Sermon for Pentecost Sunday, 19.05.2024
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
In John 16:7-11, Jesus said, 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Let us pray: Lord, sanctify us in the truth; your Word is Truth. Amen.
Proved in the wrong
Have you ever met, or have as a friend a person who just can't be proven to be wrong? And I don't mean that they have memorized the Encyclopedia Britannica and are consequently a fountain of all knowledge. What I mean is, do you now someone who persists in a belief that is undeniably wrong, that is, empirically incorrect? My parents had a family friend like that! Despite is obtuseness on this one matter, he was a very good friend to have. He was generous, kind, witty and intelligent, but at one point his intelligence let him down. He had got it into his head, and couldn't be swayed otherwise from his belief that a car that is rated to consume 10L/100kms is a more fuel efficient, and therefore better car to own, than a car that is rated to consume 9L/100kms. You see, using the older system of miles per gallon, having a higher number is always better, because you get further down the road using the same amount of fuel. 30 miles to the gallon is better than 25 miles. But using the liters per 100kms system to measure fuel consumption really confused our friend. He truly believed that because 10 is greater than 9, that 10L/100kms is the better of the two fuel consumption figures. Because of his entrenched way of thinking about fuel consumption, my friend couldn't believe that any number lower than 10 is in fact better.
In our Gospel text, which is set on Maundy Thursday, Jesus is teaching the disciples for what purpose he must return to the Father - through death, resurrection and his ascension. The purpose of his ascension is that Father and Son may send the promised Holy Spirit. And he continues to teach them about what three things the Holy Spirit will do from the day of Pentecost until his return at the Last Day. He teaches that the Holy Spirit will prove the unbelieving world to be in the wrong about three things:
Firstly, through the preaching of the apostles, and subsequently through the truth-filled preaching of the prophetic and apostolic Word, that is, the Bible, the Holy Spirit will convict the unbeliever of their sin and that if they persist in the false belief that they are not sinners, that they will have no excuse. Jesus teaches that he does not presently judge those who do not believe in him. He says, "For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day" (Jn 12:47b-48).
When a person witnessed a miracle performed by the apostles in the name of Christ, and thus by the power of the Holy Spirit, but they still refused to believe, in doing this they proved themselves to be guilty of the worst of all sins, and thus brought condemnation upon themselves.
Jesus taught that up to that point in time, that since he was regarded as merely the son of a carpenter and a lowborn mother, that even though he performed miracles which many people had witnessed, that he has forgiven those who doubted. But he goes on to teach that when he returns to the Father and sends the Holy Spirit and power, and miracles are performed through the mouth and hands of the apostles, from that point in time there will no longer be forgiveness granted to those who have witnessed them but have not believed. In other words, he who is a witness to the work of the Holy Spirit in word and deed yet refuses to believe, he is the one who will have no excuse on the Last Day.
Those assembled in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost who heard the message of salvation were cut to the heart, that is, they were proved to be in the wrong, and they responded, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And what did they do? They repented and believed and were baptised. We learn that about three thousand were added to the church that day (Acts 2:22-41).
Secondly, through the preaching of the apostolic Word, then and now, the Holy Spirit will make it clear that Jesus Christ is righteous. The Roman Centurion at the foot of the cross praised God saying, "Surely this was a righteous man" (Lk 23:47). Jesus is the Holy One of God, as even the demons confessed to be the truth.
Jesus' ascension to sit at the right hand of God would also prove that he was the Righteous One. St Paul spoke of Jesus as the righteous Judge who after his reign of grace, will return to judge and living and the dead and give a crown of righteousness to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). In his first letter St John also confesses that Jesus Christ is the Righteous One who speaks in our defence when we sin (1 Jn 2:1; 1 Jn 3:7).
To the Jew who refused to believe that Jesus was the Righteous One sent from the Father, the Ascension was the proof that would prove him in the wrong. Jesus foreknew that the Jews would execute him as a criminal, blasphemer, and adversary of God. But Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would show their accusations to be false, and that they were in fact the one's blaspheming God. For if it was true that Jesus stood in opposition to God then why would the Father deem him worthy of eternal honour by "seating him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" (Eph 1:20-21)?
