May 15, 2016 Sermon

Messiah Lutheran Church Podcasts

"The Three P's of Pentecost"

I would like you to think of the most wonderful, awesome and amazing thing that you’ve ever witnessed in your life. Maybe it was that trip out west and you were looking at the majestic mountains and were gazing at the beauty of God’s creation; or you were on the beach looking out at miles and miles of ocean and wondering if it ever ends. Or maybe you’re thinking of the day in the hospital room you had the opportunity to gaze into the eyes of your child as you held him or her for the first time. God is good! He has given us so many wonderful, awesome and amazing gifts in our lives.

But how many of you thought of the gift of the Holy Spirit? That’s the exact gift that was given on the first Pentecost. It truly was awesome, wonderful and amazing as they experienced with many of their senses the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They were able to see and hear and witness the awesome power of our almighty God. Let’s consider – “The Three P’s of Pentecost.” Promise. Power. Purpose.

You might ask yourself – why 3 P’s? Not only does it have a nice ring to it, there are three things that Jesus gave to his disciples as encouragement. He gave them the promise, power and purpose of Pentecost.