Dear Christian friends:

In the Epistle lesson, Acts 2:1-13, we saw how the Holy Ghost came on the first Pentecost almost 2,000 years ago. Many people in the city did not see Him come. Really nobody saw Him come, also the disciples to whom He came saw Him not. True they heard a flow of strong wind through the house and they saw tongues of fire on one another's head, but they did not see the Holy Spirit.

They knew He had come because He gripped their hearts and minds and gave them strong faith and courage to preach Jesus Christ before their enemies. After they finished preaching three-thousand people who before were enemies accepted baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

The first Pentecost was a very wonderful day because God very much poured out His Spirit on His Church and established the Holy Christian Church. Today we members of Jesus' Church also need the Holy Spirit. Our life and strength in God comes only by the Holy Spirit. Without Him our faith and hope and courage fades away and we have nothing left but empty bodies and empty buildings.

So today with our text pray:


If we intend to pray to the Holy Spirit to come to us, we must know how how He comes. In our text Jesus helps us to understand how He comes. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

The Russian cosmonaut said that he didn't see God in his trip around the earth in space. So he doesn't believe, and receives him not. You will not meet God walking on the street or riding in an airplane. God doesn't come to your house in a Cadillac. Yet God is here in everyplace. The Bible says, "The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole earth." (Isaiah 6:3) And the Holy Spirit is coming and coming to many hearts. Yes, He is living in many hearts.

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:22-23)

Truly that is a very wonderful event! Although nobody sees Him coming even we ourselves see Him not, yet He lives in us. Well, how does the Holy Spirit come? He comes in Jesus' name. (John 14:26) "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Jesus' Name is the Jesus' Book. The Holy Spirit gave the Bible through the prophets. It is His Book and His mighty power is in those words of the Bible.

When we read these words or hear them or remember them and think about them especially the words of Jesus crucified and risen again. Through that the Holy Spirit comes.

John in His Epistle explains this very clearly and beautifully so I want to read that to you now. "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (1 John 4:12-15)

So when you hear and believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior for sinners, then God lives in you, and you live in God, His Spirit is in you and leading and ruling you. So you see why it is very important to read and hear God's Word regularly at home and in church. That's the only way God lives in you and rules you. Also Bible Class.

So when we today pray, "Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord" we should intend and promise to use God's Word more and more. We mock God if we pray that, and then do not intend to use His Word more. It will help us nothing to pray that and sing that if we intend to remain careless and lazy about reading and studying our Bibles at home and Church.

Now, when we pray this prayer today also we should think about the wonderful blessings which the Holy Ghost brings to our hearts.

Jesus call Him the Comforter. Means advisor Counselor. Here in the world we Christians can expect no help or comfort from the proud unbelieving world. The many people in the world laugh and mock at us and think we are foolish and crazy because we follow Jesus and work and sacrifice and do for His name.

Now if you and I sacrifice and write a big pledge for the new church building many other deaf will say we are crazy and foolish to give so much for God's work. Also the devil and our old sinful heart will mock us and tempt us. Here in the world a true Christian finds no advice, help or comfort, only trouble and mockery. Especially when we preach the truth.

But thank God He has not left us without comfort and advice. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

Oh, let us truly and sincerely pray today, "Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, let all thy grace now outpoured.

Amen.