Embracing Inner Beauty and the Power of the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

### Summary

It is a profound honor to be here, sharing this full-circle moment with you all. Reflecting on my journey from high school at Trinity Church to now, I am deeply moved by the presence of God that permeates this place. Today, I want to address the pressures women face to maintain outward appearances and how exhausting it can be. Amidst all the fleeting trends and societal expectations, one thing remains constant: godly character. Our true beauty lies in our inner disposition, as described in 1 Peter 3:3-5, which speaks of the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

I challenge you to reflect on when you last felt truly fired up for God, prayed for a stranger, or shared the gospel. These actions sow seeds into something eternal, building treasures in heaven. My journey at this church involved fasting, praying, and encountering the Holy Spirit in transformative ways. However, I feel that many of us today walk around numb to His power, even though it is fully available to us. We need to embrace the Holy Spirit and rise up to be known for more than our outward appearances.

In Acts 19, we see the power of the Holy Spirit through Paul, who performed extraordinary miracles. This same power is available to us today. The Holy Spirit convicts, challenges, and calls us higher. It should be a daily presence in our lives, not just a crisis prescription. Confession and repentance are also crucial, as they create intimacy with God and bring freedom. We must be sensitive to sin and quick to confess, as this leads to genuine transformation.

Each of us has unique gifts from God, meant to be used to bless others. We should not hoard these gifts but share them to set others free. Finally, we must remove any idols in our lives, as they hinder our relationship with God. By openly confessing and removing these idols, we can lead others to do the same and spread the word of the Lord.

### Key Takeaways

1. Godly Character Over Outward Appearance: True beauty is found in the inner disposition of our hearts, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit, as described in 1 Peter 3:3-5. This unfading beauty is precious in God's sight and remains constant amidst fleeting trends and societal pressures. [05:03]

2. Embrace the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential in our lives, convicting, challenging, and calling us higher. It should be a daily presence, guiding us and helping us to rely on God every day, not just in times of crisis. The Holy Spirit's power is available to us today, just as it was in the early church. [15:27]

3. The Power of Confession and Repentance: Confession and repentance create intimacy with God and bring freedom. We must be sensitive to sin and quick to confess, as this leads to genuine transformation. Confessed people are free people, and free women can free other women. [22:52]

4. Using Our Gifts to Bless Others: Each of us has unique gifts from God, meant to be used to bless others. We should not hoard these gifts but share them to set others free. Our gifts are not for us alone but for the benefit of the body of Christ and the world. [27:29]

5. Removing Idols from Our Lives: Idols hinder our relationship with God. We must identify and remove any idols in our lives, whether they are money, looks, relationships, or anything else that takes precedence over God. By doing so, we can lead others to do the same and spread the word of the Lord. [30:45]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Full Circle Moment
[01:06] - Introduction and Background
[02:09] - The Pressure of Outward Appearance
[03:47] - The Unfading Beauty of Godly Character
[05:03] - 1 Peter 3:3-5: Inner Beauty
[06:27] - Reflecting on Our Spiritual Fire
[07:40] - Encountering the Holy Spirit
[08:09] - Embracing the Holy Spirit Today
[09:06] - Four Things God Desires for Us
[10:06] - Prayer and Acts 19 Reading
[13:57] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[15:27] - Daily Presence of the Holy Spirit
[22:52] - Confession and Repentance
[27:29] - Using Our Gifts to Bless Others
[30:45] - Removing Idols from Our Lives
[35:37] - How to Rise Up as Women of God
[38:20] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 3:3-5: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves."
2. Acts 19:1-20: This passage describes the extraordinary miracles performed by Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit, the importance of baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the public confession and repentance of sins by the believers in Ephesus.

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 3:3-5, what is considered true beauty in God's sight?
2. In Acts 19, what were some of the extraordinary miracles performed by Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit? [11:54]
3. What actions did the believers in Ephesus take to show their repentance and confession of sins? [13:00]
4. How did the people in Ephesus respond to the miracles and teachings of Paul? [13:00]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of inner beauty over outward adornment in 1 Peter 3:3-5? How does this relate to the pressures women face today? [05:03]
2. What does the story of the believers in Ephesus in Acts 19 teach us about the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? [15:27]
3. How does public confession and repentance, as seen in Acts 19, create intimacy with God and bring freedom? [22:52]
4. What are the implications of using our unique gifts from God to bless others, as demonstrated by Paul in Acts 19? [27:29]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel pressured to focus on outward appearances rather than cultivating godly character? How can you shift your focus to inner beauty? [03:47]
2. When was the last time you felt truly fired up for God, prayed for a stranger, or shared the gospel? What steps can you take to reignite that spiritual fire in your life? [06:27]
3. How can you make the Holy Spirit a daily presence in your life rather than just a crisis prescription? What practical steps can you take to embrace the Holy Spirit more fully? [15:27]
4. Is there a sin or struggle in your life that you need to confess and repent of? How can you create a habit of regular confession and repentance to maintain intimacy with God? [22:52]
5. Identify a unique gift that God has given you. How can you use this gift to bless others and set them free? What specific actions can you take this week to share your gift with someone in need? [27:29]
6. Are there any idols in your life that are hindering your relationship with God? What steps can you take to identify and remove these idols? How can you lead others to do the same? [30:45]
7. How can you be a person who ushers in the presence of God and brings hope and encouragement to others? What specific actions can you take to be that person in your community or friend group? [37:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Inner Beauty Over Outward Appearance
True beauty is not found in our outward appearance but in the inner disposition of our hearts. Society often pressures women to conform to fleeting trends and maintain a certain look, which can be exhausting and unfulfilling. However, 1 Peter 3:3-5 reminds us that the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in God's sight. This kind of beauty is constant and does not fade with time or change with trends. It is rooted in godly character, which is far more valuable than any external adornment. Reflect on how you can cultivate this inner beauty in your daily life and let it shine through your actions and interactions with others. [05:03]

1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV): "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to focus more on developing your inner beauty rather than your outward appearance?


