THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
June, 2004

By Pastor Dan Gibson

(Pentecost Sermon)
John 14:8-17
Acts 2:1-21

On the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in our 1st lesson, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and empowered them to be the CHURCH, Christ’s presence in the world. Here we see the Spirit in the form of fire and a heavenly speech.

Several centuries later, in an attempt to wrap our minds around this phenomenon, the Western Church constructed the Apostles Creed to summarize Christian Doctrine into three parts that features statements about the Father (Creator), Son (Redeemer), and the Holy Spirit (Sanctifier). (No, the “original” apostles did not actually pen the “Creed” as we know it, but is based on strands of their teaching/writings).

In Part II of his Small Catechism in his explanation of the 3rd Article, Luther shares that the Holy Spirit:

“Calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith.”

He goes on in parts IV and V to say that it is in Holy Baptism we are claimed in the Spirit -- and in Holy Communion we are nourished in the Spirit.

Now, depending on where you look, you can find different nuances that describe the work of the Holy Spirit… even within the New Testament itself!

St. John, in his gospel lesson this morning, puts it in a way that the Holy Spirit picks up where the earthly Jesus left off. Jesus says (in verse 16) that he will ask the Father, and the Father will give you another Counselor who comes in the Spirit of Truth.

And as we all know, a good counselor will tell you the truth!

As Christians, we are called to speak the truth - in love.

Friday night Karlyn and I had the opportunity to see “The Boys Next Door” featuring a fabulous performance by our own Jamison Jones who plays Jack Palmer, a social worker that works closely with 4 mentally challenged men who live in a communal residence. Jack has a good relationship with the residents and it is clear that they have grown to love him.

At times, there are situations that warrant Jack to speak the truth to the residents in regard to their inappropriate behavior. For even those who are mentally challenged need to hear the truth about how their negative actions are affecting those with whom they live in community with.

At times those confrontations were received well - and some learning and growth took place - and at other times -- it wasn’t.

In one case, after speaking to one of the residents, the offender told Jack, who had been trained as a professional to work with such mentally challenged people, that it was he, Jack, who was mentally challenged, followed by the emotionally-bruised resident stomping off.

But Jack kept persevering in the truth.

…including, the truth about himself. As it turns out, Jack’s work among the residents was beginning to take its toll. Finally, he decided that it was time to step down. However, he did not high-tail it out the back without telling them why or saying goodbye. He faced the residents and told them the truth. He shared with them that he was not taking a promotion at a prestigious mental hospital or anything else on a grander scale for that matter, but taking something all together different that would take less of a beating on him.

Up to the end, Jack remained a good counselor to the residents – and when it was time to go and the residents were terrified of losing their friend, he told them not to worry, for they would get a new counselor…

When Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure, he told them that another Counselor would be coming to them – and staying with them - forever - the Spirit of Truth (16-17). Today, as the church, we have among us this same Counselor who comes to us in truth – in whatever “mental state” we are in at any given point of our journey - meeting us in the “group homes” of our lives. And like in the case of Jack’s four friends, we can either welcome that, or reject that - even to the extent of telling our counselor, the one who has come to help us, that it is he who needs the help!

How many times over the past 20 years that I, either as a professional in youth ministry, or more recently as a Pastor, have prayed for the aid of the Holy Spirit before having to confront an individual about their inappropriate behavior. At times when I thought I was being “too hard”, the individual later said: “Did you know that you are the only person in my life that had the courage to tell me those things about myself? Thank you. I can see now how my attitudes have affected all areas of my life.” Or other times that I felt I was being “too soft” and the person went away feeling judged and injured: “I am appalled! I can’t believe you said that to me! I’m leaving the church!”

Amazing, isn’t it?

The fact of the matter is, we are all called to tell the truth in love – and even when we have the best of intentions and invoke the Spirit in Jesus name - we are not in control of the response of other individuals.

The reality is that you don’t have to visit a “group home” or “mental institute” to find sick people living a lie -- in fact, I have found those “homes” to be some of the most honest and happiest places on earth! In truth, the majority of people find that continuing to live a “lie” is easier then being open to the truth, because to be open to the truth is opening oneself up to pain and change – and change is hard - and the mere notion of changing a lifestyle of 10, 20, 30, 40 years or more (however unhealthy it has become) is terrifying.

Now, speaking the truth in love is not:

• Claiming that my truth represents everybody else’s truth. That’s just being selfish and delusional.
• A truth that makes others look bad in order for me to look good. If we have to tear down others in order to build ourselves up then we are looking for our self-worth in the wrong place.
• Sharing with others what I heard to be a “truth” about someone else. That is just the improper transfer of unfounded information – otherwise known as gossip.
• Telling a foolhardy person “what they want to hear” because I think it is the “Christian thing to do.” All we are doing is furthering the madness – and chances are, the unhealthy person, like returning to a drug of choice, will keep returning to the “nice” person for reinforcement in order to remain secure in their “safety zone” - and a mutually gratifying sick relationship is born.

Hey folks, guess what? The Spirit of Truth does not speak out of both sides of the mouth! The Spirit of Truth does not wear two faces! The gospel without integrity is not the gospel -- for it is not the truth… and we are called to speak the truth - in love.

There is enough B.S. in the world -- people come to church to get away from it and to see if they can discover something that is for real! This morning we offer again an opportunity to receive the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus Christ at the Table of the Lord where we are renewed in the Spirit of Truth that is exemplified in a real love that can meet real needs.

As individuals and a congregation, may we continue to live in the Spirit of Truth; be willing to listen to the truth and be willing to speak the truth in love for the sake of the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit of Truth.

Amen.

Moving Ahead in Christ,

+ Pastor Dan

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