The Holy Spirit in the Church
Pastor Tan Thai · Aug 31, 2013
This sermon presents the vital role of the Holy Spirit in the church, focusing on two main works: unifying believers into one body and distributing spiritual gifts for service. The Holy Spirit makes no distinction based on denomination or social status, but calls all the redeemed to glorify God together and fulfill the Great Commission of Christ.
The sermon opens by recalling five pivotal historical events in the Christian faith, among which the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is ranked alongside the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. The pastor emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is presently and actively at work in the world, in the church, and in the life of every believer.
The following section clarifies the biblical definition of the church based on the New Testament. The Greek word ekklesia means 'a called-out assembly'—those whom the Holy Spirit has set apart to live according to God's will and to fulfill the Great Commission. The sermon stresses that the church is not a building, an institution, or a denomination, but a community of the redeemed who share the same purpose of living and serving according to God's Word.
The first primary work of the Holy Spirit in the church is unification. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12:13, all believers regardless of race, social status, or background have received the same Holy Spirit through spiritual baptism, being formed into one body. The sermon warns that division and conflict in the church are the result of sin and the flesh, citing Galatians 5:15-16. John Wesley's dream is used as an illustration showing that before God, no denominational boundary exists—only those who have truly received Christ.
The second work of the Holy Spirit is the distribution of spiritual gifts to each believer. Based on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 and Ephesians 4:7-13, the Holy Spirit distributes different gifts not to exalt any individual, but to build up the body of Christ and to help the entire church grow to maturity in Him. Roles such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are all gifts of the Holy Spirit given to equip the saints until they reach 'the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.'
The sermon calls the congregation to abandon a narrow denominational spirit, to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and to live in loving unity, using their God-given gifts to serve together. When the church lives in harmony and unity, it has true spiritual life and glorifies God before the watching world.