The Holy Spirit – What Does He Do?

This sermon explores the work of the Holy Spirit across three historical periods: creation, Old Testament, New Testament, and the present day. The pastor begins by emphasizing that the Trinity has existed from eternity past, and the Holy Spirit is an inseparable part of the perfect Godhead. The central question of the sermon is: "What does the Holy Spirit do?" and the pastor identifies that to answer this, we must understand His work through different stages of salvation history.

In creation, the Holy Spirit played a vital life-giving role. From His "hovering" over the waters in Genesis 1:2, He brings life to all creatures. When God created humanity from dust, only when God "breathed breath" into human nostrils did humans become a living being (Genesis 2:7). The pastor emphasizes that the Hebrew word "breath" (ruach) is the same as "spirit" and "breath of life," showing that the Holy Spirit is the One who imparts essential life to all creatures. The books of Job, Psalms, and other Scripture passages confirm that life is always connected to the giving of the Holy Spirit, and He also has the power to renew all things in the work of recreation.

In the Old Testament, the presence of the Holy Spirit was not limited to special people but worked in the lives of many. The pastor points out that the Holy Spirit "convicted" and "taught" humanity even before the great flood, striving to make them aware of sin and the need for repentance. Many prominent figures such as Joseph, Moses, Joshua, judges (Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah), Samson, David, and prophets were all guided by the Holy Spirit in their lives. This presence was not the indwelling that believers after Pentecost experienced, but rather the intervention and teaching of the Holy Spirit to help people recognize sin and the need for change.

In the New Testament, the work of the Holy Spirit entered a new and more important phase. From the conception of Mary, the Holy Spirit dwelled with Christ until He completed the work of redemption on the cross. Salvation is intimately connected with the Holy Spirit—when a person believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in their life. However, the pastor emphasizes that the giving of the Holy Spirit in the way of eternal indwelling began only at Pentecost, when Christ was glorified (John 7:39). One hundred twenty disciples at Jerusalem were filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in foreign languages, and received power to testify about Christ. This event is one of the five most important historical events in Christian faith.

Today, the Holy Spirit continues important work in three main areas. First, He works in the world by convicting sinners of sin, helping them recognize God's righteousness, and warning of coming judgment. Second, He works in the Church by uniting all believers into one body, giving them gifts to do God's work, and building the Church as God's dwelling place. Third, He dwells in each believer's life to open their mind, heart, and spirit, helping them understand God's Word more deeply, develop a closer relationship with God, transform their lives, and bear the fruit of the Spirit. The pastor notes that two forces work in every person: one from God through the Holy Spirit, one from the devil. The devil tries to persuade people that they do not need Christ, that they can improve themselves. Therefore, the mission of the Holy Spirit is extremely important: helping people realize they are sinners in need of salvation.