“Guided by the Spirit” (16:12-13)

S-1498 PS/3B 5/24/2015 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) # 233; LS. #304; #307; #312; (C) #225

Texts: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21; 15:26-27; 16:4-15

Theme: “Guided by the Spirit” (16:12-13)

Question: “Who guides you in life?” CONFIRMATION and PENTECOST SUNDAY

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday is from the Gospel: [Jesus said,] “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 into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come” ( John 16:12-13).

Beloved children of the heavenly Father, last week I told you the story of a robin who for almost 24 hours was attempting to find her nest after the tree was cut down. Few days later I observed that she came back again and again to the same place. For Almost 5 days she continued to come and stand were the tree stood. But it was all futile. By then I am certain the chicks had died.

But then, at the end of the week, I saw her building a new nest. How she knew she needed to that, is by instinct that God the Creator put in her makeup. On the one hand it was sad to see her lose her chicks, and on the other it was impressive to see how God’s given instinct moved her to build a new nest for the future chicks.

Today as the Holy Spirit has brought us again to the Lord’s house, to celebrate and observe Pentecost and confirming a young man in the Faith—Zachary Huebner; we thank our good Lord that unlike a robin who has the desire to love her chicks, but lacks the vision to see where her chicks are–our Lord, in His Ascension and sending of His Holy Spirit as our Comforter knows where all His children are, including you, Zachary. Your name is a derivative of the Hebrew name “Zechariah” which means, “The Lord Remembers.” Yes, the Lord has remembered you, and yes, through your life and now confirmation instruction, you have been taught to remember Him. When you kneel shortly at this Altar, with your family and your family of faith, you will remember that He remembers you; you will remember that He keeps you. Every morning He remembers that He has claimed you in the waters of Holy Baptism. When difficult things come, He will remind you of the blessed Word that He has implanted into your heart. When you sin, He will renew you as He brings you to repentance–living out your Baptismal grace. Yes, today is grand!

In the Gospel reading today, we learn of Jesus’ promise that He will send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. By the working of the Holy Spirit, you know the grace of God in Jesus Christ. With the wisdom and complete love of the Holy Spirit to guide you and all of us on the journey of life, we shall surely be not in the nest of a bird, but certainly in the nail-pierced hands of Him who holds the whole world, in that same Palm of His Hand! PAUSE.

Since the Savior promised that when He ascended to His Father’s right hand, it was not to leave us, for indeed, as you learned in Catechism, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Thus, as Hebrews records for us, we know that He did not leave us, did not leave you, did not forsake us, did not forsake you, Zachary. Indeed, He sent His Holy Spirit. On Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after His resurrection Jesus fulfilled yet another promise made to His disciples.

The Apostles in faith and hope waited in Jerusalem for that day to come and it did. When the Holy Spirit descended upon them like tongues of fire it guided them in carrying out the mission of Jesus by taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Even, we here, in small town SD, are the recipients of such great blessings given by the same Spirit that guided the Apostles. We stand in the long line of the saints who have believed through their witness (John 17:20)!

It is only through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that was at work in the lives of the followers of Jesus that guided them in all truth, that we too, are guided by the same Spirit that points us to the Savior of mankind—Jesus the Christ (John 16:13).

Today, that same Holy Spirit continues to guide us as we hear His Word and are fed at His table. We see the evidence of His grace and work in the life of Zachary who soon will be confirmed in the faith. That same Spirit will also guide him and guard him as he grows in years and remain grounded in the faith that has been handed down from the Apostles all the way to our time. This guiding that is worked in Him will anchor, support and strengthen Him in the knowledge of the truth that leads to eternal life. PAUSE.

But there is danger for Zachary and all of us who are baptized into the name of Jesus. You see, many times we are just like that robin we keep returning to the same old ways. We know better, we know it is sin; but the old nature in us keeps going back to the same tree just like the robin did—in futility.

Add to that, we live in a very hostile world. The world we live in continuously entices us to walk away from following Jesus. The world strives to blind us from following the light of Christ. And the devil—that shrewd, deceptive and scheming one—is always attempting to guide us away from Christ down a winding path of sin. A sin appears easy and pleasant at first. Tragically, we follow him.

