Pentecost Day
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
The teachings, miracles, and earthly ministry of Jesus.
Theme For The Day
The birthday of the Christian Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
First Lesson
Acts 2:1-21
The Coming Of The Holy Spirit
The Day of Pentecost gets its name from the fact it was on the fiftieth day after the first Sunday after Passover when the first of the barley harvest was brought to the temple. I like an alternate name used then: "the day of first fruits" (Numbers 28:26; Exodus 23:16a). The wind represents the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 37:9-14). John the Baptist had announced that the one coming would conduct a baptism of wind and fire (Luke 3:16-17). Like in the burning bush for Moses, the fire represents divine presence.
This was not the last time the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (see 4:8, 31). And when the descent of the Spirit on the disciples took place, it was natural that prophetic speech would follow. See Paul's advice in regard to speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-30, 14:2-9. Here the message was "the mighty deeds of God" (v. 11). There is a great list of countries from which the crowd came.
Peter then preaches. He begins by making light humor of the charge made in jest that the disciples were drunk. It's just too early in the day for that!
Peter continues by quoting Joel's prophecy of what will happen in the "last days." The person to come was Jesus and his time is now. The last days have begun: We have the day of the Lord and the day of God's salvation to all who call upon his name described here. Verse 20 could be interpreted as what took place in Jerusalem on God's Friday.
Second Lesson
Romans 8:14-17
Through The Spirit We Become God's Children
This reading connects well with the Spirit in the Acts account of Pentecost. Lots of spirit here! The Spirit God gives is not of fear but of adoption into God's family. This gives us a very special relationship to Christ, the unique Son. We can cry aloud to our Holy Parent. Christ has already shared in the inheritance of God's glory and we can count on sharing that glory one day, too. And in verse 17b there is a connection between Christ's passion and his resurrection. So, according to Paul, we are adopted by God into the family, can call on him like a loving parent, and can share with God's unique Son God's glory.
The Gospel
John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Jesus -- The Way To The Father
The center of this reading must be verse 9b: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." It's Jesus' answer to Philip's question in verse 8. Jesus' answer is that God is in him, and so when they see him they are getting a glimpse of God. Also (and here is the kicker), if you can't accept this answer, then simply watch what I do (v. 11). And if they believe they will do these good works of compassion also, then the promise of verses 13 and 14 is so great. When Jesus is in God, he has promised to do whatever the disciples asked of him if it is in his name.
Somehow, those disciples did not understand what we now call the incarnation as the ultimate revelation of God. Three times we have the word believe as we move from Jesus' revelation of God to their accepting it.
A new teaching begins in verse 12 with the "Very truly I tell you...." To love Jesus is to keep his commandments. In verse 17 we have the first use of paracletos -- the Paraclete in the Fourth Gospel. Some words which help designate the full range of meaning in this word, paraclete, are to exhort and encourage; to comfort and console; to call upon for help; and to appeal.
There are many English translations of the noun, according to The New Interpreter's Bible: comforter (KJV), advocate (NRSV), counselor (NIV), and paraclete (NJB). The point here is not so much on those who refuse to accept the paraclete; but rather, on the gift of the paraclete by Jesus to his disciples. We have it, too! This whole passage tries to answer the question of whether the disciples can continue to love Jesus after he is gone, as well as future generations who never lived with him.
Preaching Possibilities
A. On the Sunday of Pentecost we will just about have to go with the biblical account of Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit on the disciples in Jerusalem's square, as described in the Acts account.
B. There is a strong connection, however, between that account and the Second Reading and the Gospel. It is the Spirit, the Paraclete.
1. In the Acts account, the Spirit begins the church.
2. In the Romans account, the Spirit makes us God's daughters and sons.
3. In the Gospel of John, the Spirit is our advocate/paraclete here and in heaven. It will preach.
C. Of course, if you just wanted to preach on the reading from John you could organize your homily around either or both of the lists above of the various translations of paraclete, telling your listeners of the truth revealed by each one. It could be framed in a story of your own experience of "The Spirit of the Thing" like a team sport or a deeply moving religious experience.
D. Another approach to the Gospel Reading from John would be to use verse 9b and concentrate on what disciples saw Jesus do and be, which revealed the Holy Parent to them:
1. He had great compassion;
2. He loved the unlovely;
3. He was willing to be sacrificed for them;
4. He brought healing to the sick and infirm;
5. He fed the hungry and went the extra mile;
6. He defeated death on Easter; and
7. He gave them help in heaven for on earth living.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A narrative sermon on Pentecost from Acts 2.
