Tag: holy-spirit

The Unique Significance of Pentecost in Acts 2

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The book of Acts gives a remarkable account of the day of Pentecost in chapter 2. This event marked a pivotal moment in history when God sent His Spirit in an extraordinary way. The apostles boldly proclaimed God’s message, and the world around them paid attention. Some people today suggest that every church gathering should aim to recreate such experiences. But is that expectation realistic given the unique context of Pentecost? And how should this passage influence the church now?

Pentecost was an exceptional, one-time event. It was not intended to set a recurring pattern for Christian worship. The Holy Spirit visibly descended like tongues of fire, and the apostles spoke in real, identifiable languages—not meaningless sounds but known languages that people understood in their native tongues. Acts 2 makes it clear that this miraculous sign served a distinct purpose: to demonstrate the Spirit’s arrival and signal the beginning of the church.

Similar events occurred later in Acts, such as among the Gentiles in chapter 8 and followers of John the Baptist. These moments introduced different groups into the church but were not meant to define the regular Christian experience. These miraculous signs were God’s way of confirming His work during that unique time in history.

While Christians today may not witness such dramatic signs, the message of Pentecost remains vital. It reminds us that God’s Spirit empowers His church to proclaim the gospel to all nations. As Paul wrote, “For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The church’s focus should be on living out this unity and sharing God’s word, not on seeking miraculous signs as a norm.

The Comforter

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A modern adaptation of C.H. Spurgeon’s sermon delivered on January 21, 1855

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” – John 14:26

The elderly Simeon called Jesus the consolation of Israel, and indeed He was. Before Jesus actually appeared, people looked forward to His coming like someone watching for the morning star that promises the dawn. When Jesus walked the earth, He must have been an incredible source of comfort to those lucky enough to be His companions. We can imagine how quickly the disciples would run to Jesus with their problems, and how His voice alone would calm their fears.

Like children with a father, they brought Him every need, every complaint, every sorrow, and every struggle. And Jesus, like a skilled doctor, had the perfect remedy for every pain and the right medicine for every problem. What a blessing it must have been to live alongside Jesus! Even sorrows then must have felt like blessings in disguise, since they gave people a reason to seek Jesus for help. Some of us might wish we had been born in that time, when we could have rested our tired heads on Jesus’s shoulder and heard His kind voice saying, “Come to me if you’re tired.”

But Jesus had to leave. Important prophecies needed to be fulfilled and crucial purposes accomplished. He had to die to take away our sins. He had to rest in the grave for a while to make death less frightening for those who would follow Him. He had to rise again so that we who will die believing in Him might also rise in glorious bodies. And He had to ascend to heaven to claim His victory, to defeat the forces of evil, and to show His power.

“It’s necessary for me to go,” Jesus said, “because if I don’t go, the Comforter won’t come.” Jesus had to leave. The disciples had to weep. His followers would be left without their comforter. But listen to Jesus’s kind words: “I won’t leave you alone like orphans. I will ask the Father to send you another Comforter, who will stay with you forever.”

Despite His enormous mission – a mission so huge it might have consumed anyone else’s attention completely – Jesus didn’t abandon His small flock of followers. Before leaving, He gave them words of comfort, like a Good Samaritan tending to wounds. He promised: “I’ll send you another Comforter – someone who will be what I’ve been to you, and even more. This Comforter will console you when you’re sad, clear up your doubts, support you in hard times, and act in my place on earth, doing what I would have done if I had stayed.”

Now, before we talk about the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, let’s look at this word more carefully. The original Greek word has several meanings. Sometimes it means “teacher” or “instructor.” Often it means “advocate.” But most commonly, it means “comforter,” which is what we’ll focus on today.

Let’s look at three main points:

  1. Who is the Comforter?
  2. What is the comfort He gives?
  3. Who receives this comfort?

First: The Comforter

Let me describe what makes the Holy Spirit such a perfect Comforter. First, He is incredibly loving. When we’re hurting and someone who doesn’t really know or care about us tries to help, their words just bounce off like rain on marble. But when someone who deeply loves us offers comfort, their words are like music to our ears. They know exactly how to reach our hearts.

The Holy Spirit loves you more than you can imagine. Try to measure heaven’s size, weigh all the mountains, count every drop in the ocean, or number all the grains of sand on every beach – and still you wouldn’t come close to measuring how much the Holy Spirit loves you. He has loved you for ages past, loves you now, and will love you forever.

