Dearly beloved,
This sermon is most meaningful today because it accompanies what the church always longs for.....baptisms and confirmations. This week I have baptized six adults. This is almost unheard of in this day and age. What is going on? What is happening here at Trinity? But there is more...there are seven people being confirmed, who will be eating and drinking Christ’s body and blood in the sacrament today. What is going on here at Trinity? What is more is that this all takes place on the Feast of Pentecost when the church celebrates the Lord’s bestowal of the Holy Spirit. What is God telling us? Jesus is telling us that He does His good and gracious work always. I want to explain to you why these blessings today are so amazing. The age group from the late 30’s downward are what we call “post-modern.” This means a lot of things, but let me highlight a few aspects of the worldview. Post-moderns are less likely to describe themselves as religious. Post-moderns believe in a god, but feel very comfortable to explore other religions. Christianity is quickly losing its ground as the dominant religion in America. This same mindset is also less interested in absolute truth--that there is one truth. Post-moderns are more inclined to create their own spirituality rather than take one religion complete and in a package. Post-moderns typically are favorable to Jesus but they don’t like the perception they have of Christianity. In other words, post-moderns may be a follower of Jesus, while not wanting to be called Christian. There is way more to this, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are also a lot of factors which have led to this, namely the computer revolution. It isn’t going to go away, either. Post-modern culture is going to manifest itself more and more. This is why it is all the more amazing that six adults have been baptized and seven are to take the sacrament for the first time. Pentecost.....what does it mean for the church? It means that the Lord uses pastors to preach the word, baptize and administer the sacraments. Pentecost is about the Holy Spirit coming in the Word of God, in Holy Baptism, and in the Lord’s Supper. Pentecost has the Holy Spirit being poured out and Jesus entering people. Jesus comes inside of you and takes residence. Christ’s indwelling among you is His love for you from the cross pouring out over you. But to get back to the post-modern culture that the church will have to work with is where we meet our problem. Christians don’t often put the best foot forward. While we are saint and sinner at the same time, the unbeliever often sees the worst side of us. While our intentions are good, the sinner side usually comes out in full array. The younger generations have a perception of Christianity that is unfavorable. Most often the conclusion is that Christians are always condemning others. They see Christians doing more hating than loving. They see more judgment and less mercy. I am not saying that we shouldn’t address behavior. Ungodly behavior has to be addressed at some point, but we must put first things first. Christianity must teach the love and mercy of Christ, first. Then, the church shall begin to talk about behavior. What comes first is the proclamation that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of all of your sins. Justification. Then sanctification, or, holy living follows. We cannot expect any holy living out of people who do not yet know the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. This is why we are here, after all. We are here because we need mercy; we need love; we need forgiveness. This is why the church exists. The church is the body of believers who gather with Jesus to be fed. Belonging to Jesus means we journey with Him. St. Paul says it well, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving”(Colossians 2:6-7). I have spent the last three months teaching these people about the journey with Christ. They are only beginning the journey. They are receiving mysterious and eternal blessings in the sacraments. Their lives are changed forever. They have climbed aboard with Jesus and are embarking on the road with Jesus at the head. They are “followers” of Jesus in the truest sense and so are you. Many of you have been on this journey for some time. You have faced all kinds of things on your journey with Christ, and Jesus has nurtured you all the way. Jesus forgives you of all of your sins, even not putting your best foot forward oftentimes. Jesus is your strength, and you abide in Him. Jesus promises in the gospel for today that He sends the Holy Spirit to the church: “But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, teaches us His way. The Holy Spirit shows us what the road of Christ is. This is a blessed journey with Christ that you are on. No matter where you are on the road with Christ, you can be sure that His mercy will flow to you. He loves you. I love you. The Pentecost event signals the love of God for the life of the world. The Pentecost event signals the beginning of the journey of the church with Christ. Jesus speaks into your ear the words of life. Jesus speaks a word of forgiveness to you for all of your sins. Jesus strengthens your heart as you journey. Jesus has compassion for you and will stay with you as He has promised--”Lo, I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Truly, we are witnessing this week at Trinity that Jesus does miraculous and amazing things in the lives of people--in the lives of you and me. Jesus even uses people to bless--pastors to preach, baptize and distribute the Lord’s Supper--and all of you to love and serve. Truly, the Love of Christ is in our midst. The Holy Spirit is working in and among us. The love of Jesus is poured out over you. Amen. -- Rev. Chad Kendall Trinity Lutheran Church Lowell, Indiana www.trinitylowell.org
