Acts 2:14a, 22-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23
What would you say if God had done something dramatic to you and your friends and a huge crowd had appeared from nowhere wondering what was going on? That was the situation for Peter and the others on the day of Pentecost. I know, if it was this congregation you’d expect me to do the talking. Fair enough, and Peter was their spokesman. But given such a situation what could I say? Peter’s message was right on the nail for his Jewish audience – for 3000 of them at least – but I’m sure it would miss a Kiwi audience today.
Peter said, “Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one God has made Lord and Messiah.”
We might say, “Jesus, whom you are ignoring, whom you want nothing to do with, whom you have written off as useless or non-existent, is the one God has put in charge of this world and through whom God will bring about the good future that the world is heading towards.” That good future is often referred to as salvation and is understood in many different ways by different people.
I’m sure you realise the world is a mess and you wish it were better. Whether you see yourself as helping to improve things you may be hoping someone will make a difference. There has to be some sort of salvation for this world or we’ll all go down in a screaming heap. We’re all in the same waka on a one-way trip to extermination. There has to be something, some sort of salvation.
Where are you looking for salvation? Who are you hoping will put things right in this world? Are you looking to a system – political, economic, social, ..? Are there people – some group or individual – who could set things right? This is election year and we have a number of people and parties promising us political salvation if we vote them in. Could it be John Key and the National Party? David Cunliffe and the Labour Party? Russell Norman and the Green Party? Winston Peters and New Zealand First? Kim Dotcom and the Intermananet Party? Fat chance of salvation from any of them, I reckon.
Maybe the legacy of Nelson Mandella could do it, if we all acted like he did. But of course we don’t. Many people thought that of Mahatma Ghandi but that never went anywhere. Don’t rich people have power? What about Bill Gates or Warren Buffett? They’re contributing to good causes. There are others, too. Several media stars are doing their bit. Theirs is not a big effect. Who will put the world right for you?
Or maybe you’re not going for the whole world, you’re just going for personal salvation. Do you believe you can achieve the ultimate yourself? (Whatever the ultimate is for you). Will you do it through lifestyle – diet and exercise? through fame? through fortune? Some other way? Is it working for you?
If it’s not working, and you haven’t completely given up; if you are ready to look for something more effective, then look no further than Jesus the Christ. Many look elsewhere first because they have the idea that Jesus’ way does not appear particularly glamorous. The stone the builders rejected has become the most important.
In fact, Jesus’ way tends to be the opposite or very different to what most people have in mind for life now and in the future. Jesus’ way doesn’t put us in leisure and luxury, or even comfort. Jesus’ way doesn’t put us up with the rich and the famous. Rather we get to hang out with poor and unknown people. Jesus’ way doesn’t make us rich or famous. We give that away to gain a life far more fun-filled and fulfilling.
This greater fulfillment comes through following Jesus, living his way, becoming like him and being involved in other people following him too. Following Jesus we have personal salvation and we are involved in changing the world for the better.
So I might say something like that. I believe that sort of thing should connect. I believe it should connect because there is so much fear in people today – fear of change, in particular fear that the world in changing for the worse and we really want it to change for the better but there’s little we can do about it.
So I might say something like that, but I don’t know exactly what I would say. I don’t mind not knowing because Jesus said the Spirit would give me the words when I need them. And he will do the same for you, too. And this works because of the very thing that changed the disciples and drew the crowd and guided Peter as he spoke – the Spirit of God was poured out upon his people. We, individually and collectively, have God’s Spirit living in us. A couple of things derive from this.
One is that we are part of Jesus’ work. You see, it is not simply to receive life that people are called to be Christians, but rather to give life. Jesus does not simply offer individuals personal bliss. Becoming followers of Jesus means enlisting for a mission – a mission as comprehensive as that of Jesus. As I said last week, the mission that Jesus left us with is to make disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples, spreading out across the world and on through time.
The other point is our experience of the presence of God in our lives. Having atained our personal salvation and become involved in changing the world, we find that gratitude to God for his generous love motivates us to want others to know and experience the love and fulfillment we know and experience. I would hope that our involvement in other people’s lives comes out of Christ’s involvement in our lives.
What would you say of your experience of God’s Spirit in your life? It can be quite profound, even heady. It can be stirring and exciting or peaceful and calm. Most of the time we have to be awake and attentive to the Spirit or we’re likely to miss what he’s doing and saying.
“If you want to experience the resurrection of Jesus Christ in your life, where you live, just get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other and head down the road. Follow the way. But please, go with a bit of imagination. Walk with the expectation of the possibility of surprise.” From William H. Willimon, Mediacom Preaching Resources, April 10 2005.
So, just before we go to Communion let’s consider this question:
What helps you recognise God’s presence in your life?
Here are some possible answers:
Spending time Alone with God,
Talking with a Trusted Spiritual Adviser,
Being Part of a Study Group,
Going to Church,
Communion,
Reading the Bible,
Music,
Getting Back to the Bush,
Other – add your own.
Now think about how God and you relate and how this relationship might be developed.