Sermon for the 8th of June - Feast of Pentecost

Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit

But Who is the Holy Spirit and what does the Spirit do?

1.    Who is the Holy Spirit?

Let’s look at the readings…..images used – rushing of wind, fire,

Others? Water, Oil, Dove,

Fire – brings light and warmth – light can guide our way, warmth

Water – sustains life – quenches thirst, washes us clean,

Wind – blows us in a direction, can mess things up!

Can you think of any times you’ve heard prayers for the Holy Spirit to come when in church?

-         Eucharistic prayer to consecrate the bread and the wine

-         Baptism, confirmation and ordination.

Going back to the reading from Acts – what happens when the Spirit comes?

Disciples are inspired to speak out – they go from hiding in a room to being brave and going out to share the good news about Jesus

They speak and people hear in their own language – the spirit breaks down barriers between people, such as language, culture – it allows all people to experience God in a way that is unique to them.

It is the Spirit of God that started the church, and the Spirit that works, in spite of its imperfections, to keep the church journeying on, making disciples, serving communities and speaking out on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.

2.    What does the Spirit do?

Jesus talks of Spirit as Advocate, God’s presence with us. The Spirit is our guide and helper on this journey – helping us up when we fall, bringing us back to the path when we go astray, nudging and prompting us to step into the truest and most authentic version of who we are.

Reminding us, at every step, that we are beloved children of God – that we matter, that we are seen…..and prompting us to help remind others of that as well.

Sometimes the Spirit helps us through a difficult time – gives us strength, helps us to be brave

Sometimes the Spirit gives us wisdom – helps us figure out the right path to take, the right choice to make

Sometimes the Spirit gives us peace – helps us to trust God, and not worry about things

Sometimes the Spirit gives us joy – helps us delight in creation, in beautiful music or art, in interesting people.

We are all different and as such, we will all experience God’s spirit differently.

For example, stillness/calm, peace, joy, understanding/knowing,

As we give the Spirit time and allow the Spirit in – we are slowly transformed. We may experience the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control), we may be set free from fear, from the need to compare ourselves to others, from selfishness, pride or conceit, we may experience the freedom to be truly ourselves – to be who God made us to be.

So today, as we celebrate Pentecost, let’s invite the Spirit to enter our lives more fully – let’s open ourselves up to be inspired, refreshed and renewed, so that as a church, we may shine a little more of God’s light and love into our communities and share a little more of God’s joy and peace with our world.