Breath of God: Signs of a Spirit-Filled Life

Devotional

Day 1: The Breath of God Brings Life

From the very beginning, God’s breath—His Spirit—has been the source of true life. Just as God breathed into Adam and he became a living being, and as He breathed life into the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, so too does the Holy Spirit bring spiritual vitality to those who were once spiritually dead. This same breath, the ruach or pneuma, is what animates the people of God, transforming lifelessness into flourishing, vibrant life. The Spirit’s presence is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality that revives, restores, and empowers God’s people to live in relationship with Him and with one another. [40:41]

Genesis 2:7 (ESV)
"Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."

Ezekiel 37:4-6 (ESV)
"Then he said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.'"

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel spiritually dry or lifeless? Ask God to breathe His Spirit into that area and bring new life today.

Day 2: Devotion to the Apostles’ Teaching

A sign of spiritual life in the early church was their deep devotion to the apostles’ teaching. These new believers, freshly filled with the Spirit, were hungry to learn what Jesus had taught and how He called them to live. They gathered eagerly to hear, study, and apply the Word, allowing it to shape their lives and community. This same devotion is a mark of a living, Spirit-filled church today—a people who continually return to Scripture, seeking to be shaped by Christ’s lordship and to know His ways more deeply. [51:00]

Acts 2:42 (ESV)
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally devote yourself to learning from God’s Word this week—perhaps by joining a group, reading a passage daily, or discussing Scripture with a friend?

Day 3: Fellowship and Radical Community

The Spirit draws believers into deep, authentic fellowship—koinonia—that transcends backgrounds, cultures, and differences. In the early church, this meant sharing life, resources, and love in a way that was radically countercultural. The Spirit creates a bond that makes strangers into family, and this unity is a powerful sign of God’s presence. True Christian community is not optional or peripheral; it is the natural outflow of the Spirit’s work, drawing us together in love, support, and shared purpose. [55:02]

Acts 2:44-46 (ESV)
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts."

Reflection: Who in your church family or community could you reach out to this week to deepen fellowship—perhaps someone new, someone different from you, or someone in need of encouragement?

Day 4: Remembering Christ Through Breaking Bread

The early believers were devoted to the breaking of bread, both in worshipful remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and in sharing meals together. This practice kept the grace and mercy of Jesus at the center of their lives, uniting them as the body of Christ. Regularly remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection through communion and shared meals is a tangible way to proclaim the gospel, receive grace, and strengthen the bonds of Christian community. [59:56]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

Reflection: As you take communion or share a meal with others this week, how can you intentionally remember and give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice—and invite others into that remembrance?

Day 5: Generosity and Welcoming Others

A Spirit-filled community is marked by radical generosity and a welcoming spirit. The early church valued people more than possessions, meeting needs even at great personal cost, and welcoming newcomers into their family. This magnetism—loving others as family, caring for the marginalized, and inviting the outsider in—was a powerful witness that drew many to Christ. Today, the call remains: to love, give, and welcome as Christ has loved, given, and welcomed us. [01:18:21]

Romans 12:13 (ESV)
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Reflection: Who is someone new or on the margins whom you can welcome, serve, or show generosity to this week—perhaps by inviting them to a meal, offering help, or simply reaching out in friendship?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored what it means to be truly alive as the people of God, drawing from the early chapters of Acts and the story of Pentecost. Using the image of two lavender plants—one vibrant and one lifeless—we considered the difference between mere existence and flourishing life. Just as a plant needs the right conditions to thrive, so too do we need the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, to animate and transform us. From the creation of Adam, when God breathed life into dust, to the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel, Scripture shows that true life comes from God’s Spirit. This same Spirit, poured out at Pentecost, continues to bring new life to individuals and communities.

After the dramatic events of Pentecost, the question arises: what are the signs of life in a Spirit-filled community? Acts 2 gives us a beautiful snapshot of the early church, where 3,000 new believers devoted themselves to four key practices: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship (koinonia), the breaking of bread, and prayer. These were not just religious routines, but the natural outflow of hearts transformed by God’s presence. The apostles’ teaching grounded them in the ways of Jesus, while fellowship drew together people from diverse backgrounds into a new family. The breaking of bread united them in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and in shared meals, and prayer became the heartbeat of their communal life.