But thank God, we have the Holy Spirit who guides and guards our hearts. Thank God that as Jesus shared this discourse with His disciples in the Upper Room He said: “There are many things He wanted to say to the disciples but they were not ready.” They needed by His grace, to remain under the guidance of the Spirit so that they would serve and share the power of the Gospel with others.

So, too, are you Zachary. In so many ways YOU are not ready. There is so much more to learn. And learn it you shall… under His guidance and by His grace. And, dear one Remembered by the Lord, you are ready… ready to repent of your sins daily… ready to kneel here and taste and see that the Lord is good… ready to witness with you to one another and to the lost world out there that this God of Water, Bread, and Wine is also the God who abides with you, every day and in every way!

Today is a very important day not only because you will be confirmed—but because God is coming to you in a very new and special way—through His Body and Blood under the bread and wine. It is indeed a joy beyond measure because the Holy Spirit will guide you to rely on these gifts from today until the Lord calls you home.

It is also special to your parents, grandparents and the family of faith known as Redeemer Lutheran. For they too, by the grace of God have guided you in the way you should go. They have invested in your life. They have brought you to God’s holy house. They have prayed for you and will continue to pray for you and so will your family of faith. PAUSE.

What a blessing for us as the baptized children of the heavenly Father, to be brought here today. For today once more the grace of God is poured upon us as the Holy Spirit guides us to see our need for Jesus.

Here, the Holy Spirit causes us to confess and acknowledge that many times we have sinned against God in word and deed. Here, the Holy Spirit drives us in repentance to cry out to God to have mercy upon us because of our disobedience. Here, the Holy Spirit guides us to say, “Lord, I need You in my life. Without You I can do nothing.”

Here, by grace through faith, we follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit to be used by Him as the Holy Apostles were used to spread the message of His salvation and grace that He freely gives us through His death and resurrection.

Precious children of God—each and every one of you— and especially you Zachary, remember that in this place the Holy Spirit will guide and continues to guide you until you reach the Promised Land—heaven. You are not under the watchful eye of a Robin who cannot see, but of the Holy Spirit who comforts and keeps you ALWAYS! Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Getting the Right Help” (John 14:25-26)

S-1363-PS/C 5/19/2013 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #233; (C) #225

Texts: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-31

Theme: “Getting the Right Help” (John 14:25-26)

Question: “Are you bold or bashful to ask for help?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for Pentecost Sunday is from the Gospel lesson: “These things I have spoken to you while I Am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:25-26).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

O People of the Resurrection, Jesus’ promises are so real that every one of them has come to fruition. Scan, study and search the inspired Word and you will see whatever Christ said came true. He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19) and He did—Jesus suffered, was crucified, died and was buried and on the third day He burst forth from the grave. That is why we celebrate the Resurrection even today, two thousand years after the facts. In due time, all of the promises given, even when He returns in the near future, will be fulfilled.

Today is fifty days after the greatest event in all of human history—the RESURRECTION of Christ. Today is Pentecost Sunday. Today we observe and celebrate the Holy Spirit’s coming upon the disciples as promised by Jesus in the Gospel lesson. Before Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus promised the disciples that He will soon leave them to return to His Father, but He will not leave them as orphans. He will send the promised and great Helper—the Holy Spirit. And it came to pass just as the Savior promised. We read it in the Acts of the disciples. Luke put it this way: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

In this portion of God’s Word, we behold the promise of Christ being fulfilled in the lives of the disciples to be the helpers of the right kind of Help. In this portion of God’s Word, we marvel at the mercy and grace of God, as He reverses the confusion that occurred at Babel. In this portion of God’s Word, we see love so wonderful and amazing, that even Gentiles hear the message of the precious Gospel in their own language. These pilgrims got the right help from the Helper—the Holy Spirit. PAUSE.

People of the Resurrection, do you love people? Do you want to get involved? Do you want to make a difference? Do others know you care? Do you want to help others receive things otherwise were unavailable them and to be taken on a journey where otherwise they couldn’t go?

Today, the Holy Spirit is here to make us be the right kind of helper to others. As the Holy Spirit in love worked through the disciples in their ministry; He is here today to work in us and makes us faithful in our walk of faith. He is here today to teach us that sin separates us from our holy and loving God and calling us to repentance. In this place, the Holy Spirit works through the Means of Grace teaching us all that Jesus did.

