UNTIED TONGUES

Dr. Richard J. Henderson May 19, 2002

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Isaiah 61:1-4
Acts 2: 1-21

Introduction

For many years it has remained number one; that is, the number one fear people have. It's glossophobia - the fear of speaking in public. Nothing makes the knees knock or the hands quiver like standing in front of a couple of hundred people and opening your mouth to speak.

Some people say they can't do it. From time to time we ask people to be lay leaders - to read the call to worship, prayer of confession, and assurance of forgiveness in the bulletin. The words are all printed; you don't have to create anything. Yet I'm amazed at the number of people who say, "I could never do that!"

I once asked a person to do an announcement on Sunday morning. Then I learned she was up all night the night before - she couldn't sleep worrying about speaking in front of the congregation. Public speaking ranks as the greatest fear we have.

I

Pentecost has to do with telling the good news. Look at what happens on the first Pentecost. The disciples are gathered together after Jesus' death and resurrection. Outside are "Jews from every nation under heaven." The disciples speak one language; the people outside speak many different languages. So they can't communicate.

Then comes a sound like a rushing wind. Tongues of fire stand above each one of the disciple's heads. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and now suddenly they can speak to and understand those who have gathered outside.

Many people have commented that Pentecost is the opposite of Babel. You remember the account in the book of Genesis when the people were building the tower of Babel. They were building a huge ziggurat, trying to build it up into heaven to reach God.

When God saw the arrogance of what they were doing, God gave them all different languages. In this way they weren't able to talk with each other, and their project was thwarted.

Pentecost is just the opposite. People who can't understand each other are made to understand. Rather than confusing their speech, God clarifies speech so that everyone - no matter what their nationality or homeland - is able to understand the good news.

Then at this first Pentecost a crowd gathers outside in the streets of Jerusalem. They have heard the noise going on inside the room and wonder what is happening.

Some suggest that the disciples inside are drunk. (Isn't it interesting that being filled with the Holy Spirit can seem like being filled with new wine? We won't pursue that!)

Then Peter goes out into the street and preaches fervently. It's a short but powerful speech. Acts says that he convinced about three thousand people to become Christians that day.

Remember when we last saw Peter? He was standing outside Jesus' trial, at a safe distance, warming himself by a fire. A young maidservant saw him and said, "Aren't you one of his disciples?" Peter answered, in what was the lowest moment of his life; "I don't even know the man."

First Peter denied Jesus then, filled with the Holy Spirit, he preached so effectively that thousands of people responded.

II

Pentecost is about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Part of the power the Spirit gives us is the ability to speak the good news of God. When the Spirit of God enters our lives we are freed to talk with people about what we believe.

In fact, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is "proclaim good news to the oppressed." When Jesus began his ministry he spoke in the temple about his mission.

He quoted the prophet Isaiah (the Old Testament scripture we read today) saying, "The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed..." The Spirit of God comes to help us bring good news to other people.

III

I know what you're thinking: Oh no, he's encouraging us to go out with soapboxes and start preaching in the middle of Twelve Oaks Mall. Or, he wants us to set up a stand in the street at Eight Mile and Haggerty and start preaching at people.

No.

The Spirit wants us to tell the good news so that it's good news. To do that it has to be appropriate. Eight Mile and Haggerty isn't the appropriate place to do that. Haranguing people about what you believe isn't bringing them good news.

We talk with people when they are ready to hear. Educators talk about a "teachable moment," a time when a person is especially ready to hear and learn. Often this moment comes from a particular experience that helps them understand something important.

For us there is a "Speakable moment," a right time to talk about our faith when it will be heard effectively.

A neighbor is depressed. Often when you meet her she seems to have been crying. She tends to stay away from other people. You have the opportunity to encourage her to get professional help. But you can also talk with her about how God loves each one of us. Mention that the Bible says that we are God's masterpieces and that God values each of his masterpieces. Maybe you can mention how helpful knowing God's love has been for you.

Or, a young couple has a new baby. As we celebrate with them we put our arms around the mother and father and simply say, "Thank God for the gift of new life." It isn't a sermon, but it is a helpful reminder of thanks to our creator.

Right moments to express the good news of God happen several times every day.

IV

And it's not just talking either. How we live our lives, what we do in our day-to-day life speaks volumes about what we believe. The old saying is true, "Actions speak louder than words."

I've mentioned this before, but when I was in high school there was a girl in our class who was very religious. She was devout about her faith. Oh, she never talked about what she believed. She never gave us lectures or criticized what other people did. In fact, I don't remember her ever saying anything about what she believed. She didn't have to.

It was amazing. Everybody knew she was faithful, devout, spiritual, but she never said a word about it.

She never gossiped about anyone. She never cut anyone else down. She never once made fun of another person. Everybody knew why.

A church can have a witness like that too. Imagine that people hear about a church that gives 20% of its budget away for other people in need. "Wait a minute, you're telling me that your church gives one-fifth of its budget to help out people who are hurting?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You must take your faith seriously."

Conclusion

James T. Laney was the president of Emory University, and a Methodist minister. He told one time of an important witness he received from a passenger on an airplane.

He boarded the plane, greeted the person sitting next to him, and settled into his seat. Before long the man beside him reached into his briefcase and took out a large Bible, a notebook, and a pen.

"Uh oh," Laney thought to himself, "I hope I'm not sitting next to a religious fanatic." He imagined two hours of this man ranting about his faith.

The man sitting beside him didn't say a word, but was deeply absorbed in reading and taking notes. Laney looked at him out of the corner of his eye. He seemed normal enough. Finally he commented, "I notice that you're studying the Bible."

"Yes," the man said, "I am."

Laney said, "I'm a Methodist minister."

"Really?" the man answered, not at all interested.

"I was wondering why you were reading the Bible?" Laney said.

"I'm preparing my Sunday school lesson."

"Like I said, I'm a Methodist minister."

"Well, I've got a tough lesson, we're studying first Kings. Good talking to you."

Laney related the story later and said, "Now that's evangelism!" If we can go about lives being Christian the best way we can, the world will be curious. They'll wonder about what we're doing, and what we have.

They'll ask, and we can answer. It will be a "speakable moment." And then with the Spirit's help we can tell about our faith and the marvelous God who loves and cares for us.

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2002