Pentecost - May 11, 2008 (Mother's Day)
Acts 2:1-21; 1 Cor. 12:3-13; John 20:19-23
Acts 2:1-21; 1 Cor. 12:3-13; John 20:19-23
Eighteenth
birthdays are a pretty big milestone in our culture. It's a celebration
that moms (and dads) look forward to with delight. My baby is an adult!
(Said with inflection of amazement and joy - emphasis on "adult") And
with sadness. My baby is an adult. (Said with inflection of loss and
shock - emphasis on "baby")
Years ago, I read a story about how a mom and a dad helped their son celebrate his 18th birthday. I don't remember where I read it, but it has always stuck with me because of the thoughtfulness of this mom and dad. And the depth of their gift. They took their son to a favorite walking path that they had walked on many times throughout the years. But they weren't the only ones on that path that day. They had asked a whole host of other people to be there as well. And not just any people, but people who were meaningful to their son.
People like his grandfather, his church youth director, his baptismal sponsors, his basketball coach, and his best friend's parents who were like second parents to him. One by one, they walked with him and talked with him. Each one walking with him a little further down the path. Handing him off to the next important person in his life. Sharing memories about the past. Dreaming together about what the future might hold. This gift wasn't monetary like a brand new car. It wasn't the blow out party of the century. What this mom and this dad gave was the gift of community. As they planted people to meet and walk and talk with their son on the path that day, they reminded him of the love and presence of a whole bunch of people in his life. They reminded him that he didn't reach 18 by himself and that he wouldn't walk into the future alone either.
We're celebrating Pentecost today. The coming of the Holy Spirit. And the gift that God gives on this day is similar to the one given by the mom and dad in the story I just told you about. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the gift of community. As the Holy Spirit came to those first disciples, God gave them a miraculous and common experience. That builds community. As the Spirit allowed the disciples to speak in other languages, God broke down barriers through communication. That builds community. Later on in this same chapter of Acts, we learn that 3,000 people were baptized on this day that the Holy Spirit came. The early church was born that day. A community of faith grounded in Jesus Christ had begun.
Community wasn't the only gift given that day though. Jesus' disciples also received a reminder and proof that His presence would be with them always. You have to remember that Jesus' disciples had been through the ringer. Three years prior, they had left everything that was part of their former lives to walk with Jesus and learn from him. They had seen him do miraculous signs. They had watched him heal so many people they lost count. They had heard him foretell his own death.
He always promised them that they would not be alone, though. He said that when he was gone, he would send them an Advocate, a Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Who knows if they remembered this promise as they deserted him in his trial and death? Who knows if they remembered this promise as they witnessed his resurrection? Who knows if they remembered this promise as they saw him ascend into heaven to be with his Father? No doubt, though, they remembered this promise on the day of Pentecost. Jesus had done what he said he would do. Jesus had sent who he said he would send.
As the Holy Spirit rushed in with the sound of a violent wind, Jesus reminded his disciples of his love and everlasting presence. As the Holy Spirit rested on each disciple as a tongue of fire, Jesus reminded his disciples that they had not gotten to that place on their own and they would not have to move forward in faith by themselves either. The Holy Spirit had been poured out. It would be with them and all believers for all of time.
Along with Pentecost, we're celebrating Mother's Day today. I hope all of you who are moms out there feel appreciated and loved and cared for every day, but especially on this day. It's kind of interesting that these two days fall together this year. And it provides me with an opportunity to assure you that the Holy Spirit is poured out on you in your role as a parent. Being a parent is not easy. In fact, it might be one of the toughest jobs on earth. That said, it also comes with the most amazing of rewards. As a parent, you have partnered with God in the work of creation. And you have the most amazing opportunity to be part of the growth and journey of another human being.
I'd like to close today with a blessing for all of you here today who are parents now and who will be in the future. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may you surround your child or children with a community of people who love them unconditionally and will walk and talk with them throughout their lives. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may you instill in your child or children that they are never alone. Amen.
Kid's sermon
Sunday School kids are singing. They have roses to give out to the moms.
Years ago, I read a story about how a mom and a dad helped their son celebrate his 18th birthday. I don't remember where I read it, but it has always stuck with me because of the thoughtfulness of this mom and dad. And the depth of their gift. They took their son to a favorite walking path that they had walked on many times throughout the years. But they weren't the only ones on that path that day. They had asked a whole host of other people to be there as well. And not just any people, but people who were meaningful to their son.
People like his grandfather, his church youth director, his baptismal sponsors, his basketball coach, and his best friend's parents who were like second parents to him. One by one, they walked with him and talked with him. Each one walking with him a little further down the path. Handing him off to the next important person in his life. Sharing memories about the past. Dreaming together about what the future might hold. This gift wasn't monetary like a brand new car. It wasn't the blow out party of the century. What this mom and this dad gave was the gift of community. As they planted people to meet and walk and talk with their son on the path that day, they reminded him of the love and presence of a whole bunch of people in his life. They reminded him that he didn't reach 18 by himself and that he wouldn't walk into the future alone either.
We're celebrating Pentecost today. The coming of the Holy Spirit. And the gift that God gives on this day is similar to the one given by the mom and dad in the story I just told you about. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the gift of community. As the Holy Spirit came to those first disciples, God gave them a miraculous and common experience. That builds community. As the Spirit allowed the disciples to speak in other languages, God broke down barriers through communication. That builds community. Later on in this same chapter of Acts, we learn that 3,000 people were baptized on this day that the Holy Spirit came. The early church was born that day. A community of faith grounded in Jesus Christ had begun.
Community wasn't the only gift given that day though. Jesus' disciples also received a reminder and proof that His presence would be with them always. You have to remember that Jesus' disciples had been through the ringer. Three years prior, they had left everything that was part of their former lives to walk with Jesus and learn from him. They had seen him do miraculous signs. They had watched him heal so many people they lost count. They had heard him foretell his own death.
He always promised them that they would not be alone, though. He said that when he was gone, he would send them an Advocate, a Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Who knows if they remembered this promise as they deserted him in his trial and death? Who knows if they remembered this promise as they witnessed his resurrection? Who knows if they remembered this promise as they saw him ascend into heaven to be with his Father? No doubt, though, they remembered this promise on the day of Pentecost. Jesus had done what he said he would do. Jesus had sent who he said he would send.
As the Holy Spirit rushed in with the sound of a violent wind, Jesus reminded his disciples of his love and everlasting presence. As the Holy Spirit rested on each disciple as a tongue of fire, Jesus reminded his disciples that they had not gotten to that place on their own and they would not have to move forward in faith by themselves either. The Holy Spirit had been poured out. It would be with them and all believers for all of time.
Along with Pentecost, we're celebrating Mother's Day today. I hope all of you who are moms out there feel appreciated and loved and cared for every day, but especially on this day. It's kind of interesting that these two days fall together this year. And it provides me with an opportunity to assure you that the Holy Spirit is poured out on you in your role as a parent. Being a parent is not easy. In fact, it might be one of the toughest jobs on earth. That said, it also comes with the most amazing of rewards. As a parent, you have partnered with God in the work of creation. And you have the most amazing opportunity to be part of the growth and journey of another human being.
I'd like to close today with a blessing for all of you here today who are parents now and who will be in the future. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may you surround your child or children with a community of people who love them unconditionally and will walk and talk with them throughout their lives. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may you instill in your child or children that they are never alone. Amen.
Kid's sermon
Sunday School kids are singing. They have roses to give out to the moms.