Embracing the Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit
Summary
In this special gathering, we come together to embrace what we call "Empower Sunday," a day dedicated to understanding and experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we embark on this journey, we reflect on the past years where we focused on following Jesus and reaching out to others. This year, we are called to be "presenced," a term that signifies living a life deeply infused with the Holy Spirit. This isn't just a concept or a banner; it's a personal revelation that sets the course for our lives in 2025.
Drawing from Ephesians 5, we are reminded to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to pause and focus on what God is saying to us. Just as a pigeon must stop to see clearly, we too must pause in our spiritual walk to gain clarity and direction. The Holy Spirit is not merely a force but the third person of the Trinity, omnipresent and manifest in our lives. His presence is not just around us but within us, transforming us from the inside out and empowering us to serve others.
Living a "presenced" life means experiencing assurance, direction, strength, joy, freedom, boldness, and empowerment. These attributes are not just ideals but realities we can access through the Holy Spirit. As we become more aware of His presence, we are called to be more present in the world, revealing Jesus to those around us. This year, let us pursue the presence of the Holy Spirit like never before, allowing Him to guide us, empower us, and work through us to bring about supernatural miracles, favor, protection, provision, and peace.
Key Takeaways:
- Assurance in Presence: Living a presenced life brings assurance, removing doubt and fear. Even in our moments of sin and stumbling, God is with us, and His presence assures us that we can always return to Him. This assurance is a foundation for our faith, reminding us that we are never alone. [16:16]
- Direction through the Spirit: The Holy Spirit guides our lives, helping us avoid the pitfalls of our sinful nature. When we allow His presence to lead us, we find clarity and purpose in our actions. This divine direction is essential for navigating the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. [19:48]
- Strength and Courage: The presence of God empowers us with strength and courage, enabling us to face challenges with confidence. As God was with Joshua, He is with us, providing the fortitude needed to pursue our promised land. This strength is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit within us. [23:01]
- Joy in His Presence: A presenced life is marked by joy, a deep-seated happiness that comes from knowing God is with us. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a gift of the Holy Spirit, sustaining us through trials and triumphs alike. [27:14]
- Empowerment for Boldness: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live boldly, sharing our faith with fearless confidence. This boldness is not a personality trait but a result of being filled with the Spirit, enabling us to witness to others and spread the gospel with conviction. [30:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:39] - The Pigeon Analogy
- [09:25] - Understanding the Holy Spirit
- [12:20] - Omnipresence and Manifest Presence
- [16:16] - Assurance in Presence
- [19:48] - Direction through the Spirit
- [23:01] - Strength and Courage
- [27:14] - Joy in His Presence
- [30:44] - Empowerment for Boldness
- [34:00] - Invitation to Receive the Holy Spirit
- [37:30] - Closing Prayer and Declaration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Empower Sunday
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:15-18
2. John 16:13-14
3. 2 Corinthians 3:17
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Ephesians 5:15-18, what specific instructions does Paul give to the believers regarding their lifestyle and spiritual focus? How does this relate to the concept of being "presenced"? [04:39]
2. According to John 16:13-14, what role does the Holy Spirit play in guiding believers, and how is this reflected in the sermon’s emphasis on divine direction? [09:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the omnipresence and manifest presence of the Holy Spirit, and what analogy is used to illustrate the need for spiritual focus? [12:20]
4. What does 2 Corinthians 3:17 say about the presence of the Lord and its impact on believers' lives? How is this freedom described in the sermon? [23:01]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "presenced" by the Holy Spirit challenge traditional views of spiritual empowerment and personal revelation? [16:16]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's presence provides assurance and removes doubt and fear in believers' lives? [16:16]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of the Holy Spirit in providing strength and courage, particularly in the context of facing life's challenges? [19:48]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit, and how does this joy differ from happiness based on circumstances? [27:14]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual walk. Are there areas where you need to "pause" like the pigeon to gain clarity and direction? What practical steps can you take to incorporate this practice into your daily life? [04:39]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. What are some specific ways you can invite the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions and actions this week? [09:25]
3. Consider a recent situation where you felt doubt or fear. How can the assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence help you approach similar situations differently in the future? [16:16]
4. Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you draw strength and courage from the Holy Spirit to address this challenge with confidence? [19:48]
5. Joy is described as a gift of the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy in your life, regardless of your circumstances? What specific actions can you take to focus on this joy? [27:14]
6. The sermon calls for boldness in sharing faith. Think of one person in your life who might benefit from hearing about your faith journey. How can you approach them with boldness and love this week? [30:44]
7. Reflect on the concept of living a "presenced" life. What changes can you make in your daily routine to become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and allow it to transform your interactions with others? [30:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance in God's Presence
Living a life infused with the Holy Spirit brings a profound sense of assurance, dispelling doubt and fear. This assurance is not contingent on our circumstances or our own righteousness but is rooted in the unwavering presence of God. Even in moments of sin and stumbling, the Holy Spirit assures us that we are never alone and that we can always return to God. This assurance forms the foundation of our faith, reminding us that God's presence is a constant, guiding us back to Him whenever we stray. [16:16]
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with doubt or fear? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to assure you of God's presence in those areas today?
