June 3, 2001

In a well known Norwegian hymn by Elias Blix "No livnar det i lundar, no lauvast det i li" (it is about the spring coming) something is also said related to Pentecost which is like spring coming to the church. The Spirit enables new life, growth and fruit.

The light, life and power in church-life come from God’s Spirit.

The wonderful congregation at Mindekirken is worked by the Holy Spirit. The many talents and gifts you have are spiritual blessings. The faith and hope you have is from God by his Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit touches you to tears or make you laugh.

I remember one Day of Pentecost many years ago. I traveled from Oslo up north along Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer and to Gausdal. The weather on this Sunday of May was beautiful and the trees and flowers were blooming. Some farmers were working in the field. I was on my way to attend the morning worship Service and ordination of a new Pastor. The preacher was Bishop Alex Johnson.

I still recall something from his sermon:

Pentecost is what is going on here today. Early this morning the custodian and the ushers organized and cleaned up. They moved the chairs and prepared the altar, and the kitchen crew worked hard to make everything ready for church coffee. The church choir rehearsed. There is a good turnout and the church is packed. We worship together by singing hymns of praise to God, the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We pray and we listen to the Gospel while it is read and proclaimed. We kneel at the altar for the Lord’s table. All this is Pentecost. All this is acted by God’s Spirit! The Holy Spirit is present right here touching our hearts.

I also remember how the Bishop asked:

How was the beginning?

His answer was a quotation from one of the hymns by the Danish poet Grundtvig:

The verses conveyed the story about the Apostles waiting in Jerusalem for the proper time of the Lord to come, and when it suddenly happened it was like thousands of church bells chiming. It was such a moving moment in history. No one had ever experienced anything like this before.

The Bishop focused on two more things in his sermon:

The Holy Spirit has first and foremost one thing to remind you about: Jesus Christ died for you and He was raised for you! When you begin to believe in this and rejoice in it Pentecost is a reality in your life.

He also referred to the Apostle saying: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(2. Cor l 3:17)

Many young people attended the Pentecost Service and the Bishop addressed us: The Holy Spirit is not going to enslave you, but to free you from the many things you are bound to in your culture and traditions, and make you free and independent; to raise you as an individual and empower you to follow Christ and to make you live as a Christian person. This might mean that you are called to be a farmer here in Gausdal, or maybe a Pastor in the western part of Norway, or He calls you to go to Madagascar as a missionary!

So far the Bishop’s Sermon - Maybe I should draw the line here?

Some of you may wonder about my Sermon on the text for today?

But this was something I wanted to share this morning.

There is one single, particular term about the Holy Spirit in our text today which I want you to keep in mind: the Advocate which translates "the Helper".

If you need help for your faith, God’s Spirit is ready to help you.

If you need help for love and obedience and to keep God’s will, the Spirit will help you.

If you need help to have more safety and hope in your life, the Holy Spirit provides what you need.

If you need help to rejoice in the Lord and be prepared for His return, His Spirit will strengthen you and give you peace.

You will forever have some of your weaknesses, your doubt, your lack of true love and obedience toward God, but at the same time you will have a new resource of power and new life by The Holy Spirit, and a new will to obey God. Something will remain old and be new at the same time. This might be confusing, but to understand the difference is of highest importance. This is the case of the Church life and in our life as well.

When I look back and consider my life I realize many things were not according to God’s will, but in spite of this I have been God’s child from the day of my Baptism, and I can see the track of God’s grace and mercy in my life and the guidance and help from the Holy Spirit.

There is a strong connection between Easter, Pentecost and Mindekirken.

"Navnet Jesus blekner aldri" (The Glory of Jesus’ name will never fade)

He has revealed to us the true picture of God,- "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father".

He has gathered all of us in his congregation to pray and praise His name,- "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son".

He has called upon us to do greater works than He did himself,- Go to all peoples everywhere and proclaim the Gospel.

He sent The Holy Spirit as another Helper and to be the power from above in our life.

The name of Jesus, His Church worldwide and Mindekirken.

This is all about Pentecost.

Blessed Pentecost to all of you!

Glory to the Father and the Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716