A. Begin by relating a very happy birthday you celebrated and what made it so.
B. Move to the birthday of the Christian Church on Pentecost in Jerusalem. Tell the story in your own words.
C. Move to listing for your hearers what in this account serves as a preview of how this church shall be.
1. It will be a spirit-filled church (v. 2).
2. It will be a witnessing and bold church (v. 4).
3. It will be a unique fellowship of changed people (v. 13) (use the Gospel Reading here).
4. It will be a church of many languages and color (v. 4).
5. It will be a church which amazes and astonishes other people (v. 7) (use the Second Reading here).
6. It will be a scripture-centered church (v. 16).
D. After each of the above moves, you can relate it all to your congregation and if you are living out the church of Pentecost. Or you can wait and just reflect one or two of the above and apply it to your congregation, starting with the "second birthday"* of your congregation when it began.
E. Talk about the vision of those who gathered to begin your congregation from your congregational history.
F. Frame the sermon by returning to your opening birthday narrative.
Prayer For The Day
We rejoice and give thanks on this day of Pentecost and birthday of your church in Jerusalem for all those who have gone before us equipped by your Spirit as your sons and daughters. Keep us faithful here at (your congregation) to the Spirit-filled vision of what we ought be and what, with your Paraclete, we can be. Give us your Spirit just like you did those first disciples and bless our unique fellowship like you did theirs. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
That first Pentecost must have been something else! Three thousand baptized. Pity the poor altar guild who prepared the font, and think of the church secretary who had to get all the certificates in order. The usher must have had quite a time parking the chariots and camels. The property committee probably rebelled at cleaning up the parking lot after that long service. The acolyte had to hold 3,000 burning candles. That next week when the other Jerusalem pastors met for text study, they were heard saying, "Yes, but the theology is weak there, and besides they probably will go out the back door as fast as they came in the front."
The local parish church was on fire and a crowd gathered. The pastor spotted an inactive member and commented: "Joe, this is the first time I have seen you at church for a long time." Joe responded, "Well, Pastor, this is the first time I have seen this church on fire!" Yes -- let the Pentecost fire set our congregations ablaze!
My asthma is especially bad today. I breathe but get little effect from doing so. I think it can be so in the church as well. The Spirit's wind of Pentecost blows, but we get very little effect from it.
Nissan cars have run an advertisement on television that I like a lot. An old farmer looks at this dilapidated pick-up and says: "She's been good to us, but I reckon it's time to go into town and get a new one." He returns driving wildly into the barnyard doing "doughnuts" and shouting with glee as he drives his new Nissan. His wife asks, "Wilfred, what's got into you?" He answers, "I don't know, but I like it!" Oh, that we might celebrate Christian joy and let the Spirit get in us. The promise is, we'll like it. "Life is a journey; enjoy the ride."
____________
*The first birthday being Pentecost in Jerusalem and the second birthday being the beginning of your congregation.
The teachings, miracles, and earthly ministry of Jesus.
Theme For The Day
The birthday of the Christian Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
First Lesson
Acts 2:1-21
The Coming Of The Holy Spirit
The Day of Pentecost gets its name from the fact it was on the fiftieth day after the first Sunday after Passover when the first of the barley harvest was brought to the temple. I like an alternate name used then: "the day of first fruits" (Numbers 28:26; Exodus 23:16a). The wind represents the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 37:9-14). John the Baptist had announced that the one coming would conduct a baptism of wind and fire (Luke 3:16-17). Like in the burning bush for Moses, the fire represents divine presence.
This was not the last time the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (see 4:8, 31). And when the descent of the Spirit on the disciples took place, it was natural that prophetic speech would follow. See Paul's advice in regard to speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-30, 14:2-9. Here the message was "the mighty deeds of God" (v. 11). There is a great list of countries from which the crowd came.
Peter then preaches. He begins by making light humor of the charge made in jest that the disciples were drunk. It's just too early in the day for that!
Peter continues by quoting Joel's prophecy of what will happen in the "last days." The person to come was Jesus and his time is now. The last days have begun: We have the day of the Lord and the day of God's salvation to all who call upon his name described here. Verse 20 could be interpreted as what took place in Jerusalem on God's Friday.
Second Lesson
Romans 8:14-17
Through The Spirit We Become God's Children
This reading connects well with the Spirit in the Acts account of Pentecost. Lots of spirit here! The Spirit God gives is not of fear but of adoption into God's family. This gives us a very special relationship to Christ, the unique Son. We can cry aloud to our Holy Parent. Christ has already shared in the inheritance of God's glory and we can count on sharing that glory one day, too. And in verse 17b there is a connection between Christ's passion and his resurrection. So, according to Paul, we are adopted by God into the family, can call on him like a loving parent, and can share with God's unique Son God's glory.
The Gospel
John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Jesus -- The Way To The Father
The center of this reading must be verse 9b: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." It's Jesus' answer to Philip's question in verse 8. Jesus' answer is that God is in him, and so when they see him they are getting a glimpse of God. Also (and here is the kicker), if you can't accept this answer, then simply watch what I do (v. 11). And if they believe they will do these good works of compassion also, then the promise of verses 13 and 14 is so great. When Jesus is in God, he has promised to do whatever the disciples asked of him if it is in his name.
Somehow, those disciples did not understand what we now call the incarnation as the ultimate revelation of God. Three times we have the word believe as we move from Jesus' revelation of God to their accepting it.
