Tuesday, 10 June 2025
MY NEXT SERMON
I AM PREACHING NEXT ON SUNDAY 13 JULY 2025 - at WEST DEAN BREAKFAST CHURCH, KING GEORGE VI MEMORIAL HALL, WEST DEAN, WILTSHIRE - 8.30 a.m.
SERMON 218 - SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025 - PENTECOST SUNDAY
REFLECTIONS FOR SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025 – PENTECOST SUNDAY
at West Dean Breakfast Church, King George VI Hall, West Dean, Wiltshire
I am always slightly concerned when people say to me that whilst they read the New Testament they really don’t have time for the Old. Indeed, I have often heard it said that as the New Testament means the “New Covenant” there is no longer need to look at the Old. For me, you cannot read the New in the context in which it was written or events occurred without having a knowledge of the Old and in particular the prophesies which it contains. The latter part of the Old Testament contains the writings of both the Major and the Minor Prophets, one of the latter being Joel and, as we celebrate Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the followers at Jerusalem, it is wonderful to think of the continuity which exists between Old and New with the scripture for Joel which we have just heard.
This is a profound passage that also speaks to hope, renewal and divine presence. These verses prophetically describe the future outpouring of God’s Spirit, emphasising that God’s grace and power will extend to all people, sons and daughters, young and old, servants and free individuals, This inclusive promise reflects God’s desire for a universal renewal that transcends social and cultural boundaries. Prior to this, we read of specific outpourings of the Spirit to specific individuals f or specific purposes e.g. Moses, Elijah and Elisha, David and so on.
This morning’s passage begins with the declaration that “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:28). This invocation of the Spirit signifies a transformative movement where divine power is no longer restricted to prophets or leaders as I mentioned above, but becomes accessible to everyone. It suggests that God’s presence is not limited but available to all those seeking renewal and guidance. This idea resonates deeply, especially considering the historical context where the Spirit was often seen as a special gift for prophets and a select few.
The promises of prophecy, dreams and visions in this passage highlight a time of Divine Communication and revelation. These spiritual experiences serve to inspire and guide individuals and communities, fostering faith and hope. The universal nature of these manifestations indicates that God’s plans and purposes are inclusive and meant for all people, regardless of age and status. It underscores the theme that divine intervention is for collective renewal and salvation.
Verses 30 and 31 describe phenomenal signs in the heavens and on the Earth – “blood, fire and billows of smoke” – which serve as cosmic signs of divine activity. These vivid images evoke a sense of urgency and anticipation emphasising that God’s intervention is both powerful and transformative. It also reminds me of the wonder and awe of God’s Creation which I feel when observing the heavens through my love of astronomy and it never ceases to amaze me how vast and awesome God’s creation really is and how privileged we are to be living on this wonderful and unique planet in the vastness of the expanse of the Universe. These images which are conjured up by Joel also serve as warnings indicating that the outpouring of God’s Spirit is also associated with significant change and probably judgment but ultimately with hope, available to those who call on the Lord irrespective of their background and situation. This reflection encourages us to remain faithful and dependent on God’s grace recognising his sovereignty over all creation. It inspires hope and reassurance that in the midst of chaos, sincere faith and prayer can lead to deliverance and divine protection.
Acts 2:1-16
Following on from the prophesy of Joel which we examined a moment ago we now turn to the day of Pentecost itself. In Acts 2:1-16, we see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, marking the birth of the church and the beginning of our mission to share the Gospel with the world. This day reminds us of the power, promise, and purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I am going to split the scripture up into a number of parts, reminding ourselves of what is written, giving my own reflection and then asking you what it means to you.
1. The Setting of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)
Key Point:
Pentecost was a Jewish festival, a time of
celebration and remembrance. But on this day, it became a day of divine
revelation and empowerment. The Holy Spirit was poured out, filling the
disciples and giving them the ability to speak in different languages. This was
not just a miraculous event; it was a divine appointment to equip the church
for its mission. It should be noted that
the true translation of “tongues” in this passage is not the one which is often
given by Pentecostal churches as some unknown language spoken by angels, but
the known languages of the Earth at that time – such as if I were to speak
fluent Chinese without having learned or spoken the language before.
Application:
Are we open to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives? Like the disciples, we need the Spirit to fill us, to empower us for service, and to guide us in truth.
2. The Spirit’s Power and Presence (Acts 2:5-13)
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven... When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken... Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’”
Key Point:
The Spirit’s power was evident. It transcended language and cultural barriers, uniting people from diverse backgrounds. The initial reactions ranged from awe to skepticism, but the Spirit’s work was undeniable.
Application:
The Holy Spirit breaks down barriers—racial, cultural, social—that divide us. As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses to the unity and love that the Spirit brings. How in this modern day and age can we do this? What are you going to do after we leave this Hall this morning?
3. Peter’s Boldness and the Gospel Declared (Acts 2:14-16)
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you...’”
Key Point:
Empowered by the Spirit, Peter boldly proclaimed the Gospel. The Spirit transforms fear into courage and enables us to testify to Christ.
Application:
Are we willing to be filled with the Spirit and share the Good News? The same Spirit that empowered Peter is available to us today. We are called to be witnesses, speaking truth and love into our communities.
Conclusion:
Pentecost and Joel’s writings are a reminder that the Holy Spirit is active and available to all believers. It is the Spirit who empowers us to live out our faith, to love others, and to fulfil God's mission in the world.
