Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There’s a big birthday coming up this week. It’s not mine or anyone else’s. Pentecost is often referred to as the Church’s birthday. Pentecost is when the Church was given birth by the sending of the Spirit and made into what it is today. So, from Pentecost onward our attention shifts away from the big festivals. The rest of our Church year will focus on the work of the Spirit and the growth and daily life of the Church. 

Pentecost is a strange festival of the Church. It’s the only Sunday where we spend any time at all discussing the work of the Spirit. Even on Pentecost, we can’t help but mention Jesus and the Father. The work of the Holy Spirit has always been mysterious to us because He likes to stay in the background. Yet, it is just as important to recognize the gift of the Spirit and his role in our faith.

Pentecost shows us how the Church is sustained. We have our festivities, like a birthday party, but it’s not in flashy shows of power that gave birth to the Church. The Church is sustained by preaching, by prophecy! “In those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy,” Acts 2:18. The Spirit coming on Pentecost led to the “prophesy” of holy Scripture. Prophesy is simply this, speaking God’s word. 

For this is what the Spirit was sent to do. He was sent so that we may know and speak God’s word to all people. This isn’t something restricted to a select few. It’s for all God’s people. Yet, how often, those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells remain silent. By the Spirits testimony, we’re meant to speak about the sinfulness and fallen nature of man. We’re meant to speak about God’s coming judgment upon the evil of the world. We’re meant to speak about the great and terrible wrath of God poured out against the world. Because it’s through these words that the Spirit works.

Of course, that wasn’t the only message which Peter (or the Spirit) had on that first Pentecost. For the Spirit never speaks of himself. He speaks of Jesus and the Father. He speaks of the great works which Jesus did to win our salvation! Just as Peter says, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Acts 2:21. God poured out his Spirit on Pentecost so that all on whom the Spirit rested and now dwells would speak, would prophesy concerning Jesus! So shall we do as Christians. We’re not to mute the Spirit, but where and when the Spirit gives us “utterance”, we’re to speak of the great and mighty salvation of God through Jesus Christ!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!