Embracing Faith: The Holy Spirit's Guidance and Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we were reminded of the profound presence and work of the Holy Spirit among us. We celebrated testimonies of healing and divine intervention, affirming that God is actively working in our lives. The Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, is here to guide us, comfort us, and reveal the truth. We are encouraged to bring our needs before God, trusting that nothing is impossible for Him. The enemy may try to convince us that we are not special enough for God's attention, but that is a lie. We are precious to God, and He has already demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to die for us.
We delved into Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, exploring three aspects of faith: saving faith, serving faith, and stretching faith. Saving faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, allowing us to accept His grace and forgiveness. Serving faith involves understanding God's ongoing plans and participating in His work. Stretching faith challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God for the extraordinary.
The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 serve as examples of unwavering trust in God, even when they did not receive what was promised in their lifetime. Their stories remind us that God is faithful and His plans are far greater than we can comprehend. We are called to live by faith, knowing that God is with us and will never forsake us. Our faith journey is not just about personal salvation but also about being part of God's grand narrative.
As we reflect on our role in God's plan, we are encouraged to surrender everything to Him. This includes our lives, families, and resources. God has a unique purpose for each of us, and He desires to use us for His glory. We are challenged to ask God what He wants us to do and to be willing to step out in faith, trusting that He will equip and guide us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Presence of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is actively working in our lives, guiding, comforting, and revealing truth. We are encouraged to bring our needs before God, trusting in His power and love. The enemy's lies about our worthiness are countered by the truth of God's love demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. [41:41]
2. Saving Faith: Saving faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. It allows us to accept His grace and forgiveness, establishing a personal connection with Him. This faith grows as we engage with His Word and experience His presence in our lives. [01:06:47]
3. Serving Faith: Serving faith involves understanding God's ongoing plans and participating in His work. It requires us to recognize His role in creation and His intentions for humanity. We are called to be active participants in His mission, using our gifts and resources for His glory. [01:13:07]
4. Stretching Faith: Stretching faith challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God for the extraordinary. It involves being open to His leading and willing to take risks for His kingdom. God has a unique purpose for each of us, and He desires to use us in ways we may not expect. [01:29:46]
5. Surrender and Trust: We are encouraged to surrender everything to God, including our lives, families, and resources. This act of surrender allows us to be fully available for His purposes. As we trust in His plans, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and be part of His grand narrative. [01:39:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [41:41] - The Enemy's Lies
- [43:04] - The Holy Spirit's Presence
- [45:20] - Bringing Our Needs to God
- [46:04] - Healing and Provision
- [47:04] - Faith in Action
- [01:03:12] - The Power of God's Word
- [01:04:01] - Introduction to Faith
- [01:05:11] - Three Aspects of Faith
- [01:06:47] - Saving Faith Explained
- [01:07:36] - Understanding God's Role
- [01:08:29] - Growing in Faith
- [01:09:47] - The Mystery of Faith
- [01:10:59] - God's Plan for Us
- [01:13:07] - Serving Faith in Action
- [01:14:39] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
- [01:16:19] - Heroes of Faith
- [01:19:28] - Challenges of Faith
- [01:21:31] - God's Faithfulness
- [01:22:22] - The Bigger Picture
- [01:24:10] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [01:26:20] - Standing Before Jesus
- [01:27:19] - The Eternal Perspective
- [01:28:17] - Stretching Faith
- [01:29:46] - Demonstrating Faith
- [01:31:04] - God's Plan for You
- [01:33:03] - Serving in the Church
- [01:35:08] - God's Call on Our Lives
- [01:36:48] - The Role of Leadership
- [01:39:10] - Surrendering Everything
- [01:43:14] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1-6
2. Acts 1:8
3. Revelation 2:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three aspects of faith discussed in the sermon, and how are they defined? [01:05:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? [43:04]
