Embracing God's Grace: A Spirit-Led Thanksgiving

Summary

It's a joy to be here with you this morning, and I bring greetings from Charleston, West Virginia. Reflecting on nearly two decades of ministry, I am continually amazed by God's unending grace and mercy. His blessings are evident in our lives, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him. Recently, I had a profound experience with the Amish community in West Virginia, which reminded me of the power of worship and community. The Amish are expanding their educational efforts, and it's a privilege to witness their growth and dedication.

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, it's essential to pause and express gratitude for the blessings in our lives, especially the gift of salvation. The blood of Jesus is irreplaceable, and it's the only way to heaven. Despite claims to the contrary, Jesus Christ remains the sole path to eternal life. Our relationship with God is personal and profound, and He cares for us deeply. As we navigate life's challenges, we must remember that God is in control, and His Spirit guides us.

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of our Christian journey. It comforts, guides, and empowers us to live a life set apart from the world. The Spirit's presence is evident in our lives through peace, joy, and love. It convicts us of sin and leads us to repentance, ensuring we remain in God's will. The Spirit also equips us with spiritual gifts, enabling us to serve and glorify God.

Living a Spirit-led life means recognizing the emptiness of our past and embracing the transformation God offers. It involves a deep desire to forgive, share God's word, and fellowship with other believers. Despite our imperfections, God's grace allows us to continue growing in faith. As we face trials, we can find joy in knowing that our faith is being refined and strengthened.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Irreplaceable Blood of Jesus: The blood of Jesus is the only way to salvation. Despite differing opinions, Jesus Christ remains the sole path to eternal life. This truth is foundational to our faith and should be cherished and proclaimed. [36:13]

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, leading us into all truth. It convicts us of sin, empowers us with spiritual gifts, and ensures we remain in God's will. Embracing the Spirit's work in our lives is essential for spiritual growth. [47:52]

3. Living a Spirit-Led Life: A Spirit-led life is characterized by peace, joy, and love. It involves recognizing the emptiness of our past and embracing the transformation God offers. This life is marked by a desire to forgive, share God's word, and fellowship with other believers. [53:48]

4. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: As we pursue God, the devil also pursues us. However, we belong to God, and He is greater than any power of darkness. Recognizing this truth helps us stand firm in our faith and resist the enemy's attacks. [46:26]

5. The Assurance of God's Presence: Despite our imperfections, God's grace allows us to continue growing in faith. The Spirit of God dwells within us, providing comfort and assurance. As we face trials, we can find joy in knowing that our faith is being refined and strengthened. [52:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Greetings from Charleston
- [02:15] - Amish Community Experience
- [05:45] - Thanksgiving Reflections
- [08:30] - The Blood of Jesus
- [12:00] - Relationship with God
- [15:20] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [20:10] - Living a Spirit-Led Life
- [25:00] - Spiritual Warfare
- [30:45] - Assurance of God's Presence
- [35:30] - Attributes of the Holy Spirit
- [40:00] - Internal and External Indicators
- [45:00] - Embracing Transformation
- [50:00] - Conclusion and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 4:4 - "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
2. John 14:16-17 - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
3. Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the speaker's experience with the Amish community, and how did it impact his understanding of worship and community? [10:00]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the blood of Jesus in the context of salvation? [36:13]
3. How does the speaker describe the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? [47:52]
4. What are some of the attributes of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the sermon? [50:25]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the speaker's experience with the Amish community illustrate the importance of community in spiritual growth? [10:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the irreplaceability of Jesus' blood for salvation, and how does this align with 1 John 4:4? [36:13]
3. How does the speaker explain the concept of living a Spirit-led life, and what are the internal and external indicators of such a life? [53:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the reality of spiritual warfare and the assurance of God's presence in overcoming it? [46:26]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did it manifest, and what was the outcome? [47:52]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of gratitude, especially during Thanksgiving. What are three specific things you are grateful for this season, and how can you express this gratitude in your daily life? [36:13]
3. Consider the concept of spiritual warfare mentioned in the sermon. How can you prepare yourself to stand firm in your faith when facing challenges? [46:26]
4. The speaker talks about the transformation that comes with living a Spirit-led life. What is one area of your life where you desire transformation, and what steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's work in that area? [53:48]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God, as described in the sermon, and what practical steps can you take to strengthen this relationship? [40:55]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of fellowship with other believers. How can you actively engage in your church community to foster spiritual growth and support others? [58:16]
7. Reflect on the assurance of God's presence in your life. How does this assurance impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [52:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unmatched Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
The blood of Jesus is the cornerstone of salvation, offering a path to eternal life that cannot be replaced or replicated. In a world filled with diverse beliefs and opinions, the truth of Jesus as the sole way to heaven remains unshaken. This foundational truth is not just a doctrine to be acknowledged but a reality to be cherished and proclaimed. As believers, understanding and embracing this truth is crucial to our faith journey. The sacrifice of Jesus is a gift that demands our gratitude and commitment, especially as we approach seasons of thanksgiving and reflection. [36:13]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: Consider how the truth of Jesus' sacrifice impacts your daily life. How can you actively share this foundational truth with someone in your life today?