Call to Action:
This week, pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to fill you anew. Seek the courage to share your faith, and open your heart to the Spirit’s guidance. Let us remember that we are not alone—God has given us His Spirit to be with us always.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Fill us anew, empower us to be faithful witnesses, and unite us in love and purpose. May we, like the disciples on Pentecost, be bold in proclaiming Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Sunday, 1 June 2025
SERMON 217 - SUNDAY 24 MAY 2025 - EASTER 6
Sermon at All Saints’ Parish Church, Winterslow - 6th Sunday in Easter – Sunday 25 May 2025
Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 22-27, 22:1-5;
John 14:23-29
May I speak in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit and may these words be those of you, Lord, and may they be a
blessing to all who listen and hear them.
None of our readings this
morning is all that easy to understand unless we acknowledge and accept the
concept of a spirituality beyond what we would normally see or experience. It requires a perfect belief in the fundamentals
of Christianity – the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, Creator of all things
and our Saviour and the acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit now with us.
On Sunday 8th June we
shall celebrate Pentecost when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit down
to the disciples and we will be given the opportunity to renew that Spirit
within us. In today’s gospel reading from John, Jesus is foretelling that
moment and reminding his disciples that he will remain with them in person for
only a short limited period and that they should remember what he has told them
and what they have seen and witnessed during his ministry. These words are ones
which equally apply to us today –
“Those who love me will keep my
word, and my Father will love them and we will come to them and make out home
with them. Whoever does not love me does
not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the
Father who sent me”
This is one of the clearest
passages in the whole of the Bible indicating that Jesus and the Father are
one. Jesus then goes on to say “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who the
Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all
that I have said to you.”
We have this reading this week
to prepare us for Pentecost and remind us of the importance of receiving the
Holy Spirit – to act as our advocate – a term which as a lawyer I am most
familiar with, meaning somebody to act and intercede on our behalf with a
higher authority – and to remind us of all Jesus’s teachings.
Our gospel reading goes on to
relate Jesus’s final message of Peace.
Jesus knows that the disciples will be upset at His leaving them on the
Day of Ascension but asks them not to be troubled, not to be afraid. Whilst he may be leaving them from their
sight, the Holy Spirit will be sent to them.
The disciples would have been
acquainted with the Spirit of God being made available to certain individuals
in the Old Testament for certain specific tasks – e.g. Moses to lead the
Hebrews out of Egypt, Elijah and Daniel as special prophets at times of difficulty
and exile for the Hebrew people. Now the
Holy Spirit was going to be made available for all who believed and accepted
Jesus in order to carry out the good work and ministry and proclaim the Good
News to all the world. As we approach
Pentecost in a couple of weeks’ time, let us reflect upon Jesus’s words in this
passage – “I do not give to you as the world gives, my peace I give to you”.
We can be comforted, at times of
great difficulty and upheaval, such as we seem to be seeing in our world today,
that Jesus remains with us through the power of the Holy Spirit and that
despite all the things which might seem to conspire against us, we can be
assured of the Peace which, as described by Paul, passes all understanding.
Our first reading this morning
describes a vision which came to Paul after the Holy Spirit had come to the
disciples and apostles. In this vision we are told he saw a man telling him to
go to Macedonia. Convinced that he was being called to preach the Good News to
the people of that territory he did this, arriving at Philippi, a leading city
of the province and, we are told, a Roman Colony.
Paul and his followers were not
entirely sure what they were to do so went to a place renowned for being a
place of prayer and spoke to a number of women gathered there including Lydia,
a worshipper and dealer in cloth.
We read that the Holy Spirit
opened the heart of Lydia and that she eagerly listened to what Paul had to say
resulting in her and her household being baptised.
Our Second Reading, from
Revelation contains another vision – this time of a new city of Jerusalem
coming down from heaven. There is a beautiful description of the city and of
the river of the water of life flowing from it producing on either side of it the
Tree of Life.
I am reminded of that beautiful
window in one of our Clarendon Churches – West Grimstead – and if you haven’t
seen that window depicting the Tree of Life you must do so – a real treat. The
vision of Jerusalem in Revelation is a vision of Utopia. Everything is
beautiful and wholesome. The city provides its own light, not requiring the
reflective light of Sun or Moon. It’s a vision of a New Heaven and a New Earth
– something which we can all aspire to.
For me, the message form all of
these readings today is that we need to acknowledge and accept that all things
come from God and that we can only achieve what he wants us to achieve through
a belief in his word and Holy Spirit.
For many this is a difficult
concept but for those who truly believe, they look upon the world differently
to the non-believer. We cannot always
know precisely what God is asking us to do or who might be influenced by our
own ministry, just as Paul didn’t know that he was being called to Macedonia to
convert Lydia, but it does remind us that God does have a purpose for all of us
and, as for the prophets of the Old Testament, we have the Holy Spirit to
assist and guide us.
In preparing recent sermons, I
have been struck by the number of times in scripture the proclamation of the
Good News of Jesus Christ our Saviour has been given to people who seem less
appropriate – shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors and so on. For me this is so heartening – it suggests
that so long as we accept Christ and the Holy Spirit we are always going to be
well equipped for mission.
In coming weeks, as we reflect
upon the Ascension and Pentecost, let us think about how we can, individually
lead other people to Jesus and can ensure, through the Holy Spirit, that we
recall and keep Christ’s words.
Let us pray the prayer of St.
Theresa of Avila:
Christ has no body but
yours,
No hands,
no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are
the eyes with which he looks
Compassion
on this world,
Yours are
the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are
the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are
the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are
the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has
no body now but yours,
No hands,
no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are
the eyes with which he looks
compassion
on this world.
Christ has
no body now on earth but yours.
Amen
MFB/217/21052025
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