“Protein Power”
Original sermon given May 19, 2024 (Day of Pentecost), written and delivered by Pastor Jeffrey Leininger at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Watch the sermon live.
“Protein Power”
John 15-16
John 15-16
In the name of the Living God and the risen Christ. Amen.
Who is this? Who is this who hovered over the waters at creation, bringing life, order, and beauty? Who is this, who enlivened a whole valley of dead, dry bones assembling the sinews of a mighty army? Who is this, breathed forth from the mouth of Christ, who brought peace to a dark, locked, fear-filled upper room? Who is this, who came with a rush of wind and flames of fire and who touched tongues, inspiring the first believers in Jerusalem? Who is this, who dwells within us and sighs within us and prays within us even in those times when we can’t find words?
Today is the Festival of Pentecost, when we remember and celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s a rather difficult and awkward day for the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, because to be honest, the Spirit doesn’t like talking about himself. (Sorry to embarrass you, this morning, Holy Spirit). The Spirit is known among Lutherans as “the shy member” of the Trinity because the Spirit rather works behind the scenes, pointing to Jesus, creating faith us, enliving us to do Christ’s work. It’s like that family member or friend or coworker who does everything, but never wants any of the credit.
We don’t even really know what to name the Holy Spirit. Jesus our Lord gives us a name in today’s gospel, which in the old translations we remember as “Paraclete”. (That’s not “parakeet”, nor is it “pair of cleats”. It’s “Paraclete!”) It’s an actual transliteration of the Greek word for “call alongside of”, or to “aid”, or “comfort”, or “to advocate for.” But Jesus says, “The Paraclete”, which we sometimes translate as “The Comforter”—like someone who comes beside you for encouragement. Or “The Counselor”—like a friend or professional who brings healing. Or “The Helper”, who comes to your aid. Or, in this mornings’ translation, “The Advocate”—like a lawyer who stands with you, pleading your case, taking your side.
I know this might be frustrating that we can’t completely pin down even the Spirit’s proper name. Maybe take comfort in this, however: if you can define something, you kind of have mastery over it and then know its limits. The Holy Spirit’s work is unbounded, unlimited, eternally mysterious, and powerful beyond our imagination and our articulation.
I’m not going to help much this morning either, because I’m going to give you yet another name for the Holy Spirit. It’s not a biblical name, but I hope will be helpful. “The Protein”. Not, mind you, just “protein” as in the stuff in the protein bar that gives you energy (although maybe that kind of works, too.) No, “The Protein.”
Let me explain. (Full disclosure: I got this illustration from FSP member Ali Khoddam, a microbiologist. I barely got a B- in biology. It’s really nice being at a church with people way smarter than me.)
We all have a protein in our body (actually two) called Piezo, which enables our bodies to move smoothly, instinctively, to sense physical motion. These proteins enable an electrical signal that helps us with all physical sense and activity. They do this even without our cognition or seeing.
We know how important the Piezo proteins are because of what happens when we don’t have them. In the sad situation when a person is born without these proteins, the genetic disorder means that they can only move when they can see. When their eyes are shut, or they are blindfolded, they can’t move. Only when their eyes are open, and they think intentionally, can they make their body move. No sight, no motion.
We, on the other hand, can instinctively, move and sense motion and feel physical touch and have physical activity—even when we’re not thinking about it and even when we can’t see at all. Even when our sight fails, we can live and move and feel. Amazing, isn’t it?
It’s a great analogy for faith and helps us to understand the work of the Holy Spirit, “The Protein”. The Spirit guides us, even when we’re not sure where we’re going. The Spirit teaches us, even when we can’t fully understand. The Spirit gives a different kind of sight, even when our earthly eyes give way or deceive us. The Faith the Holy Spirit gives us, moves within us, enabling our bodies to be the body of Christ in love, service, sacrifice, mission, thanksgiving, and praise, even when we can’t see where it’s leading. Without earthly sight and beyond earthly eyes, the Spirit leads and guides and enables our spiritual motion.
Now there is some bad news with this analogy. There’s another, opposing protein at work—spiritually that is. We might call this the “Old Adam Protein.” At war within us against the work of the Spirit, the Old Adam tells us to trust only what you can see; believe only what makes sense; give only when you’ll get something back; hear only what the world says; love only when you’re loved; walk forward only when you can see clearly ahead of you. This temptation might sound appealing, in a way, but in the end, it will restrict and constrict the free, instinctive, intuitive movement of the Body of Christ.
Imagine what would have happened if those first believers in Jerusalem weren’t given “The Protein of the Holy Spirit”: they would have never gone anywhere or told anyone, and we wouldn’t even be here this morning, worshipping according to their witness. But as it happened, they left Jerusalem, with the Spirit guiding their footsteps and strengthening their journey, even facing martyrdom. They could not see what lay ahead, but the Holy Spirit moved them, and moved within them.
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, so the book of Hebrews tells us. (Hebrews 11.1) The Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith in us, enabling us to walk in God’s ways even when we can’t always understand where He’s leading.
That’s why this morning is so important. Being here, as the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit given a new to us this morning, through Christ’s word and sacraments. These Means of Grace are like channels, or conduits, for the Spirit’s “Protein Power” to be renewed and strengthened within us, and the Old Adam’s to be killed off through repentance and faith.
The Ancient prayer of the church on this day is Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Creator Spirit). We pray this prayer today with renewed fervency and renewed urgency, knowing that we cannot move without the Spirit.
Come soon Lord Jesus. Amen.