Acts 2:12-14
And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
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Ten or so days after Jesus ascends into heaven is the day of Pentecost. This particular day is often touted as the birth of the New Testament church. Peter is given an amazing task, to basically preach the first church sermon. In it he proclaims several important things that all churches must teach:
All nations are a part of the church, (v.5)
Old Testament Scripture has been fulfilled, (v.16)
All classes of people are part of the church, (v.17-18)
Jesus was a man, (v.22)
God had an eternal, sovereign plan through his Son Jesus, (v.23)
The resurrection actually happened, (v.24)
The Old Testament prophesied about Jesus’ death and resurrection, (v.31)
The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the church, (v.33)
Jesus is man and God, (v.36)
The response to the gospel is repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit, (v.38)
Believers are to be baptized (v.41).
After this message and mass baptism, Luke records for us the life that follows those who have believed in the gospel (v.42-47).
What strikes me about this chapter today is the level of confusion and activity that this all takes place. Prior to Peter’s message, a few things happen that no one has ever seen before: the sound of a rushing wind takes place in a room, the Holy Spirit descends in great power, things that look something like fire rest above peoples heads, and these people start speaking in foreign languages, which are understood by many people there since many nations are present in this place at this time. As this is going on, some people are completely confused, trying to make sense of it all. Others are mocking the event, saying that the people are just drunk at 9 in the morning.
It’s not an easy situation to stand up in a crowd and make sense of it all for everyone, especially for a working class fisherman from Galilee. But Peter declares powerful truth and calls people to specific action in the midst of chaos and disorder. In fact, that’s what God loves to do, bring order into chaos, it’s what he did at creation.
When I think about giving a sermon or conducting a church service I have a set of preferences that need to be met in order for me to feel good about it all. I don’t know what I would do if I walked into a situation that was full of chaos and confusion at church on Sunday. For me, and I’m guessing for many others, we like for things to be in order and comfortable and nearly predictable. We don’t like surprises. The problem is, God is full of surprises.
I wonder if this is meant to speak into my dream I had early this morning. I was at church but hardly any of the volunteers or staff were there, and service was starting and I was on worship team; but none of the instruments could be heard and no one knew where the singers were and the congregation was confused and I was very frustrated. There was one strange looking man who was being a big distraction and carrying out his own agenda and leading people into more confusion; I told him to stop and allow us to move along with our service and he had a tantrum and broke stuff as he stormed off.
I guess the reality is, every Sunday (even every day) we walk into chaotic situations where nothing is as it should be, yet like Peter we are called to stand and speak order and life into these situations. We are called to commit ourselves to put our hope and trust in God and obediently allow him to work through us. We’re not called to get everything comfortable and predictable and safe and live a Goldilocks life where everything is “just right.” We are called and equipped by God to stand in the midst of chaos and put everything in order.
A Warm, Fuzzy Beginning?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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