J. Paterson Smyth

Whitsunday

EPISTLE—Acts II. 1-12.

GOSPEL—St. John XIV. 15-31.

R EAD carefully Lesson II on Acts of Apostles. Try to impress on yourself and the children the grand power within reach of all. Half the weakness and poorness of Christian life is because men do not "believe in the Holy Ghost."

What commemorate to-day? What is this day called? Why so called? You would easily understand if you lived in the early days, 1500 years ago, when Whitsunday was especially the "White Sunday?" It was one of the great baptismal seasons of the year, in memory of that day on which the Apostles had been baptised with the Holy Ghost. Christians met together on the "White Sunday" to receive into the congregation of Christ's Church those who had been admitted by Holy Baptism. In robes of pure white they entered the church, in token of the purity of life which Baptism denoted, while the chants of praise rose from the congregations for the white-robed throngs of spiritual children who in Baptism had been "born of water and the Spirit."

From very earliest times, even, it is said, from the days of the Apostles, the Church has kept this festival of Whitsuntide to commemorate—what? Yes, the most important event, perhaps, in the whole history of the world. Want you to understand to-day how important, and what an enormous difference the fact of Pentecost made. 

Did anybody else in New Testament prophesy of Holy Ghost? (Matthew iii. 11). Did anybody in Old Testament? Many. See especially in chapter from which Epistle is taken. Who? What had he prophesied? (Acts ii. 16-18). Did our Lord repeat promise of Holy Ghost after Resurrection? (Acts i. 8). What specially promised there as result of His coming? Yes. Power was the great need of these few weak, simple, ignorant Christians who were to conquer the world for Christ. Power was the great need of all the converts who were to be members of Christ's "Kingdom of God." (See Lesson I on Acts of Apostles.) What had they to promise? Same as we who are now by Baptism made members of that "Kingdom of God." What? Third answer in Catechism. Is it easy to renounce devil—to keep God's holy will and commandments? Which is easier, to be bad or good? Only by some miraculous power can we succeed. And this miraculous power was the gift of Pentecost. We shall learn more about this power later on in Lesson.

But is it enough merely to urge us to do right? No. We cannot do it. We often try and fail, and only sometimes succeed. But God dwelling within us does more. What? (Acts i. 8). POWER. What sort of power? Power to be good, holy, full of enthusiastic self-sacrifice for God and for righteousness. Most important to believe in this power.  This is what makes that Pentecost Day so important. A new power came into life—to be the gift of every disciple of Christ for ever, if he would but reach out for it and use it. No one now need be conquered  by evil. Great loss that people don't believe more in Holy Ghost. Illustrate—a man in sure danger from robbers, and an army within hearing who would help him if he called out, or a weak man whose whole happiness depends on accomplishing a task too great for him, and help is near, but he does not know—does not believe it. What is the great distinction between Christianity and all other forms of religion? THIS POWER. Other teachers could tell men to try to do right. Christ gives men power to do it. 

Even in Old Testament days the Church of God had not that power. A few men here and there got it by special inspiration; but it was not within the reach of all men, as now. They had cravings for good and efforts after right; but, compared with the great power of the Holy Ghost that Christ has given, their illumination and power was but

See the power that came to these early Christians—the courage and self-sacrifice and enthusiasm about religion. In 100 years they had spread religion through the Roman Empire. Look at this sermon of St. Peter's, bearding priest and Pharisee and mob in Jerusalem itself, charging them with killing God's Anointed. (v.  23). Peter, who a few weeks before was afraid of a maid-servant. See the effect of that great sermon of the Christian Church. (vv.  37-41). Why? Power of Holy Ghost. Look at what St. Paul, who received the gift long afterwards, says of its effect on his own life and that of others. (Galatians v. 22). See what a power it is in the lives of the holiest, noblest people you know. (Emphasize this to make the Holy Ghost appear a real  power whose effects they can see.)

LESSONS—

(1) Believe in the Holy Ghost. Recognise His promptings in you all day long. In your Baptism that power began, and will be with you all your life unless you wilfully drive it away. (See Baptismal Service.) Be very sure that that power is there, that you need not be beaten  in the fight with sin unless you choose.

(2) Grieve not the Spirit.  (Ephesians iv. 30). How could you? (a) By resisting His promptings; (b) By not using or caring for His help. He is the best friend you ever had. His great longing and craving is to make you holy and happy. (Romans viii. 26). Yet so many disappoint Him. Think of a farmer looking at a field where he had sown good seed and taken exceeding great pains, and seeing poor stunted growth, he turns away in sorrow: "Well, that field has disappointed me sadly!"

(3) Quench not the Spirit.  Some even go so far as to quench His influence altogether. (1 Thessalonians v. 19). What an awful possibility! To push away the only hand that can lead us to Christ and to heaven. Yet it is possible. Pray—"O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners!"