THE VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE
PENTECOST SUNDAY
BY, Rev. Larry W. Gerdes
I WANT TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. I WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE SUPER CHRISTIANS TO WHOM OTHERS LOOK UP, WITH A FAITH THAT NEVER WEAKENS, AND WHO ALWAYS KNOWS THE RIGHT THING TO SAY. I WANT TO STAND UP AND PREACH LIKE PETER ON THE FIRST PENTECOST, TO SPEAK IN TONGUES, TO BE SPIRIT FILLED. I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN THAT GOD CAN REALLY USE AND ONE HE CAN BE PROUD OF. SO COME HOLY SPIRIT, PLEASE FILL ME AND START A FIRE IN MY LIFE, I'M READY.
Is that the Christian Life, really. If so, I'll never make it. I'm often like the apostles, who were often filled with fear and doubt, who were sorrowful. I'm often like the prophet Ezekiel looking at the word and seeing only dryness and death. I see lifes wrecked families and marriages in turmoil, war and disaster, terror and hatred. I see my own struggle with sin, which often gets the better of me and can't seem to be overcome.
What about you, are you weak, tired, struggling, doubting. If so, then Pentecost is for you, to set the record straitht, to teach the truth about the Christiain Life and what its really like. Best of all, its about giving you, us, life and victory. Its not something we do, its something already done. It was done at Easter, Christs death and resurrection is over victory over sin, death and resurrection. And then comes Pentecost, which is about the Holy Spirit taking what is Christ's and giving it to us. Its the continuation of Easter, it is victory passed on.
Jesus told the disciples what they should expect after He rose from the dead. He said that after 50 days, he will send the Holy Spirit to the church and it will bear witness to Christ for all times. The Spirit will telll the world through others, about sin, righteousness and judgement. It will convict believers of their own sin by takiing them to the cross and seeing the result of sin. WE THEN KNOW THAT OUR LIFE IS STOLEN BY SIN, BUT RESTORED BY CHRIST WHO JUDGES AND DEFEATS SATAN, THATS THE VICtORY WON IN CHRIST, AND THE VICTORY WE CANNOT WIN BUT WE CAN LIVE AND ENJOY.
So, what is the Christian life that we live. It looks different than most people think. Its not lived in a monastery or away from the maddening crowd or quietly in church for a hour on Sunday.. Its not lived above and beyond the problems of life, there still there. Its not lived in a ivory tower above alll other matters like terror, murder and sins of the flesh.. Its not lived above anger, and hurting of others live., Its lived right in the middle of all of them,, Where Christ lived and dwelt among us.
Jesus came into this world to give life and hope to all who were dried out, chewed up and spit out by sin. He planted his cross in the midst of us. He died to save us from our sins which would condemn us forever to the fires of hell. Now, He promises a new life, with feet planted firmly on earth, where we live.
We are living the new life then, not when we stop sinning, which is impossible, but when we repent of our sins, receive forgiveness and victory in Christ. When we fall on our knees, as many have, and hear those wonderfull words, "I forgive you of all your sins" the Spirit takes the forgiveness of Christ and gives it to you and me,. The Spirit, Jesus says, will glorify me for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Some people think were better Christians when we grow older and mature. A ctually, were better Christians when we rely on him more every day, regardless of age. Every day we can remember our Baptism and the fact that we are children of God. Every day, we can grow close to him as we grow closer to our dying and every day we can receive the promise of life an salvation, thats not growing up but growing in too him.
We're living the Christian life not when our faith is the marvel of others, but when we are week and take refuge in Christ who gave and strengthens our faith. We are strong when we take refuge in the body and blood of our Savior, given and shed for you on the cross and on the altar. The Spirit of Pentecost takes the salvation of Christ and gives it to us. "He will take what is mine and declare to you".
But thats not all. The Christian Life is about bearing fruit. The disciples, soon after Pentecost, were to learn about persecution and opposition and terror.. They learned that the Christiain Life was not a problem free life , but when they forgave and did good against those who sinned against them, they have victory. You and I do not have victory when we have everything we want, but when we serve others and help with their needs, we bear fruit.
Sadly, many think they will be looked up to because of the good they do. We are looked up to when we are down in the muck and mire of life, among the troubled and ill and hurting and wayward. How wonderfull that so many bring the Christian life to a world filled with dry, dead people, who don't know their dead and live among the wreckages of life, often of their own doing.
Ezekiel saw death in the valley. But God sees life, life through his spirit who gives he gift of life. When the Spirit comes, as it did at Pentecost. life happens/ the life of Gods Savior hung on the cross like dead, dry bones. Then he came out of the valley of bones alive and the shadow of death was gone.
And so, it is good that Jesus go away, for He sent the spirit of life. The Lord and giver of life, as the creed said, gave us all things. For Christ is ours and we are his, we may not look it, sometimes we don't feel it and we may not even think it in times of trial and challenge. The Spirit of Pentecost has revealed it to us in times of trial and tribulation as well as in times of peace and joy..May the spirit keep us in the faith, begun at Baptism, and celebrated someday in the mansions above.
