Sermon Prepared for Messiah Lutheran Church
Auburn WA, May 31, 2009 – Pentecost
by Gregory S. Kaurin, Senior Pastor
Text: Acts 2:1-21
“A Pentecostal Church”
The title of my message is "A Pentecostal Church." More to the point: can we be a church of the Pentecost, or is that all said and done? Because I don't think it is. I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit has a lot of power and a lot of work left to do ...in the whole church, and most definitely here in Auburn through Messiah Lutheran Church.
It began almost two thousand years ago with a powerful miracle. Most of us are especially amazed by all the disciples suddenly talking in foreign languages. A bit ago we experienced something like it, and what that strange sound might have been like, but our little experience was much more tame and controlled, and it misses a key element of the miracle that day.
A couple of weekends ago, several of us were at our church synod assembly, where the keynote speaker was Eric Law. You can find a short description of his presentation in the little newsletter from the synod assembly inserted in your bulletin. Eric heads a training group, Kaleidoscope, which is trying to prepare leaders and congregations for the great diversity of community in which we are already living.
This Pentecostal story was a central part of his presentation. He asked us a question that really changed this passage for me, turned it around for many of us.
Listen to these verses again: Verse 4: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability.” Verse 6: “And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one of them heard them speaking in the native language of each.”
Here's the question: which was the key miracle that morning? Was it the miracle of the tongue, or the miracle of the ear? Was it that the disciples were speaking the gospel in these foreign languages, or that—in that hubbub—many were able to hear and understand them?
As I said earlier, I think we key into that first miracle, the gift of tongues, which, frankly, leaves out nearly all of us. What about this gift of listening and hearing? The one miracle needed the other, and when the two came together, when the speakers were heard, they heard the gospel, the “mighty deeds of God.” That’s when the church took off like a shot.
Eric Law took us a step further to remind us that, up to that point, the disciples were feeling lost, weak, and afraid of the crowds. They were a fringe group; their leader, Jesus, was dead, died a disgraceful death as a state criminal. They were without voice. They needed to find their voice. On the other hand, the crowd was the majority; they had center stage that day; they had the floor. They needed to listen. Only the power of God's Holy Spirit could make it all happen.
Think about this. Suddenly this miracle of hearing seems so important. Not long ago, a survey asked churches what key characteristics they look for or appreciate in their pastors. “What are the 14 key characteristics or strengths do you want your pastor to have?” You could name some of them. "Oh, we want a pastor who can really..." What? Preach the word. Teach the Bible to adults or youth. Singing was on that list of 14. How about good listening? Out of 14 key strengths, how high a value do you think congregations put on having a pastor who is a good listener? …Not even on the list.
And that is how the church usually tries to conduct her business and evangelism. “I'm going to preach and teach you into believing in Jesus; I’m going to teach you the right way, how to worship and sing. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll preach louder and longer, until you do.”
What about listening and hearing? Last weekend, our affirmands had their last AOB retreat. They were asked to write down three things. 1) What their faith means to them, 2) About a time they felt closest to God, & 3) What Bible verse they chose for themselves and why.
Here's a little from the first one. “1) My faith means that I always have somewhere or something to turn to when I'm lost. I will always have God, who will always love me, to go to in hard times...
“2) One time I felt close to God was a couple weeks ago. I had been really stressed out and just angry at the whole world. I was thinking, and suddenly realized that I wasn't alone. God is with me all the time and, when I realized that, I was so relieved. I now constantly talk and pray to God, and I hope I can continue to do that.”
That's just the one on top. Many of the others are like that. Reading these backs me up: What do you think is the number one characteristic that youth appreciate about God? His ability and willingness to listen, to be there for them. What do you think is the top strength they look for in a youth director? What are they longing for most? Someone who will listen, without judging. That's how they experience, that’s how they are lead and come to a deep relationship with God… by feeling that they were heard… and loved anyway, that someone responded to their actual need or situation.
Well, what are we looking for? And can we learn, can we accept the power and miracle of listening and hearing the gospel voice in the minority voices around us?
Tell me, what might be the difference between giving someone a flat gift, retaining our position of power by handing them a charitable gift and sending them on their way, or—instead—sitting down with them at a table, as an equal person, and listening to their story? Could be all the difference in the world, and better evangelism.
We need both, speakers and listeners. And each of us is challenged. After we have listened, we are challenged to have the courage to invite, or act the gospel out loud with our actions and our words.
I believe we are called, we are on the verge of being, a Pentecostal Church. I am not talking about denomination here, but about making ourselves open and available to God's Holy Spirit to turn the tide and begin a movement: change, a change in us that will change the whole community around us.
These past few months, even in the past few weeks, I have personally seen things come together in ways that cannot be mere chance or coincidence. I am convinced that God wants us here, and wants us to seek ways, not just to help or speak at members of our community, but ways to invite, sit down and listen to them. That is the day, the moment, and the way that we will see a resurging.
I welcome God's Holy Spirit to come and move through us, each of us, and all of us. Join me, for half a minute, praying for God’s Holy Spirit to come to all of us, and to fill this place, to come and open our ears and hearts. Let's pray...
