 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
|
Day of Pentecost (B) Text: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 May 31, 2009 Today, on this Sunday of Pentecost, we hear in our scripture readings a lot about the Holy Spirit, who is also called in John’s Gospel… “The Spirit of Truth”. Now, according to Jesus, who is talking here with his disciples, this spiritual helper will be sent from God in order to help them see and to know what is true. When the Holy Spirit comes, this advocate will testify about God’s truth and help disciples to be heralds or beacons of God’s truth into the world. Jesus makes perfectly clear that there is way too much truth for anyone to “bear” all at once, saying “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you…” So, the Holy Spirit, this helper (sometimes called the comforter), will continue to live in or among his people. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will hear the truth (about God and about the world) and continue to declare it to us as we live; teaching us the truth--not all at once--but with manageable lessons from day to day. Now, that being said, we listened to another reading today from the book of Romans and Paul, the author of Romans, continuously wants to make the point that there is more to this thing (our life with God), than our own accomplishments—there’s more to it than what we do. So knowing and being able to speak the truth about what God is doing, is important, but not the most important aspect of faith. While the spirit does teach us, Paul’s concern seems to be that we must not become conceited or arrogant; full of ourselves based upon what we have been given graciously by God. We must never allow human pride to trick us into thinking that we know the mind of God (so we can look down on people who aren’t Christian). In fact Paul focuses in on another truth--the truth that God is doing something beyond our ability to understand. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now… (Read Romans 8:22-27) So, what it comes down to is this, Brothers and Sisters, here we are in this world; a world which is difficult to understand or make sense of times. And even with God’s help, through the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves stuck in between these two experiences. 1) Seeing clearly 2) Being completely overwhelmed 1) Optimistic 2) defeated 1) Saints 2) Sinners Here we are stuck in between the guidance and assurance of the Holy Spirit and the chaos and disorder of the world. So, not only does the Holy Spirit come into the picture to communicate, show-forth, and teach – to enlighten us with truth. The same Spirit of Truth also intercedes the other direction, as well! This is the power of God to search and to know us! At Pentecost, we hear the story of the beginning of the church. A community to which God gave the Holy Spirit—the helper—which from the time of Peter and the 12 apostles until now, has spread like fire in the wind through time, culture, and all around the world, creating or breathing life into the church made out of people. We do indeed have a rich tradition of faith of which we are inheritors. Yet, on this Pentecost Sunday, especially, considering the changes and challenges that the Holy Spirit is bringing upon our community of faith like a wind (which has suddenly blown me, your associate Pastor overseas, to another part of church). Let us not forget that the church is founded not by people, but by the Holy Spirit. And with the Holy Spirit comes both of these promises: First, that God’s spirit will continue to teach his people; his church (even the church here in Sidney, called Pella) calling you, and gathering you together for worship, Enlightening you to see this world: to know it better: what makes for both the good and the bad. –so that you can testify to God’s truth about the love that God has shown us by giving us Jesus Christ. And the second, promise of the Holy Spirit—that God knows us. God knows our weaknesses, yet God is planning something for us and with us that is beyond our knowing, so the Holy Spirit prays, when we ourselves struggle to remember how or when we don’t know what is right—connecting us always and forever to our God, for Jesus’ sake. And it is to these promises – these promises of the Holy Spirit – that we should be reminded of during these times of change. May the Lord God, by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who knows each of you better than you know yourself, continue to teach you, that you might believe the promises and proclaim God’s truth within your world. Happy Pentecost! -------------------- Pastor Joshua W. Magyar 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
|
||||