He’s also completely faithful. Nothing hurts more than having a friend desert you when times get tough. But the Holy Spirit never does this – He stays faithful forever. You might be sick and unable to go to church, but He’ll visit you in your sickness. You might face overwhelming problems, wave after wave of trouble, but He remains faithful. You might sin and feel unworthy, but that doesn’t change His love. He knew all your faults before you were born and loved you anyway.

The Holy Spirit never gets tired of comforting you. Sometimes when we try to comfort others, we get frustrated because their problems keep shifting or they resist our help. But the Holy Spirit never gives up. Even when we run from comfort or refuse help, He persistently pursues us with His consolation.

He’s also infinitely wise in how He comforts. Human comforters often misunderstand the problem and give wrong advice. But the Holy Spirit perfectly understands what’s wrong and knows exactly how to help. He never makes mistakes in His comfort.

His comfort is completely safe. Some kinds of comfort are dangerous – like telling people to drown their sorrows in entertainment or pleasure. The devil sometimes offers false comfort too, telling people they’re fine when they’re not. But the Holy Spirit’s comfort is always true and safe.

He comforts actively – not just with words, but with real help. He prays for us, gives us promises, and provides grace. And He never fails in His mission to comfort – when He sets out to console someone, He always succeeds.

Best of all, He’s always present. You never have to send for Him or wait for Him to arrive. He’s always right there when you need Him.

Second: The Comfort

Some people misunderstand how the Holy Spirit works. They think He gives new revelations or messages. But that’s not how He comforts us. Instead, He reminds us of truths we already have – especially truths about Jesus. He helps us understand and remember what God has already said.

The Holy Spirit whispers to our hearts: “Remember, someone died for you. Look at Jesus on the cross. See His wounds, His sacrifice. That proves you’re secure and loved. God loves you eternally, and even this trouble you’re facing is for your good. Every hardship is helping you grow. God disciplines those He loves, just like a good parent.”

Sometimes the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain a bit and lets us glimpse the glory of heaven. That’s when believers can say, “Let troubles flood in like a tidal wave – I know I’m heading home to God, and that’s all that matters.”

Third: Who Receives This Comfort?

Now, let’s be clear about who can expect this comfort. You can’t pick and choose which parts of God’s gifts you want. Some people want forgiveness but don’t want to change their lives. Some want heaven but don’t want holiness. It doesn’t work that way – God’s gifts come as a package deal.

You can’t have true comfort without first experiencing conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit first shows us our guilt and need for Jesus before He comforts us. Have you felt this conviction? Has your soul been humbled before Jesus? Are you looking to His sacrifice alone for your salvation?

If not, you shouldn’t claim His comfort yet. The Holy Spirit convinces us of our sin before He comforts us. You need His complete work in your life, not just the comfortable parts.

Conclusion

As you leave today, ask yourself: Do you know this Comforter? If not, remember this: if you don’t know Him as Comforter now, you’ll meet Him as Judge later. This isn’t a truth we can afford to ignore – we’re not guaranteed tomorrow.

But here’s the wonderful news: Anyone who believes in Jesus will be saved. Your sins, no matter how terrible, are no barrier. Your guilt, no matter how great, is no obstacle. Whether you feel like the worst sinner alive – if you believe in Jesus tonight, every sin will be forgiven, every crime erased, every wrong made right. You’ll be saved through Jesus Christ and stand secure in heaven.

That’s the glorious good news. May God help you trust in it today.

May these words find their home in your heart through the work of the true Teacher – God Himself.

The Role of the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Advocate

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher known as the “Prince of Preachers.” He had a significant impact on Christians across various denominations and was a prominent figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition. Spurgeon defended the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and opposed the liberal and pragmatic theological trends of his time.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.”
John 14:26

The wise man Simeon called Jesus the “consolation of Israel,” and indeed, that’s what He was. Before Jesus arrived, He was known as the “Day-Star”—a light of hope shining in the darkness, hinting at a bright new beginning, much like the morning star that promises dawn. Those who looked to Him had hope, like a watchman on a lonely tower who sees the first bright star of the morning, knowing daybreak is near.

