"Revealing God’s Plan - Post Resurrection”

In Jesus Holy Name May 23, 2021

Text: Acts 2:42 Pentecost

“Revealing God’s Plan - Post Resurrection”

After the resurrection Jesus had been appearing to the disciples over a period of 40 days. Sometimes in Jerusalem, on the road to Emmaus, at the Sea of Galilee. The disciples thought this would be the new normal. In Acts 1 they asked Jesus: “will you now restore the kingdom to Israel?” They were hoping for the glory days of David and Solomon. That was not God’s plan.

In this post church culture in which we live, with the constant attempt to remove the cross from public view; the ten commandments from the courthouse walls and the student classroom; and public politicians forgetting to speak the phrase, “one nation “under God”; many a congregation is hoping for the glory days of the 1950’s when the church had influence. Those days are gone. It is not in God’s plan.

Jesus is still sending us into our culture to be light and salt. We are to tell His story. Jesus was quite clear when he spoke to the disciples in the post resurrection appearances. “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21) “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you…… you will be equipped to be my witnesses.”

When the disciples were hunkered down in the upper room after the crucifixion….they were “off the grid”… of their cultural information highway. They did not know if the death of Jesus on the cross was the end of Jerusalem or their own lives. A few members of Jesus’ disciples did venture out. The first group, the women who went to the tomb were rewarded with the first resurrection appearances.

What good news it was. They had seen the risen Lord. Jesus had risen from the tomb. He had walked with them and broken bread with them. But they were without the Holy Spirit. Yes… they “worshiped Jesus”. They felt “great joy”. They returned to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple “praising God.” There was more to come. So Jesus spent 40 days with the disciples and prepared them for the “new community” that the Holy Spirit was about to create in Jerusalem.

On Pentecost the Holy Spirit created the first “Christian Church.” The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. It is not a divine after thought. It is not an accident of history. On the contrary the “Church” is God’s new community.

The Jewish Feast of Weeks is one of three annual religious festivals when Jews from all over the world would gather in Jerusalem. It is a one-day celebration coming on the 50th day (the Greek pentekostas) after the presentation of the harvest’s first fruits. It fell seven weeks after Passover. Later, it would commemorate the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

On this Day God had already prepared receptive hearts to hear God’s promise of forgiveness and resurrection. The disciples, like other Jewish men and women were celebrating the event.

Suddenly there was the “sound” of a wind storm, like a roaring train, but not a curtain was stirred. Tongues of fire come on each disciple and they began to tell the story of God’s plan for our salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. That very day, 3000 Jews came to believe in Jesus. These Jewish converts went back home to tell the story of Jesus.

Reggie McNeal in his book Missional Renaissance writes: (p. 106) Followers of Jesus work in health care, nursing homes, doctor offices, hospitals. Followers of Jesus work in law enforcement, business, & education where Christian teachers are “connected to students” who come from both functional and dysfunctional homes. Let God use you, let them see your love and care. God has positioned you in these places. Loving your neighbor and being salt and light does not happen here in this building… It happens out there in your world.

Use your relationships. Have BBQ’s with your friends. Send our mid week devotionals to friends. I have been doing that with one of the people I trail ride with. She will never attend here…she watches, listens and grows in her faith. Help your unchurched, dechurched friends meet other Christians without inviting them to a church building. Let “Pentecost” happen.

(Colleen’s story)

In his book entitled “God’s Psychiatry” Charles Allen tells this story: “As WW II was drawing to a close, the allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans. They were placed into camps where they were well fed. Despite excellent care they slept poorly. They seemed nervous and afraid. Finally, a psychologist came up with the solution. Each child was given a piece of bread to hold after he was put to bed. This particular piece of bread was just to be held, not eaten. The piece of bread produced wonderful results. The children went to bed knowing instinctively they would have food to eat the next day. The guarantee gave the children a restful sleep.