Discovering Our Purpose Through the Holy Spirit
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the church. We began with a personal story about a cat named Roger, who initially served a practical purpose in our home but later became a symbol of God's faithfulness. This story served as a metaphor for how each of us has a purpose within God's plan, particularly within the church community. We are not only saved for eternal life but also called to serve with the spiritual gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, as part of the Trinity, is a person who plays a vital role in our spiritual journey. He showcases the Savior, pointing us to Jesus and enabling us to embrace Him by faith. The Spirit also convicts us of sin and righteousness, guiding our moral compass and encouraging us to live in alignment with God's will. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit strengthens us, providing comfort and peace, especially in times of need, and fills us with His presence to empower us for service.
We discussed the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, which involves confessing known sins and actively seeking His presence in our lives. This filling is not a one-time event but a continual process that equips us for the challenges we face. The Holy Spirit also seals our salvation, serving as a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ and providing assurance of our faith.
Finally, we delved into the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are diverse and are meant for the common good of the church. They are not for personal glory but to serve and edify the body of Christ. We are encouraged to discover our spiritual gifts, perhaps through assessments, and to use them actively within the church community. Each believer has a unique role to play, and by embracing our gifts, we contribute to the flourishing of the church.
Key Takeaways:
1. Purpose in God's Plan: Just as Roger the cat had a purpose, each of us is called to serve a unique role within God's plan. Our spiritual gifts are not just for personal fulfillment but for the edification of the church community. Discovering and using these gifts is essential to fulfilling our purpose. [08:35]
2. The Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit is a person who points us to Jesus, convicts us of sin, and strengthens us in our spiritual journey. His presence in our lives is a testament to God's active work and a source of comfort and guidance. [13:06]
3. Being Filled with the Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a continual process that involves confessing sin and seeking His presence. This filling empowers us for service and provides the strength and peace needed in challenging times. [13:06]
4. Assurance of Salvation: The Holy Spirit seals our salvation, providing assurance and a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ. This assurance is a source of hope and confidence in our faith journey. [13:06]
5. Diverse Spiritual Gifts: The Holy Spirit bestows diverse spiritual gifts upon believers for the common good. These gifts are not for personal glory but to serve and build up the church. Discovering and using our gifts is crucial for the health and growth of the church community. [13:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Roger the Cat: A Story of Purpose
- [05:00] - Discovering Our Purpose in God
- [08:35] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [10:45] - Understanding the Trinity
- [13:06] - Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
- [16:30] - Assurance of Salvation
- [19:00] - Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good
- [22:15] - Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
- [25:00] - Using Your Gifts in the Church
- [28:30] - The Importance of Community
- [31:00] - Encouragement to Serve
- [33:45] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 16:8-14
2. Ephesians 3:16
3. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What role does the Holy Spirit play in showcasing Jesus according to John 16:14? How does this align with the sermon’s description of the Holy Spirit's purpose? [08:35]
2. In Ephesians 3:16, what does Paul pray for believers to receive through the Holy Spirit? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit strengthening believers? [13:06]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, what is the purpose of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit? How does this purpose reflect the sermon’s message about the common good? [13:06]
4. How does the story of Roger the cat serve as a metaphor for our purpose within God's plan, as discussed in the sermon? [08:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin and righteousness (John 16:8) influence a believer's daily life and decisions? [08:35]
2. In what ways does the Holy Spirit provide comfort and peace during challenging times, as described in Ephesians 3:16 and the sermon? How can this be experienced in practical terms? [13:06]
3. How does the diversity of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reflect the unity and diversity within the church community? What implications does this have for how believers interact with one another? [13:06]
4. The sermon mentions the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ. How does this assurance impact a believer's faith journey and outlook on life? [13:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit convicting you of a particular sin or prompting you towards righteousness. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [08:35]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit continually. What practical steps can you take to seek the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life? [13:06]
3. Consider the spiritual gifts you believe you have. How are you currently using them within your church community? If not, what steps can you take to begin using them for the common good? [13:06]
4. The story of Roger the cat illustrates finding purpose in unexpected ways. How can you remain open to discovering new purposes or roles God might have for you within your community? [08:35]
5. The sermon discusses the assurance of salvation provided by the Holy Spirit. How does this assurance affect your confidence in sharing your faith with others? [13:06]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's strength and comfort. What prayer or action can you commit to this week to invite the Holy Spirit into that area? [13:06]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to discover and use their spiritual gifts? What role can you play in fostering a supportive environment for this exploration? [13:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Discovering Your Unique Role in God's Plan
Each person has a unique role within God's plan, much like Roger the cat, who became a symbol of purpose and faithfulness. This role is not just for personal fulfillment but is meant to serve and edify the church community. By discovering and using the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, believers can fulfill their purpose and contribute to the flourishing of the church. Embracing these gifts involves actively seeking to understand them, perhaps through assessments or prayer, and using them to serve others. This process is essential for the health and growth of the church community. [08:35]
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you, and how can you use them to serve your church community this week?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit as Our Guide and Comforter
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the spiritual journey of believers by pointing them to Jesus, convicting them of sin, and strengthening them in their walk with God. As a person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is actively involved in guiding the moral compass of believers and encouraging them to live in alignment with God's will. His presence is a source of comfort and peace, especially in times of need, and serves as a testament to God's active work in the lives of His people. [13:06]
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort today, and how can you invite Him to lead you?
