Sober Prophets - Pentecost 2012

Acts 2:1-21  (note: much of the framework and general ideas for this sermon were inspired by Tom Long's sermon: http://day1.org/3822-whats_the_gift)


I'm a bad gift giver and receiver.
Watch (stumble over someone giving me a gift)

See, how awkward I am receiving a gift.

And then, giving – watch (I really wanted to get you something in mexico, but I couldn’t find the perfect gift…sorry.  Here’s a sucker.)

My handicap for giving and receiving gifts doesn’t help my marriage….

I don’t know how well it helps me in my Christian walk either.  
And I reminded of this each Pentecost.
Pentecost – is the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the church.

And if I’m awkward about receiving a regular gift like a new shirt from my mother in law, how awkward am I about receiving the gift of the holy Spirit?

Uhh, thanks God…what do I do now???

And I’m not the only one who has some uncertainty and awkwardness when it comes to the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The church has never really known exactly what to make of the Holy Spirit

The evangelist John describes the Spirit as wind that blows where it will...
Then later as a counselor (14:16) and then an Advocate 14:26),

At Jesus’ baptism the spirit descends like a dove.
And at Pentecost the Spirit descends as tongues of fire.

The Creed we recited earlier called the Apostle’s creed, written in the 6th century, says a few thing about God the Father, and about Jesus the Son;
but what did it say about the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Ghost….
“And that’s all I have to say about that...”

We have yet to even dare assign any gender to the Spirit...
and I have heard people refer to the Spirit as an it!!  

Is the gift of the spirit speaking in tongues?
Have you ever sensed you were being led by the spirit?
What is baptism in the Holy Spirit?
What does it mean to be filled with the holy Spirit?
Something we just prayed would happen to Emma when she was baptized.

The church seems a little awkward when it comes to this gift of the holy spirit.  

Still we dress in colors of the flame and celebrate Pentecost, the gift of the Spirit and the birth of the church.

Day 7 - Chill...Be still and Know That I am God

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42;
Genesis 2:1-3

Theme: Stillness and Rest.
Prayer:

Thanks be to Thee, O God, that I have risen today,
To the rising of this life itself;
May it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift,
And to the glory of my soul likewise.

O great God, aid Thou my soul
With the aiding of Thine own mercy;
Even as I clothe my body with wool,
Cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,
And the source of every sin to forsake;
And as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills,
May each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.


On Day 7 God Rested.
On Day 7 God Rested.

Sounds like a pretty good idea.  
Could any of you use some rest?

What do you envision when you think of God resting?

A day on the golf course?
Did it include a morning in church?
Maybe God went to one of any of the recently created beach shores?
Back then there would have been no developments, no vendors, just pure sand, silent breezes, and crashing waves.
What picture do you have of God resting?

Rain Parrish - May you Rest in Peace

A funeral eulogy for a Navajo artist and advocate.