“The Church on Fire” – Acts 2:1-21 – May 31, 2009
These days when you attend a professional sporting event you will be in the midst of tens of thousands of people who are cheering, yelling, screaming and clapping for their favorite team. From the cheerleaders on the sidelines to the charismatic announcer, there is a tremendous amount of energy being displayed. If you attend a child’s soccer match you will also witness boys and girls with amazing energy. Perhaps you’re not into sports. Then watch a rock concert or new film release and observe the tremendous passion people have.
I have observed human energy in a variety of settings. When I do, I always wonder to myself, “How can I transfer some of that energy to the church?” Why are people so passionate about sports, music and entertainment but not the church?
One time I was in the Ohio State University stadium for a football game. I watched as thousands of people made their way into the stadium. The noise level got louder and louder. Soon all you could see was a sea of red shirts. Suddenly the announcer came on and announced that the band was entering the stadium. The sound of the drums was electrifying as the band marched onto the field. Everyone stood up and the crowd shouted and clapped their hands. When the football team appeared there was a roar. The sound was deafening. I have never seen so much energy in one place.
The day of Pentecost was a day of inspiration that motivated the disciples into action. They had been taught, nurtured and commissioned to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and continue his ministry. Pentecost was the event that served as the ignition switch that gave them the power to proceed. It propelled them into the world to preach the good news, do good works and follow the will of God.
How can we rekindle that Pentecost spirit? What will it take to inspire people to be passionate about their faith?
To fully understand what happened at Pentecost you have to read the previous chapter. There were several steps that had to take place that set the stage for the spirit to come. First, all the disciples, Mary, Jesus’ brothers and a few devoted women were huddled in a meeting room, praying and studying the scriptures together. They were unified in their effort to carry on the ministry of Jesus.
Simply being together isn’t enough however. There has to be a genuine attitude of appreciation for the others we are with. That means being inclusive and loving one another unconditionally. Remember, the women were included in the gathering. This was not a men’s club, nor was it restrictive to people like themselves. At Pentecost there were both Gentiles and Jews gathered together.
For me, prayer means surrendering to the will of God. In order for the spirit of God to enter into their midst the disciples prepared themselves by allowing God to lead them. That meant they would not be the ones in control. In our society we are taught to be self-sufficient. Surrendering is seen as a sign of weakness rather than a sign of strength. Through prayer, we open ourselves up to what God wants for our lives.
Secondly, they had to make a decision. Judas was no longer part of their community. It was essential that another disciple take his place. There were two candidates who had been with them the entire time since the baptism of John. They were Matthias and Justus. They voted and Matthias was selected.
Perhaps it seems a rather simple thing. But, making the decision to fill the vacancy left by Judas was about the same as selecting a candidate for the Supreme Court. We all know what a lengthy and drawn out process that could be.
The disciples decided. Often times the spirit of God is kept at bay because we cannot make up our minds. Perhaps you are on the fence about some issue, or can’t decide between two options. Until you do, you are stuck. For the disciples, having to choose a replacement disciple was like putting the young church at a fork in a road. They could not move forward until such a decision was made.
There was a fellow who came to Mark Twain’s house twice every day trying to sell him fish. But, Mark Twain kept saying, “No thank you.” Finally, he felt that the man’s persistence ought to be rewarded. He said to his wife, “I am going to buy a fish from that man,” which he did. When the fish was prepared for lunch is was found to be highly unsatisfactory. When the peddler passed by a few days later Mark Twain shouted at him, “Look here, that fish wasn’t fit to eat. It was too old.” The peddler turned calmly to him and said, “Well, it wasn’t my fault. I gave you two chances every day this week to buy that fish and you were foolish enough to wait until it was spoiled, so don’t blame me.”
All too often we need to make some important decision but we procrastinate. We never have the courage to decide. Consequently we have made a decision. It’s called the non-decision. That means we do nothing and therefore we are stuck. Therefore the Spirit has no room to enter. We have not created any open space.
Third, we need to realize that Pentecost was a celebration of the “Festival of First Fruits.” This was a time of thanksgiving and gratitude. It was like the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas all combined into one. At Pentecost the people were grateful to God for the first fruits of the harvest. When we are grateful to God for all that God does for us we open ourselves to the power of God’s Spirit.
One of the leading authorities on marriage and family relationships is Gary Smalley. Smalley says that one of the biggest obstacles to a good relationship is those whose spirits are closed to one another because they lack gratitude for their significant other. Rather than be thankful they are angry, argumentative, take them for granted or ignore their needs.
When we are grateful toward those we love we are forgiving, understanding, patient and willing to listen. It’s the same way with the Holy Spirit. By being grateful to God for our lives and all that God has given us we open ourselves to the power of the Spirit.
Perhaps the reason churches are struggling in these days is because we are too consumed with what we don’t have, instead of being grateful for what we do have.
We open ourselves to Spirit of God when we pray and study the scriptures. We prepare ourselves for the Spirit to move us when we make decisions, thus freeing us up for newness and creativity. Most importantly, it is an attitude of gratitude that will set the church on fire.
Dr. Keith Wagner