The Day of Pentecost raises the question, "Where have we been?" and then answers the question, "Where to from here?" 1. "Where have we been?" The story of the Tower of Babel comes right at the end of the timeless portion of Genesis. (Chapters 1-11) The framework of redemption's drama has been set.
In the very beginning of the biblical story there is harmony between God and the man and woman in the garden. They had been created for fellowship and partnership with God. The relationship shared between God and humankind was the high point and essence of what it mean to be human. But... humanity traded the "God-center" which they had been created with for a "self-center." The thing we call, "the fall," is not so easily defined or described. It was not a matter of, "I hate you God! What you have made of me has become abhorrent to me." It was more along the line of, "Thank you God... we can take it from here." It is a child who "knows" parents are being overprotective when they say, "It's your first time out with the car, so drive carefully and watch your speed. Okay?" It is the son or daughter who has the sense that they are somehow immune to risk and insulated from the tragedy that happens to others. Have you ever noticed how young adolescents seem to have that sense of immortality? The consequences of things like smoking, drinking and diet are so far away as to be irrelevant. Some years ago, my foster daughter mine decided to take up smoking. I was tempted to throw a bit of a fit, but instead asked her to sit with me and talk about what her smoking meant to her. After much conversation, I suggested to her that every cigarette she smoked took seven minutes from her life and that she would die at a younger age and likely suffer more illness than a non-smoker. Her reply? "I don't care about all that dad. I don't want to live past 50. I don't want to be old!" Wow! For many of us fifty sounds pretty good doesn't it? But it's a different world these days. Here's a short piece sent to me by email. It was written by someone who turned fifty not all that long ago:
Yet - whether it is our generation or our parent's generation or the next generation - all of us have gone through those times when we knew better than our parents what is good for us - haven't we? And so it is with God. God's children from the beginning of the biblical drama have chosen what they believe to be best for their lives. The Tower of Babel represents every human attempt to "reach the heavens" and "make a name for ourselves" apart from God. The result is confusion and aimlessness. "The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which mortals had built." God's response to seeing the city and says in effect. "No telling what these people will do next," Then the language of these city dwellers is confused and the inhabitants scattered all over the earth. The name of the tower is Babel and the city is Babylon. The name Babylon in scripture comes to represent everything that is anti-God. In Revelation 17, an evil woman is named, ""Babylon the great, mother of whores and of earth's abominations." Rev. 17:5. *** It would seem that those eleven short chapters in the "Book of Beginnings" might well have been the end. Two or three pages into Holy Scripture and things are going downhill fast. A fresh start with Noah and family does not bring about the reconciliation with God that was hoped for. How would you have been you were God? Genesis 6:6 reports, "...the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart." If I were in charge, the end of the Tower of Babel story would also be the end of the biblical record. "The Lord said, 'this was a bad idea!' And the Lord decided to stick with the angelic hosts and put an end to the world and all its inhabitants!" But this is precisely why human beings are not God and why building towers and cities and lives without God at the center of things always leads to pain and grief. Instead of destroying the world, God begins a redemptive plan that begins with the call of Abraham. A special people is formed so that God can lead them, nourish them and redeem them. Through Abraham's journey, Moses' leadership in the receiving of the law and the promised land, the ministry of the prophets in Israel's kingdom period and even into the exile years -- the plan of redemption continues. Divine patience and love is beyond comprehension to mere mortals. Finally the incarnate Son of God comes to call us into fellowship with God. Through his life, death and resurrection, God continues to seek us and to save us. Yet, the world continues to reject the plan of God. The brokenness and confusion in the world goes on and people remain scattered. But... God has not given up and the Day of Pentecost holds the key. 2. "Where to from here?" On the Day of Pentecost, the power of the Tower of Babel to confuse and scatter is reversed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Day of Pentecost - fifty days after Passover. Sometimes it is called the Feast of Harvest or the Day of Firstfruits.¹ Listen once again to the ingenuity of this plan to draw the scattered and confused children of God into his arms once again
At Babel, one language had been turned into many and at Pentecost, many languages were gathered to hear one message of redemption. At Babel humanity was scattered and at Pentecost we were gathered together again. In principle. Some who were there heard the wonderful deeds of God in their own language. Others heard the commotion and thought the apostles had been drinking. "No," Peter declares, "It has nothing to do with wine and everything to do with the Holy Spirit of God." It was, as the prophet Joel had proclaimed, the work of God in the "last days." The confusion and aimlessness of Babel is reversed by the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost - for those who will choose to hear God's final call through Jesus Christ and his church! Peter calls out to the whole gathered people of God, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." *** What is the meaning of this? Pentecost is more than a spectacular event that happened long ago and far away. It is something that goes on in the Body of Christ here on earth. Pentecost is at work gathering God's people and bringing purpose and meaning where there was aimlessness. The Day of Pentecost continues
to be a major feast in most of the Christian world. We are called as the
Church of Jesus Christ to be the Pentecostal people of God at work
bringing about reconciliation with God and unity among people until Christ
performs the final gathering of his people in the presence of God!