This Spirit-shaped community was marked by radical generosity and unity. Believers valued people over possessions, selling property to meet each other’s needs. Their life together was magnetic—outsiders were drawn in by the authenticity of their love and the way they cared for one another. The gospel, when truly received, reshapes not just individual hearts but the very fabric of relationships and society. It is not enough to profess faith; the Spirit’s presence must be evident in how we love, welcome, and serve. As we gather, break bread, and pray together, we are invited to embody this same life—welcoming the stranger, caring for the needy, and living as a family transformed by God’s breath.

Key Takeaways

1. The Breath of God Brings True Life From the creation of Adam to the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel, Scripture teaches that life is more than physical existence—it is the result of God’s Spirit breathing into us. Without the Spirit, we are like dry bones or withered plants, but when God breathes on us, we come alive, able to relate to Him and to one another in new ways. This is the foundation of all spiritual vitality. [39:54]
2. Devotion to the Apostles’ Teaching Anchors Us The early believers hungered for the teaching of the apostles, eager to learn the ways of Jesus and be shaped by His words. This devotion is a sign of spiritual life: a community that continually returns to Scripture, seeking to be formed by Christ’s lordship. Our gatherings, studies, and personal devotions are not just habits, but expressions of a Spirit-driven desire to know and obey God. [49:43]
3. Fellowship Is Essential, Not Optional Koinonia, or fellowship, is not a bonus for the especially social; it is a core sign of the Spirit’s work. The Spirit draws us into deep, cross-cultural, and sometimes surprising relationships, making strangers into family. The idea of a solitary Christian is foreign to the New Testament—true spiritual life always pulls us into community, where we learn to love, forgive, and serve one another. [55:02]
4. Radical Generosity Flows from Changed Values When the Spirit fills us, our priorities shift: we begin to love people more and possessions less. The early church’s willingness to sell property and share with those in need was not a rule, but a natural response to the Spirit’s work. This kind of generosity is a powerful witness to the world and a test of whether our hearts are truly being transformed. [66:25]
5. The Gospel Reshapes Social Relationships A Spirit-filled community is magnetic, drawing others in by the authenticity of its love and the transformation of its social fabric. The gospel is not just about personal salvation, but about creating a new kind of family where old divisions are healed and practical care abounds. If our faith leaves our relationships and communities unchanged, we must ask whether we are truly alive in the Spirit. [75:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:14] - Signs of Life: The Lavender Plant Illustration
[38:32] - The Breath of God: Ruach and Pneuma
[39:54] - Ezekiel’s Vision: Dry Bones and New Life
[42:16] - Pentecost: The Spirit Poured Out
[43:39] - Repentance and Receiving the Spirit
[47:08] - The Four Devotions of the Early Church
[49:43] - Devotion to the Apostles’ Teaching
[52:17] - Fellowship: Koinonia and Community
[55:02] - The Necessity of Christian Community
[57:51] - Breaking Bread: Communion and Shared Meals
[59:56] - A Life of Prayer
[64:12] - Radical Generosity and Unity
[70:40] - Family-Like Love in the Church
[75:25] - The Gospel and Social Transformation
[78:21] - Welcoming the Stranger
[80:45] - Invitation to the Table and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:36–47 (ESV) —
> 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
> 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
> 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
> 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
> 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
> 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
> 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
> 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
> 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
> 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
> 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
> 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Genesis 2:7 (ESV) —
> Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Ezekiel 37:1–14 (ESV) [selected verses] —
> 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
> 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
> ...
> 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42, what four practices did the early believers devote themselves to after receiving the Holy Spirit?
In the sermon, what was the significance of the two lavender plants, and how did they illustrate the difference between mere existence and true spiritual life? [[35:14]]
What changes took place in the early church’s relationships and priorities as described in Acts 2:44–45?
In Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, what was the result when God’s breath entered the bones? [[39:54]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon described the Spirit’s arrival as bringing not just dramatic miracles, but a new way of living together. Why might the Spirit’s ongoing work be seen more in daily life and relationships than in dramatic events? [[48:46]]
The early church’s devotion to the apostles’ teaching was described as a hunger to know “the boss’s orders.” What does this suggest about the role of Scripture and teaching in a Spirit-filled community? [[49:43]]
The sermon emphasized that koinonia (fellowship) is not optional for Christians. Why is deep, cross-cultural fellowship a sign of spiritual life, and what does it reveal about the Spirit’s work? [[52:17]]
Radical generosity was described as a natural response to the Spirit’s work, not a rule. What does this say about how the gospel changes our values and attitudes toward possessions? [[01:06:25]]