Day 2: The Guiding Presence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the life of a believer, acting as a comforter, guide, and source of empowerment. It leads us into all truth, convicts us of sin, and equips us with spiritual gifts to serve and glorify God. Embracing the work of the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. The Spirit's presence is evident through the peace, joy, and love it brings into our lives, ensuring we remain aligned with God's will. As we navigate life's challenges, the Holy Spirit provides the strength and guidance needed to overcome and thrive. [47:52]

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: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How can you become more attuned to the Spirit's leading in your daily decisions?

Day 3: Embracing a Spirit-Led Transformation
Living a Spirit-led life involves recognizing the emptiness of our past and embracing the transformation that God offers. This transformation is marked by peace, joy, and love, and it calls us to forgive, share God's word, and fellowship with other believers. Despite our imperfections, God's grace allows us to continue growing in faith. A Spirit-led life is not just about personal growth but also about impacting others through our actions and words. As we embrace this transformation, we become vessels of God's love and truth in the world. [53:48]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need transformation. What steps can you take today to invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area?

Day 4: Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare
As we pursue a deeper relationship with God, we must be aware of the reality of spiritual warfare. The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, but we belong to God, who is greater than any power of darkness. Recognizing this truth helps us stand firm in our faith and resist the enemy's attacks. Spiritual warfare is not just about defense but also about actively pursuing God's will and purpose for our lives. By equipping ourselves with God's truth and relying on His strength, we can overcome the challenges and temptations we face. [46:26]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge that felt like a spiritual battle. How can you use God's truth to stand firm and resist the enemy's influence in that situation?

Day 5: The Comforting Assurance of God's Presence
Despite our imperfections, God's grace allows us to continue growing in faith. The Spirit of God dwells within us, providing comfort and assurance as we face trials. This assurance is not just a feeling but a reality that strengthens our faith and refines us through life's challenges. As we journey through life, we can find joy in knowing that our faith is being strengthened and that God is with us every step of the way. Embracing this assurance allows us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that we are never alone. [52:39]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's presence in your life recently? How can you remind yourself of His assurance during times of doubt or fear?