3. What examples from Hebrews 11 were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate the concept of faith? [01:16:19]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the lies the enemy tells us about our worthiness, and how does the sermon suggest we counter them? [41:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "saving faith" serve as the foundation for a believer's relationship with God, according to the sermon? [01:06:47]
2. In what ways does "serving faith" require believers to participate in God's ongoing plans, as discussed in the sermon? [01:13:07]
3. How does the sermon explain the idea of "stretching faith," and what are some examples given of stepping out of comfort zones? [01:29:46]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of surrendering everything to God, and how does this relate to experiencing His blessings? [01:39:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding or comforting you. How did that experience impact your faith journey? [43:04]
2. Saving faith is described as foundational. How can you actively nurture this faith in your daily life through prayer and reading the Bible? [01:06:47]
3. Serving faith involves using your gifts for God's glory. Identify one gift or talent you have. How can you use it to serve in your church or community this week? [01:13:07]
4. Stretching faith challenges us to trust God for the extraordinary. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? [01:29:46]
5. The sermon encourages surrendering everything to God. What is one thing you find difficult to surrender, and how can you begin to trust God with it? [01:39:10]
6. The sermon mentions the enemy's lies about our worthiness. How can you remind yourself of your value in God's eyes when you feel inadequate? [41:41]
7. Consider the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Which story resonates with you the most, and how can it inspire you to live by faith in your current circumstances? [01:16:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Active Presence
The Holy Spirit is not a distant or passive entity but an active presence in our lives. He guides us, comforts us, and reveals the truth of God's love and power. We are encouraged to bring our needs before God, trusting in His ability to meet them. The enemy often tries to deceive us into believing we are unworthy of God's attention, but this is a lie. We are precious to God, as demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice. The Holy Spirit reassures us of our worth and God's unwavering love. [41:41]
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort you today?
Day 2: The Foundation of Saving Faith
Saving faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. It allows us to accept His grace and forgiveness, establishing a personal connection with Him. This faith is not static; it grows as we engage with God's Word and experience His presence. Through saving faith, we are assured of our salvation and the promise of eternal life. It is a gift that transforms our hearts and minds, drawing us closer to God and His purposes. [01:06:47]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you nurture your saving faith today through prayer, scripture, or community?
Day 3: Participating in God's Work through Serving Faith
Serving faith involves recognizing God's ongoing plans and actively participating in His work. It requires us to understand His role in creation and His intentions for humanity. We are called to be active participants in His mission, using our gifts and resources for His glory. Serving faith is about aligning our lives with God's purposes and being willing to serve others as an expression of His love. [01:13:07]
"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." (1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific gift or resource can you use today to serve someone in your community?
Day 4: Embracing the Challenge of Stretching Faith
Stretching faith challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God for the extraordinary. It involves being open to His leading and willing to take risks for His kingdom. God has a unique purpose for each of us, and He desires to use us in ways we may not expect. Stretching faith is about trusting God with the unknown and believing that He will equip us for the tasks He sets before us. [01:29:46]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation." (Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where God might be calling you to step out in faith and trust Him more deeply?
Day 5: The Power of Surrender and Trust
We are encouraged to surrender everything to God, including our lives, families, and resources. This act of surrender allows us to be fully available for His purposes. As we trust in His plans, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and be part of His grand narrative. Surrendering to God is not about losing control but about gaining a deeper relationship with Him and aligning our lives with His will. [01:39:10]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to surrender to God today, and how can you begin to trust Him more in that area?
