Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

           Text: Acts 2:1-21, but especially these words –

 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

 The four great festivals of the Christian Church are – Christmas, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost. At Christmas and Easter, worship services are filled. These are really special days for us. All we have to do is look at Ascension Day – the few churches that actually have worship services on that day and how small their attendance is – to realize that the Ascension of our Lord has become the forgotten festival of the Christian Church. But Pentecost is considered to be just another day of worship. Even the business world, which is quick to take advantage of a good thing, hasn’t been able to make anything of Pentecost. Maybe, there’s no need to. With just having celebrated Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day and graduations coming up – Pentecost really isn’t needed for its commercial value.

  Whatever the reason, Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit – and our celebration of the beginning of the Christian Church – hasn’t inspired us as it ought. Possibly it’s because, as a church, we don’t emphasize the person and work of the Holy Spirit enough. We know a lot about God the Father and God the Son. But what about God the Spirit? That’s a little tougher, isn’t it? Yes, I could join the Apostle Paul in saying – “For as I walked around and observed your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” Therefore, today, let’s look at words.

 It is written – “Of making many books there is no end.” Whatever happens anywhere in the world today is reported over and over again many times throughout the week. The President gives a speech or holds a press conference – and then the television commentators explain what he said, what he meant, and what importance each part of it has upon us and our world. However, in the end, we really get sick and tired of hearing all of these words. Yet, it is our God who has decided to work through words. It is written – “God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe…My word will not return to me empty.” And this is why the St. Paul could say – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation.” This is why he tells us – “Preach the word!”

 And the Word that God has given us has the power to save. This Word shows

us what we really are. It tells us what our condition before God is. It shows us our guilt and our need of forgiveness. But this Word also gives us God’s answer – His Son, Jesus Christ – and then shows us how to live as His redeemed people. This Word doesn’t only inform us – it empowers us and convinces us. It can do this, because God the Holy Spirit has decided to work in this way. St. Paul writes – “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” But where does the Spirit come? Under what circumstances will He do this work? The text shows us that the Holy Spirit comes wherever believers are gathered around the Word of God.

 St. Luke writes – “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” “They were all together in one place.” And the writer to the Hebrews urges – “Let us not give up meeting together.” This was their habit. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were assembled for worship – and then, the Holy Spirit came!

 Isn’t the lesson obvious? If we want the Spirit to work transformation and salvation for us, we’d better be where He comes – there where we join together to worship God and hear His Word. Do you remember the disciple Thomas? How much he missed Easter evening? St. John tells us – “Now Thomas…one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.” Thomas had missed the risen Lord – and spent a week in doubt because of it.

 And this is the cause for so many of our problems today. The Lord comes to us in our worship. He speaks to us by His Word, the Spirit bringing this Word into the hearts of all who are present. We’re changed for the better in many ways. We may come in unhappy, but we go out in joy. We may come in uncertain and defeated, but leave assured of victory. However, many miss that! Did you know that less than onethird of the people who call themselves Christians worship regularly? More of them miss than gather together! And these are the people who call themselves believers, disciples of Jesus Christ. Is it any wonder then that “many…are weak and sick, and a number…have fallen asleep”? The Holy Spirit comes to us as a congregation with all of His gifts – and over two-thirds of us are missing!

 But what is the work of the Holy Spirit? It is written – “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.” 

“Each one heard them speaking in his own language.” Differently – but they all spoke! And “we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own language!” The Spirit enables us, as believers, to speak. At that time, the Lord’s disciples needed that. Before Pentecost, their record really wasn’t all that great! They all ran away from Christ after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. No one stuck up for the Lord. They made no defense for Him in any of His trials. None spoke for Him at Calvary – though many people shouted against Him. But God did something about that. It was necessary that these men be – “enabled to speak.” And just look at the disciples after the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost!

 Peter and John were brought before the authorities and were told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. And yet, they replied – “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” And then, they prayed – “Now, Lord, enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Again, these disciples were imprisoned. The authorities had them picked up with the statement – “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.” But Peter and John responded – “We are witnesses of these things.” Have you noticed that Satan’s strategy hasn’t changed? God’s plan is to save and transform by His Word. But this Word must be spoken by witnesses, empowered by the Spirit. Satan knew that this plan could be ruined, if only the apostles could be kept silent. Keep them quiet – that’s all. And this is his strategy also today. How successful has it been with you? Does anyone say of you – “Why I never knew you were a Christian?” Maybe, just maybe, you haven’t spoken enough. Yet, so much does depend upon our speaking. We only had to wait for the opportunities the Spirit provides. Here is our chance to witness to Jesus Christ.

 On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit caused quite a scene. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house.” What had taken place spread rapidly. A crowd gathered. And they all heard about the wonders of God in their own language. St. Peter stood up and explained to them what had happened. He found the answer in the Old Testament. All along God had big plans – the prophet Joel described it in this way – “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”

 But when the Spirit comes, what happens? St. Peter said – “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Prophesy, about what? They will speak about Jesus. See visions, dream dreams, of what? That “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” People are rescued eternally. We can’t even begin to appreciate what all this involves. We were created to live in the perfection of God’s presence and glory. But by our rebellion, we were lost. And yet, Christ came. He paid the price for our release. And through the Spirit, we were brought to faith. Now, we’re meant for heaven – and that’s forever. Visions and dreams – we’re people saved for glory!

 And this assurance has an effect on our days, weeks, and years – here and now. It is written – “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” We’re changed! Everything looks different. There really is purpose and meaning for life. We now ask –

“Lord, what do you want me to do?” We can say with the apostle Paul – “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 And our society also needs this kind of transformation. Everywhere around us it’s “get”. You’re evaluated by the things you have and who you are. But these things don’t do it. Our experience seems to validate this – our restlessness, discontent, and rising suicide rate. If the Lord’s call for a change needs a demonstration – we’re it! 

Jesus said – “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” But you and I can be used by the Spirit to change lives. What joy and satisfaction are ours! And in this way, our own love for the Savior is increased. Our worship, communing, and Bible study take on new and deeper meaning. There is happiness and purpose once again.

 Our God works through words. Therefore, today, let us rejoice that God’s Word has been spoken to us, and now saves and transforms us. And may the Holy Spirit enable all of us to speak for Christ – until visions and dreams take on reality – when we live with our God forevermore. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. 

Authored by Reverend Carl Trosien.