Embracing the Holy Spirit: A Transformative Relationship
Summary
Today, we explored the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer. Many people approach Christianity as a set of rules, but the truth is, it’s about a living relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. The way we understand and interact with the Holy Spirit is the dividing line between a faith that is alive and powerful, and one that is dry and ritualistic. The Holy Spirit is not just a force or an energy—He is God, the third person of the Trinity, and He desires to be honored, loved, and obeyed just as the Father and the Son are.
From the very beginning of creation to the end of the Bible, the Holy Spirit is actively involved in God’s work. He is the one who makes the Word of God come alive in our hearts, empowers us to live out our faith, and continues the ministry of Jesus on earth. Without the Holy Spirit, we are left with empty religion and rituals, but with Him, we experience true transformation and power.
Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit in His final conversations with the disciples. He called the Holy Spirit our Helper, Teacher, and Guide, promising that the Spirit would lead us into all truth, remind us of Jesus’ words, and glorify Christ in our lives. The Spirit convicts the world of sin (for those who do not believe), convicts believers of righteousness (because of Christ’s finished work), and declares the defeat of the enemy.
Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation—He seals us, guarantees our inheritance, and fuses Himself with our spirit. The question is not whether we can have more of the Holy Spirit, but whether we can yield more of ourselves to Him. The more we surrender, the more He fills us, and the more His power and presence are evident in our lives. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event, but a daily choice to yield every part of our lives to Him.
Yielding to the Holy Spirit means listening to His voice, obeying His Word, and following His peace. It’s about turning down the noise of the world so we can hear His still, small voice and allowing Him to guide us in every decision. When we live this way, we walk in the fullness of what God has for us, empowered to glorify Jesus and become more like Him every day.
---
Key Takeaways
- The Holy Spirit Is the Deciding Factor in a Vibrant Christian Life
The way we perceive and interact with the Holy Spirit determines whether our faith is alive or merely ritualistic. A genuine relationship with the Spirit brings power, revelation, and transformation, while neglecting Him leads to empty religion. The Holy Spirit is not an optional add-on; He is the very presence of God within us, making all the difference in our walk with Christ. [03:56]
- The Spirit’s Role Is to Glorify Jesus and Guide Us into All Truth
The Holy Spirit never draws attention to Himself but always points us to Jesus. He teaches, reminds, and guides us, not just in spiritual matters but in every aspect of life. When we yield to His guidance, we find clarity, wisdom, and the ability to live out God’s purposes, even in the mundane or challenging moments. [13:46]
- Conviction by the Spirit Is Rooted in Relationship, Not Condemnation
The Spirit convicts the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus, but for believers, He convicts us of our righteousness in Christ. This means our standing before God is secure, and the enemy is already judged and defeated. Understanding this frees us from fear and empowers us to walk in victory, knowing the Spirit’s conviction is always redemptive and affirming of our identity in Christ. [16:17]
- Being Filled with the Spirit Is a Daily, Ongoing Surrender
While every believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, being filled with the Spirit is a continual process of yielding every area of our lives to Him. This daily surrender allows the Spirit to fill us afresh, empowering us to live beyond our own strength and to reflect Christ more fully. The more we yield, the more His presence overflows in and through us. [37:31]
- Hearing the Spirit Requires Quieting the Noise and Following His Peace
The Spirit often speaks in a still, small voice, and to hear Him, we must intentionally turn down the distractions of life. Obedience to His promptings and following the peace He gives are key to making wise decisions and staying aligned with God’s will. True spiritual discernment comes from cultivating an environment where the Spirit’s voice is the loudest in our hearts. [40:33]
---
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction and Prayer
[02:10] - Essentials for Spiritual Growth
[03:56] - The Deciding Factor: The Holy Spirit
[06:30] - The Personhood and Power of the Holy Spirit
[08:27] - The Holy Spirit’s Role in the Church and Believer
[09:56] - Misconceptions: The Holy Spirit Is Not Weird
[11:22] - Religion, