“Pentecost: Rejoice” Phil 4: 4-7 Acts 2: 1-21

  Think back on your birthday celebrations over the years. Maybe its birthday parties you have thrown for other people. Maybe its something special someone else did for you on your birthday. But as you think back over all of those years - did anything unexpected happen? Maybe something beyond your wildest imagination?

Today is the day of Pentecost, which we describe as the church’s birthday, because it is literally the day the Holy Spirit showed up upon the followers gathered together and breathed life into them. Breathed them into purpose and being. 

Jesus has been resurrected from the grave, but did not ascend to be with the Father in Heaven for forty days. Then before he left his followers he gave them these instructions: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So the disciples are gathered together in one place. And all of sudden things change. There is a violent wind blowing through their dwelling place and then as they looked around they saw tongues of fire sitting over each other’s heads. If that wasn’t enough, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to proclaim the Good News to everyone gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of Pentecost. Languages they had never been able to speak in before - they were able to clear as day proclaim the Gospel in. 

What started on that day of Pentecost so long ago wasn’t just the church being the gift of life, but the church being sent out in mission. A mission to tell the story of Jesus and make his name known, in word and deed, until he comes again. And that mission wasn’t just for those on that first day of Pentecost, but all of us who are part of the Church throughout the ages, including you and me. And including the Apostle Paul.

We hear the story of Paul further in the book of Acts, but he was one claimed by God to be a missionary for Jesus Christ, going to non-Jewish people to let them know that this life changing Good News is for them as well. One of the places that church went and raised up believers became known as the Philippian church. As you read Paul’s letter to them, it becomes so apparent that he is attached to them and that the people trust Paul in abundance. Paul has written them this powerful letter, encouraging them to have the same mind of Christ and to keep up the good work that they are doing. Then, near the end of the letter, he gives them these words “Rejoice in the Lord always!”

That seems such odd advice from a man in prison. One who has faced countless trials and tribulations. It would seem odd advice to the first disciples long ago who were gathered in that room, waiting for the unknown, after (in their minds) Jesus had just left them again. Yet, this day, in-particular invites us to consider what it means to be a people of joy. What it means to have a theology of joy. Joy even in the face of the unknown. 

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It grows within us and spills out when we have the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet, sometimes we stifle its out pouring because of our own misunderstandings - especially when we think that happiness and joy are the same thing. Let me say clearly this day - joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is pursued, and is often found in the pursuit. But not joy, my friends. Joy is something that overtakes us. We don’t pursue it, we simply respond to it. Martin Luther King Jr described the distinction in this way: “The end of life is not to be happy. The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid pain. The end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.”

Because of that, we can have joy and share it even when we are longing. Even when things are not perfectly as we would want them to be. 

Joy can also transform us. Many of you know that I am a worrier. I would describe it as a naturally anxious person. But when we take those anxieties to God in prayer, he can refashion them. Now does that mean that God always takes them away? No. At least not in my case. But God is able to help me understand my anxieties as something not to dwell on, but something to think about. It helps me to see and respond to situations differently. God takes what could consume me if left uncheck and refashions it into a gift. 

That may not be your experience with anxieties or worries. But Paul invites us that no matter what you face, you can bring it to God. This type of prayer, however, isn’t brining a wish-list to God. Which is all too often how we think about and approach prayer. Instead, its praying that God’s fruit be born in and through us. 

Fruit like joy. 

And fruit like peace. 

If anyone would have understood what it meant to be at peace it would be Peter and Paul. Peter, because he had denied his Lord and Savior on one of the most important days of his life. Paul because he was facing an unknown date of execution. Yet, the Holy Spirit gave them both, peace. Peace that lead to proclamation. Peace in all circumstances, even and maybe especially during the tough ones. 

Peace and joy come together and make each other complete. The prophet Isaiah puts it this way “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Is 26:3).

Does that mean peace and joy are always easily found and lived into? No. Even when joy should be at the rooter of believer’s lives. 

But I also wonder where there isn’t joy, if we have really submitted that area of our life to Christ Jesus? Or, in the words of the Apostle Paul, if we are guarding our hearts and keeping our minds on Christ Jesus?

Part of what made Pentecost so amazing and why we still celebrate it today, is even in the midst of the unknown and the longings, the first followers of Jesus were obedient. And because they were obedient they were able to experience this life-changing and world-transforming thing. 

Even if other folks around them didn’t understand. 

The crowds didn’t see this as the birthday of the Church. The crowds saw this as folks who had had a bit too much to drink. Because they had that much joy following out of them. But even that gave the disciples, and in particular Peter, a chance to proclaim the Gospel. 

I have said it before and I will say it again, a large reason folks don’t want to hear what we have to say today, friends, is because we are missing joy. We are missing the connection between peace and joy, and as a result our lives don’t look any different from the world around us. 

So on this day of Pentecost, let us be filled with the joy of the Sprit. The joy that flows out of us in abundance. Not just this day - but always. Amen.