Quotes

1. "I thank God for the spirit this morning uh is abiding with us and i'm so thankful for that pastor stanley mentioned something about the amish community and i had a very interesting uh experience with the amish uh a couple months ago the elder of the church called the department of education and he said we're starting some brand new schools in west virginia and he said i need to know how to start those schools some of our communities don't know really what they're doing with that and uh just a little bit of background information we have about 140 private schools in west virginia and that's part of my job at the state department is to oversee that work and so he called and uh i gave him some information but then he called back a couple weeks later and he said i'm wondering what would be the chances that dustin lambert could just come to us and i thought i don't know about this but uh anyways he said i'll plan everything we'll find a location we'll get everybody together it'll be great and you can come just share with everyone so in my mind i'm thinking there can't be any more than 20 amish people in west virginia right i showed up to an unfinished room with 120 amish individuals and i'm going to tell you something it was an experience of a lifetime what you may not know is when the amish get together it's not a meeting it's a worship service and you become part of their worship and i just i feel so humbled it took place right over here in daly west virginia they're starting a brand new school over there we now have nine amish schools in west virginia and probably because of that meeting we're going to be able to get together and we're going to be able to get together and we're meeting we will end up with another four or five across the state so the amish are spreading like wildfire right now in west virginia but west virginia has about 15 000 students who go to private schools and we have 26 000 it's hard for me to wrap my brain around that 26 000 students who are homeschooled in our state so i've served as the point of contact for all school choice at the department of education if you know anything about the hope scholarship i am the point of contact at the department of education for that as well so that's a full -time job and then in between that we find time to do this and we are so thankful for the privilege it is to come and sing and to worship with folks god's people to worship with god's people i don't want to be with anyone else i want to be with god's people praise the lord but um my sister just recently had her first child uh dayla it's just again that's hard to believe that she's she's old enough to have but she is and i'm so thankful for that and i'm so thankful for that and i'm so thankful for that and uh case case jacob is three going on four months old and my mom is just on cloud nine now she is just on cloud nine uh raylee is a bonus grandchild that uh she my mom in less than 12 months went from having zero grandchildren to having two biological grandchildren and uh a slew of bonus grandchildren so we are so thankful that god's blessing our family but i want to share with you a song that my sister sang when she was on the road with me i miss her um but i know that she's in ministry with her husband and i'm so thankful for that but this was a song that she shared with folks across the country and it just says there's no substitute for the blood of jesus my friend there will be absolutely nothing that will take the place of the blood of jesus if the blood of christ has not been applied to your life you cannot go to heaven i heard the leader of the catholic church i'm just going to go ahead and sing a little bit of that song and i'm going to go ahead and say it i heard the leader of the catholic church two months ago stand before the world and boldly proclaim that there was more than one way to get to heaven my heart is broken don't you be deceived church there's only one way to get to heaven and his name is jesus christ it'll take the blood of jesus" [00:26:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I'm so thankful this morning that I have a relationship with God Almighty. I have a relationship this morning with the creator of all life. I think that's something this morning, amen, that he's not too busy to care for us. The Bible says that if he sees the sparrow when it falls, how much more does he love you and I? That's the relationship that I have with the Father this morning, and I pray that you have that relationship as well." [00:32:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Well, we're going into the Thanksgiving season And I think it would do all of us as Christians A wealth of good for us to just pause Time and time and time again And give thanks to the Father for what we have in our life I mean, many times, honestly, church, I feel so spoiled Just gonna be honest with you I feel like what God has provided me What God has provided to us as Americans Is above anything that we ever deserve in this life But more importantly, what God has provided to us In the form of salvation Praise God, we can escape a place called hell this morning And that ought to make anyone excited about Jesus Christ That you and I don't have to go to a place called hell We can go to heaven And for that, I have so much to thank him for this morning Amen This is my little Thanksgiving song" [00:36:13] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I have caught myself over and over and over. I can't stop talking about the spirit of God. It's already happened here this morning. I just, I can't help it. I think that we as Christians, we forget that when we get saved, we don't just have salvation, but we have something with it. And that's the comforter. And I have said a lot, if you've been in services with us this past year, I've said..." [00:40:58] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I want to be set apart this morning. I want to, people will say, you know, when I get saved, how do I know that I'm saved? How do I know? People will say, you know, when I get saved, how do I know that I'm saved? How do I know that I'm, know that I'm living a spiritual life? My friend, I believe that there are, there are byproducts. There are things that, that you're just going to show you that you are living by the spirit of God. And those are some things that I just want to touch on briefly here this morning. Number one, the attributes of the Holy Spirit, the characteristics of the Holy Spirit. And number two, what is it internally inside of us and the things externally that lead us to believe that we know for certain that we are living in the center of God's will in a spiritual led life. For starters, I believe that your presence here this morning speaks to a lot of what the spirit has already done. You might be sitting here this morning and you may be a 20, 30, 40 year Christian at some point. And hopefully continually you are led by the spirit of God. The spirit of God led you here this morning, or maybe you're here this morning and something down deep inside of you as a lost soul told you that you needed to be a church. Amen." [00:42:07] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Those who dwell in absolute darkness, absolutely against anything to do with God. I don't think it's any joke. I don't think it's any secret that the world that we're living in today is in complete and utter darkness. Would you agree with me this morning? I mean, it's a mess. By the way, on Tuesday night, God will still be on the throne. He will still be steadfast and strong on the throne. He knows exactly what he's doing between now and Tuesday. And as God is my witness on Tuesday night, he will still be on the throne. He will still be seated at the right -hand side of the Father, still making intercession for you and I. Praise his holy name. Man, I don't want to be political here this morning, but God is in control, church, and he is still on the throne this morning. Praise his holy name. So it's only through the spirit of God that we can really get away from that darkness." [00:43:52] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The Spirit of God is also the Spirit of truth. The Spirit of God tells us of things to come, the things to come. By the way, church, this is not all there is. This is not all there is for the Christian. We have something else to look forward to. Don't get me wrong this morning. I love my life here. I love what God has allowed me to do in this life. I love being able to witness to people. I love being able to travel and sing for the glory of God. But man, when He calls my name, I am going home. Praise the Lord. And the Bible says, so shall we ever be with the Lord. I'm looking forward to that. And it's confirmed through the Spirit of God. I'm looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to the Spirit of God. The next part of this, the Spirit of God gives us spiritual gifts. You'll find those spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, but there's so much more to that as well. You might be sitting here this morning, and you might be sitting on something that the Lord has told you to do. Can I speak from experience? 19 years ago, as an 18 -year -old boy, God said, I want you to travel and sing." [00:49:39] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Through the Spirit of God, Jesus is glorified through us. You ever had somebody say to you as a Christian, you're just radiating with the love of God? I love those compliments because I pray for them. I pray. I pray for those moments. When God can truly reveal himself in me, that the world sees it. They see it vividly that there's something working inside of me. And I'll be honest with you, church, if you're saved like I am, it's going to come out some way. I mean, it's just going to radiate some way. There's going to be signs that you are saved. The next part of this, the Spirit of God is a guarantee of salvation. And the last two, I just want to share some very quick scripture. The Spirit of God comforts us, and the Spirit of God comforts us. And the Spirit of God comforts us. And the Spirit of God comforts us. The Spirit of God dwells with us." [00:51:19] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "A spirit -led Christian has an internal perspective of what's on the inside of your heart as you discover, number one, peace, joy, and love. You have peace that surpasses all understanding. You have a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, and you have love or charity that is the greatest of all. I believe that's the first thing that really is a testament, an influence of the spirit working inside of you. You have true peace inside." [00:53:47] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The next thing, the things you once thought were important have completely changed. God, through the spirit, completely changed the direction of your life. That's the spirit of God. That's how you know that. I have heard people who were once bound to alcohol or any type of other addiction, and I've heard those folks say the moment they got saved, everything else changed. They wanted nothing to do with that addiction anymore. You know what that is? It's the spirit of God." [00:54:53] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?