Pentecost means “50,” marking 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, and it was the day that changed everything for the newly born Church. Before then, the believers who made up the body of Christ had faith in the resurrected Jesus and trust in God the Father. But on that day, God poured out the Holy Spirit to dwell within them both individually and as the Church. 

We celebrate Pentecost because that same Spirit resides within us—binding us together in a unity that transcends any earthly difference. Through the Spirit, we receive power to live transformed lives on mission for Christ.

Teaching

  • Pentecost: Dependence on the Spirit

    As believers, we have new life in Christ. However, we still live in a fallen world and retain an inner sinful nature. This results in an ongoing battle between our brokenness and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Yet, if we continually surrender control to God, remember our identity as his children, and depend on the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will grow to be more like Christ.

    May 28 Galatians 5:16-26

Acts 2:33

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

Reading Plan

These daily readings will help prepare you for the upcoming teaching you will hear this weekend at Grace Church. These passages will create some context for the sermon by showing you Scriptures the teacher might be quoting and some passages that contain related ideas. Our hope is that as you follow this reading plan, it will help you become more defined and directed by Scripture.

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Study Questions

  • As believers, we have new life in Christ. However, we still live in a fallen world and retain an inner sinful nature. This results in an ongoing battle between our brokenness and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Yet, if we continually surrender control to God, remember our identity as his children, and depend on the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will grow to be more like Christ.
    Application
    1. What would it look like for you to slow down the pace of your life? Think of a few practical ways you can create margin in your daily and weekly rhythms in order to be intentional with your spiritual growth.

    2. If we aren’t consistently in the Word of God, it’s difficult for the Holy Spirit to direct us. How are you currently engaging the Bible? In what ways can you grow in this area?

    3. Take some time for self-reflection. What causes you fear or anxiety? How do those fears reveal what you value most? How do you respond when you feel a lack of control? Be intentional about telling someone (mentor, community group leader, friend) what you are learning about yourself.

    Key Points
    • Even though believers have the Holy Spirit within them, they still have a sinful nature. This creates tension—an internal struggle between the pull of sin and the voice of the Spirit.

    • When we choose to let our sinful nature drive us instead of the Holy Spirit, our lives become marked by jealousy, division, selfish ambition, and other sins.

    • The answer to this ongoing battle is not to make a list or impose a framework of discipline in an effort to produce the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.).

    • We must remember our identity as children of God. We were of this world, but God reconciled us to himself through the blood of Jesus and gave us new life.

    • Turning from our sins feels like death because it is a form of death. But when we surrender control to God and depend on the Holy Spirit to direct our lives, we will produce his fruit.

    Other Scripture References

John 14:16

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

Resources

Holy Spirit's Ministry to Me Article Thumbnail
A Week of Bible Readings for Pentecost