Sermons on Pentecost
A New Church – Acts 2:1-11
A New Church – Acts 2:1-11 Today, on Pentecost Sunday, we witness how Jesus’ disciples burst out of the house in which they were staying, filled with the Holy Spirit, and reach out to the diverse crowd in the streets of Jerusalem, suddenly able to speak in all their languages. And these powerful encounters culminate in Peter preaching; 3000 people being baptized; and the believers remaining together, praying and eating together, and sharing everything. – A new church, a new…
The Language of Love
The Language of Love – Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21 My dog Shadow and I are very much tuned in to each other. We know how the other is doing most of the time. There are many ways to communicate with people and animals, and words is just one of them. Words can be very useful, insightful, and beautiful, don’t get me wrong! I love reading books, I love writing sermons. Nothing is better for intellectual engagement than words. But with…
Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks.
Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks. Jesus is dead and the apostles are in panic mode. They have barricaded the door because they are afraid that talking about God’s love and grace would anger the neighbours. Many neighbours, way back then as well as today like God to be as angry as they are. And because most neighbours don’t like to be told that they’re wrong, and because God will send you to hell…
Pentecost
Pentecost The Roman world was build on one guiding principle. The gods love the rich and powerful, because they can return the favours that the gods bestow on them. For the blessings of the gods that make the rich and powerful rich and powerful they repay the goods with temples, festivals, holidays and sacrifices. It’s a very practical “good-old-boys’ arrangement. And from the rich and powerful the favour of the gods slowly trickles down; from the emperor to the senators,…