In the ongoing miracle that is Pentecost, the Holy Spirit continues to call, gather, enlighten and sanctify. The Holy Spirit causes the faithful of every generation to remember what Jesus has said and done. What He has said and done is none other than make peace with God for us through His death and resurrection. It is this peace which restores us to what we were designed for. In the Word which convicts us of sin and grants us pardon in Jesus Christ, we are made whole. This wholeness makes us wholly at peace with God. What joy fills our hearts today!

In this place, the Holy Spirit shares the Father’s heart desires that all people come to know Him and His love for the world. As we are privileged to sit at the feet of Jesus in this place, the right kind of Helper guides our thoughts and creates in us a heart once dead to a living and active faith that seeks to love and serve Him.

Because we love Him and want to serve Him, we desire also to serve others in His name so that they too, may get to know Him intimately and get the right kind of help for their souls. There is a reason the Helper was sent to tell the good news to all people.

The prophet Isaiah said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” (Is. 52:7). Yes, how beautiful are your feet when you take the message outside these walls so that lives can be touched and changed by Christ the crucified. PAUSE.

I am often amazed at how many of our people are willing to volunteer their time to help others; but are unwilling to ask others to help them in the hour of need. Many good people help others with many different things, but are unwilling to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Many dedicated Christians go out of their way to give a lending hand to make someone’s life a little better, but are unwilling to share God’s Word with others. How Sad!

Sadder still, when many would say, “If you want anything done right, (help me finish the sentence), ‘you got to do it yourself’”. We, the people of God carry that into our spiritual life as well. We often think we can help God save us. We feel He owes us because we are good church people. We think because we do certain things for Him, He should do favors to us also. Christ owes us nothing. He blesses us because that’s the kind of God He is—the One who gives and gives and gives even when not asked. PAUSE.

On April 15^th, while the Boston Marathon was taking place, two terrorists blew up bombs that killed, maimed and caused much havoc in the lives of many. When the bombs blew, we saw many rush to help without regard to danger or loss of life. They helped because they cared.

How thankful we are to witness such brave acts of kindness and help in the hour of need. How thankful the injured people and their families were as they received the right kind of help at the right time. But how much more valuable, if we, as People of the Resurrection, who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit; be the right kind of helper to others? What a privilege the Savior gives us daily to be caring, loving and serving others. What honor Christ bestows upon us to be His feet, His hands, and His mouth to many who don’t know Him. How blessed we are, that the Savior, during His earthly pilgrimage promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us. And what joy fills our hearts because the Helper has helped us and still does.

The challenge for us is to be the right kind of helpers. By grace alone, may we raise our voices so that those so wounded will know that the cross of Jesus paid for their sin, that the empty tomb of Jesus gives them victory and a living hope, and that the ascension of Jesus means He rules over all things and will never forsake them.

On this Pentecost Sunday, we pray that the Helper would fill us with Himself that we might be led to touch the lives of others and help them in the hour of need, both physically and spiritually. God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Pentecost Fervor” (Acts 2:1-4)

S-1319 Pentecost S/3B 5/27/12 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #224; LS. #227, 226, 231; (C) # 49

Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:4-15

Theme: “Pentecost Fervor” (Acts 2:1-4)

Question: “Are You Passionate about Something?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for Pentecost Sunday is from the book of Acts: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

You who are loved by the Father of all grace and His Son, Jesus Christ and the comforting Holy Spirit, there are many people in this world who are fervently passionate about what they do. In the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky there are Christians who practice handling poisonous snakes because in the book of Mark 16:17-18 it mentions that they can do so. They believe this is a must and fervently carry it out even to the point of losing their lives. In Venezuela they practice the religion of Santeria. This Afro-Caribbean religion causes the people to go into a trance and do all sorts of harm to their bodies to drive out evil spirits. Though they claim to be Christians, this is practiced fervently to get rid of sin and the evil spirits. And in China’s Province some people mutilate their bodies with all sorts of painful instruments to show supreme devotion and to appease their gods. All these people are fervently attempting to do something to prove their worth in the sight of their gods. Devotion is measured by physical suffering and self inflicted pain—walking on 3000 degrees of hot coal, climbing a ladder 200 steps of sharp blades and piercing themselves with swords, knives and even nails; just to prove their worth in the sight of their god’s.

