First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “A Pentecost People!” Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:1-13 It was a warm spring day in Jerusalem. It’s about 9:00 am Jerusalem time. Everyone was excited about the Feast of Weeks. They called it Shavuot, or Pentecost. The Feast commemorates the giving of the Law. They counted the days down with anticipation. From Passover to the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mt Sinai — exactly 7 weeks, 50 days. And so from all over the Mediterranean basin and beyond, Jews who had scattered descended upon Jerusalem for a 2 day celebration. Though it seemed a very normal and typical celebration day in Jerusalem, it turned out to be an awesome day. The world didn’t know what the Lord had in store for His people. On Pentecost, God did something surprising, something these Jewish pilgrims could not have expected. Now, the 120 followers of Jesus gathered praying in the Upper Room knew what Jesus had said before His ascension. Just before He ascended to heaven, the Lord had promised: “In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). But the visitors to Jerusalem knew nothing of Jesus’ promise. When the wind blew, when the Holy Spirit descended, when the fire lit over the heads of the 120, when they heard them speaking their languages, miraculously empowered by God, the crowds were amazed. Some thought they were drunk, even though it was only 9 a.m.! Pentecost – today is Pentecost Sunday. It’s the day on the Christian Calendar when churches around the world commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Pentecost sometimes is overlooked. It may seem less important than Christmas (the Festival of the Incarnation) or Easter (the Festival of the Resurrection). Yet Pentecost is foundational for our faith, especially for our life together as the Church, the People of God. As we think about Pentecost today and consider Acts chapter 2, I would like to offer two lessons from Pentecost: First: We Really Need the Holy Spirit We can’t understand what happened in Acts chapter 2 unless we know something about Joel chapter 2. When some people in the crowd at Pentecost accused the 120 of celebrating Shavuot a little too much, Peter stood before a crowd of Jews and appealed to the Jewish prophet, Joel. Joel had prophesied what God would do on the day of Pentecost. In his sermon to mostly Jewish audience in Acts 2:17, Peter quotes the words of Joel 2:28, “After that, I will pour out my spirit upon everyone; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.” God promised that one day He will pour out His Spirit upon His people. His generosity in Christ will be shown to everyone. He will permanently dwell among us. The Old Testament saints longed for this day. The first lesson we need to remember on this Pentecost Sunday is that we really need the Holy Spirit. We need the companionship of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that following Him in the world is not easy. The task ahead of the disciples was not easy. There was no way that the Church in its own power was up to the job. They absolutely had to receive God’s power; the power of the Holy Spirit. One of my favorite African American Spirituals is “Give Me Jesus!” The earliest known version of “Give Me Jesus” was published in 1845 by the Rev. Jacob Knapp, a Baptist minister from New York. It goes like this: (1) “In the morning, when I rise … Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus … You can have all this world … But give me Jesus. (2) And when I am alone … Oh, and when I am alone … Give me Jesus … You can have all this world … But give me Jesus. (3) And when I come to die … Oh, and when I come to die. Give me Jesus … You can have all this world … But give me Jesus.” God’s presence is what we need the most. Friends, if on that day long ago, the followers of Jesus really needed the Holy Spirit, then hear this: We really need the Holy Spirit today! We simply cannot follow Jesus closely or serve Him faithfully if we operate in our own weakness. Second: We Really Need Each Other But there is a second lesson we are reminded of on Pentecost. Not only do we really need the Holy Spirit, but we also need each other. It should strike us that Jesus could have sent the Holy Spirit on each of the 120 followers individually when they were praying at home alone. Instead, the Holy Spirit fell when the disciples were in the Upper Room praying together. There is something about joining forces that moves spiritual mountains. What is striking about Acts 2 is that it begins with togetherness and it ends with togetherness. Acts 2:42 speaks of shared teaching, shared meals, shared prayers, even shared possessions. The Holy Spirit united their hearts in singleness of purpose and mission. Simply put, we cannot accomplish individually the mission God that God has given us. A few weeks ago, I pointed out that community is at the heart of Jesus movement and we should make it our priority to unite ourselves with the Body of Christ. Faith, I said, is a journey and it’s not meant to be traveled alone. Community is extremely important. We get fed in this community. We are protected in this community. We are safer in this community. We reach our potential in the church community. We love and we are loved in this community. We exercise our spiritual gifts in this community. We get blessed and we become a blessing to others in this community. Friends, we have been called to be a Pentecostal people. Of course, I am not referring to a certain denomination, rather, I am calling all of us today to demonstrate a Pentecostal spirit; to live as Pentecostal people; that is to recognize our daily need and dependency on the Holy Spirit. The good thing is that we do this in community. We lean on the wisdom of the body of Christ. We journey together. We follow together. The power of God the Holy Spirit and the power of being part of the community of Christ are two ways that capture the spirit of Pentecost. On these two important elements rise or fall our witness in the world. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
