A Church with Breath Part 2, The Spirit Gives Life to the Body

Nov 07, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit Breathes New Life Into the Church

When Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit," He was not only giving them comfort after His resurrection but also commissioning them with the same power that raised Him from the dead. This act was a spiritual rebirth, echoing the creation of Adam, where God breathed life into dust, but now Jesus was breathing spiritual life into His followers. The church’s first breath was not just a moment in history but the beginning of a movement—one where the same Spirit that filled Christ now fills His people, empowering them to live out their mission with courage and purpose. As recipients of this breath, we are called to receive the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to create new life in us and through us, so that we become a living, breathing testimony of resurrection power. [08:46]

John 20:22 (ESV)
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to intentionally receive the Holy Spirit’s breath today, allowing Him to bring new life and purpose where there has been discouragement or stagnation?

Day 2: Resurrection Life Replaces Shame With Boldness

Peter’s transformation from a fearful denier to a bold preacher is a powerful example of how the Holy Spirit resurrects not just bodies but identities. Once paralyzed by shame and fear, Peter became courageous, proclaiming the gospel with authority and fire after Pentecost. The Spirit’s presence turned his past failures into a platform for bold witness, showing that resurrection life is not just about believing in Christ’s victory but living it out with confidence. When the Spirit fills us, our shame is replaced by Spirit-fueled boldness, enabling us to speak and act for Christ in ways we never thought possible. [18:33]

Acts 2:14 (ESV)
"But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: 'Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.'"

Reflection: Where have you allowed shame or fear to silence your witness, and how can you step out in Spirit-empowered boldness this week?

Day 3: Seeing Heaven in the Midst of Suffering

Stephen’s story reveals that resurrection life enables us to see God’s glory even in the face of suffering and injustice. Full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven as he was being falsely accused and stoned, seeing Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Instead of defending himself or succumbing to fear, he forgave his persecutors and entrusted his spirit to Jesus, mirroring Christ’s own words on the cross. This posture of faith and forgiveness in suffering is only possible when we are filled with the Spirit, who lifts our eyes above our circumstances to the hope and glory of Christ. [25:48]

Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
"Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Reflection: When you face misunderstanding or hardship, what would it look like to fix your gaze on Jesus and respond with forgiveness and faith rather than self-defense?

Day 4: Resurrection Life Transforms Identity and Purpose

The story of Saul becoming Paul demonstrates the radical transformation that the Spirit brings—turning an enemy of the church into its greatest apostle. Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit changed his very identity, redirecting his zeal from persecution to proclamation. This transformation is not just for biblical heroes; the Spirit still takes those who are spiritually dead and gives them new purpose, calling them to be vessels of grace and ambassadors of the gospel. When our identity is changed by Christ, our behavior and mission are transformed as well. [28:18]

Acts 9:17-20 (ESV)
"So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, 'He is the Son of God.'"

Reflection: What old identity or label do you need to let go of so that you can fully embrace the new purpose God has for you in Christ?

Day 5: The Spirit Produces Unity, Generosity, and Compassion

The early believers in Acts were transformed from selfish individuals into a sacrificial community, sharing everything so that no one was in need. The Spirit’s breath created a church marked by unity, generosity, and compassion, where personal possessions were surrendered for the good of all. This kind of community is only possible when we allow the Spirit to change our hearts and priorities, moving us from self-preservation to self-giving love. As the church breathes with the Spirit, it becomes a living witness to the world, bringing hope and life wherever it goes. [32:20]

Acts 4:32-35 (ESV)
"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can sacrificially share your resources, time, or encouragement with someone in your church family this week?

Sermon Summary

To be called a friend of God is a profound truth that shapes our identity and our way of living. God, the Almighty, the Lord of glory, has chosen to call us friends—not because of our worthiness, but because of His love and grace. This friendship is not a distant or abstract idea; it is an invitation into intimacy, transformation, and purpose. When Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” He was giving the church its first breath, infusing us with the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead. This breath is not just for our comfort, but for our commission—to live out resurrection life in a world that desperately needs hope.

Identity changes behavior. When we truly receive the Spirit, we are no longer defined by our past, our shame, or the labels others have placed on us. Instead, we are defined by the resurrected life of Christ within us. The early church gives us four powerful examples of what this looks like: Peter, who moved from cowardice to courage; Stephen, who saw heaven even in suffering; Paul, who was transformed from persecutor to preacher; and the early believers, who shifted from selfishness to sacrificial living. In each case, the Spirit changed their identity, and their behavior followed. They became bold, compassionate, unified, and generous—not by their own strength, but by the breath of God within them.

