Pastor Jim Kniseley presented this sermon at Resurrection on Pentecost
Sunday, June 12, 2011. The sermon is
based on the lessons for the day: Acts 2:1-21, I Corinthians 12:3b-13 and
John 20:19-23.
Dear Friends in Christ,
At Pentecost we think
more about the Holy Spirit than usual.
The images that are before us are the tongues of fire, wind, the dove,
and the vivid color red. But the image
of the Holy Spirit that I like best is the one we just heard in today’s gospel
reading. On the evening of Easter, Jesus
appears to the disciples and lets them know he is alive and they need not
fear. And he “breathed on them and said,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” Just think
what that means: The Holy Spirit is the
Breath of Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus.
On Friday I visited
with Iris Yohe. She recently celebrated
her 97th birthday. Iris asked me how I felt about Jesus. I confessed
to her that Jesus is my favorite part of the Trinity and when I pray I envision
that I am praying to Jesus. Iris told me
how glad she was to hear that since she does the same thing. We agreed that you can have a personal relationship with Jesus,
that’s why God came to earth in the form of Jesus. To receive the breath and spirit of Jesus is
a very special thing. Today I hope
you’ll take the time to read the faith statements of our confirmands. Each is responding to the question: “Why is
Jesus Christ Important in My Life?”
Today in the liturgy
for confirmation, I will be doing something that is awesome and humbling. I will be laying my hands on the head of each
confirmand and giving them a blessing that begins with the words “Stir up the
gift of your Holy Spirit.” The Spirit of
Jesus that he passed to the disciples has been passed on through his church these
past 2,000 years. The Spirit comes in
many and various ways, but we believe that it especially comes at this point in
the worship service. I remember vividly
the laying on of hands by numerous pastors at my service of ordination. What happens today continues that special
practice in the church that was begun by Jesus.
What is the purpose of
receiving the Holy Spirit? Why is it
important for us at Resurrection to know about and receive this Spirit? Paul’s letter to the Corinthians helps us answer
those questions. “To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Here’s
God’s plan for the Church: every one of us has gifts, talents and abilities
that have been given to us by God. Paul says it this way: “Now there are varieties
of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are varieties of services, but the same
Lord; and there are varieties of activities, by it is the same God who
activates all of them in everyone.”
What are the gifts
mentioned in scripture that are given to the Church? By my reading, there are at least 28 gifts
mentioned, including faith, teaching,
healing, hospitality, evangelism, discernment, preaching, administration and
being merciful. Today in this
congregation we are asked to indicate how we each will use our God-given gifts
for the common good, for the building up of ministry. You have the Witness and Service Forms in
your bulletins. Please complete them and
put them in the offering plate.
I am thinking now of
how some of you have offered your gifts this past week for supporting our
ministry here at Resurrection. On Monday
morning Linda DuVall volunteered in the church office and did her usual
ministry of putting into the computer all the information
you provide on our “For the Record” inserts.
On Tuesday evening we had an Endowment Committee Meeting and Sheldon
Edner agreed to create 2 memorial book stands for our narthex. On Wednesday Mike and Amy Stillson participated in Chancel Choir rehearsal as
they do every Wednesday evening. On
Thursday Jack Morisak used the copy machine to run off our worship bulletins,
as he does every Thursday morning. On
Friday one of you did lots of grass mowing here at church (and I don’t know who
did it!). Yesterday Sam Sigler cleaned
the carpets here at church as his gift.
Today our confirmands stand here in part because of Eric Carlson who
personally wrote the curriculum for this past year’s classes.
Here’s a truth: every
gift of the Holy Spirit is present here at Resurrection in our members. I invite you today to share those gifts, as
the Lord has asked of us.
Here’s something else
for every one of us who love the Lord and love Resurrection Lutheran
Church: This summer please be at worship every Sunday! You will be challenged by seemingly good
reasons to not be here. I certainly
understand if you are out of town. When
you are in town, please be here to worship.
Why is this
important? A fuller church is more
inspiring, both for worshippers and for those of us who lead worship. It is also a sign of commitment and support
of the members. Do you know that if just
50% of our members were here at worship on Sundays, we would over 200 here
every Sunday? Another good reason for
good attendance is for the sake of our Guests and Visitors. Summer is the time when folks visit and shop
for a church home. Let’s put our best
foot forward by being here personally and by inviting family and friends.
Finally, if those
practical reasons aren’t sufficient, let’s become theological. The chief purpose for which we were created
is to worship God. God asks us to set
aside one day of the week for this purpose.
Do you remember that in the 10 commandments, after God declares who he
is and how we are to regard him (I am the Lord your God, you shall have no
other gods before me), God begins his list of expectations of us: Remember the
Sabbath Day and keep it holy.
Our confirmands have
been instructed in the faith and raised in the Church. Previously they attended worship because of
their parent’s expectations. Now begins
a new day. Your reason for attending
worship depend on your relationship with the Lord and your desire to support us
your church family.
This day may the
Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, come into the hearts and minds and souls of
every one of us.
Amen!