Quotes
you know in the last I mean almost every week God is doing some amazing things and without putting anybody on the spot but just to give praise to the Lord there's somebody who's struggling with a bladder cancer and you know what the doctor said after the prayer they were they were praying for and the doctor said you know what it's this big it's totally encapsulated and it's not a problem [00:39:51] (47 seconds)
and I could share with some other things other things with you you know we're singing Holy Spirit you're welcome Holy Spirit you're in this place He's in this place that's what He did when Jesus left He sent the Holy Spirit you know some of us would feel more comfortable if Jesus physically would be walking around in our room and that would be really cool I'm not discounting that but He said I'm sending the Holy Spirit and He's going to come and He's going to show you all things isn't that cool [00:40:59] (41 seconds)
And he said, I'm sending you the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit's in this place. He's here this morning. He's here this morning. And I don't know if you've ever invited Jesus into your heart, but I tell you what, now's a good time. At the end of the service, we're going to do it again. Okay? And there's going to be time for prayer. But even right now, let's just lift up to the Lord. Father, I thank you this morning that we come before you, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the sacrificial lamb, the one who bled, the one who died, the one whose body was broken for the likes of me and every other person in this room and some that are watching us tonight or this afternoon, perhaps, or this evening on our podcast. Lord, here we are. We're coming in faith. [00:43:18] (52 seconds)
Lord, I thank you that we can come before you. There's no cancer cell that can live in the face of Jesus, in the covering of the blood of Jesus. And, you know, we pray for Bryce every week, and I just pray the little man, six years old, just needs a healing touch. And God is working in his physical body, but it's for many others. Lord, we just bring them before you right now. Father, I just praise you for those that you have touched in this past week. Lord, those that you are working in and working through. And, Father, I just pray that as individuals, we just reach out to you right now and we would grasp, lay hold of your promise, your healing touch. Lord, say, Father, you see my need. You see that. You see the magnitude of it, or you see how small it is. [00:44:27] (53 seconds)
And so, God, we just thank you. We just thank you this morning, Father, for every answer and maybe a lot of other needs, Lord, that we've just individually had to say, Father, here's my need. I lift it up before you in Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. [00:47:04] (22 seconds)
And so, I realize I'm scratching the surface. But there's three points I want to bring out to you today. And I'd like you to hear because I think it's important for us. Are you okay with that? Okay. So, I want to talk to you about saving faith. We know what that's about, right? I want to talk to you about serving faith. And I want to talk to you about stretching faith. [01:04:59] (30 seconds)
Faith, saving faith, is what builds a relationship with him. When I was a kid, I gave my heart to Jesus. And I didn't. I did what I was told. And I believed what I was told. That if I invited Jesus to come into my heart, that he would. And later I came to understand and accept the concepts of God. [01:08:17] (25 seconds)
I had invited Jesus to come into my heart. I don't know how that worked, but they said it would. And I still, to be honest with you, how does he by the Spirit, I mean, I can tell you theologically, but there's a faith quotient. And he does it. He comes to live in our hearts. And as we begin to read his word, as we begin to pay attention to even what he speaks into our hearts and his intervention in our lives, we come to establish a faith. [01:09:09] (36 seconds)
And it's scratching the surface of who God is. Am I right? Three nods. I'm right. God is big. And God is beyond us. We're figuring out with our little finite minds. But as we get to know about him, and our faith increases in him, he's got a plan for us. Forgiveness of sins. [01:10:38] (35 seconds)
God is always at work. He's at work. He's doing things. He saved us, okay. Jesus died on the cross. And what some of them say is that the Bible, as it was written down, we don't need the work of the Holy Spirit. We don't need the work of the Holy Spirit anymore because we've got the Word written down. [01:14:39] (27 seconds)
And somehow we think, you know, it takes somebody to step up, to be leaders, you know, to take the position of stepping out and, you know, to be the ones that walk on the water, the ones that pray for the sick, the ones that are encouraged, and those that study maybe a little bit harder. And we think about what will be God's plan that needs to happen or will be happening before Jesus comes back. [01:29:46] (44 seconds)
we need his impartation we need faith but we need surrender and that's the first thing to say Lord here I am yeah I've given you my heart I've given you my life but I realize I need to give you everything everything and he'll say I need you to give me everything cool and our next prayer is Lord where do you want me to fit what do you want me to do and you know what he may have a different thing for you every day you know he'll have some other memos that come down to your spirit with his plan for you [01:42:22] (51 seconds)
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