I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Day of Pentecost. You need Jesus. You need the Holy Spirit. You need the Word of God. Jesus makes a promise to send you the Holy Spirit. W hen the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2)
Jesus does ALL THE WORK FOR YOUR SALVATION. Christ’s saving work is FINISHED in Jesus’ death and resurrection for you. The Disciples are the Pastors. Jesus is sending the Apostles out to PREACH GOD'S WORD.
The Day of Pentecost is marked with PREACHING! GREAT PREACHING! Hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know – this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2)
Great PREACHING is all about Jesus saving sinners. Because of the Fall into Sin, our wills are turned against God. Y ou were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. (Ephesians 2)
You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. (Colossians 1) You were on the road to hell. You once were separated from God. All by God's grace you are saved through faith in Christ. How do you believe in Jesus? “I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” (3rd Article explanation.)
The Holy Spirit works through the WORD OF GOD. You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6) The Word of God connected to water. The Means of Grace.
Preaching calls sinners to repentance and faith. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2)
“Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” (Collect)
Rejoice that the Word of the Lord continues to reign in Christ’s Church. The Holy Spirit opens your ears to hear the Word and believe in Jesus. Happy Pentecost. In Name + of Jesus. Amen.