The Spirit
Commentary
Few issues trouble the church more than dealing with matters of the Spirit. Ideas about the Spirit range all the way from Casper the Ghost imaginings to outlandish claims that there are those who have a corner on the market for the Spirit.
No matter how we conceive the Spirit, it is important that we understand that, theologically, when we speak of the presence of the Spirit we mean the presence of God and the presence of Christ.
To put it as Gustaf Aulen does in his book, The Faith of the Christian Church. The Spirit does not do anything that God does not do, nor does the Spirit do anything that the Christ does not do. When we view the work of one, we view the work of all. Often we associate matters of the Spirit with our feelings. We imagine that the Spirit is with us when we feel on top of things, when all is going well, or we are up about something. There is no promise here that the Spirit will always keep us on top of the world. Real assurance comes from knowing that the Spirit is with us even when we do not feel it. Remember those lines from Psalm 23, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me." That is the real cry of faith. We can easily cry out our faith when all is well. To be faithful is to cry out our faith when we are in the dark alone, when we cannot see his face or hear his voice.
The gifts of the Spirit are practical and meant for life. When they come, they validate themselves. They do not need us to check them out, for they will clearly be the work of God.
OUTLINE I
Antidote for Despair
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Introduction: The temptation to follow the usual way of approaching today's text might be overwhelming. It is good material and we can go on and on without a great deal of preparation, applying the lessons many ways. We can, if we want to stretch things out of proportion, give it an Easter twist and talk about resurrection.
It is important to note, however, that this scripture is not related to Easter but to Pentecost. A good place to begin. I suggest that you restudy the days of the destruction of the Southern Kingdom, being carried off to Babylonian exile. Reread Psalm 137 to set the stage and to understand the despair among these people. Then ...
A. Begin with Verse 11. "They say, ÔOur bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.'" Now is the time to tell the story of the breakdown of the United Kingdom. Go back as far as you wish and as time allows. Contrast what really happened with all the hopes and dreams these people had. These are the children of promise. Now, look at them -- with dust on their heads, sitting by the canals of Babylon, with forlorn faces staring into the waters.
B. Now Read the Promise -- Verses 12-14. This passage seems clearer when the last part of it is read before the first. Then one has the background and the promise. The picture language becomes clear and we hear the promise -- the good news that, even from what seems to be a dead present, God can make and offer a new beginning.
Conclusion: There are more out there in the congregation that wrestle with despair, depression, and disappointment than you may imagine. They can hide it, mask it pretty well. But they need to know that you know they are there -- even if not by name -- that you care, and that you understand. If you do that, your preaching will not only go over better, but your counseling load will pick up.
OUTLINE II
What Happens When God Comes Calling
Acts 2:1-21
Introduction: One must not approach today's scripture without first doing two things.
1. Turn to Exodus 19:16 and reread the description of the scene at Sinai when the commandments are given. Luke may seem less direct in his references to the Hebrew Scripture than is Matthew, but listen carefully and you will discover that, while Matthew is always quoting Hebrew Scripture, Luke uses it in a way to be true to its meaning.
2. Do some updating study on the situation regarding the presence of the Spirit in Israel. It had long been maintained by the teachers of Israel that the Spirit had departed Israel when the last writing prophets died, or at the death of Ezra; take your pick. It may be helpful to turn the material around and read Joel's prophecy first. Then let the story speak for itself.
A. Describe the scene and, if you can, demystify it. Sound, sight, and feelings are all assaulted by this new presence and reality. Has the Spirit always been there and have they not been open? Or, has the Spirit indeed been withdrawn and now returns? In either case, there is an awareness of the presence of God in their midst, and that awareness is affirming. They now know that they are approved, accepted, and on the right track.
B. Try not to get bogged down in current-day arguments that rage over tongues and charismatics. Let the story tell itself. The point is, whether you imagine a miracle happened or that people heard strange tongues, everyone did hear the message and that is the key. Pentecost is the reversal of Babel. You may want to check that story again and say more about it -- (Sermon? The Reversal of Babel?)
Conclusion: This is a good time to maintain that it is through the presence of God that the church is what it is and accomplishes what it accomplishes. Who needs further evidence than what is seen all about us? Divided, weak, selfish, filled with conflicting opinions, undisciplined, broken, (you can add to the list); nevertheless, it is the church that continues to be God's instrument for equipping the saints, for proclamation of the Word, for service and mission in the world.
You could end by quoting the hymn, "O Where are Kings and Empires Now?"
OUTLINE III
God With Us
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Introduction: By the time the Gospel of John is written, in the early first century, there are many in the early church who feel they have been cheated. Never have they had an opportunity to know Jesus and to share his presence. Moreover, what had been hoped by many had not taken place -- he had not returned.
It is interesting to watch as the writer of the Gospel takes time to bridge over from the Hebrew concept of the Spirit and begins to use that concept in an expanded and meaningful way for his Gentile readers. Read all of chapters 4-16 carefully before you go on with this sermon.
In today's lesson some of the gifts of the Spirit are clearly named.
A. He Will Bear Witness. Paul knew that. Check out Romans 8:15-16. "When we cry, ÔAbba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
B. He Will Convince the World of Sin and of Righteousness. Note both of these matters. Sometimes we hear only of the first. What is meant here is that he will help us sort out what is good from what is bad, what is sinful from what is righteous. I am reminded of the passage from Psalm 23, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." A shepherd goes before the flock and pulls up the poison weeds, leaving the good for the sheep. The same thing happens here.
C. He Will Guide You into All Truth. It is the truth about God, about ourselves, and about life that we wish to know and need to know. We do not come into this world with built-in modules that help us know the difference. We have to learn. And we are not alone. We are assured that we can have help if we will ask for it.
