Pentecost Sunday 2018, Romans 8:22-27

This past Sunday was of course Pentecost, I chose this year to preach over the verses found in Romans 8:5-27.  I used the 'traditional' Pentecost verses found in Acts 2:1-21 for my sermon during Thusday's service.

I've included in this blog post the videos from both the Thursday and the Sunday sermons.  The video of Sunday's sermon is up first. I had to 'edit' my sermon on the fly as we ended up having a number of announcements at the opening of worship that I hadn't anticipated, and several folks needed to get out of worship on time in order to prepare for the High School graduation.  

The focus at the conclusion of the sermon was upon the verses about 'prayer'.  One of the things that few of us (myself included) do a sufficent amount of is 'listening' when we pray. I have often commented on how we are so focused on 'filling' up our prayer time and our worship time, and how we do not spend nearly enough time 'listening' and meditating.  As you pray this week try to remember to slow down... and listen.

Below the Sunday sermon video is the video of Thursday's sermon.  That sermon focused on the miracle of hearing in the Pentecost.  I've long held that the miracle of Pentecost wasn't the speaking but the hearing.  To make a long point short, we all need to make sure that when we're attempting to communicate the beauty of scripture and the message of Christ, that we are speaking a 'language' that the person we're communicating with can understand.  I have often stated (and continue to maintain) that the clearest why to testify is in how we live our lives.  The old saying that "your life may be the only Bible someone will ever read", is an all too accurate statement.  Make sure that you try to live up to the calling that you've received and accepted.  Live a life of serving others and letting them know that it is your Lord that has driven you to serve and care for others... in doing so you'll reassure many of their all-loving and gracefilled God.

Go forth... and be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Romans 8:5-27 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit[a] set their minds on the things of the Spirit.[b] 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit[c] is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit,[d] since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit[e] is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ[f] from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through[g] his Spirit that dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers and sisters,[h] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba![i] Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness[j] with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[k] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[l] for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[m] with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God,[n] who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[o] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.[p]

Footnotes:
a) Romans 8:5 Or spirit
b) Romans 8:5 Or spirit
c) Romans 8:6 Or spirit
d) Romans 8:9 Or spirit
e) Romans 8:10 Or spirit
f) Romans 8:11 Other ancient authorities read the Christ or Christ Jesus or Jesus Christ
g) Romans 8:11 Other ancient authorities read on account of
h) Romans 8:12 Gk brothers
i) Romans 8:15 Aramaic for Father
j) Romans 8:16 Or 15 a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit itself bears witness
k) Romans 8:24 Or by
l) Romans 8:24 Other ancient authorities read awaits
m) Romans 8:26 Other ancient authorities add for us
n) Romans 8:27 Gk the one
o) Romans 8:27 Gk he or it

p) Romans 8:27 Gk according to God

Acts 2:1-21 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
        and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’