A church with breath is not just a gathering of people, but a living, breathing body that brings dead things to life. When the Spirit breathes, the church lives—and when the church lives, the city, the community, and the world can breathe again. Our call is not to settle for programs or performances, but to be a people marked by the presence and power of God. We are to be living proof of resurrection, speaking life into dead places, and loving with the same sacrificial love that Christ has shown us. The question is not whether we have the Spirit, but whether the Spirit has us. Let us surrender, so that we may be full of the Holy Spirit, producing fruit that cannot be denied—love, patience, gentleness, and self-control. May we always ask, “Is it loving?” and let that guide our words and actions as we stand in awe of the God who calls us friend.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity Changes Behavior When we embrace our identity as friends of God, our actions and attitudes are transformed. The Spirit does not simply modify our behavior; He gives us a new heart and a new purpose. As we see in Peter, Paul, and the early believers, a change in identity leads to boldness, compassion, and sacrificial living. This is not self-improvement, but Spirit-empowered transformation that makes resurrection life visible in us. [07:27]
2. Resurrection Life Sees Glory in Suffering Stephen’s story reminds us that the Spirit enables us to see heaven even in the midst of pain and injustice. Instead of being consumed by fear or self-defense, we can fix our gaze on Christ and find hope and glory in suffering. This perspective is not natural; it is the gift of the Spirit, who lifts our eyes above our circumstances and fills us with peace and courage. [21:13]
3. The Spirit Turns Enemies into Apostles Paul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher shows the radical power of the Spirit to redeem and repurpose even the most unlikely people. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. When the Spirit breathes new life, our past no longer defines us; instead, we are sent out with a new mission and a new heart for others, especially those we once opposed. [27:41]
4. Resurrection Life Produces Generosity and Unity The early believers moved from selfishness to sacrificial living, sharing everything so that no one lacked anything. True community is born when the Spirit breathes into us, breaking down barriers of self-interest and creating a people marked by generosity, unity, and compassion. This is the evidence of resurrection life—a church that breathes life into its city and world. [32:20]
5. The Spirit’s Presence, Not Performance, Sustains the Church Programs and performances cannot give life to the church; only the Spirit can. When we surrender to the Spirit, we become a living, breathing body that brings hope to the hopeless and life to the lifeless. Our call is to be a church with breath, marked by the presence and power of God, so that everywhere we go, we speak and breathe life. [44:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - God Calls Us Friends
[02:13] - Praise and Joy in Community
[04:10] - The Holy Spirit and Resurrection
[06:49] - Identity Changes Behavior
[07:27] - The Spirit Breathes New Life
[10:04] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[12:07] - Resurrection Life Is Embodied
[15:18] - Four Examples of Resurrected Life
[16:36] - Peter: Coward to Courageous
[18:33] - Stephen: Seeing Heaven in Suffering
[26:27] - Paul: Persecutor to Preacher
[29:42] - Early Believers: Selfish to Sacrificial
[36:14] - The Church With Breath
[39:00] - Living Out Resurrection
[44:51] - The Spirit Sustains the Church
[50:01] - Prayer and Surrender
[54:08] - Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “A Church With Breath”

Bible Reading

John 20:21-22 (ESV)
> Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:14, 4:32-35, 7:54-60, 9:1-19 (selected passages)
- Peter’s transformation (Acts 2:14)
- The early believers’ unity and generosity (Acts 4:32-35)
- Stephen’s vision and martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60)
- Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-19)

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
> If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Observation Questions

In John 20:22, what did Jesus do for his disciples after the resurrection, and what did he say to them?
According to Acts 4:32-35, what was the attitude of the early believers toward their possessions and each other?
What did Stephen see as he was being stoned, and how did he respond to his accusers? (Acts 7:54-60)
In the sermon, what are some specific ways the Spirit changed the identity and behavior of Peter, Stephen, Paul, and the early believers? ([15:18])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that Jesus “breathed” on his disciples and told them to receive the Holy Spirit? How is this similar or different from God breathing life into Adam in Genesis? ([09:23])
The sermon says, “Identity changes behavior.” How did the new identity given by the Spirit lead to new actions in the lives of Peter, Stephen, Paul, and the early church? ([16:36])
Why do you think the early church’s unity and generosity were so important as evidence of resurrection life? ([32:20])
The pastor said, “The question is not do I have the Spirit. The question is does the Spirit have you?” What is the difference between these two questions, and why does it matter? ([44:12])