While He was on earth, Jesus must have been a source of comfort for everyone close to Him. We can imagine how His disciples would come to Him with their troubles, and how gently and reassuringly He would speak to them, easing their fears. Like children look to a parent, they would turn to Jesus for all their needs, sorrows, and struggles, knowing He would listen and help them. He was like a skilled doctor who always knew how to heal their wounds and calm their worries.

How wonderful it must have been to live alongside Christ! For His followers, any sorrow was simply a chance to go to Him for comfort. Some of us might even wish we had been born in that time, so we could have laid our burdens on Jesus, heard His kind voice, and seen His gentle look as He invited the weary to come to Him.

But now He was about to leave. Great things needed to happen—prophecies had to be fulfilled, and Jesus needed to go. He had to suffer to take on our sins, die and rest in the grave so that He could make it a place of hope, not despair. He needed to rise again so that those who die in Him will one day rise too. And He had to ascend to heaven to defeat evil and lead the way for us.

“It’s necessary for me to go,” said Jesus, “because if I don’t, the Helper won’t come.” Jesus had to leave, and this was painful for His followers. But Jesus spoke kindly, promising, “I won’t leave you without help. I’ll ask the Father to send you another Helper who will stay with you forever.”

He wouldn’t abandon them, even though He had a mission that would take all His strength. He gave words of comfort, like a caring friend who leaves but makes sure someone will be there to take care of us. “I will send you another Helper,” He said. This Helper would comfort them, lift their doubts, bring peace in hard times, and stand in Jesus’s place on earth, doing all that Jesus Himself would have done.

Before we talk about the Holy Spirit as the Helper, let’s look at some different translations of the word “Comforter.” The Rhemish translation, used by Catholics, leaves it as the Greek word “Paraclete.” This word has several meanings: it can mean Helper, Teacher, or Advocate. Here it means “Comforter,” but each meaning is important.

“I will send you another Teacher,” Jesus says. Jesus had been their Teacher while on earth. They called Him their only Rabbi. They learned directly from Him, who taught like no one else. Now, He says, “After I go, where will you find a true Teacher?” Jesus didn’t say He would set up a leader in Rome or councils of the church to guide them. Instead, He promised, “I will send you another Teacher, the Holy Spirit, who will help you understand scripture, reveal hidden things, and explain God’s truths.”

No one can truly understand Jesus or the Bible without being taught by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who explains things that we can’t understand on our own. No matter how knowledgeable someone is, without the Holy Spirit, they miss the truth. We aren’t guided by human teachings but by the Spirit in the hearts of God’s children.

The other meaning of Paraclete is Advocate. How is the Holy Spirit our Advocate? Just as Jesus is our counselor, the Holy Spirit stands with us on earth, helping us overcome those who work against God’s truth.

How was Paul able to speak so boldly before leaders like Felix and Agrippa? How could the apostles stand before powerful judges without fear and openly proclaim their faith? How is it that, throughout history, God’s messengers have spoken like lions, with strong hearts, firm resolve, and words that sound like they come straight from God?

The answer is simple: it wasn’t just the person speaking, but God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, speaking through them. Have you ever seen a passionate preacher, hands raised and tears falling, pleading with people to turn to God? Think of the description by John Bunyan: a serious figure with eyes looking to heaven, holding the Bible, with truth on his lips, the world behind him, as if calling out to people with a crown of glory hanging over his head.

Who gave such a preacher such a powerful way of speaking? Did he learn it in college? No—it came from God. The Holy Spirit, who knows what to say and how to say it, teaches us how to share God’s message.

The Holy Spirit also speaks directly to people’s hearts. Often, people reject the truth until the Holy Spirit reveals it to them. We, as messengers, sometimes struggle to say things perfectly, but it’s a blessing that God’s Spirit speaks to the heart in ways that we can’t. Have you ever experienced the Spirit convicting you of your wrongs when no one else could? He shows us the seriousness of our sin, sometimes by letting us feel the weight of judgment and guilt, giving us a vision of the consequences, and reminding us of the coming judgment.

The Holy Spirit is a powerful advocate, working in our hearts to reveal our sin, show us Christ’s righteousness, and remind us of the coming judgment. Holy Spirit, speak to my heart! Help me to recognize my sins, to hear your guidance, and to understand when I’ve wandered from the right path.

