8 Jun 2025 (Pastoral Page) COME, HOLY SPIRIT

By Dr Daniel Chan

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day we remember when the Holy Spirit first came upon the disciples, empowering them for service and witness (Acts 2). Pentecost is a key moment in the gospel story and is often considered the birthday of the Church. Before His ascension, the risen Lord promised His disciples that He would send them an Advocate—someone who would be with them forever. This Holy Spirit would come alongside them to encourage, comfort, defend, and empower. He is the Spirit of Truth, who would teach them all things. Jesus kept that promise on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended from heaven, like tongues of fire, and filled the hearts of the first disciples.

These promises, though originally given to the first disciples, are also extended to us. The Holy Spirit now lives in all who believe in Christ as Saviour and Lord. It is fitting, then, that our Church Campference—with the theme Discipleship Refreshed—falls on Pentecost Sunday.

What is the goal of discipleship? Whether for ourselves or those we are discipling, the goal, as the Apostle Paul explains, is to be transformed into the image of Christ—to have Christ formed in us (Galatians 4:19). This inner transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit alone. However, we also have a vital role to play. While many people may contribute to our spiritual growth, only the Holy Spirit can cause it to happen. Just as a farmer cannot force a crop to grow, we cannot produce spiritual maturity on our own. It is a divine work of God.

The Holy Spirit works within us, giving us both the desire and the power to please God. At the same time, we are called to actively respond—through obedience and reverence. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 2:12–13 highlights this partnership: while God works in us, we must also work out our salvation with effort and intention.

At the heart of this partnership is the call to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). This means living in daily, moment-by-moment fellowship with the Holy Spirit—a relationship as close as a friendship, marked by open communication and shared direction. God desires this kind of continual, intimate connection, where the Spirit leads and the believer follows.

Yet not all believers maintain this fellowship. Some resist the Spirit’s prompting—choosing silence instead of speaking, bitterness over forgiveness, or inaction over obedience. This is called quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), like extinguishing a fire. Others persist in behaviours the Spirit warns against, thereby grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:29–30). Just as human friendships suffer from repeated rejection or offense, ignoring the Spirit weakens our fellowship with Him and ultimately stalls spiritual growth.

To grow and bear spiritual fruit, believers must intentionally align themselves with the Spirit’s guidance. This includes abiding in Christ through prayer and Scripture (John 15:4), obeying His teachings (John 8:31), and engaging in disciple-making (Matthew 28:18–20). When we do our part, the Spirit will faithfully do His—bringing about visible transformation and fruit in our lives. God is always ready to fulfill His role. We, as believers, must be just as ready to fulfill ours.

Holy Spirit, living breath of God

Breathe new life into my willing soul

Bring the presence of the risen Lord

To renew my heart and make me whole

Cause Your Word to come alive in me

Give me faith for what I cannot see

Give me passion for Your purity

Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me