The Day of Pentecost - The Coming of the Holy Spirit

 Sermon Text: John 14:23-27

 Other Readings: Genesis 11:1-9 and Acts 2:1-21
 

 

  1. What is Jesus referring to when he talks of his “teaching” (vv. 23,24)?
     
  2. Jesus spoke this promise in the Upper Room with his apostles: “The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (v. 26). Does that promise apply only to the apostles specifically or to all of Jesus’ disciples of all time?
     
  3. Jesus is God and holy, but Scripture doesn’t really name him the “Holy Son.” The Father is God and holy, but Scripture doesn’t emphasize him as the “Holy Father.” Why does Scripture here and elsewhere call the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit?
     
  4. The Greek word for the Holy Spirit is Paraclete. Different translations have different English words for it. In worship we heard “Advocate” from the New International Version. Other translations use “Comforter” or “Helper” or “Counselor”. Those are all okay possibilities, but which word do you most prefer? Why?
     
  5. Jesus has given you his peace. How would you describe to another person what that peace is and what that peace does for you? 
     
  1. It is best understood as the entire body of teaching that he proclaimed and taught during his public ministry. This would include both his gospel promises and his commands for living.
     
  2. It is probably best understood as a direct promise only for the apostles, as fulfilled especially on Pentecost. But we have benefited from this promise. The Spirit uses the inspired writings of the apostles in the New Testament to teach us what Jesus said and to remind us of these truths.
     
  3. The Spirit is not just holy himself, but Scripture emphasizes that it is the Spirit who makes us holy by bringing us to faith in Jesus and his atoning work. We call this the work of “sanctification.”
     
  4. Answers will vary, but they all do give us comfort, don’t they?! They all reflect the root idea of the Greek word, which is this: the Holy Spirit comes alongside us through Word and sacrament and encourages us in our faith.
     
  5. Answers will vary, but it’s all rooted in the forgiveness of sins and promise of eternal life. Those things eventually calm our troubled hearts and drive all spiritual fear from us.