¹ Harvest - Ex. 23:16;
Day of Firstfruits - Num 28:26
Reflections on the texts for the Day of Pentecost are gathered here from prior resources. The links above under lectionary readings will take you to three prior years of sermons on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-21 The disciples of Jesus are gathered together after a time of "waiting on the Lord." The gathering is in response to the command of Jesus. The key here is that obedience leads to the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. In short, we need to "follow the directions" or nothing happens. The theme is consistent throughout the lessons for today. The word of God is central and attending to the word of God in obedience is the key to effective ministry. The "witness" given by Peter and the disciples when the Spirit has come upon them is evidence of the divine work -- a fulfillment of the promise of God to pour out the Spirit on all flesh. The mighty rushing wind of Pentecost calls to mind the wind Ezekiel calls from the four corners of the earth. Here in Jerusalem, people are gathered from all over the earth. The signs of the Spirit's presence includes the rushing wind (Hebrew - "ruach") and the tongues of fire. Both wind and fire are familiar Old Testament images of the presence of God. Old Testament prophets speak when the spirit came upon them and the empowering work of the Spirit likewise inspires Peter to rise and proclaim the news that God has fulfilled the promise of Joel that the Spirit would be poured out in the last days. The "last days" here point to the inauguration of the work of the church. ( Peter's argument that the disciples were not drunk because it was only nine o'clock in the morning would likely not carry the weight today it did then!) *** * This passage from Acts comes up each year of the lectionary cycle and may qualify as one of the top ten, "Most Familiar - Least Understood" passages in the bible. What happens here? The Holy Spirit energizes and empowers common, ordinary people of the rank and file to take God's message of reconciliation to every possible person who will hear it. * The reaction is important! Some who hear the result of the Spirit's empowerment are amazed and impressed. Others, however, are moved to scorn. "These guys are drunk!" The last verse (21) affirms that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved -- but conversely, those who do not call upon the name of the Lord will not be saved. The message of Pentecost unites -- but it only unites those who "call upon the name of the Lord." Nevertheless -- from 1 Corinthians, it is essential to understand that those of us who do embrace the Messiah and the message are bound together in a single body. Mark it down: "The Spirit of God is the authentic source of unity in the midst of diversity." Without unity, we do not have the credibility to bring the message to our world. Without diversity, we do not have the ability to bring the message to our world." Only Pentecost -- the coming of the Holy Spirit to our community can create the fusion of diversity and unity we need.
John 14:8-17 What is the role of the Spirit / Advocate? Consider doing a sermon on the "personhood" of the Holy Spirit by discussing the numerous things the Spirit does only "persons" can do. For instance: 1. The Spirit teaches - (John 14:26) 2. The Spirit Prays - (Romans 8:26.27) 3. The Spirit speaks - (Acts 1:16; 8:29) 4. The Spirit has feelings - (Ephesians 4:30) 5. The Spirit gives guidance - (John 16:13) 6. The Spirit commands - (Acts 8:29, 11:12, 13:2) 7. The Spirit gives assurance - (Romans 8:16) A Call To Worship (Based on Psalm 104 ) Leader: Come O Lord,
our Lord and fill us with your Spirit,
Prayer of ConfessionAlmighty and most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and have wandered from the way of life and light you have set before us. We have not loved you with the whole of our hearts and souls and minds. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not kept these the most important commandments of all, O Lord and our hearts are grieved that we have brought grief to you. and Amen [Adapted from the BCP] Assurance of PardonBeloved in Christ, our God is merciful and full of grace toward those who truly turn away from their sin and determine to live in love and charity with their neighbors and intend to live a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we have drawn near to God in confession, so now let us receive the good news that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving O Lord God Almighty, Ruler of all creation and Redeemer of all who truly turn to you, we are filled with thanksgiving on this Day of Pentecost. On this day you opened up the hearts of your people by the power of the Holy Spirit and the good news of your son Jesus Christ was given to all nations. We pray that you would give us the joy of seeing our friends and the people of this city [town, village] come to know the joy of your salvation. Fill us with the self same power you gave to your disciples on the day your Spirit filled the apostles with your message for all peoples. By your great mercy, give us open hearts and willing spirits to love one another as Christ loved us and to love our neighbors as ourselves that the world might know you alone are the Lord. All praise, honor and glory are yours. Amen. A Prayer of Dedication O God of all bounty, Lord of every blessing, Giver of every gift and Source of all gladness, it is a wonder to our minds and joy to our hearts that you should accept these gifts from our hands. May the renewing power of your Holy Spirit free us to be fully given into your hands, that you may bless the world through us. Amen.
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