Introduction

Today we meet to celebrate Pentecost. For the last 50 days we have been celebrating the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus from the dead. Last week Philip preached on Jesus' ascension into Heaven at the end of his earthly ministry, taking his place by the Father, sitting in splendour as our king and interceding for us. Now we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on those first disciples at the Jewish festival of Pentecost but also upon us. This festival is the birthday of the Church - for now we are charged, in the power of the Holy Spirit, of sanctifying our world and working to further the Kingdom of God.

The Experience Then

The apostles were gathered together in one place. They had been told to wait for this strange "Holy Spirit" but didn't really know what to expect. They knew of Jesus' resurrection, they had said their goodbyes at his ascension but they were afraid still of the crowds and the authorities, political and religious, that would soon crack down on them as they had on Jesus. Then in the midst of their fear, the Holy Spirit came upon them and gave them energy, courage and power to start to spread the Good News. This bedraggled group of frightened disciples gained power and authority to preach of Jesus' death and resurrection without fear. They were also given the gift of tongues allowing them to preach in many languages so that all there could hear the works of God proclaimed in their own language.

The Holy Spirit drove them out into the world to preach the gospel and to form this radical new community called Church. From Jerusalem, throughout Israel, to the Jewish communities in the Roman world and then, powerfully, to the gentiles, the Holy Spirit pushed and guided the disciples in their work of evangelism.

That work continued throughout human history. The Holy Spirit inspired missionaries of all stripes and shades of opinion to move out and spread the Gospel. In the 1960s that same Holy Spirit inspired Troy Perry to start a church which would meet the needs of our people and that work of mission continues. In 1992 both MCC East London and MCC Manchester started, continuing the work of following the Holy Spirit to bring the good news of love and liberation to our folk.

Our Task

Our task now is to continue to co-operate with the movement of the Holy Spirit was we continue the work of Jesus. Our task is the same task as the apostles, the same task as Troy set for MCC in his first sermon: we are called to offer Christian Salvation, create Christian community and engage in Christian social action so that our world may be saved.

Christian Salvation

Our people are in need of salvation. They need to know that Jesus doesn't discriminate, that faith is something that will enhance and change their lives. It's a dreadful truth that religion can be the most liberating and the most oppressive facet in the world. We are called to show that the message of Jesus enhances and changes our lives for the better, that we don't need to find happiness in a pill or a bottle, and that Jesus wants us to be his people loving and caring in His name in our world. When Dan and his team go and leaflet the village we are helping to proclaim Christian salvation, helping to proclaim that there is a different way of living and loving, a way that has meaning, value and worth. It's the work of the Holy Spirit.

Christian Community

Many people tell me that they don't have to go to church to be a Christian - it's quite true you don't. But most who give up on going to church also give up on being Christian. We are called to create a powerful and dynamic Christian community which really makes a difference. We are all part of this wonderful MCC community; a community where we seek to care and look out for one another. Where we make lasting and true friendships, where we help people who are in need and where we can grow. Just think of the things that this community has achieved in recent years - a thriving trans group which helps people as they come to terms with who they really are, the campaign we joined in to help Moses win asylum saved a life, the work we are doing now in researching conditions for gay folks in Iran will also help save lives. The way we try to support each other's burdens and care for each other is a powerful sign of love in a world or culture which only really cares about the rich, the successful and the good looking. We are doing the work of the Holy Spirit as we allow Christian community to be built.

Christian Social Action

Yet we don't exist just to enjoy our own community, we exist also to change the world in Jesus' name. We exist to transform our world into a place where the values of justice and peace are paramount. We campaign a lot - sending cards to prisoners of conscience, writing to oppressive governments, seeking to change the world in small ways as well as large ones, shopping ethically, using less energy. All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

This Pentecost as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on those disciples at Pentecost, we also open ourselves again to the Holy Spirit that we may continue to be moulded into the church that God wants us to be: a place which proclaims Christian salvation, builds Christian community and engages in Christian social action to change the world in Jesus' name.