Children’s Sermon

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

“He will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

By Dr. Dan Wuori

This week marks a very special day on our Christian calendar – and one of my very favorites – we call it Pentecost. (Can you say that with me? Pentecost.)

When we think about special days in the church, they are often about important days in the life of Jesus. On Christmas we celebrate Jesus birth, on Good Friday we remember his death and on Easter his return – or resurrection – from the dead. Pentecost, on the other hand, is not a day that marks a particular event in Jesus’ life on Earth – but has something very important to do with our own.

Pentecost is the day that we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. So what is the Holy Spirit? You might have heard those words but not been entirely sure. In fact, it’s a tough question even for grownups.

The good news is that in today’s Gospel Jesus gives a wonderful explanation. He explains that when he returns to heaven that God will be sending us an amazing gift. He says that God will be taking all that belongs to Jesus and sharing it with us. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus that lives inside each one of us – and that’s why I’ve always found Pentecost to be such a special day.

It’s a day for us to remember that Jesus’ wisdom and patience and kindness and love are not just things that he had – they’re things that the Holy Spirit has given to each us. It’s a day to remember that we have the responsibility to be “Christ-like” (to follow Jesus’ example in our own lives) – and the Holy Spirit’s presence gives us all the tools we need to do it.

Happy Pentecost.

Can we pray?

Dear God,

On Pentecost we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to follow the example of your son Jesus.

Amen.

Copyright 2009, Dr. Dan Wuori. Used by permission.