However, today, we are not here to pick up poisonous snakes, walk on hot coals, mutilate our bodies or drive out demons to prove our worth to our God. Our worth is found in the cross of Christ and the empty tomb. We are here though, to observe the Pentecost Fervor that fell upon the disciples as they proclaimed to the world the might deeds of God.

Today, we witness the mighty working of God the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples as promised by the Savior. Jesus had told them, “That He would send the Counselor, the Helper, the Paraclete who will teach them all things He has done and will guide them in sharing His salvation with all people.” We observe how the Holy Spirit descended upon them with tongues of fire and gave them the fervent desire to speak in multi-languages so that others might come to worship the only True Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peter, the great spokesperson of the Disciples stood up and with fervent zeal explained to the assembly what they had witnessed. That the disciples are not drunk but filled with the Spirit of Truth and through that Spirit were able to communicate in the languages of the people the joy of the resurrection and ascension of the Savior, Jesus.

Likewise, we too, with Pentecost Fervor do what the Savior has asked us to do—go in His name and by His power to our neighbors, friends and yes, even family and share with them the hope of the resurrection that He won for us, by restoring us from the grave, just like the O.T. lesson told us of the dead bones that came alive.

Though we know this truth, yet we don’t always carry it out. It is sometimes burdensome to have the Pentecost fervor. We become afraid to share thinking very little of ourselves; and what others might they think of us. We feel we are carrying a burden too heavy for us and can’t do it on our own.

But dear, dear beloved ones, as a Child of God, He knows what we can bear and what we cannot bear, and when we can bear it. In John 16:12-13 Jesus says: “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 into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come”. We are reminded of the promise that being His friends we know all that He has just said earlier in 15:15, in this same revelatory moment, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Certainly, they were not able to bear the things of God before the Cross. Ah, but afterward, and after they waited in Jerusalem for the Promised Holy Spirit, they received the power to transform the world one soul at a time. God incarnate, God in their flesh. Yes, God in your flesh.

Today’s sermon and the grand sermon of Peter in Acts 2, speaks to the dwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in, with, and under His Children. The simple message that you live, in your forgiveness, is that Your God is greater than your sin. Your God is stronger in His love than all the emptiness and pain of the sinner’s isolation. Indeed, He takes dry bones - useless bones - and in this Word of encouragement, this Word that now they can bear - He speaks life into His exceedingly great army.

Yes, as the Holy Spirit spoke to Ezekiel, so He speaks today to and through you: “Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O My people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I Am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O My people” (Ezek. 37:12-13).

The veil is removed and we are given life, made to be His people—His very own blood-bought people. We who stand accused even as the Jewish rulers. We are no longer accused but welcomed into the family. We have a Father who is “Our Father.” We have His Holy Son as our Payment for all sin. We have His Spirit as our Advocate. The Advocate, the One who pleads the case for us as a lawyer would in a court of Law, but oh so much more, for we are no client, we are “O My People!”

Today, and every day as we gather in the Lord’s house we come to see the Pentecost Fervor working out in our lives. Here in this place we pray that He would give us tongues of fire so that with fervent faith may proclaim the mighty deeds of God. As we gather around His Word, to be fed at His table, receive His absolution we know the certainty of being His own dearly loved children and called “O My People!” And as the people of God we work with fervent urgency to get the message out to all people so that they too may be His people for now and forever.

Pentecost is all about those who are “O My People.” What we didn’t and couldn’t understand now has hold of us, hold of us with comfort, like a loving embrace. In this place we, too, become filled and fed and forgiven. Now we who are “O My People” have seen and heard the Risen Savior. We have seen Him ascend on high, above us, to comfort and keep us. You see, we are no longer, unable to bear the news any long. It is not just a headline like those scrolling lines at the bottom of the TV newscast, something to be read or ignored. This is more than mere information, it is that LIFE has come and now He has filled your heart with PEACE. He has empowered you with LOVE and covered you with JOY. Yes, His PATIENCE, GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL all work in you “O My People” For you bear it now - the fruit of the Spirit. In that you rejoice not only for today as we observe and celebrate Pentecost; but through an endless eternity.

After all, our whole life is a life of Pentecost fervor. Amen

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA