Acts 20:22-23; 28-31; May 24, 2026; Pentecost Sunday
Paul wrote, “I am on my way… not knowing what will happen to me.” – Acts 20:22
Imagine if we knew what would happen to us when we ventured on our way? When we left home for college. When we said “I do” in marriage.
Imagine how much easier things could have been if we all had a crystal ball that foretold us who and when.
Imagine what we could have accomplished.
Who we could have avoided being.
Interesting thing with Paul is that he had a crystal ball of sorts in the form of the Holy Spirit. Who testified that on his way slander and persecution and imprisonment all awaited him.
And yet, not knowing exactly when this might happen, he set off all the same.
That says something, I think, about him and his brain. About finishing the race no matter the cost, that when the risks are staring us clear in the eyes, testifying to the gospel is worth even other people’s lies.
Yes, today is Pentecost. And Pentecost is generally reserved for a story at the beginning. Of Acts and the Holy Spirit and all the treasures it begets: exhortation, proclamation, healing, and education.
And even though today’s story is different, we are encouraged to be captive to this same Spirit, rhyming and modeling its gifts and its wisdom.
For we are cautioned to keep watch over ourselves and our flock, to be overseers and shepherds of the Holy church of God. Because there are wolves out there, and maybe even some in here, who will soon if not already distort the truth to our collective undoing and our spiritual ruin.
Now some of you might be thinking, I know who these people are, pastor. Easy.
But are you sure? Who’s to say it’s not we?
After all, I’ve been called one. And maybe you have too. If for no other reason than preaching Pride and that Christ loves you.
Worse, I’ve asked questions. I have quoted heretics. I married a Ukrainian Buddhist and my son is on his own path where he makes his own choices.
So, maybe I am the wolf that you should be aware of? That you should grow wise to. Or just maybe I am someone, perhaps minimally, worth listening to.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
You know Paul himself was called an imposter. A false prophet and interloper. And he defended himself against accusations throughout Acts and Corinthians (especially 2 Corinthians chapters 3 and 11).
You see, he never knew Jesus. Physcially, never met him. And he yet preached a new covenant where even Gentiles were welcome.
He was put on trial, and sentenced to execution, after he was said to have betrayed his own Jewish religion; later critiqued by some historians and Christians, he’s also argued to have distorted the original Jesus movement.
So, who are we really, if we can’t even know him? Like beauty, is character subjective? A judgment we can’t make, but others can?
Who are the prophets and who are the wolves? How can we know? Imagine how much easier things would be if by testing the spirits we could always know who are we.
Wolves roam in a pack, a faction, a click… associated with the Kingdom only in name, they yet wait for their moment to strike injuring God’s Name.
Are we, my friends, also waiting to pounce? To write that email? To judge and condescend?
Or are we looking to help, build, support, and mend?
Maybe one day we are like one, and on another, the other? Do we have two voices on our shoulders, one with a pitchfork, and a halo on the other?
Or is it never so black and always so white? Where we are neither wolves or sheep; predators or prey; but always a bit of both, letting our actions say, ultimately who we are, if we are right or wrong, if we are true or false, if we are altogether better or altogether something else?
If nothing else, today, let’s remember this:
“Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars [they are wolves], for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have seen from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. For beloved, God is love.” – 1 John 4
Once upon a time, I heard this fable, relayed by a friend who lived with Native Americans.
It goes like this:
A young boy came to his grandfather, filled with anger at an injustice. So, the grandfather said:
“There are two wolves inside of us and both try to dominate our Spirit.”
“One wolf is evil. It’s jealousy, greed, envy and arrogance, self-pity, resentment, lies, and false pride.”
“The other wolf is good. It’s joy and peace, love and humility, kindness, benevolence, and always generosity, compassion, empathy, hope, and faith.”
The boy looked intently into his grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which wolf wins, Grandpa? The good or the evil?”
The grandfather smiled and said, “The one you feed.”
My friends, imagine what we could accomplish.
Imagine who we could avoid being.
If we were wise to the Spirit: the True, Good, and Holy.
And not only fed it, but each and every day lived captive to it.
Amen.