And thirdly, through the preaching of the apostolic Word, then and now, the Holy Spirit would prove the world wrong concerning judgment. Jesus had earlier said, "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me" (Jn 14:30-31).The Holy Spirit would reveal that through Jesus' death and resurrection that he has judged, condemned and defeated the ruler of this world, that is, the Devil. The unbelieving number of Jews, whose father was the Devil himself (Jn 8:44), had claimed that Jesus was possessed by a demon (Jn 8:48-52; 10:20). They had accused him of working his miracles by the power of Beelzebub (Mt 12:24), and they said the Jesus was deceiving the people (Jn 7:12). But in our Gospel text, the Lord rebukes unbelief and warns that when the Holy Spirit comes, the people's accusations will again be proved to be in the wrong on account of his death and resurrection. For in his death and resurrection, Jesus proved that he is a stranger to sin and mightier than the devil. Through the preaching of the apostolic Word, then and now, the Holy Spirit reveals that Jesus was sinless and righteous, that he really was "the lamb without defect" and "the Righteous One"?
With the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, a believer in Christ could spit upon the Devil and trample him under their feet. Once upon a time in Church History, this third teaching of Jesus, that 'the prince of this world now stands condemned,' was demonstrated in a very physical way in Church services.
For in the pre-baptismal teaching of the church, a catechumen, that is, he who was learning all that was revealed in the Scriptures about Jesus Christ, would at one or more points in their journey towards baptism, be asked by the priest to turn around and face westward with his back to the altar and "to blow and spit upon" Satan. Then upon the priest's instruction, the catechumen would proceed to the opened door of the church and blow and spit outside at the defeated and condemned prince of this world. This pre-baptismal practice demonstrated the truth of the triumph of Christ over the Devil. This pre-baptismal practice showed believers and unbelievers alike, that the prince of this world was already judged and condemned by Jesus' resurrection and ascension. Because God gave you the Holy Spirit at baptism, there is no condemnation for you either, because you are baptised into the death and resurrection of God's Son.
Because the Holy Spirit's main work is to bring people to faith through the preaching of the apostolic Word, then as it still is today, as "he calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith" it is not his priority to condemn unbelievers, but rather to save them by giving the gift of faith. The Holy Spirit makes believers out of unbelievers by those three things our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about in our Gospel text. The Holy Spirit brings people to faith:
1. through the revelation of their sin of unbelief,
2. through the revelation that Jesus is their Righteous Lord
3. and through the revelation that the prince of this world now stands condemned.
The Holy Spirit has been called the shy member of the Holy Trinity. He is called shy because he is always pointing away from himself. He always points away from himself to direct people to Christ. That is his primary purpose and goal: to point to Jesus alone. And no one can call Jesus Lord, except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3b).
So at the sending of the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus, then and now teaches that the "world will be proved wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because people do not believe in [Jesus Christ as the Messiah]"; 10about righteousness, because Jesus [returns] to the Father, where you can see [him] no longer; 11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
And the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Sermon for Pentecost Sunday
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Advantage Receiver.
Brothers and sisters: Come with me to the closing stages of the fifth set of the final at the Australian Open. Rod Laver Arena is awash with spectators. It's a "Clash of the Titans," Rafael Nadal v. Roger Federer. The sellout crowd has been cheering on their champions for the past four and a half hours. Federer took the first two sets 7-6, 6-4, but Nadal fought back and won the 3rd and 4th sets 7-5, 6-4. The Fed Express' punishing forehand was dominate early, but being two sets to love down, Nadal changed his strategy and counteracted with brutal backhand winners on both sides of his opponents court. It's now "5 all" in the fifth and final set. You can tell in the commentator's voice that this clash could go either way. The two living legends are going at it 'hammer and tong' trying to wear each other out. In each point Federer has been making Nadal run a mile to chase down the ball, but Nadal, with the speed of a whippet and the stamina of a draft-horse, has kept pace.
Fifth Set, Game 11: Federer pushed Nadal to the limit and held serve. The score is now 6-5 in Federer's favour. Nadal steps up to the base-line. He goes through his routine. Bounces the ball three times, adjusts his shirt, wipes his brow, pulls his undies out of his backside, bounces the ball a further three times, throws the ball into the air, arches his back like a cobra and launches all the power he can muster through his arm generating massive racquet head speed. Ace down the centre! 15-love!
