Pentecost 2005
If you could only come to Church 5 days in the Christian year, which 5 should you come on?
5 most important days in the C of E Year:
Christmas Day
Good Friday
Easter Day
Ascension Day
TODAY: Pentecost
Why so important?: All days when we celebrate something decisive that GOD DID IN THE WORLD.
His Mission
Redeem / Do away with evil / Reconcile
Creed
So what about Pentecost?
God came to earth as Jesus to defeat evil. Decisively on the cross + in resurrection.
Worked out in the world.
BUT after his resurrection he ascended
left the Q– how is God going to finish his work?
Day of Pentecost answer to that question.
HSp foundational to rest of Acts.
W/o Day of Pent none of the rest…happened
So what does Luke want us to understand?
Doesn’t focus on what I want to focus on.
When I read the story…experience of disciples.
Luke zips through a whole list of ‘WOW’ experiences. v2-4
wind, fire, filling, languages
“Hold on a minute Luke!”
“How did it feel to be there – was it as amazing as it sounds?”
Luke’s not interested in that.
4 vv on experience / 43 v on what happened next.
OUTWARD focus. MISSION
Whole book of Acts has that focus:
1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth’
2:17: ‘all flesh’.
people groups represented.
2:39 “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him”
Day of Pentecost for people who weren’t there
HSp not just personal …given for mission
So how is God going to continue his mission? And where does it leave us?
!!!! SPECTATOR
1v6
God’s going to do it. Let’s make sure we get good seats to watch.
Danger of putting life on hold
!!!! PRAGMATIST
Jesus has gone up to heaven, but he told us what he wanted doing. Let’s make sure we do out best to continue his legacy.
‘He has no hands but our hands’
!!!! PENTECOSTAL / SPIRIT-LED
God is continuing his mission in the world and is doing it through us.
==grace==
Where is he at work already?
Where does he want me?
How does he want me to join in with his mission?
!! THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Something decisive God did!
Crowd gathered because of sound and miracle.
But Peter didn’t leave it there. He got up and spoke.
Prophecy: Thinking God’s thoughts and speaking God’s words.
Getting involved with God’s mission
!! Conclusion: Today
Live in the light of those 5 days
What is God’s mission today?
Overthrowing evil, reconciling world.
Evangelism / Social Action
Holy Spirit wants to work in each of us.
To share the hope and joy / to challenge and overturn injustice.
Where is he at work already?
someone at work / church / heart
How does he want me to join in with his mission?