“Release The Dove” Acts 2:1-21
The church during “Dark Ages" are known for their stained-glass windows. During the dark ages the forebears had a Bible, but it wasn't a book. It was the cathedral itself. The Bible they read was paintings, murals, sculptures, the icons, the stained-glass windows, the Eucharist, the painted domes, all told the stories of the faith.
The churches or Cathedrals of this era were the centers of the community, it was the court house, it was a place where the weary traveler could find a meal, a place to stay.
The cathedral was, in fact, the soul of its village -- it was charged with caring for all the individual souls it served in the community. These were harsh times -- simple survival was a full-time occupation for most people. Religious faith was not a mere convenience or habit -- it was the main support system in the lives of struggling, frightened, powerless men and women. The cathedral offered a source of comfort, beauty and security for all who entered her doors.
Professor Eck has discovered that Pentecost was one of the most unique and creatively celebrated days on the church's calendar. In 10th-century Rome In order to make the coming of the Holy Spirit a dramatic, dynamic event for their congregations, leaders of Pentecost services involved architecture, not just anthems.
Doves were placed in holes or boxes and at the right moment the doves were released from the ceiling and also red rose petals were also released over bushel of these would fly down. The choir would break into whooshing, and drumming sounds like a holy wind storm. Release the Dove would be the cry of the Priest. The Dove represents the Holy Spirit
1. Let us Release the Dove of Sound( The sounds of the church)
• Hear the sounds of the early church . 2Suddenly a sound
• One sound of the early church was Prayer When the day of Pentecost came; they were all together in one place. (I believe they were praying)
• Another sound of the early church was noise vs 2 the noise was like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
• I remember an old gospel song “Lets crank up the music and lets have church” Or maybe we could crank it like a chain saw bow to knees and crank it like chain saw (Family Force 5)
• Sounds we are missing in our church is the weeping of a soul coming to Jesus, a Great shout from congregants, sounds of babies screaming isn’t it wonderful, sounds of Hope rarely , some sounds we do hear about the church do are negatives . Our church is wonderful we have a great church, great choir, great congregants do anything for you , our pastor is great .
2. Let us Release the Dove of Unity. Pentecost is hearing despite different languages, there were different cultures, different beliefs, different doctrines, different opinions, different concepts, different thinking, “Note they all heard”7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
• Let us be understanding, considered, accepting, and compliant, with all the diverse voices
3. Let us release the Dove of Breath, Hear the importance of Breath. God breathed into Adam and became Genesis 2:7the LORD God formed the manE from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. When Gods breaths on you what will you become?
• God Breathed on the Waters and they became a pile
8By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall;
• God breathed and the waters covered the Adversity of Pharaohs Army
10But you blew with your breath and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
• God Breathed on Me and an old man died and behold a new man lives
• God breathed his breath wrote my name in the lambs book of life
• God breathed and I like Adam I am a living soul