The Spirit also prays for us in ways we can’t express ourselves. Have you ever felt such deep sorrow or need that words fail you? When you can’t find the words, the Spirit speaks for you, translating your unspoken groans into prayers that reach Jesus. The Spirit takes these prayers to Jesus, who then presents them to God the Father on our behalf.

Now that we understand the Holy Spirit as our Teacher and Advocate, let’s talk about Him as the Comforter. First, we’ll look at the Comforter, then at the comfort He brings, and finally at those who are comforted.

I. The Comforter
Let’s look at the qualities of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, which show how He perfectly meets our needs.

First, the Holy Spirit is a deeply loving Comforter. When we’re distressed and someone who doesn’t truly know or care for us tries to comfort us, their words often have little effect. But when someone who loves us dearly comes to comfort us, their words feel like music to our ears. They know how to speak to our hearts because of the love they have for us. And who loves us more than the Holy Spirit?

Do you know, O Christian, how deeply the Holy Spirit loves you? Can you measure His love? Just as you can’t measure the ocean or count all the grains of sand, so you can’t measure the Spirit’s love. He has loved you from the beginning and always will. With love like that, isn’t He the best one to comfort you?

The Spirit is also a faithful Comforter. Sometimes human love lets us down; a friend might leave us in our time of need. But God’s Spirit is always there for us. Child of God, you might be struggling, but remember how the Spirit comforted you before when everything else failed. Why doubt Him now? Even if sickness or distress comes, He will comfort you.

The Holy Spirit is also a tireless Comforter. Sometimes, comforting someone who is deeply troubled can be exhausting, but the Spirit never tires of comforting us.

When you try to comfort someone and they keep changing their issue, you might feel like you’re dealing with something that just won’t go away, like fighting a monster that grows a new head every time you cut one off. Some people seem almost impossible to comfort, like they’ve locked themselves in chains and thrown away the key, and nothing you say can reach them.

I’ve met people trapped in despair, who seem beyond comfort. They say things like, “I’m the one who’s seen all the worst things; no one can understand me.” And the more you try to help, the more resistant they become. Eventually, out of sheer frustration, you might leave them to dwell in their sorrow alone.

But the Holy Spirit isn’t discouraged by our resistance. When He wants to comfort us, He keeps reaching out, even if we try to pull away. If He offers us relief and we reject it, He doesn’t give up. If He provides something to soothe our pain and we refuse it, He still persists. No amount of mistakes or complaining on our part can tire Him out.

The Holy Spirit is also a wise comforter. Job, in the Bible, had some friends who tried to console him, but he called them “miserable comforters,” and he was right. They thought they understood his pain, but they were far from helpful. They diagnosed his problem incorrectly, and so their advice made things worse, like a doctor prescribing the wrong medicine.

But the Holy Spirit knows exactly what’s wrong with us. He sees through to the root of our pain and applies the perfect remedy. While other comforters may misunderstand and give bad advice, the Holy Spirit always knows exactly what we need.

Not only is His comfort wise, but it’s also safe. Some comfort isn’t safe at all. Imagine a young man who becomes troubled after hearing a sermon and realizes he needs to change. His family, worried about him, might suggest distractions like a trip or some entertainment to cheer him up. But these quick fixes only make him feel worse. Temporary solutions can leave a person even more lost.

The Holy Spirit, however, offers true comfort that can be trusted. When He gives us peace, it’s real and lasting. It doesn’t hide our pain under a false sense of security. His comfort goes deep and is reliable, without any false hope.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit actively comforts us. He doesn’t just offer comforting words and leave. He goes beyond that by helping us directly, praying on our behalf, and reminding us of God’s promises. He gives us the grace we need to get through hard times, not just pleasant words.

Finally, the Holy Spirit is always with us. We don’t have to go searching for Him. Whenever we’re in need, He’s right there, ready to offer comfort and strength. He is a constant help, always by our side, ready to provide what we need at any moment.

Now, let’s consider what real comfort looks like. Some people misunderstand the Holy Spirit’s influence, thinking He reveals brand-new messages to us. But the Spirit actually reminds us of truths that are already in the Bible. God’s message is complete, and we don’t need new revelations. Instead, the Holy Spirit helps us rediscover and understand the old truths that have always been there, shedding new light on what we might have forgotten.

