Embracing Peace and Breakthrough Through the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by addressing the congregation with a sense of anticipation and hope, despite the challenges we face. I emphasized the importance of peace residing in our hearts, regardless of life's circumstances, and the role of the Holy Spirit in maintaining that peace. I spoke about the kingdom of God being within us, as Jesus resides in us, and the necessity for us to live from a place of righteousness, peace, and joy.

I then moved on to discuss the feeling of being on the verge of breakthroughs in various aspects of our lives, likening it to the anticipation and frustration of pregnancy and birthing. I acknowledged the struggle in waiting for God's promises to manifest and the importance of staying centered with the Lord during these times. I encouraged the congregation to remember the prophecies spoken over their lives and to use them as weapons in spiritual warfare.

I shared about the role of the Holy Spirit as our defender and advocate, highlighting that the Holy Spirit and Jesus intercede for us, especially when we are unsure of how to pray. I stressed the importance of trusting the Holy Spirit's guidance and the comfort that comes from knowing that two-thirds of the Trinity are interceding on our behalf.

I also touched on the idea that sometimes we are the source of delay in the fulfillment of God's promises, due to our own actions or lack thereof. I urged the congregation to examine whether what they sense from the Holy Spirit brings peace, righteousness, and joy, and aligns with Scripture.

I concluded the sermon with a call to trust in the Holy Spirit's intercession and to be open to being used by God to bless others. I reassured everyone that the Holy Spirit lives within us and that growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit is a journey we are all on together. I closed with a prayer for breakthrough over delayed promises and declared peace over every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The kingdom of God is not a distant realm but resides within us through the Holy Spirit, bringing righteousness, peace, and joy into our lives. As we navigate life's challenges, it is crucial to maintain an awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance, ensuring that we live from a place of divine peace. [01:09:41]

2. The anticipation for God's promises can be both exhilarating and frustrating, much like the process of pregnancy and birthing. In these times of waiting, we must hold onto the prophecies spoken over our lives, using them as spiritual weapons to maintain faith and a clean conscience. [01:23:24]

3. The Holy Spirit serves as our defender and advocate, interceding for us in our weaknesses. This divine intercession should bring us comfort and assurance, especially when we are uncertain about how to pray or what to ask for. [01:47:49]

4. Our own actions or inactions can sometimes cause delays in the fulfillment of God's promises. It is essential to trust the Holy Spirit's promptings and to act in obedience, knowing that our desires, when aligned with God's will, can lead to the manifestation of His plans for us. [01:48:38]

5. The Holy Spirit's intercession is perfectly in harmony with God's plan and our destiny. As we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we learn to discern and trust this divine guidance, becoming conduits of blessing for others and experiencing the reality of God's kingdom on earth. [01:34:50]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)
> "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

2. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NIV)
> "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith."

3. Luke 17:21 (NIV)
> "Nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:26-28, how does the Holy Spirit assist us in our weaknesses?
2. What does Paul encourage Timothy to do with the prophecies spoken over his life in 1 Timothy 1:18-19?
3. In Luke 17:21, where does Jesus say the kingdom of God is located?
4. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the anticipation and frustration of waiting for God's promises? ([01:10:35])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Holy Spirit's intercession provide comfort and assurance during times of uncertainty? ([01:32:39])
2. What might be some reasons why our own actions or inactions can cause delays in the fulfillment of God's promises? ([01:48:38])
3. How can recalling prophecies spoken over our lives serve as spiritual weapons in times of waiting and struggle? ([01:23:24])
4. What does it mean to live from a place of righteousness, peace, and joy as described in the sermon? ([01:09:41])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit interceding for you. How did it change your perspective or situation? ([01:32:39])
2. Are there any prophecies or promises spoken over your life that you have forgotten or neglected? How can you start using them as spiritual weapons today? ([01:23:24])
3. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your actions align with the Holy Spirit's promptings, especially in times of waiting? ([01:48:38])
4. How can you cultivate a sense of divine peace in your daily life, regardless of your circumstances? ([01:09:41])
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel a delay in God's promises. What might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to do in this situation? ([01:48:38])
6. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did your relationship with the Holy Spirit help you navigate through it? ([01:09:03])
7. How can you be more open to being used by God to bless others, as encouraged in the sermon? ([01:56:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Kingdom Within
The Kingdom of God is an internal reality, manifesting through the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. This divine indwelling brings forth righteousness, peace, and joy, which are not contingent on external circumstances but are the fruits of a life aligned with God's will. As believers, the challenge is to consistently recognize and nurture this inner kingdom, allowing it to influence our thoughts, actions, and interactions with the world around us. The Holy Spirit's guidance is crucial in this process, as it helps to maintain a state of divine peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is a fortress against life's tumults, anchoring the soul in the assurance of God's sovereignty and love. [07:40]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life to reinforce the reality of God's kingdom within you?

