Readings:
Sermon:
In the Gospel reading today, Philip is seeking reassurance that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Philip is desperate to get closer to God, and is looking for evidence to support his faith.
In our sharing the Gospel, it is tempting to think that, had Jesus not ascended to heaven, his divine status would be unquestionable. Surely, everyone would believe. Were that the case though, our relationship with Jesus would be quite different. It is clearly not what God has in mind for us. If Jesus were walking the earth today, as he did 2000 years ago, I doubt very much we would have an ‘Abba - child’ relationship such as Paul describes in the Epistle. So that Father-Child relationship is clearly important.
The way we see and experience the divine has a great impact on what and how we believe. We are used to truth being established by way of evidence. Courtrooms and science laboratories, even journalists (mostly) rely on establishing truth by gathering evidence. But as much as we see the evidence, we also see its limitations. Different people will describe the same event differently. Stories become confused. One wonders what can be believed.
You might want to lay some blame at the feet of the builders of the tower of Babel. The scattering of humanity, and the diversification of culture and language, means that we all have different perspectives; differing understandings of truth. As we try to share the Good News of Jesus in the world, we encounter countless stories, experiences and ideas about the divine. Some people will demand evidence of God, and others will share miraculous stories.
If I may, I’d like to share a personal story with you. I think it was in 2004, and I was attending the Anglo-Catholic Renewal Conference (now called On-Fire Mission). In one session we were praying, and clearly, above the noise of everyone, one person’s voice was heard, speaking words from a language I didn’t understand. Everyone stopped to listen. It was a moment of wonder. The worship leader asked us to pray for an interpretation, and after a few moments someone started to call out. There is great power in the charismatic movements of the church, but also great temptation. The interpretation called out was, shall we say, ‘generic’, offered by a well-meaning disciple, but ultimately a false prophet; and we soon knew this because at the conference were some overseas missionaries.
One of those missionaries had worked in Papua New Guinea, and was able to explain that the words we had heard were not a divine tongue at all, but they were words in the language of a tribe with whom they had been working. A translation was given which was undoubtedly a message from God. Of course, there is no evidence I can give you about this incident. It was not recorded in any way. There is only my word, and that of the other 200 or so attendees, that God spoke that day, using a tongue which only one of us knew.
I expect this is the case for so many of God’s miracles. We cannot reproduce them for the atheists or the scientists. In describing divine events, words often prove inadequate. Wind and fire are hardly alike, but that is how the apostles chose to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit. Large numbers of people saw what was going on that day, and were sufficiently convinced to change their lives, perhaps reminded of Jesus’ teaching, they chose to be baptised.
Often, the only evidence of the miracle, is the change such an experience brings in the life of the believer. The apparently inexplicable is an fearsome thing, to be reflected upon throughout the believer’s life; but unbelievers, their world view challenged by the eye-witness evidence, will try to explain it away, or ridicule the one who experienced it. Remember that the apostles were accused of being drunk.
God wants us to have the closest possible relationship. Not simply ‘omnipotent deity-adoring believer’, but ‘Father-Child’. God doesn’t want us to be afraid, but understands, that we might find a close relationship, with an infinitely powerful spiritual entity, just a little bit intimidating. God’s offer is a relationship based on truth and peace. Truth comes, not on the say-so of others, but from firsthand engagement with God. Peace comes with trust and by relinquishing fear.
If you have had a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit, your testimony may not be the evidence that will convince anyone else - but that doesn’t matter. If they mock, pay no attention. Give thanks for the closeness of your relationship with God.
If you have never had such an experience, please believe me when I say that Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit is nothing to be afraid of. It is simply God’s way of getting so close, that your heart feels like it is on fire; and your body feels as if it is being blown along effortlessly with the breeze; and your tongue is suddenly free to express your love for God, in whichever language comes along first; and inexplicably you find you have gifts and passions and a calling which brings new purpose to life. In your heart and mind it is real, it is true, and it brings peace.
The Spirit comes when you are fully open to God, and trust completely.
Let the change in you, from a close relationship with your heavenly Father, speak for itself.
Questions:
- If you are able to, share your experiences of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.
- Unbelievers are not likely to believe stories of divine encounters, which they haven’t experienced first hand; so what can you point to which might help an unbeliever to either question their godless world view, or be more open to engaging with God?
- What positive and grace-filled response might you give to someone who mocks your testimony?
- Pray together, that the Holy Spirit comes afresh to your fellowship this Pentecost, releasing you in mission and evangelism, strengthening your faith, and empowering your ministries. Don’t forget to listen carefully for what the Spirit is saying to your church.