Nadal moves to the Ad-side. The same routine: bounce, adjust, wipe, pull, bounce again, serve. Wallop! Ace out wide! 30-love. The atmosphere is soaked with sweat. Both players go for their towels. Nadal lines up for his next serve, same routine, Bang! Federer gets a good piece of it in return. Nadal replies with a topspin forehand down the line. Federer stabs cross court in defence, but the ball catches the rim of his racquet spearing the ball out of court. 40-love.
Federer lets some Swiss fly, admonishing himself. If he loses the next point, his opponent will level the score at 6-all. He has to dig deep. Nadal serves. Crack! The ball collides low on the net-tape. The pressure builds. Taking some pace out, Nadal cautiously curls in his next serve. Federer waits, then pounces like a cat on a mouse, sending the ball straight past the flat-footed Nadal landing just inside the baseline. Federer's fans go up as one! 40-15. With a pregnant pause they each nod to a ball boy for the towel. Nadal serves a fast one at the body. Federer steps back and catches most of the ball looping it high back across the net. Nadal anticipates well, runs in and swipes with too much ferocity, sending the ball a metre wide. "Out!" screams the linesperson. The crowd groans and a belated applause follows in its wake. 40-30. Nadal now feels like an elephant is pressing down on his chest. Federer in his untainted coolness, stares with glassy eyes at his opponent.
Back to the baseline. Nadal serves a forceful one into the corner, Federer leaps across, no time for backswing, chunks it back over the net, making Nadal run cross court. With a beautiful backhand Nadal spins it back cross court. Federer replies with a mean forehand, then to-and-fro, each with some solid shots. Then a slight mistiming forces a short ball from Federer; Nadal sees it early and lines it up, cracking it down the line. It curves, but not enough and misses the outside of the line buy a whisker.
"Out!" cries the linesperson.
"Deuce," says the Umpire with reverent gravity.
Everyone is now leaning forward, tilting on the edge of their seats. Faces are wiped, sweaty shirts and shorts are rearranged. With a bounce, adjust, wipe, pull, bounce again, Nadal serves. "Crack!" goes the net-tape sending the ball back on his side. Towels are ordered, faces are wiped, clothing rearranged. Federer twists his racquet in his hands. Nadal sends his second serve down the centre line making Federer chip his return into the back court. As Federer moves into the net, Nadal sizes up a passing shot. A solid forehand is whipped cross-court, Federer steps once and leaps forward. Thud! He nails a beautiful backhand volley cross-court. Nadal sprints and dives, only to thrust the ball into the sponsor's signage. The crowd erupts.
Amid the frantic noise, a composed voice comes over the P.A. "Advantage Federer." Since Federer was receiving serve, the Umpire could have said, "Advantage Receiver." And on the smaller stage, that is what is said at social tennis matches, "Advantage Receiver."
In John 16:7, on the night in which he was betrayed, we hear Jesus tell his disciples, 'Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you (ESV).'
"Advantage Receiver." It could be said that Jesus first coined this term, long before we could apply a tennis match analogy to it. Both the English Standard Version and the Revised Standard Version translate the Greek word sumferei SUM-PHER-AY as 'advantage'. Other Bible translators employ the English: 'good,' 'better,' 'best,' and 'benefit'; as in; it is 'good' for you; it is 'better' for you; it is 'best' for you; it is 'to your benefit' that I go away...
But to my mind, the word 'advantage' suits the best. Well, it suits my choice of analogy best! But seriously, when it comes to matters of eternal life in God's glory or eternal condemnation in the agonies of hell, I suggest that having 'The Advantage' is a most consoling and empowering way to receive Jesus' teaching about his departure and the sending of the life-giving Spirit. For it is to your eternal advantage that the Holy Spirit is gifted to you now in the present, for how else can the forgiveness of sins which is life and salvation be yours? To Luther: "We confess that by our own understanding we can't believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord. We confess that by our own strength we can't come to him." For without the giving of the Holy Spirit, all people everywhere would always be on the back-foot, relying on their own power, the own prowess, their own strength and efforts, to stay in the game, as it were. So it is to your eternal advantage, that in the hearing of the Word, that the Holy Spirit calls you and leads you to faith in Christ, just as he did to those people on the first Day of Pentecost. In this respect, Christians are truly the most "Advantaged" people. And because the promise of the sending of the Holy Spirit is also intimately connected to Jesus' Ascension, we can also say that Christians truly have 'The Ascendancy' when it comes to the battle against our true opponents: the flesh, the world, and the devil. For Jesus' death on the cross overcomes all opposition that stands in the way of final victory.