Day 2: Holding Onto Prophetic Promises
The journey of faith often includes periods of expectant waiting, where the fulfillment of God's promises seems imminent yet delayed. This state of anticipation can be likened to the natural process of pregnancy, where the promise of new life is assured but the timing of its arrival is uncertain. Believers are called to hold onto the prophecies and promises spoken over their lives, using them as spiritual weapons to combat doubt and maintain a steadfast faith. These prophetic words are not mere hopes but are powerful tools in spiritual warfare, helping to keep one's conscience clear and faith unwavering during seasons of waiting. [23:24]

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)
And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: What is a specific prophecy or promise you are waiting on, and how can you actively use it to strengthen your faith during this period of anticipation?

Day 3: Trusting in Divine Intercession
The Holy Spirit's role as a defender and advocate is a profound source of comfort for believers, especially in moments of weakness or uncertainty. When words fail and the heart is heavy, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words, aligning our prayers with the will of God. This intercession is a reminder that believers are never alone in their struggles; they are supported by the ceaseless prayers of the Spirit and the Son. The knowledge that two-thirds of the Trinity are advocating on one's behalf should instill a deep sense of peace and trust in God's perfect plan. [47:49]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you were unsure of what to pray for, and how can you lean into the Holy Spirit's intercession in your current prayers?

Day 4: Discerning Our Role in God's Timing
Sometimes the delay in the manifestation of God's promises can be attributed to our own actions or inactions. It is essential to discern whether our decisions and behaviors are in alignment with the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture. This discernment requires honest self-examination and a willingness to act in obedience to God's guidance. When peace, righteousness, and joy are the markers of our choices, we can be confident that we are moving in harmony with God's will and that our desires are contributing to the unfolding of His plans for us. [48:38]

James 4:17 (ESV)
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you might be resisting the Holy Spirit's guidance, and what steps can you take to align your actions with God's will?

Day 5: Becoming Conduits of Blessing
The Holy Spirit's intercession is not only for our benefit but also positions us to be vessels through which God's blessings flow to others. As we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we learn to discern and trust in this divine guidance, allowing us to become active participants in the manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. This journey of spiritual formation is one that we undertake together as a community of believers, supporting and encouraging one another as we seek to live out our divine destiny. The Holy Spirit within us is the source of our strength and the catalyst for our transformation, enabling us to bless others as we ourselves are blessed. [34:50]

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV)
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Reflection: How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's leading to bless someone in your community this week?

Quotes

1. "The kingdom itself. So the kingdom isn't some faraway place. Like he is the kingdom. The kingdom is in him. He's in us. So in us, the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy. He's made us right. And in that place, there is peace and joy." [01:09:41]( | | )

2. "And some of those things are conditional. They're conditional on what we do. It's like if God gives a word that like I'm going to make you wealthy so that you can bless others and do all this stuff. That I've made you a kingdom person and you're going to, right?" [01:39:39]( | | )

3. "And here's the cool thing. How many of you have ever been in a trial before? Just raise your hand. I'm going to ask you, was it criminal or civil? No, I'm just kidding. Two totally different kinds of trial, right? But here's the thing. In that, you have a defender." [01:51:39]( | | )

4. "Pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God's plan and our destiny." [01:34:50]( | | )

5. "And we can do that and be sure of that because he said, I'm going to leave. It's better that I go because I'm going to leave the Holy Spirit for you. In you. Right? And then this, we have this passage here where it says that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us." [01:36:46]( | | )

6. "But then there's times in our life where he wants us to be the one. And so, you know, we're learning to trust the Holy Spirit. And let me just say this. No matter what you're going through, it's really critical because I think the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, our defender, you know, we don't have to defend God." [01:50:57]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?