What does it mean to be filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit…
…and what does it offer us today?
As a young woman, I was bursting with energy to be, what I considered free.
Free from what I am now not quite sure, but I somehow addressed this burning desire by developing a successful career in the computer industry.
I studied intensively and actively sought relevant training to enhance my professional opportunities, which progressed through the 1980s to become the central focus of my life.
Working hard at it, I would spend long hours in the office and drive all over the country visiting customers, I considered myself the ultimate independent and successful career woman.
I loved this environment and thought I was living the dream.
What more could I ask for – this was surely the good life I had been yearning for?
Flash cars, big pay-checks, and expensive clothes.
Then when I was 40, my father sadly passed away. I took a week’s compassionate leave from work and wondered what I was doing with my life.
Because the finality of his death had completely stopped me in my tracks.
So, when I returned to work, I intended to resign and find a different way of living.
But before I could do this, I was unexpectedly made redundant.
Fortunately, I was given a generous payoff, allowing me to have a year off work and take stock.
The Lord certainly works in mysterious ways!
Because I took custody of my father’s old dog and we walked in the local park daily.
It was spring, like now, and I watched the blossoms unfolding and green shoots appearing from nowhere.
In my busy corporate life, the beauty of the changing seasons, would sadly completely pass me by.
But I was dazzled with the glory of God’s creation now unfolding in front of me and began to feel a kind of freedom I had never experienced before.
I then came to realise, that the way I lived was shallow, and that I was not truly free.
So I gradually took a new direction, which allowed me to develop other paths.
These paths offered me more scope to discover my purpose in life.
And this long journey has ultimately led me to stand here before you and say;
The real freedom we all search for; the longings, hopes, and restless desires, whatever name we give it, can only be achieved through the power of Christ’s resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Which Brings us to Pentecost
Pentecost is not just an ancient biblical story—it is one of the great mystery’s of faith that makes Christianity so different from anything else the world has to offer.
It is timeless mystery which remains the same today as it was when the disciples first witnessed it’s astonishing arrival.
It was the moment God ignited His Church with holy power!
The disciples were waiting, praying, seeking, and suddenly, the Holy Spirit rushed upon them like a mighty wind.
Tongues of fire descended, and they began to speak in other languages.
This was the promise being fulfilled of a helper coming, it was the fire of transformation, and a message for the whole world then, today, and those still to come.
This helper was foretold of in the Old Testament by the prophet Joel, and which Peter quoted in his spontaneous Pentecost sermon, saying;
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2
St John also wrote in his gospel of Jesus promising a spirit of truth would come as an advocate to the members of the church.
Then in Acts 2, we heard that promise was fulfilled.
But the Holy Spirit did not come subtly—He arrived in power, bringing transformation and boldness.
Pentecost reminds us that we are not alone—we are empowered by God Himself!
When the Spirit comes into our lives, He purifies, strengthens, and emboldens us.
Pentecost is a Holy Gift, offered to a World Crying out for Purpose, for Clarity, for Hope
It is a call to unity—with different voices declaring the same truth: Jesus is Lord!
Because, just as fire can refine gold, the Holy Spirit can refine our hearts, setting us free from old ways of looking at things.
This in turn is reflected in ever improving personal well-being and understanding.
Which in turn shines the light of Christ into the world.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit today
I started this sermon by sharing my younger self’s quest for freedom through a commercial career.
But eventually realising that centering my hopes on this was not fulfilling my earlier hopes and dreams.
Then later as an adult Christian, I came to realise that no one took my freedom away, I gave it away, to a false ideal.
I made being a successful professional the central purpose of my life – as many people still do today.
And it was a wonderful life, with lovely people, but it, on it’s own, did not have a sound and eternal foundation.
Because I now understand it is only Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit that can offer the ultimate freedom that I craved.
Pentecost Sunday Reminds us that we are not Alone
I have come to understand that the Holy Spirit is like an indwelling support system, a bit like a spiritual Sat Nav.
But God’s spirit offers so much more; it teaches, guides and comforts us (as Moses did the Israelites).
As petrol powers a car and electricity powers our homes, through the Holy Spirit we are empowered by God Himself!
My father’s death was a major turning point in my life, and I feel that I have been guided by God these last 30 years since.
Guided from a life centred on personal achievement and monetary gains, to a life centred on Christ and a calling later in life to become a lay minister.
Because I now understand that it is the Holy Spirit that provides us with real power and spiritual gifts to use in God’s service – which I believe in turn offers the freedom our souls all crave, in one way or another.
But it’s not necessarily easy; and like the Israelites, we can experience tremendous struggles.
Because when we put our personal desires before the Holy Spirit’s direction, we surrender a part of our freedom.
But unlike the Israelites, because of Pentecost we now have the advocate today that Joel foretold of and Jesus promised; the Holy Spirit which would always be with believers to guide and support us.
This unique gift from God is not just for us though.
It is for us to take out into the world and pass on to others through our words and actions.
And as we do this, we demonstrate the power of God’s love in action.