Conclusion: Suggest to your hearers that they will find the understanding of their faith much easier to come by if their hearts and minds are open to the leading and indwelling of the Spirit.
No matter how we conceive the Spirit, it is important that we understand that, theologically, when we speak of the presence of the Spirit we mean the presence of God and the presence of Christ.
To put it as Gustaf Aulen does in his book, The Faith of the Christian Church. The Spirit does not do anything that God does not do, nor does the Spirit do anything that the Christ does not do. When we view the work of one, we view the work of all. Often we associate matters of the Spirit with our feelings. We imagine that the Spirit is with us when we feel on top of things, when all is going well, or we are up about something. There is no promise here that the Spirit will always keep us on top of the world. Real assurance comes from knowing that the Spirit is with us even when we do not feel it. Remember those lines from Psalm 23, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me." That is the real cry of faith. We can easily cry out our faith when all is well. To be faithful is to cry out our faith when we are in the dark alone, when we cannot see his face or hear his voice.
The gifts of the Spirit are practical and meant for life. When they come, they validate themselves. They do not need us to check them out, for they will clearly be the work of God.
OUTLINE I
Antidote for Despair
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Introduction: The temptation to follow the usual way of approaching today's text might be overwhelming. It is good material and we can go on and on without a great deal of preparation, applying the lessons many ways. We can, if we want to stretch things out of proportion, give it an Easter twist and talk about resurrection.
It is important to note, however, that this scripture is not related to Easter but to Pentecost. A good place to begin. I suggest that you restudy the days of the destruction of the Southern Kingdom, being carried off to Babylonian exile. Reread Psalm 137 to set the stage and to understand the despair among these people. Then ...
A. Begin with Verse 11. "They say, ÔOur bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.'" Now is the time to tell the story of the breakdown of the United Kingdom. Go back as far as you wish and as time allows. Contrast what really happened with all the hopes and dreams these people had. These are the children of promise. Now, look at them -- with dust on their heads, sitting by the canals of Babylon, with forlorn faces staring into the waters.
B. Now Read the Promise -- Verses 12-14. This passage seems clearer when the last part of it is read before the first. Then one has the background and the promise. The picture language becomes clear and we hear the promise -- the good news that, even from what seems to be a dead present, God can make and offer a new beginning.
Conclusion: There are more out there in the congregation that wrestle with despair, depression, and disappointment than you may imagine. They can hide it, mask it pretty well. But they need to know that you know they are there -- even if not by name -- that you care, and that you understand. If you do that, your preaching will not only go over better, but your counseling load will pick up.
OUTLINE II
What Happens When God Comes Calling
Acts 2:1-21
Introduction: One must not approach today's scripture without first doing two things.
1. Turn to Exodus 19:16 and reread the description of the scene at Sinai when the commandments are given. Luke may seem less direct in his references to the Hebrew Scripture than is Matthew, but listen carefully and you will discover that, while Matthew is always quoting Hebrew Scripture, Luke uses it in a way to be true to its meaning.
2. Do some updating study on the situation regarding the presence of the Spirit in Israel. It had long been maintained by the teachers of Israel that the Spirit had departed Israel when the last writing prophets died, or at the death of Ezra; take your pick. It may be helpful to turn the material around and read Joel's prophecy first. Then let the story speak for itself.
A. Describe the scene and, if you can, demystify it. Sound, sight, and feelings are all assaulted by this new presence and reality. Has the Spirit always been there and have they not been open? Or, has the Spirit indeed been withdrawn and now returns? In either case, there is an awareness of the presence of God in their midst, and that awareness is affirming. They now know that they are approved, accepted, and on the right track.
B. Try not to get bogged down in current-day arguments that rage over tongues and charismatics. Let the story tell itself. The point is, whether you imagine a miracle happened or that people heard strange tongues, everyone did hear the message and that is the key. Pentecost is the reversal of Babel. You may want to check that story again and say more about it -- (Sermon? The Reversal of Babel?)
Conclusion: This is a good time to maintain that it is through the presence of God that the church is what it is and accomplishes what it accomplishes. Who needs further evidence than what is seen all about us? Divided, weak, selfish, filled with conflicting opinions, undisciplined, broken, (you can add to the list); nevertheless, it is the church that continues to be God's instrument for equipping the saints, for proclamation of the Word, for service and mission in the world.
You could end by quoting the hymn, "O Where are Kings and Empires Now?"
OUTLINE III
God With Us
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Introduction: By the time the Gospel of John is written, in the early first century, there are many in the early church who feel they have been cheated. Never have they had an opportunity to know Jesus and to share his presence. Moreover, what had been hoped by many had not taken place -- he had not returned.
It is interesting to watch as the writer of the Gospel takes time to bridge over from the Hebrew concept of the Spirit and begins to use that concept in an expanded and meaningful way for his Gentile readers. Read all of chapters 4-16 carefully before you go on with this sermon.
In today's lesson some of the gifts of the Spirit are clearly named.
A. He Will Bear Witness. Paul knew that. Check out Romans 8:15-16. "When we cry, ÔAbba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
B. He Will Convince the World of Sin and of Righteousness. Note both of these matters. Sometimes we hear only of the first. What is meant here is that he will help us sort out what is good from what is bad, what is sinful from what is righteous. I am reminded of the passage from Psalm 23, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." A shepherd goes before the flock and pulls up the poison weeds, leaving the good for the sheep. The same thing happens here.
C. He Will Guide You into All Truth. It is the truth about God, about ourselves, and about life that we wish to know and need to know. We do not come into this world with built-in modules that help us know the difference. We have to learn. And we are not alone. We are assured that we can have help if we will ask for it.
Conclusion: Suggest to your hearers that they will find the understanding of their faith much easier to come by if their hearts and minds are open to the leading and indwelling of the Spirit.
