The Holy Spirit – What Does He Do?
Pastor Tan Thai · Aug 17, 2013
This sermon examines the role of the Holy Spirit across three stages of redemptive history: in creation, in the Old and New Testaments, and in the present age. The pastor emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the giver of life, the one who convicts sinners, indwells believers, and renews the spiritual lives of those who receive Jesus Christ.
The sermon opens by affirming the existence of the Trinity before creation, grounded in John 1:1. The pastor poses the central question: What does the Holy Spirit do? He answers through three main stages: in creation, in the Old and New Testaments, and in the present age, with a focus on the Spirit's role in Scripture and in the life of believers.
In creation, the Holy Spirit is described as moving over the waters (Genesis 1:2), giving life to humanity through the breath of God (Genesis 2:7), and renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). The book of Job also confirms that the Spirit of God created and gave life (Job 33:4). The pastor directly connects this renewing function to the sanctification of believers' lives.
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was present and active in the lives of figures such as Joseph, Moses, David, and the prophets. In the New Testament, He rested upon Jesus from birth, and after the ascension, He was poured out on 120 disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-5). The pastor emphasizes that the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is one of the five most important historical events in the Christian faith.
In the present age, the Holy Spirit works in three spheres: in the world, in the Church, and in the life of each believer. Toward the world, He convicts sinners of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-8), and restrains evil. Toward the Church, He unites believers into one body and distributes spiritual gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:13-14; Ephesians 2:22). Toward individual believers, He indwells their bodies as a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19), opens their minds to understand God's Word, empowers holy living, and produces the fruit of the Spirit.
The sermon closes with a practical call: while the Holy Spirit works, the devil also works, trying to convince people they do not need Jesus Christ. The pastor reminds the congregation that a person who does not recognize themselves as a sinner will see no need for salvation. This is precisely why the Holy Spirit convicts — to open the way for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.