Week of May 24th, 2026
Encouragement from God's Word
Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the Festival of the Holy Spirit. The Lutheran Small Catechism says the following about the work of the Holy Spirit:
“I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing 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. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.”(Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed)
As sinners, we need the work of the Holy Spirit to create faith. 1 Corinthians 12:3 say,“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”Because we are, by nature, dead in sin, we cannot make ourselves spiritual alive. In his grace, the Holy Spirit brings us to spiritual life by creating faith. He creates this faith through the Word of God and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
The Holy Spirit does not stop working in our hearts after we come to faith. As noted in the Small Catechism, he continues to work to enlighten us to see the truth of the gospel in new ways. He also strengthens us in faith throughout our lives. He carries this work out in and through the Christian Church – the Church he established on the Day of Pentecost.
Pentecost is a glorious and very personal celebration for each believer. The Holy Spirit has worked in each individual Christian heart to create faith – including you. This faith sets the course for your eternity. This faith also sets the course for today: you live in the peace of forgiveness and in the joy of serving the Lord Jesus.