Day 2: Divine Direction through the Spirit
The Holy Spirit provides divine direction, helping us navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. By pausing to listen to the Spirit, we gain clarity and purpose in our actions, avoiding the pitfalls of our sinful nature. This divine guidance is essential for living a life that aligns with God's will, allowing us to make decisions that reflect His love and truth. As we become more attuned to the Spirit's leading, we find ourselves walking a path that is both fulfilling and transformative. [19:48]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)
Reflection: What decision or situation in your life requires divine direction right now? How can you create space to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance today?
Day 3: Strength and Courage from God
The presence of God empowers us with strength and courage, enabling us to face challenges with confidence. Just as God was with Joshua, providing the fortitude needed to pursue the promised land, He is with us, offering the same strength through the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not just for overcoming obstacles but for living a life that boldly pursues God's promises and purposes. The Holy Spirit within us is a testament to the power and presence of God, equipping us to stand firm in faith. [23:01]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What challenge are you currently facing that requires strength and courage? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you in this situation today?
Day 4: Joy in His Presence
A life filled with the Holy Spirit is marked by joy, a deep-seated happiness that transcends circumstances. This joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit, sustaining us through both trials and triumphs. It is not dependent on external factors but is rooted in the knowledge that God is with us, providing a sense of peace and contentment. As we cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence, we experience a joy that transforms our outlook and interactions with the world around us. [27:14]
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life to experience His joy? What practical steps can you take today to focus on this joy?
Day 5: Empowerment for Boldness
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live boldly, sharing our faith with fearless confidence. This boldness is not a personality trait but a result of being filled with the Spirit, enabling us to witness to others and spread the gospel with conviction. As we embrace the Spirit's empowerment, we find the courage to step out in faith, trusting that God will work through us to reveal His love and truth to the world. This boldness is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [30:44]
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the love of Jesus? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the boldness to share your faith with them today?
Quotes
"So the question I have out of this passage is simply, for you and me, what is consuming us right now that is actually taking us out of a conscious state of following Jesus with everything? Because wine isn't the issue, but the amount we consume could be. Social media isn't the issue. But the amount we consume could be." [00:06:58] (30 seconds)
"Simply put, a presenced life means a life where Jesus is revealed in us, through us, and around us. For the disciples, Jesus was everything, and Jesus was one man that lived and roamed this earth. But he said, actually, in the gospels to the disciples, it's going to be better I go, because the spirit's going to come." [00:09:13] (26 seconds)
"My prayer would be that we become more aware that the Holy Spirit is all around us, the Holy Spirit would be continually revealing Jesus to us, and that we would be aware Holy Spirit is in us. Now, the truth is the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, which simply means he is everywhere all at once, which is good news." [00:10:08] (26 seconds)
"Indwelling presence is simply, and I'll unpack it this way, is a relational presence that transforms us from the inside, inside out, and now empowers us to serve others well. And I'm praying and I'm believing as the senior leader of life that his omnipresence would lead you, me, and other people to church where we all experience his manifest presence, which would then lead us to respond to the gospel and experience and outwork his indwelling presence." [00:13:50] (38 seconds)
"When you're presenced, when I'm presenced, there's no more doubt. There's no more wondering, am I good enough? Did my weak disqualification have any effect on me? What was that thought? That was not of God, I'm done for. No, no, when you live presenced, you realize, oh, even in my sin and my stumbling, God was with me." [00:18:04] (27 seconds)
"Galatians 5 verse 16. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Watch this now. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. Anyone like me where you have those moments, you're like, I wish that didn't happen. Wish I didn't do that. Why did I say that? Wow, that was poor effort." [00:18:54] (25 seconds)
"We read in the book of Joshua, God declares, this is my command, be strong and courageous. Whatever's ahead of you this year, the promised land that awaits you, I believe as God was encouraging Joshua and the Israelites, hey, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Why? For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [00:19:48] (40 seconds)
"The early church in the book of Acts, we see a powerful encounter take place where they are filled. But I love this scripture in Acts 2 28, where it says, it says, you have shown me the way of life and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. When you're presenced and you know you're presenced, it's like you can walk around with your shoulders back saying to anyone that you think is an enemy, come at me, bro, because the joy of the Lord is my strength." [00:21:58] (44 seconds)
"And verse 31 of chapter 4 says this, while they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And I love this. And continued to speak God's word with fearless confidence. You know what you and I need to witness to our family and our friends and our workplaces, to our society? You know what every Bible-believing, Jesus-following Christian needs? Boldness." [00:23:21] (37 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?