Day 2: Embracing the Holy Spirit Daily
The Holy Spirit is a vital presence in our lives, convicting, challenging, and calling us to higher standards. It is not just a resource for times of crisis but should be a daily guide and companion. The same power that enabled Paul to perform extraordinary miracles in Acts 19 is available to us today. We often walk around numb to this power, but by embracing the Holy Spirit, we can experience transformative change and a deeper reliance on God. Make it a daily practice to invite the Holy Spirit into your life and be open to His guidance and conviction. [15:27]

Acts 19:11-12 (ESV): "And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them."

Reflection: How can you make space in your daily routine to invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you?


Day 3: The Power of Confession and Repentance
Confession and repentance are essential for creating intimacy with God and experiencing true freedom. Being sensitive to sin and quick to confess leads to genuine transformation. When we confess our sins, we are not only set free but also empowered to help others find freedom. This process of confession and repentance should be a regular part of our spiritual practice, not just something we do occasionally. By being open and honest with God about our shortcomings, we can experience His grace and forgiveness in profound ways. [22:52]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Is there a sin or struggle you need to confess to God today? How can you make confession and repentance a regular part of your spiritual life?


Day 4: Using Our Gifts to Bless Others
Each of us has been given unique gifts by God, and these gifts are meant to be used to bless others. We should not hoard our talents but share them generously to set others free and build up the body of Christ. Our gifts are not for our benefit alone but for the benefit of the community and the world. Reflect on the gifts God has given you and consider how you can use them to serve others and glorify Him. By doing so, you can make a significant impact on those around you and fulfill your God-given purpose. [27:29]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to bless others today?


Day 5: Removing Idols from Our Lives
Idols can take many forms, such as money, looks, relationships, or anything else that takes precedence over God in our lives. These idols hinder our relationship with God and prevent us from fully experiencing His love and guidance. It is crucial to identify and remove any idols in our lives, openly confessing them and seeking God's help to overcome them. By doing so, we can lead others to do the same and spread the word of the Lord. Reflect on what might be an idol in your life and take steps to remove it, allowing God to take His rightful place in your heart. [30:45]

Ezekiel 14:6 (ESV): "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you might be placing above God? How can you begin to remove this idol and refocus your heart on Him?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "But the one thing that is free that I feel like all of us could channel and could have, and no matter what season it is, it never goes in, it never goes out, is godly character. I love y'all already. Yes, we love a responsive crowd. I'm like, work with me. I love Trinity Church for this reason." [03:05] (22 seconds) ( | | )

2. "What is never out is our respect, our integrity, our worth, our passion for Jesus, the way we love people, the way we pray, the way we use our mouths to praise people or to curse people, to bring life to people or to bring death to people." [03:47] (23 seconds) ( | | )

3. "When was the last time you genuinely felt in awe of who God is? Or when was the last time you prayed for a stranger? Or when was the last time that you shared the gospel? I want all of this for us. Because this is sowing a seed into something. Something so much deeper than just ourselves. It's something eternal." [06:27] (25 seconds) ( | | )

4. "The Holy Spirit should be more like a daily vitamin than a crisis prescription. And I think a lot of us do that. When we're in trouble, or we've made the mistake, or we got back to the ex, or we looked at something, something we shouldn't have looked at, we overspent again, we overate, whatever the thing is for you, we're immediately like, God help me, God help me." [16:07] (20 seconds) ( | | )

5. "Be the person who ushers in the presence of God. Be the person, who prays for someone when no one else will. Be the person who notices someone when no one else does. Be the person who brings hope and encouragement to a friend group when everyone else is bringing gossip." [38:20] (21 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "I want us to be people that are not afraid of the Holy Spirit. We're not afraid of a move of God. We're not just comfortable in our box. We don't just go to church and have our hands in our pants and we're just like, okay, I'm just gonna do my routine, check the box. He wants more. He wants more for you. And he changes you." [21:24] (17 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Confession and repentance are not checkboxes that we do, but it's a habit that we will build for the rest of our lives. Because in different seasons, we have different struggles. And so this is a habit that I think that God wants us to exercise to where it doesn't even become like you think twice about it. It's just like, yeah, I know, I gotta confess." [23:54] (20 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Paul had a gift to heal. Paul had a gift to minister. Paul had a gift to preach. And Paul knew his gifts. But he didn't just like sit in his house and be like, hey, this is just for me. I'm just gonna sit here and do my little thing in my house. No, he used his gifts that God gave him to set other people free. And beautiful women, you all have a gift." [27:29] (23 seconds) ( | | )

4. "I want us to be women that see a need and then we fill it. Again, this has nothing to do with our appearance, but everything to do with our hearts. And even in this verse later, the demon says, Jesus, I know you. Paul, I know you. But who are you? The demons said they knew who Jesus was. The demons should not know Jesus more than we do." [29:19] (25 seconds) ( | | )

5. "Women of God, rise up. You were made for more than just a touch point here and there with God, with an occasional devotional, with a Sunday service once here and there, or a conference here and there. You were made for more than mediocre. More than subpar. God has more in store for you. And tonight might be the night where you encounter him for the first time." [37:10] (23 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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