The Holy Spirit's Work
This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The text was John 14:23-29.
Comic strip
Today's gospel
lesson is rich in words of encouragement for the frightened disciples of Jesus.
At this point, in spite of all of Jesus' teaching, the disciples still were
unable to put together two and two. It was only later, after Pentecost that
they experienced their "Aha" moment. Even then, they still had a lot
of growing to do. They made their mistakes even though they were the
God-appointed leaders of the church. These words of Jesus are words of
encouragement for all of us as well. We too have trouble living the Christian
life. Today's gospel is part of the farewell discourse of Jesus. I can imagine
that the disciples were still unconvinced that Jesus' leaving them could be a
good thing.
There are
three parts to today's gospel: the love relationship that results in keeping
God's word, the promise of the Holy Spirit and God's gift of peace to worried
disciples. Today we'll be concentrating on the Holy Spirit.
We Lutherans
don't emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit as much as some churches. In fact,
I have even heard people say that Lutherans don't believe in the Holy Spirit.
But we don't often speak of the third person of the Holy Trinity, who is indeed
God himself.
Martin Luther
saw and experienced the integral work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Listen to his explanation of the third
article of the Apostles' Creed, concerning the Holy Spirit.
I believe
that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my
Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through
the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true
faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole
Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common,
true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly
forgives all sins--mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy
Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and to all
believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.
It seems we
Lutherans do believe in the Holy Spirit!
In the gospel
of John, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Counselor, Comforter and Helper.
The Holy Spirit is an Advocate sent by God for God's people. "The whole of
John's gospel manifests the fruits of the Spirit's work among the disciples
after Jesus' death and resurrection in deepening their understanding of Jesus'
identity and mission" (Elisabeth Johnson).
The Holy
Spirit is sent in Jesus' name. Experiences of the the Spirit do not permit disregard
or rejection of the historical Jesus. The Holy Spirit will teach the church.
Jesus had not yet fully said all that the church needs to understand. He did
not speak to each and every situation Christians may find themselves in,
however, in such situations, they would experience the Holy Spirit's leading.
Jesus did not leave a list of regulations to follow. It is much like what
pastors experience after seminary. Professors and the practical field education
cannot teach you every single bit of information for each circumstance
encountered in parish life. One of my friends from seminar can attest to this.
She had been pastor for one week at a church in Rothsville, PA when the church
building was struck by lightening and burnt to the ground. They don't teach how
to handle that in Property 101.
The Holy
Spirit will bring to remembrance the words of Jesus. Have you ever had that
happen? When you need to share a word with someone, from somewhere, a passage
of scripture or a helpful phrase comes to mind. It is the Holy Spirit at work.
The disciples
of the early church did not have it easy. They may have walked with Jesus,
eaten with him and spent time in prayer with him, but persecutions were a part
of their future. In John's writings, he repeats his claim that believers can
live in peace, without fear, despite persecution. Because the Holy Spirit is
present with the early church and with us, there is no need to be anxious.
Sometimes
God's presence can seem very close and other times we don't feel a thing. Our
feelings do not determine the reality of God's presence in our lives, but they
do affect our perception of reality, which is what we believe to be true.
Jesus'
promises are not mere words spoken in the past that belong in the past. Jesus'
words are accompanied by his presence with his people through the Holy Spirit.
Above all else, it is the profound love of God that Jesus has made known to his
disciples and that the Holy Spirit continues to make known to us.
The Spirit assures us that we are never abandoned, even in the midst of
the loss, pain and sorrow that are part of life in this broken world. Because
of our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit teaches, guides and empowers us
to share God's love with everyone we meet.
Amen.
Resources:
Fred B.
Craddock, Preaching Through the Christian Year C.
Elisabeth
Johnson, workingpreacher.org.
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