A new teaching begins in verse 12 with the "Very truly I tell you...." To love Jesus is to keep his commandments. In verse 17 we have the first use of paracletos -- the Paraclete in the Fourth Gospel. Some words which help designate the full range of meaning in this word, paraclete, are to exhort and encourage; to comfort and console; to call upon for help; and to appeal.
There are many English translations of the noun, according to The New Interpreter's Bible: comforter (KJV), advocate (NRSV), counselor (NIV), and paraclete (NJB). The point here is not so much on those who refuse to accept the paraclete; but rather, on the gift of the paraclete by Jesus to his disciples. We have it, too! This whole passage tries to answer the question of whether the disciples can continue to love Jesus after he is gone, as well as future generations who never lived with him.
Preaching Possibilities
A. On the Sunday of Pentecost we will just about have to go with the biblical account of Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit on the disciples in Jerusalem's square, as described in the Acts account.
B. There is a strong connection, however, between that account and the Second Reading and the Gospel. It is the Spirit, the Paraclete.
1. In the Acts account, the Spirit begins the church.
2. In the Romans account, the Spirit makes us God's daughters and sons.
3. In the Gospel of John, the Spirit is our advocate/paraclete here and in heaven. It will preach.
C. Of course, if you just wanted to preach on the reading from John you could organize your homily around either or both of the lists above of the various translations of paraclete, telling your listeners of the truth revealed by each one. It could be framed in a story of your own experience of "The Spirit of the Thing" like a team sport or a deeply moving religious experience.
D. Another approach to the Gospel Reading from John would be to use verse 9b and concentrate on what disciples saw Jesus do and be, which revealed the Holy Parent to them:
1. He had great compassion;
2. He loved the unlovely;
3. He was willing to be sacrificed for them;
4. He brought healing to the sick and infirm;
5. He fed the hungry and went the extra mile;
6. He defeated death on Easter; and
7. He gave them help in heaven for on earth living.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A narrative sermon on Pentecost from Acts 2.
A. Begin by relating a very happy birthday you celebrated and what made it so.
B. Move to the birthday of the Christian Church on Pentecost in Jerusalem. Tell the story in your own words.
C. Move to listing for your hearers what in this account serves as a preview of how this church shall be.
1. It will be a spirit-filled church (v. 2).
2. It will be a witnessing and bold church (v. 4).
3. It will be a unique fellowship of changed people (v. 13) (use the Gospel Reading here).
4. It will be a church of many languages and color (v. 4).
5. It will be a church which amazes and astonishes other people (v. 7) (use the Second Reading here).
6. It will be a scripture-centered church (v. 16).
D. After each of the above moves, you can relate it all to your congregation and if you are living out the church of Pentecost. Or you can wait and just reflect one or two of the above and apply it to your congregation, starting with the "second birthday"* of your congregation when it began.
E. Talk about the vision of those who gathered to begin your congregation from your congregational history.
F. Frame the sermon by returning to your opening birthday narrative.
Prayer For The Day
We rejoice and give thanks on this day of Pentecost and birthday of your church in Jerusalem for all those who have gone before us equipped by your Spirit as your sons and daughters. Keep us faithful here at (your congregation) to the Spirit-filled vision of what we ought be and what, with your Paraclete, we can be. Give us your Spirit just like you did those first disciples and bless our unique fellowship like you did theirs. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
That first Pentecost must have been something else! Three thousand baptized. Pity the poor altar guild who prepared the font, and think of the church secretary who had to get all the certificates in order. The usher must have had quite a time parking the chariots and camels. The property committee probably rebelled at cleaning up the parking lot after that long service. The acolyte had to hold 3,000 burning candles. That next week when the other Jerusalem pastors met for text study, they were heard saying, "Yes, but the theology is weak there, and besides they probably will go out the back door as fast as they came in the front."
The local parish church was on fire and a crowd gathered. The pastor spotted an inactive member and commented: "Joe, this is the first time I have seen you at church for a long time." Joe responded, "Well, Pastor, this is the first time I have seen this church on fire!" Yes -- let the Pentecost fire set our congregations ablaze!
My asthma is especially bad today. I breathe but get little effect from doing so. I think it can be so in the church as well. The Spirit's wind of Pentecost blows, but we get very little effect from it.
Nissan cars have run an advertisement on television that I like a lot. An old farmer looks at this dilapidated pick-up and says: "She's been good to us, but I reckon it's time to go into town and get a new one." He returns driving wildly into the barnyard doing "doughnuts" and shouting with glee as he drives his new Nissan. His wife asks, "Wilfred, what's got into you?" He answers, "I don't know, but I like it!" Oh, that we might celebrate Christian joy and let the Spirit get in us. The promise is, we'll like it. "Life is a journey; enjoy the ride."
____________
*The first birthday being Pentecost in Jerusalem and the second birthday being the beginning of your congregation.