Day 3: Continually Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process that involves confessing known sins and actively seeking His presence. This filling empowers believers for service and provides the strength and peace needed in challenging times. By seeking the Holy Spirit's presence daily, believers can be equipped to face the challenges of life and serve others effectively. This ongoing process is essential for spiritual growth and empowerment. [13:06]
Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek a deeper filling of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Day 4: Assurance of Salvation Through the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit seals the salvation of believers, providing assurance and a guarantee of their inheritance in Christ. This assurance is a source of hope and confidence in the faith journey, reminding believers of God's promises and the security of their salvation. By understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in sealing their salvation, believers can find peace and confidence in their relationship with God, knowing that their faith is secure. [13:06]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation through the Holy Spirit impact your daily life and relationship with God?
Day 5: Embracing and Using Diverse Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit bestows diverse spiritual gifts upon believers for the common good of the church. These gifts are not for personal glory but to serve and build up the body of Christ. By discovering and using their spiritual gifts, believers can contribute to the health and growth of the church community. Embracing these gifts involves recognizing their purpose and actively seeking opportunities to use them in service to others. [13:06]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to discover and use your spiritual gifts to serve others in your church community this week?
Quotes
The Holy Spirit is God. He is God. Don't ever reference the Holy Spirit as it. He's a person. He is part of the Godhead, the Trinity, the three in one. Now, I'm not going to be able to explain to you the Trinity. Nobody can fully understand the Trinity. God is mysterious in a lot of ways, but we know that from the scriptures, God exists in three distinct persons, but he's one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we see that all throughout the New Testament when Jesus was baptized, the Son was baptized. He went into the water, and the voice of the Father spoke, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, and the Spirit of God rested on Jesus like a dove. [00:04:21] (41 seconds)
The Holy Spirit's purpose is to showcase the Savior. He always is pointing to Jesus. That's what the Holy Spirit does. When I preach, when I preach the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, I pray, is speaking to you about Jesus. That you could embrace Jesus Christ by faith. That means believe that he actually was a man who died on the cross for your sin. He paid for your sin so that everyone who believes in him would not perish but have everlasting life, Jesus said. And so when the Holy Spirit works in our life, the Holy Spirit enables us to see the reality of Jesus crucified for us as a reality for our own life, and we believe it. [00:06:43] (35 seconds)
The Holy Spirit strengthens believers or fills, the scripture says. He fills us. That's a beautiful thing. When we're singing, oh God, my God, I need you. My God, I need you now. God promised, promises to be with us in the hardest of difficult days that we experience on earth. And the Holy Spirit, he's the one who comes and he fills you to strengthen you, to comfort you, to give you peace, to give you the peace that passes all understanding that comes through the Holy Spirit. That's his role. And so call on the Holy Spirit to be filled with him, especially in those times where you call out to him in need. [00:09:14] (44 seconds)
So being filled with the Holy Spirit is not drunkenness. Now all of a sudden, it's the Holy Spirit, there's good things that you don't even have in you normally. But there's good things, there's blessed things, there's encouraging things that can come from being filled with the Holy Spirit that you don't even know that you have in you. And so be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now it's interesting, because doesn't every Christian have the Holy Spirit? So why is he commanding the Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit? [00:10:34] (27 seconds)
But there seems to be many fillings of the Holy Spirit. That God comes through his Spirit to you in a special way, to fill you for special purposes. Maybe to fill you in a time of need, or pain, or facing the loss of a loved one, or loss of a job, or you don't know the answer to the questions that you're facing. The Holy Spirit, you pray the Holy Spirit come and fill you, to give you strength to get through that day, to get through that hour, to get through that time. That you call on God to fill you, to serve, to fulfill the purpose that he has given you, wherever that is. [00:11:23] (36 seconds)
The Holy Spirit strengthens the saints. Here's number four. The Holy Spirit seals our salvation. Ephesians chapter 1, 13 and 14 says, in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of yourselves, and believed in him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory so the Holy Spirit's presence in our life our experience with the Holy Spirit gives us assurance or it's a guarantee that what you believe is actually real that there is forgiveness of sins that there is a God who is just there is a God who will save you you have an inheritance with God and that down payment is the gift of the Holy Spirit living inside us. [00:14:45] (48 seconds)
The Holy Spirit is a guarantee that our inheritance is coming there's salvation in Christ Jesus this past week I had a conversation with a guy from our church and he had some things that he feels like God had been speaking to him about and about ministry here at the church and I I said well here here's what I said to the elders two weeks ago and what I said correlated exactly to what he had been hearing from from God it's a beautiful thing you know God does those things sometimes where he really shows up in an undeniable way it's like amazing you experience that if you experience it's a good thing to jot those things down have a notebook keep a notebook of the times where God really blows you away with with the work of the Holy Spirit we should remember those things because it's a powerful thing because we all believe right we believe in Jesus we have our doubts we have our struggles isn't it great when he shows up in an undeniable way and you're like thank you God I needed that I needed that and that's what the Holy Spirit does he is the guarantee that what we have in Jesus Christ is real. [00:16:56] (71 seconds)
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