The Work of the Spirit
05/11/08
Day of Pentecost
Today’s message is in outline form, based on Martin Luther’s teaching on the Holy Spirit, found in his explanation of the third article of the Apostle’s Creed.
I. Introduction
I will quote from memory, Luther’s explanation. “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith,
In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
For those of my generation, who attended confirmation and did memorization, those words may sound familiar. Luther’s explanation. Particularly good description of work of H.S.
Day of Pentecost is day we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Talk about what Luther says about the Spirit. First, general comments about the Spirit. The Spirit is intentionally nebulous. Can’t ever fully grasp it’s meaning or work. Wide range of understanding. Wild, chaotic, as in lesson from Acts. Celtic Christianity uses the wild goose as the symbol for the Spirit. But we also have a gentler image of the Spirit. The Dove is a symbol. In today’s gospel, Jesus breathes on them, as the disciples receive the Spirit. Wide range of understandings and practices, reflected in our Christian churches. Wild Pentecostals to subdued Scandinavian Lutherans. What does Luther say?
II. Body
Luther uses five verbs, five action words to describe the work of the Spirit. The Spirit is “God in action”
Calls us to faith. Can’t do that ourselves. The Spirit of God does it. How? Through the gospel. Thru the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ. There is no other way. That’s why we have preachers. Peter preached and 3000 believers were brought to faith on that first Pentecost. But not just preachers. It’s all believers, sharing their faith in word and deed. Music, Sunday school, confirmation, Bible camps, mission trips, Bible studies- in so many ways the Spirit’s call goes forth.
Gathers believers into Christian community. Pentecost- birthday of the church. Came together for worship, fellowship, learning, service, support. No isolated, individuals, in NT Christianity. People are in community.
Face to face is best. But internet is changing this. Give Facebook example, Modest in Tanzania joining and asking me to be his “friend.” We are connected, but face to face is always best
Enlightens Confirmation curriculum, from Head to Heart. The light bulb comes on. This is a real relationship with God that is possible. Often this is in the teenage years, as you begin to think more abstractly about place in the world. But enlightenment can happen any time, as we grow and mature in faith. Gives us insight as we discern God’s direction in our livesd.
Sanctifies- to make holy. None of us is holy in and of ourselves. We are made holy by God’s action in Christ on the cross. Any growth in righteousness, as we mature in faith, is entirely the Spirit’s work
Keeps During rough times, times of doubt, times of sin, other trials, it is the Holy Spirit that guards and protects us. Keeps us in faith. There is comfort here. In Baptism, we are sealed, branded, by the Holy Spirit. We trust the Spirit will keep us, and God’s church, in his care. It’s not up to us. The Spirit keeps us in faith.
III. Conclusion- Many different ways to understand the Spirit, from Wild Goose to Dove of peace. No better overall perspective than Martin Luther’s 5 verbs. Calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps. May the Holy Spirit work in our lives in this way. Amen
Today’s message is in outline form, based on Martin Luther’s teaching on the Holy Spirit, found in his explanation of the third article of the Apostle’s Creed.
I. Introduction
I will quote from memory, Luther’s explanation. “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith,
In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
For those of my generation, who attended confirmation and did memorization, those words may sound familiar. Luther’s explanation. Particularly good description of work of H.S.
Day of Pentecost is day we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Talk about what Luther says about the Spirit. First, general comments about the Spirit. The Spirit is intentionally nebulous. Can’t ever fully grasp it’s meaning or work. Wide range of understanding. Wild, chaotic, as in lesson from Acts. Celtic Christianity uses the wild goose as the symbol for the Spirit. But we also have a gentler image of the Spirit. The Dove is a symbol. In today’s gospel, Jesus breathes on them, as the disciples receive the Spirit. Wide range of understandings and practices, reflected in our Christian churches. Wild Pentecostals to subdued Scandinavian Lutherans. What does Luther say?
II. Body
Luther uses five verbs, five action words to describe the work of the Spirit. The Spirit is “God in action”
Calls us to faith. Can’t do that ourselves. The Spirit of God does it. How? Through the gospel. Thru the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ. There is no other way. That’s why we have preachers. Peter preached and 3000 believers were brought to faith on that first Pentecost. But not just preachers. It’s all believers, sharing their faith in word and deed. Music, Sunday school, confirmation, Bible camps, mission trips, Bible studies- in so many ways the Spirit’s call goes forth.
Gathers believers into Christian community. Pentecost- birthday of the church. Came together for worship, fellowship, learning, service, support. No isolated, individuals, in NT Christianity. People are in community.
Face to face is best. But internet is changing this. Give Facebook example, Modest in Tanzania joining and asking me to be his “friend.” We are connected, but face to face is always best
Enlightens Confirmation curriculum, from Head to Heart. The light bulb comes on. This is a real relationship with God that is possible. Often this is in the teenage years, as you begin to think more abstractly about place in the world. But enlightenment can happen any time, as we grow and mature in faith. Gives us insight as we discern God’s direction in our livesd.
Sanctifies- to make holy. None of us is holy in and of ourselves. We are made holy by God’s action in Christ on the cross. Any growth in righteousness, as we mature in faith, is entirely the Spirit’s work
Keeps During rough times, times of doubt, times of sin, other trials, it is the Holy Spirit that guards and protects us. Keeps us in faith. There is comfort here. In Baptism, we are sealed, branded, by the Holy Spirit. We trust the Spirit will keep us, and God’s church, in his care. It’s not up to us. The Spirit keeps us in faith.
III. Conclusion- Many different ways to understand the Spirit, from Wild Goose to Dove of peace. No better overall perspective than Martin Luther’s 5 verbs. Calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps. May the Holy Spirit work in our lives in this way. Amen