A New Spirit
John 14:15-18, 25-27
June 2, 3, 2007

If you enjoy alternative forms of humor, you will appreciate this story. One day, a man began to have severe aches and pains. He went to his doctor. She ran a number of tests and told him that she would call him in a few days with the results. Later that week, the man received the phone call from the doctor. She said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I have terrible news for you." The man sensed that things were serious and he wanted an honest answer. With fear and trembling in his voice he said, "Oh no! How long do I have?" The doctor said, "Ten." He said, "Ten what? Days? Months? Years?" The doctor said, "Nine, eight, seven, six…." Now there's a man who was having a bad day!

IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULTIES AND DISEASE AND DEATH, IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO MAINTAIN A SENSE OF PEACE. But that is the gift from Jesus that is described in today's text from John 14. The hours, the minutes, the seconds are literally ticking down for Jesus. "Ten, nine, eight, seven…." But he says to his disciples, "I will not leave you orphaned." "I will not leave you alone. "Do not let your hearts be troubled-do not let them be afraid. "Peace I leave with you. "The Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will be with you and remind you of all that I have said to you." Even as the countdown has begun for his death, Jesus offers words of life and hope and peace.

For centuries, Christians have turned to this chapter for strength and assurance-and Jesus delivers! He reiterates the new commandment he has given his disciples-to love others as he has loved them." He gently clarifies how his presence will remain with his disciples. When Jesus declares, "Those who love me will keep my word," he is talking about more than words. The "Word" will be with them! By keeping this word of love, God will "make a dwelling" or "be at home" within the lives of loving disciples. Jesus assures them again and again of the imminent arrival of an empowering gift-the "Advocate" or "Helper" or "Counselor." Several times in this farewell address, he focuses on the gift of peace that God will give.

What kind of "peace" is this? Well, it is not the kind the world offers. The world offers a seductive "peace" that is based on the temporary success of one force over another-whether it is a person, country, ideals, status, wealth, or power. No, the peace of God passes these kinds of understandings. With its roots in the First Testament, "peace" is profoundly more than a greeting. Instead, it is a special and significant gift from God. In John's Gospel, the term is often equated with "light," "life," "joy" or "truth." God's peace is not defined by the absence of something-war, strife, hardship, conflict-but rather as a positive, empowering presence! The peace Jesus gives to us through the Holy Spirit is more than we can ever imagine. It is the end of war, but it is much more than that. It is a sense of inner well-being, but it is much more than that. It is an easing of emotional tensions, but it is much more than that. It is the settling of interpersonal conflicts, but it is much more than that. This gift of peace is a gift of wholeness-a gift of salvation.

And then Jesus reminds them that they will be reminded again and again! The Spirit will remind them of everything he has already taught them! Don't you love teachers like that! Some of you have just been through final exams. If you were like I was in school, I really appreciated the teachers who prepared us well. We could tell by the tone of their voices, "This is important! This will be on the final exam!" Over and over, again and again, time after time, he reinforces what is about to take place. And again, when we think about the context and the circumstances for this conversation, we have to step back in awe and say, "Wow!" The world was offering then what it continues to offer today-fear and fighting, disease and division, destruction and death.And if you are looking for a faith that promises a problem-free life, you have come to the wrong place.

Jesus does not tell his disciples that they would not have problems. In fact, their problems would tower over much of the minutiae in our lives that we call "problems." I appreciate the perspective of one of my favorite theologians, Erma Bombeck, as she describes some of her "problems"-things that were "peace-robbers" in her life. She says: "I did as I was told-I was fussy about my peanut butter, fought cavities, became depressed over yellow wax buildup on my kitchen floor. "I was responsible for my husband's underarms being protected for 12 hours. "I was responsible for making sure my children had a well-balanced breakfast. "I alone was carrying the burden for my dog's shiny coat." "I believed that if I converted to all the products that marched before my eyes, my family could be the best, the sexiest, the freshest, the cleanest, the thinnest, the smartest, and the first on our block to be regular."

Well, I don't want to disappoint you, but the Holy Spirit won't give you fresh breath or shining hair. The Spirit will give you the loving presence of Christ's peace in your life. Try to find that on sale at Kroger's or Target or Oxmoor Mall. Try to find that on E-Bay or on somebody's blog. Jesus doesn't promise a problem-free life. But he does offer today what he offered back then… A place of peace in the eye of the storm.

LAST SUNDAY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON OF PENTECOST. The day of Pentecost is a time when we celebrate and give thanks for God's gift of the Holy Spirit to us. The season of Pentecost is a time for us to think about what it means to live Spirit-filled lives. Sometimes I think we get a little greedy when it comes to spiritual matters-we're eager to receive the gift, the secret, the insight, the peace… But not as eager to let that Spirit grow in and flow through us.

We're pretty good about inhaling the fresh wind of the Spirit…but if we hold our breath…. In John Updike's novel, A Month of Sundays, one of the characters reflects on his youthful experiences of the church. He says, "For me, churches held the same relationship to God that billboards did to Coca-Cola." "They promoted thirst but did nothing to quench it." The world is waiting for us to exhale! The Holy Spirit empowers us as members of the church to be agents of change in the world-to offer something other than the world gives. One of the challenges of the Church is to breathe in and be inspired by the Spirit. But we have to exhale! We need the courage to act on God's behalf! That's one of the things Jesus tells his disciples-do not be afraid! One translation is "do not lack courage!" "Don't be a bunch of chickens!"

As the Spirit of God flows into us, it also ought to flow from us in the way we treat one another. People should notice a difference in the way we speak to each another and the way we treat others inside and outside of our community. People should notice a difference in the way we live out the new life we receive from God.
People should notice a difference about us-love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, patience, self-control-the fruit of Spirit-filled lives. Do you know anybody like that? They are all around you. And one of them has been here for over 32 years. I don't know about you, but one of my spiritual role models is Rev. Mary Beth Guy. When we think about these qualities and characteristics of the Spirit, they show up on her resume. She has shown us how to inhale-to breathe deeply of the Spirit… And she has shown us how to exhale-to serve and sacrifice on behalf of God. God only knows how many hospital and nursing home visits she has made? God only knows how many funeral services she has led? God only knows how many words of comfort and caring and compassion she has spoken? God only knows how many loving acts she has done-most of them behind the scenes-for people in need? For over 32 years, many of the members and friends of the Beargrass family have been on the "receiving" end of her meaningful ministry. And it has been my privilege to be her friend and colleague in ministry for the past ten years.

Some of you know the story behind her story. And yet, some of you who are new to the church may have no idea about the challenges she has faced. Over five years ago, she was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. "Ten, nine, eight, seven…." If you are familiar with the disease, you know that by the grace of God she has outlived and outlasted all of her doctors' predictions. And with amazing humility, courage, and fortitude, she has been persistent in favorable and unfavorable times. She has poured herself out in ministry. She has kept the faith and lived a Spirit-filled life. And even last week in her sermon, she proclaimed that even though she is "retiring," Christians never retire. She has not just mouthed the words of John 14-they are a part of the very fiber of her heart and soul-and she knows the Author well.

In Valyermo, California, some Benedictine monks have converted a 400-acre ranch into a religious community called St. Andrew's Priory. But they want people to know that this place is different. They want people to know that they are different. So they have posted signs around the ranch. As you enter the grounds, you may come across a sign that says: "No Hunting-Except for Peace." Friends, the world is hunting for peace. People are searching for the kind of love and joy that only God can give. People are longing to be in meaningful relationships with Spirit-filled people like you. The world is searching. What will we give them?