Application Questions

The sermon described Peter moving from cowardice to courage after receiving the Spirit. Is there an area in your life where you feel fear or shame is holding you back? What would it look like to invite the Spirit to give you boldness in that area? ([16:36])
Stephen was able to see heaven and forgive his killers even while suffering. When you face unfair treatment or suffering, what helps you keep your eyes on Jesus instead of defending yourself? Is there a situation right now where you need to respond differently? ([21:13])
Paul’s story shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Is there someone in your life you have written off as “too far gone”? How might God be inviting you to see them differently or reach out to them? ([27:41])
The early believers shared everything so that no one lacked anything. What is one practical way you could be more generous or sacrificial with your time, resources, or attention this week? ([32:20])
The pastor said, “Programs and performances cannot give life to the church; only the Spirit can.” Are there ways you have been relying on routines or activities instead of the Spirit’s presence? How can you shift your focus this week? ([44:51])
The sermon challenged us to ask, “Is it loving?” before we speak or act. Think of a recent conversation or decision—did love guide your words and actions? How can you make this question a habit in your daily life? ([52:28])
The pastor said, “When the Spirit breathes, the church lives—and when the church lives, the city, the community, and the world can breathe again.” What is one way you can “breathe life” into your family, workplace, or neighborhood this week? ([47:23])

Sermon Clips

“When we have this type of community that we have and we can actually talk and we can be very vulnerable and transparent with one another. That's a really awesome thing because it becomes not not just a safe space. I know we say that type of term a lot, but it really becomes a brave space for us. And I believe that's what God is about. I believe God is about creating brave spaces that we can experience him.”

“The spirit raised Jesus from the dead not just to prove power but to produce or to reproduce life. The resurrection wasn't just a moment in history. It was the birth of a movement. A people filled with the same spirit who raised him. The same breath that filled the lungs of Christ on that Sunday morning now fills the church.”

“What Jesus is imitating is that moment. But it wasn't the life of just physicality, but it was a life of spirituality that he was breathing into them. And then they needed to receive it. They had to take hold of it. No different. us that when we are given a gift, we still have to receive a gift.”

“Resurrection life is not just something to believe in. It's something that we live out. A church filled with the spirit doesn't just talk about resurrection. It walks in resurrection. We are the resurrection of the risen body of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit feels a believer, death no longer defines them.”

“We are no longer defined by what was or the past or what they said of us or what they spoke of us which was death. Why? Because Out of the tongue flows life and death. But we no longer walk in death, but we walk in new life.”

“When I think about my resurrected life that is now found in Christ Jesus. I think about how no longer do I live by the the identity of the past and I now walk in my new identity in him. That's what leads me in the process of sanctification. that I will become more figured and born into his likeness and image in holiness.”

“The selfish became sacrificial. Now, the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul and one. And no one said that anything that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. That's what the spirit does. It resurrects. It shifts and changes identity to where they said, "Hey man, you know what?”

“And with great power, the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. See, that's what we're going to do in the month of December. We're going to have a testimony service. See, we got to be able to give our own testimony as as we sung this morning. We got to be able to talk about the goodness of God in our life and be able to give our testimony because how do we overcome, brothers and sisters? By the blood of the lamb and the word of our what? Testimony.”

“See, it's hard to be a church in a body of believers if there is selfishness among us because that draws out division. And it gets claimed and it gets seen and it begins to we begin to see it. We begin to feel it. We begin to question.”

“The church is not the physical structure. The church is his people. And if we're unwilling to continue to be a church. What we're saying, brothers and sisters, is we're unwilling to do life together with one another. We're unwilling to have community with one another. That's what makes the church. It's not a building. It's not the brick in the mortar, but it's the lives of the people that dwell as the temple of God.”

“A change in identity brings a change in behavior. Resurrection life produces in the early believers generosity, unity and compassion. When a body stops breathing, it dies. Do we all agree with that? When a body stops breathing, it dies. And we've all read and heard about people that were in the greatest shape, man.”

“But when God breathes his spirit again, the bones come to life. Amen. His people rise up that are called by his name. The heart starts beating and purpose rises from the dust. We find that in Ezekiel 37 5 and 6. You might have heard the story about the dry bones. Amen. That's what happens when God breathes his spirit into us. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things become new.”

“A spiritfilled church is not just a gathering of people. We just don't come together to say that we gathered on Sunday. We sung some songs, we heard a word, and then we run off and we go off. That's not it. It's a resurrected people who bring dead things back to life wherever we go. That's who we are.”

“Resurrection becomes visible. Resurrection becomes visible. Visible. That means people see it. That means people they don't understand it. But that becomes our witness. Brothers and sisters. See, we we we've lost sight of our witness in just our words and not in our actions.”

“We will go, we will serve. We will speak life into dead places. We will become the living breathing proof of resurrection in our city. That is our call. Let accuracy a church that's not running on programs but on power. A church not fueled by performance but by presence, not driven by fear, but by the spirit of the living God.”

“Because when the spirit breathes, the church lives, we live, brothers and sisters, because the ruach is in us, breathing in us and breathing out now through us. So everywhere that I go, I should be breathing life. I should be breathing life. I should be speaking life into dead and dark places because what? When the church lives, meaning when I live, cuz what I am and we are the church, then the city breathes again.”

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