The Holy Spirit in the Present Age

The sermon opens by identifying the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as one of the five most important historical events of the Christian faith, alongside the incarnation, the atoning death, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus Christ. The key passage John 16:7-8 affirms that the Holy Spirit is the One sent by Jesus to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

In the first area, the Holy Spirit works among humanity by convicting sinners of sin, drawing them to Jesus Christ for salvation, and restraining sin in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:7; Genesis 6:3). The sermon uses specific contemporary examples of violence such as the Sandy Hook massacre and the Oklahoma shooting to illustrate the terrible consequences when people resist the Holy Spirit's voice. Believers are called to be salt and light in society, fulfilling their responsibility to restrain evil and bring positive influence to their communities.

In the second area, the Holy Spirit works within the Church by uniting believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13-14; Ephesians 2:22) and distributing spiritual gifts to each person so that together they can evangelize and build up the Church (Ephesians 4:11-13). The sermon warns that division and discord in the Church result from believers following the desires of the flesh rather than heeding the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:15-16). John Wesley's dream is cited to emphasize that before God there is no denominational distinction—only those who have trusted in Jesus Christ.

In the third area, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, helping them understand God's Word more deeply, drawing them into a closer relationship with God, and producing the fruit of the Spirit to transform their lives (1 Corinthians 6:19). The sermon closes with the reminder that every believer's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and each person should examine how they are allowing Him to work in their life.