Pentecost
2014/06/08
Christ Church, Mountain Top; Pentecost
Christ Church, Mountain Top; Pentecost
Prayer,
Psalm 104.24-35
Psalm 104.24-35
Children,
Numbers 11.24-30
Numbers 11.24-30
Message,
Acts 2.1-21
Acts 2.1-21
1987,
my prayers, Spain
my prayers, Spain
You shall receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon you
Spirit comes upon you
and you shall be my witnesses (Acts
1.8)
1.8)
What was important was not my speaking or
his hearing,
his hearing,
but “God’s deeds of power”
Have you experienced the power of the
Spirit?
Spirit?
Have you experienced the blessing of
sharing “God’s deeds of power”?
sharing “God’s deeds of power”?
Pentecost
story told using the images of prior stories, intentional echoes
story told using the images of prior stories, intentional echoes
Sinai (Covenant of the Torah) (Stott, 62)
– wind, fire, voice
– wind, fire, voice
New Covenant (Stott, 62):
“I will write my law upon your
hearts”
hearts”
“I will put my Spirit within you”
New Covenant’s invitation – universal
Joel quoted: “I will pour out my
Spirit on ALL flesh” (2.17)
Spirit on ALL flesh” (2.17)
Sons and daughters
Old and young
Slaves and free
New Covenant’s promise – salvation
Joel: “everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord shall be saved”
name of the Lord shall be saved”
(2.21)
Struggle
to understand – the languages
to understand – the languages
Do
not seek to understand; seek to be set on fire.
not seek to understand; seek to be set on fire.
Saint Bonaventure
The
language is not the important thing, only the glory of God, and the gospel of
salvation
language is not the important thing, only the glory of God, and the gospel of
salvation
No
awkwardness or inhibition in our witness
awkwardness or inhibition in our witness
Pentecost
story told using patterns from Luke (“volume 1”) (Tannehill, 29)
story told using patterns from Luke (“volume 1”) (Tannehill, 29)
“what Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts
1)
1)
Jesus’ ministry begins with
preaching based on Israel’s prophets
preaching based on Israel’s prophets
“The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me …” (Luke 4)
upon me …” (Luke 4)
What Jesus continues to do and teach
(volume 2, Acts)
(volume 2, Acts)
Church’s
ministry (Jesus’) begins with preaching, prophets
ministry (Jesus’) begins with preaching, prophets
“I will pour out my Spirit on
all flesh” (Acts 2)
all flesh” (Acts 2)
Torah
Covenant: Joshua wanted to protect Moses as uniquely endowed with the Spirit
(Numbers 11)
Covenant: Joshua wanted to protect Moses as uniquely endowed with the Spirit
(Numbers 11)
It is not about me
It must not be limited by my time or gifts
or understanding
or understanding
It is about the mission – bigger than me
Numbers
12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble,
more so than anyone else on the face of the earth.
12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble,
more so than anyone else on the face of the earth.
Pentecost
story told as the reverse of the Babel curse (Genesis 11)
story told as the reverse of the Babel curse (Genesis 11)
An expression of arrogance – it is all
about me
about me
The division of the human race is rooted
in pride
in pride
The universality of the human race
(Pentecost) is God’s gift
(Pentecost) is God’s gift