Application Questions

The sermon compared a thriving lavender plant to a withered one, asking if we are truly alive or just existing. In what areas of your life do you feel most “alive” in the Spirit, and where do you feel more like “dry bones”? What might it look like to invite God’s breath into those areas? [[35:14]]
The early believers were devoted to the apostles’ teaching. How would you describe your own hunger for God’s Word? Is there a specific way you could grow in devotion to Scripture this month? [[49:43]]
Koinonia means being drawn into deep relationships, even with people very different from us. Is there someone in your church or community you feel God might be inviting you to know better or welcome more intentionally? What step could you take this week? [[52:17]]
The early church’s generosity was described as loving people more and possessions less. Is there a possession or resource you sense God might be prompting you to share or use for someone else’s good? What would it look like to take a step of generosity? [[01:06:25]]
The sermon challenged us to consider whether our faith is reshaping our relationships and community. Are there relationships in your life that need to be healed, reconciled, or transformed by the gospel? What is one practical step you could take toward that this week? [[01:15:25]]
The early church was magnetic—outsiders were drawn in by their love and unity. When was the last time you welcomed a newcomer or stranger into your circle? What could you do to make your small group or church more welcoming? [[01:18:21]]
Prayer was described as the “heartbeat” of the early church. What is one way you could deepen your personal or communal prayer life this week? [[59:56]]

Sermon Clips

The love bond that the spirit puts in us when it comes and breathes spiritual life into us is that we are drawn to each other. It is a norm in the New Testament that when someone comes to Christ, when the spirit comes into them, that spirit in them draws them to the spirit of God in other people. [00:52:27] (24 seconds) #SpiritBondsUsInLove

A hundred percent of the time, the Holy Spirit comes into a person, has accepted Christ, and then just draws them and binds them in friendship to other Christians. And often with people that cross boundaries, people you'd be surprised with. Like, there's a lot of surprising friendships that are all gathered together in relationships. [00:55:50] (19 seconds) #SpiritCrossesBoundaries

We are people with this constant memory, this constant evoking of the presence of Christ, the constant need for grace and mercy, the constant reminder to remember what Christ did, remember what Christ did. Let's be united together. As we break this bread, we're united together. As Christ comes in us, we also become the body of Christ. [00:59:34] (21 seconds) #RememberingChristTogether

The gospel gives us Holy Spirit eyes and Holy Spirit hearts. And we begin to value our stuff less and people more. And it leads us to acts of radical generosity and care. [01:06:49] (15 seconds) #HolySpiritEyesHearts

Sometimes they just heard the word of the Lord and they cut to the heart, and sometimes they saw the life of the people. They saw the koinonia. They saw the fellowship. They saw people who cared about people more than stuff. They saw people who were devoted to the Lord and devoted to each other, and they were like, wow, I'm drawn to that. I want to live like that. [01:11:55] (23 seconds) #DrawnToKoinonia

The gospel reshapes the social fabric of the community. It changes us, and sometimes the gospel gets dumbed down as people are talking about it. So, okay, hey, hey, pray this prayer, boom, throw some water on you, now you go to heaven, right? But actually what we see when it actually occurs in the Bible is just this big change that happens, and the way people interact with each other becomes very, very different. [01:14:24] (29 seconds) #GospelTransformsCommunity

When the gospel comes to us and the Spirit works in us, are we displaying signs of life? Are we coming to life? Are we flourishing? Is the Spirit working in us? We see these beautiful things coming, or are there some ways, oh, well, it wouldn't be a big loss if it fell. There's some ways in which we still see kind of death at work in us, right? The ways of the world still at work. [01:16:53] (22 seconds) #SignsOfSpiritualFlourishing

How is it that this group of like 12 disciples became this global movement that covered the earth that eventually majority of the Roman Empire came to faith in Christ? How did that happen? Well, it happened through the Holy Spirit coming in and breathing life, but it also happened through those Christians responding, loving each other more than their stuff, and then welcoming. Every time a new person comes in, come on in, come be my brother, come be my sister, be part of this family. You're invited into that, and it is a beautiful thing. [01:20:11] (32 seconds) #SpiritFueledGlobalMovement

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