The Spirit is Here – Pentecost Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iVo_sdEZMI
Well, hello there. Today is Pentecost, which is the name that we use to describe an important event that happened in history. You can read about it in the Bible in the book of Acts chapter 2. It's the day when we remember when the Holy Spirit came rushing like wind, resting like fire, speaking through people in every language. It was unexpected. It was unexplainable. And it changed everything. The spirit came just as Jesus had promised to comfort and to empower and to send us out with love. And the amazing thing is that same
spirit is still at work today. And maybe you feel like you are in a season of waiting just like Jesus's followers were on that day because the scriptures say that they were all gathered together. Why? Because they were waiting for what Jesus had promised. See, before he ascended, Jesus had promised that he would send them a helper. And so, they were waiting for this promise, gathered together, waiting. And maybe you feel like you're in a season of waiting, you know, waiting for clarity or waiting for
strength, waiting for connection, for peace, maybe waiting for a relational rupture to be restored. So much of our lives is spent waiting. And Pentecost reminds us God keeps promises. And even in the waiting, God is present and God is moving. Pentecost also reminds us that the spirit gives us power. Not the kind of power the world gives us, but a quiet, strong, sustaining kind of power. Because the people on that day were given power to do the impossible. They were given the power to speak in languages that they did not otherwise
know. And that same spirit that gave them the power to do what was otherwise impossible is here right now to give us the power to do what is otherwise impossible. So the spirit will give you power to forgive someone who's wronged you. The power to show up when you want to retreat and hide. The power to be patient when you're at the end of your rope. And the power to love beyond your own strength. Because it's not by your effort. It's by God's spirit. It's not by trying harder, but by surrendering to
a higher power. It's really about letting God live through you. And what's the purpose of all this? What's the purpose of Pentecost? It's always been love. The spirit came so that everyone, no matter who they are, might hear, might know, might be welcomed into the wide embrace of God. And so today on this birthday of the church, we remember God is still speaking. The spirit is still moving. And the story, your story isn't over yet. And so together, we just say, "Come, Holy Spirit. Come to the disconnected parts of me and breathe
your life again today." We pray. Amen.