0 Comments
First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, May 16, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “He Ascended into Heaven: Why It Still Matters Today?” Acts 1:6-11 A little boy asked his Dad, “Dad, did Grandpa make you go to Sunday school when you were my age?” His father said, “He sure did, son. We went every Sunday.” The boy said sadly, “Well, I bet it won’t do me any good either.” The lesson is simple: It is not enough to just go to church. We must apply the Bible to our everyday lives. Faith is useless if it doesn’t shape our actions. Faith is dead if it doesn’t transform our lives. This past Thursday was the fortieth day after Easter which means it was “Ascension Day.” It is the day which marks the ascension of Christ into heaven. Though often overlooked, the ascension is so central to our faith. It’s a vital part of the whole Christian narrative. That’s why it is mentioned in Scriptures in so many places. No wonder that the early Christian creeds such as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed clearly emphasized the ascension of Jesus. So I want to take some time this morning to reflect on the ascension of Christ and what it means for us today. You might wonder: “Why does the ascension matter? I know it matters that Jesus died on the cross, and I know it matters that Jesus rose from the dead, but why does it matter that Jesus ascended into heaven?” Why does Christ’s ascension matter? What does the ascension mean for us today? This morning I would like to briefly share with you a couple short observations on why the ascension matters to us today. The first thought will address the ascension and the paradox of Christ’s presence and absence; and the second will look at need to balance between our longing for Christ’s return and the task before us today. First: The Paradox of Christ’s Presence and Absence It must’ve felt so wired not to have Jesus around. For 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus presented Himself to the disciples and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. Now He is gone. He went back to heaven. The disciples must’ve wrestled with the paradox of Christ’s presence and absence. It’s true that He is with them always to the very end of the age, but He is not physically present. He is not visible, yet He is there. They cannot see Him, but they can talk to Him all the time. Likewise, while we cannot sometimes sense the presence of Christ, we know He is not absent. Christ is always present though sometimes He is hidden. This paradox deepens the Trinitarian theology, meaning, and mystery of the sacraments. Christ is present in the sacraments in ways like no other events. For example, though we don’t touch Him, though our eyes don’t get to see Him, in Communion, at the Lord’s Table, He nourishes us with His life by the Spirit. He is present in all the ups and downs of life, but He also works in hidden, unusual, and mysterious ways. The ascension captures the paradox of the Lord’s presence and absence. Though presently seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 1:3, 2-5-9), “we do not see everything in subjection to him.” The ascension reminds us that Christ’s reign is “already” but “not yet.” The ascension reminds us that our God is both hidden and revealed; present though He may seem absent; quiet sometimes, though we shouldn’t doubt His presence; at the right hand of God in heaven, yet, His nearness is real. Second: The Balance between Today and TomorrowThe ascension keeps us balanced between our longing for Christ’s return and fulfilling our tasks here on earth. At Jesus’s ascension, in Acts 1:11, the two angels declared: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” The ascension creates a longing for Jesus’s return. It keeps us attached to heaven. Our lives should be lived in the light and hope of Christ’s Second Coming. But as we long and wait for Christ’s return, we should not stay idle. Rather, we should do what God has called us to do. The ascension is a reminder of that balance. I like how Luke in the book of Acts concludes the ministry of Jesus with the ascension. He also launches the ministry of the church with the ascension. The ministry of the church is the extension of what Jesus began to do and teach. The disciples are to live this balance between their longing for Christ’s future return and the present task ahead of them. Friends, I pray that we recapture today the truth of Christ’s ascension and be filled with the renewing and empowering hope that comes from the message that Jesus is our ascended King, reigning in the Spirit with the authority of His loving Father. Let us remember today that the ascended Lord is still present with us. He is our friend and our Good shepherd. Though He might seem to be hidden sometimes, His faithfulness endures forever, and His compassion continues to all generations. Let us also remember that the ascension is a reminder to balance between our longing for Christ’s return and our calling today. We live with the hope of Christ’s Second coming while finishing the work He has given us today. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, May 9, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Matthias: The Chosen Apostle!” Acts 1:15-26 We continue this morning our reflections on the forty-day period between Christ’s resurrection and His ascension. I believe this forty-day period is extremely important and it has so much to teach us today. The question I asked a few weeks back: What did Jesus do? What did He teach His disciples? How did He spend His time? Over these past few weeks, we have had the chance to unpack these questions and alongside the way, we have learned some very valuable lessons for our journey. Thankfully, in the book of Acts chapter 1, Dr. Luke gives us some very helpful information about this forty-day period. Let me very briefly remind you of some of the lessons we have learned so far and I will add a short one today. First: Jesus Christ is Really AliveThe resurrection of Jesus is so central to the Christian faith. It’s God’s way of accepting the sacrifice of Christ. It’s the validation of Christ’s ministry and mission. If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. Christ’s resurrection is a reminder that death is not the end. Death doesn’t have the final word. We will live beyond the grave. The empty tomb is a reminder that our God is alive and He is present with us today and till the end of the age. No wonder that Luke wrote in Acts 1:3 that Jesus, after His suffering, presented Himself alive to His disciples by many convincing proofs. Second: God’s Kingdom Must Be our Highest PriorityIn Acts 1:3 Luke tells us that during these forty days, Jesus spoke with His disciples about the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is God’s rule over our lives. In the gospels, Jesus referred to the kingdom in one way or another about eighty times. It was clearly the central theme of His teaching. God’s kingdom, God’s work in the world, should be our highest priority. As anyone else, followers of Jesus have their share of life; yet, we are human beings who have been transformed by God’s grace therefore we live with a different mindset. God’s kingdom must be our highest priority. Third: The Importance of Community A third lesson that I underscored last week and that’s the importance of community. In Acts 1:12-14, Luke tells us that during these forty days the disciples were TOGETHER. Community is at the heart of Jesus movement. If it’s so, we should not give up meeting together but encourage one another. We shouldn’t forsake the assembly of believers. Faith is a journey and it’s not meant to be traveled alone. Matthias: The New Apostle As we get to the last part of Acts chapter 1, we see the disciples returning to Jerusalem after the ascension of Jesus on Mount Olivet. They were about one hundred and twenty in number at the time. Peter appeared to have become the leader of the group at this stage. Peter stood up and said to the gathering that it was important for Judas Iscariot to be replaced in order to fulfill the scriptures where David said: “Let his habitation be desolate and his office let another take.” According to Peter the person to be elected to replace Judas must have been with the group from the time of the baptism of Jesus, throughout His ministry to His resurrection. Two people were nominated; Joseph also called Barsabbas and Matthias. The disciples prayed to God so that His choice may be made from among the two candidates. They cast lots and Matthias was chosen to add to the eleven disciples that were left. So what do we take home from the story? The story of Matthias’ election reminds us of two great lessons. 1. It’s not about our popularity, it’s all about our faithfulness. Luke tells us in Acts chapter 1 that the praying assembly of believers came up with two names: Joseph and Matthias. We know nothing for sure about either one. They were not as well-known as the rest of Christ’s disciples. But the truth is God doesn’t care about our popularity; he looks at your heart. We don’t know much about these candidates, yet God knows them very well. But there is another great lesson that you and I can learn from the story of choosing Matthias. 2. When it comes to our calling, there is no such a thing as a small task. If God calls you to do something, do it and follow where God leads. The Bible tells us nothing about Matthias or what he did after he became the 12th apostle. He’s never mentioned again. Some Christian traditions say Matthias planted the church in Cappadocia; others believe that Matthias preached the gospel of Jesus in Ethiopia and he planted the Ethiopian church. Another tradition maintains that Matthias was stoned at Jerusalem by the Jews, and then beheaded. The Bible doesn’t tell us what Matthias did, but we know he did what God called him to do. Friends, like Matthias, we have been called by God to serve Him and serve others in His name. It’s not about our popularity, but about our faithfulness to follow where God leads. There is no “small” or “insignificant” task when it comes to God’s calling. If God is calling you to do something, it means it’s significant and it’s extremely important. Today is Mother’s Day and we are here because of the faithfulness of a mom or a grand mom who took the time to pray with us or told us a story from the Bible or brought us week after week to Sunday School. These things most likely seemed small or insignificant back them, but they brought us closer to Jesus. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last,” said Jesus in John 15:16. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “You Were Made for Community!” Psalm 133; Acts 1:12-14 We’ve been looking at the forty-day period between Christ’s resurrection and His ascension into heaven. It’s an important period in the life of the church of Jesus Christ, and yet, it’s least explored by most of us. I believe there is so much we can learn from that time. Last Sunday we pondered an important question: what did Jesus do during this forty-day period? What did He talk about? In the Book of Acts chapter 1, Luke seems to give us a glimpse of this important time. In Acts 1:3, Luke says, “After his suffering Jesus presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Last week I pointed out that during these forty days, Jesus wanted the disciples to have deep confidence and assurance of His resurrection. Luke said, “Jesus presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs.” There should be no place for any doubt. He also wanted to make sure that God’s kingdom is His disciples’ highest priority … “appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” This morning we continue to explore more of this period as we focus on how Christ deepened the disciples’ understanding of community. Community was so central and so important to the movement of Jesus of Nazareth. From day one, Jesus invited those whom He has called into a communal life where they can lean on each other, encourage each other, and be there for each other. Yes, this community was not always perfect, yet, it was always central to the Jesus movement. For three full years, Jesus invested most of His time forming and building this community. He lived with His disciples. He taught them. They wrestled with the hard questions of life together. He knew that this community will continue what He has started. Needless to say, the crucifixion and death of Christ hit that community so hard. It shattered this community. After the death of Jesus, the disciples scattered and most of them went back to their previous lives. But after the glorious news of Christ’s resurrection, this community is glued back together again. In Acts 1:12-14 Luke speaks about this community. This morning I would like to speak about the formation of this community and what does it mean to us today. First: The Formation of this Community In Acts 1:14, Luke tells us “All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” “Together” is a key word in here. How did this happen? These eleven disciples had distinct personalities and often struggled with one another. On one occasion, James and John sneakily asked Jesus if they could be His right-hand men. This of course aggravated the other disciples. And Simon the Zealot probably couldn’t stand being around Levi the tax collector seeing him as a traitor to his people. I bet that most of the other disciples were probably jealous of Peter, James and John because Jesus always took them on special trips. And think about the friction between Mary and Martha when Martha felt as if she did all the work and Mary received all the blessing from Jesus. Luke also makes a special note of the fact that the disciples were joined by some certain women as well as Jesus’ brothers; whether these were real brothers or cousins, it doesn’t really matter. I find it interesting that during Jesus’ lifetime, his brothers didn’t believe that He was the Messiah (John 7:5). Quite the opposite, they actually thought He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21-35). The resurrection of Christ must’ve transformed the lives of James and Jude and made them go from being non-believers to becoming influential leaders in the early church both writing a book in the Bible. What we witness in these forty days is the birth of a new community. A community that prays together; dreams together; and works together. They became like brothers and sisters, sure they still wrestled over issues from time to time but through prayer they had a bond that was stronger than any differences. They realized they weren’t competitors; they were on the same team. From this, we can draw one single implication. Second: Don’t Go it Alone, You Were Made for Community If community is at the heart of Jesus movement, we should make it our priority to unite ourselves with the Body of Christ. Faith is a journey and it’s not meant to be traveled alone. We live in a very individualistic and disconnected culture. Yet individualism and doing life on our own is not part of God’s design. After all, God is a community in Himself. Existing for all of eternity past, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have enjoyed the love and fellowship of their perfect triune community. Scripture is all about community. We weren’t created to be independent, autonomous, or self-sufficient. We were made to live in a humble, worshipful, and loving dependency upon God and in a loving and humble interdependency with others. Yet, the foolishness of sin tells us that we have all that we need within ourselves. So we hold our struggles within, not taking advantage of the resources God has given us. Friends, community is extremely important. We get fed in this community. We are protected in this community. We are safer in this community. We reach our potential in the church community. We love and we are loved in this community. We exercise our spiritual gifts in this community. We get blessed and we become a blessing to others in this community. Among the many lessons we’ve got to learn since the beginning of the pandemic, is the importance of the church community. I hope we continue to value that. I also hope that sometime soon everyone will feel safe to gather at the Lord’s House. I think we can see some light at the end of that long and dark tunnel. I was glad this week to read that the CDC announced this week that fully vaccinated people who wear masks can safely attend indoor events including worship services. I personally cannot wait to see everyone back to worship because it’s so wonderful, it’s awesome to travel this journey of faith together. “For there the Lord,” says David in Psalm 133:3, “bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Amen. |
Author
Archives
October 2024
Categories
|