St. Paul’s Sermon 2004

The Sunday of the Trinity - June 6, 2004

Lessons:

“A Counselor for Life”

Introduction:

33 years ago I spent much of the summer working my way through the four volumes of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien. For me, it was a major part of God’s call on my life. I think I’ve read the entire series three or four times. It’s a monumental story of Good over evil, written by a Christian author and friend of C.S. Lewis. It supposedly takes place in an earlier age, long before history, long before Abraham or anything we know of. The story is that of a magic ring, which if regained by the Supreme Evil, would lead to the destruction and enslavement of the world. The ring, lost for ages, must be destroyed before the Evil lord can reclaim it. The entire story revolves around that quest.

The story was made into a series of three movies in the past few years. This morning we’re going to see a small clip that deals with our theme today. In this clip, a council of men, hobbits, elves and a boisterous dwarf decide how the task of destroying the ring will come to pass. Watch for the old guy with the beard. That’s Gandalf, the counselor of the group.

[LOR clip]

I) Trinity Sunday- this year’s texts focus on the Holy Spirit

• Like those in film clip we have a task - future of humanity hangs in the balance

• The church is made up of many different people, with varying gifts, abilities, worldviews and backgrounds.

• Called, gathered, enlightened, sanctified and kept by the Holy Spirit

• Paul says the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus- 2 Cor 3:17

• Jesus says in our text, this is the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth who will guide us. Paraclete- one who takes your side- covers your back- defense attorney- advocate - New Guinea jungle travel- “one who lays by your side”

II) The Role of the Counselor

• In our film clip, the central counselor for the Fellowship of the Ring is Gandalf. He knows the ropes; he has great wisdom from living for centuries and having great learning. He has the role of the counselor.

• Great literature often has such a sage- like the Professor on Gilligan’s Island.

• In human terms, the role of the wise one who comes along side is crucial - we do that too- wise friend, doctor, lawyer, pastor- we go to the trusted counselor.

• When Jesus was on earth- limited to one place at a time.

• Jesus says that it is good that he goes away, so he can be replaced by the Holy Spirit who will dwell inside each believer.

III) Always in Contact; Always There to Lead

• Cell phone- how did we live without them? lost; kids in trouble; need address; need information- Instant access.

• God the Holy Spirit- more immediate; more powerful; gift of Spirit goes beyond relationship of God before Fall from grace- God living INSIDE us!

• John 16: [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

• All of the richness of the knowledge, the insight, the wisdom and presence of God- ALL that Jesus has is given to us in the Holy Spirit.

• “All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” -Do we really believe this? Do we really expect this?

• How do we experience that? Part of God’s great sense of humor- rationalistic, scientific time of humanity- God is pouring out his Spirit:

• Remind us who’s really in charge

• He and we are spiritual beings

• Shouldn’t settle for the dire poverty of orphanhood!

• Unlimited resources; unlimited abilities

• We receive this by faith- We receive it by opening and asking - gift; grace; surrender is cessation of trying.

• Do we live like orphans or children with inheritance?

Summary-

Key is promise of Spirit- Counselor- comes by your side to give you all the Father has given Jesus. Invitation; amen.

June 6, 2004 –Holy Trinity

Proverbs 8:1-4

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

[2] On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

[3] beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:

[4] "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

Proverbs 8:22-31

"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

[23] I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

[24] When there were no oceans, I was given birth, there were no springs abounding with water;

[25] before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

[26] before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

[27] I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

[28] when he established the clouds above fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

[29] when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

[30] Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

[31] rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

John 16:12-15

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.