The Bible contains everything we need to live a life of faith, even if we were to live as long as the oldest people in the Bible. If we face the deepest sorrows, the Scriptures still have what we need. The Spirit opens up these timeless truths and shows us their relevance to our lives.

The Holy Spirit might remind you of the message of the cross, where Jesus died for you. He might bring to mind the wounds Jesus endured for you, reminding you that you’re deeply loved and that every hardship you face is shaping you. Each struggle has a purpose, making you stronger. Remember that God cares for you just as much in your struggles as He does in your joys.

At times, the Holy Spirit may even lift the curtain to show us a glimpse of the glory that awaits in heaven, giving us the strength to say, “You truly are a Comforter to me.”

Some of you could understand if I spoke about visions of heaven. You’ve felt like you’ve left the sun, moon, and stars behind, racing ahead like lightning, almost stepping into the gates of heaven and walking on golden streets, lifted by the Spirit. But I need to stay focused on the topic at hand.

Who Are the Comforted?
I like to say, “Divide! Divide!” because there are two groups here: those who are comforted and those who are not—those who have received the comfort of the Holy Spirit and those who haven’t. Let’s figure out who belongs to which group, hoping that some who feel lost tonight will find their way to true comfort.

You might wonder, “How can I tell if I’ve received the Holy Spirit’s comfort?” Here’s a simple way to know: If you have received one blessing from God, you will also receive others. Let me explain. Imagine I’m an auctioneer selling pieces of the Gospel. If I offered justification through Christ’s blood for free, many would say, “I want that! I want to be justified and forgiven.”

But if I offered sanctification, which means turning away from sin and truly changing your heart, many might say, “I want to go to heaven, but I don’t want to give up my sins. I want to be saved, but I still want to drink and live my old life.”

But listen, if you want one blessing, you must take them all. God doesn’t split up the Gospel. He doesn’t give justification to one person and sanctification to another. Whoever He calls, He justifies; whoever He justifies, He sanctifies; and whoever He sanctifies, He also glorifies.

If I could offer only the comforts of the Gospel, you would eagerly accept them like bees to honey. When someone is ill, they often call for a minister, hoping for comforting words. But if the minister is honest, he won’t offer comfort to those who aren’t truly seeking it. Sometimes, people need to face their sins before they can receive any comfort about Christ.

It’s a mistake to tell someone, “Just believe in Christ, and that’s all you need to do.” If they don’t truly change, they may just become hypocrites who pretend to be fine.

I heard about a city missionary who tracked two thousand people who were thought to be dying but then recovered. He thought many of them would have lived as Christians, but only one was found to live a faithful life afterward!

Isn’t it sad that people call for comfort when they’re dying, and others think they are children of God when they may not even have the right to that comfort? I pray that those people are kept from false comfort!

So, do you have the other blessings? Have you ever felt guilty for your sins? Have you humbled yourself at Jesus’ feet and looked to the cross for refuge? If not, you have no right to any comfort. Don’t take any of it. The Holy Spirit first convicts us of our sins before He comforts us, and you need to experience that conviction before receiving true comfort.

Now, as I wrap this up, think about what I’ve said about the Comforter. Before you leave, I want you to reflect on this serious question: What do you know about the Comforter?

If you don’t know the Comforter, you will come to know the Judge. If you don’t experience the Comforter here on earth, you will meet the Condemner in the next world, who will say, “Depart from me into everlasting fire.”

If we were to live forever, you might take the Gospel lightly, but the truth is that we all must die. Since we last met, some people may have gone to their eternal home, and before we meet again, some of you might be in heaven or in hell. Which will it be? Answer that for yourself. If you were to die right here, would you go to heaven or hell?

Don’t deceive yourselves. Let your conscience do its work. If, in God’s sight, you feel that your fate might be with the unbelievers, listen closely: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Listen, weary sinner—no matter what your past looks like, whether you feel like you’re the worst of the worst, remember this: God says, “Whoever believes in the name of Jesus Christ will be saved.”

Your past sins are not a barrier. No matter how guilty you feel, whoever believes tonight will have every sin forgiven and every crime wiped away. You will be saved through Jesus Christ and stand in heaven, safe and secure. That is the beautiful message of the Gospel.

May God impress this truth on your hearts and give you faith in Jesus!