Pentecost Message for the Church

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Scripture: Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Devotion:

            Today, as we gather in the church, we commemorate the significant event of the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the disciples. Just as Jesus had instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrived, we too are reminded of the importance of patience and readiness for the Spirit's work in our lives. On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Jesus' words were fulfilled as the Spirit descended upon them. The full extent of their newly found power would be revealed in the days ahead. They could speak in foreign languages they did not know, and the Holy Spirit would empower them to heal and cast out demons and perform other miraculous wonders that they could not accomplish with their own strength and power.

            Let us reflect on this: God has never withdrawn the filling of the Holy Spirit from believers. Yet, why do we often feel powerless in the face of cultural and societal pressures that urge us to conform to worldly ways? One reason could be our fear of losing control. Unlike the disciples, who had little to no control over the Spirit's actions, we often try to domesticate the Spirit, quenching its wild yet wonderfully good ways with our desire for control.

            I confess that I often am guilty of seeking to have control over the Spirit. As a “good” Presbyterian, I seek to see that all things are done “decently and in order” to preserve “the peace, unity, and purity” of our worship services at all costs. Our worship services are constructed to try to harness the power of God’s Spirit at all times. The in-breaking of the Spirit is often seen as disruptive and just plain wrong.

As we prepare for the day ahead, let us remember that many in our churches will wear red to acknowledge the existence of the Holy Spirit. Yet, how many of us truly expect the Spirit to show up and touch us with His power? If we would only dare to give God control through the power of the Holy Spirit, how different might our culture look? If the world would know that going to church was an act that would change them into better people. Increase their ability to understand and follow Jesus throughout their daily lives. Let us pray as those first disciples did in the upper room 2,000 years ago, with a sense of anticipation and readiness for the Spirit's work in our lives.

Prayer:

            Father in heaven, you sent your only begotten son Jesus to cleanse us of our sins so that we would be pure enough to receive your Holy Spirit on the Pentecost so long ago. Cleanse us this day as we open ourselves up to receive your Spirit. May we set aside our fears of losing control and appearing “different” to the world so that we would be open to receiving the power you long for us to have. Glory be to our God, Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen

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