In our sporting analogy, the chair umpire declares: Advantage Receiver.
But in your life that is hidden with Christ in God, the Judge Eternal who sits on the throne of heaven, also declares: Advantage Receiver, and he does that throughout the battle.
And here's a summary of the Christian's Advantage:
Holy Baptism - the washing away of sin, rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit, the bestowal of the seed of faith
Holy Communion - the forgiveness of sins, strengthening and preservation of body and soul to life eternal
Conversation and Consolation with the Gospel - the joy of Christian fellowship
Absolution (Individual & Corporate) - the peace and knowledge that you have been reconciled with God the Father through Christ Jesus
The Gifts of the Spirit - "Leadership: encouraging and helping others to build the kingdom of God (Romans 12:8 NIV); Administration: helping with long term goals and remaining on task ( 1 Cor. 12:28 NIV); Teaching: instructing in truths and doctrines of God’s Word; Knowledge: teaching and discipleship. The ability to learn, know and explain God’s Word; Wisdom: the ability to discern works of the Holy Spirit and apply teaching and actions; Prophecy: proclaiming the Word of God with boldness (Romans 12:6 NIV); Discernment: being able to recognize the truth about a situation; Exhortation: people with this gift are enthusiastic about the Lord and they can motivate others; Shepherding: looking out for the spiritual welfare of others; Faith: trusting God to fulfil His plan. (People with this gift are encouragers); Evangelism: the building up of the church so others will be led to Christ; Service/Helps: helping those in need of practical assistance (Romans 12:7 NIV); Mercy: The person with this gift shows acts of compassion; Giving: People with this gift will give freely and with joy to further His kingdom; Hospitality: Making people feel welcome, appreciated, and wanted (1 Peter 4:9 NIV) (Sourced from: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/a-comprehensive-spiritual-gifts-list-to-discover-your-gifts-and-calling.html)
The Fruit of the Spirit - 'love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control' (Gal 5:22-23).
We left Federer and Nadal on the tennis court when the Umpire announced, "Advantage Receiver." Your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ again says to you today, "Advantage Receiver." The Holy Spirit is your advantage in life and in death. In a world that wishes to thrust loss and defeat at you, day-in and day-out, remember that it is to your advantage that Jesus returned to the Father so that the Helper would be sent, come Pentecost.
Did Federer go on to win the next point and win the Australian Open final against Rapha? In one respect I have to leave you in that tension; working out your salvation with fear and trembling (2 Cor 7:15; Philip 2:12), rightly understood, as it applies to the ongoing spiritual battle of your sanctification. As we take that epic journey, and examine ourselves in the light of our calling into the congregation, into the body of Christ, we can ask ourselves: "Have I been negligent in relying on the advantage of the Spirited means of grace? Have I thought, spoken or acted like 'The Opponent' has the advantage over my conduct?" If so, you also have the advantage of confessing your sins and receiving forgiveness in Jesus' name, and coming to the Altar Rail to be filled up again with the knowledge of the Advantage: the Ascendancy and final victory over death in Christ the Victor alone.
For in this season of grace, that is, the life of the church, we are still living between points: the point of Pentecost and the point of the Last Day. But in the knowledge of Christ's Resurrection & Ascension, and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit, you can joyfully and eagerly anticipate the announcement of Game, Set & Match. For that is what we all pray for in the petition, "Your kingdom come." We pray for the hastening of that Day; of the trumpeted Last Day announcement of the establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom of glory.
The victory is Christ's and we have done and can do nothing to contribute to it - not even at one point: not the first that steadies the nerves, and not the last that secures the game! That's where the tennis match analogy fails us! But at work, rest and play, by faith, we are always on the receiving end of everything Christ has won for us. So when it comes to sharing in the victory of eternal life in Christ Jesus, what we can certainly put our confidence in, is the very same that sets up victory on court: the "Receiver's Advantage."
The gift of the Holy Spirit, given to you freely by the grace of God, is your advantage for life, now and into all eternity. In Christ Jesus, the victory is yours for the taking!
And the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.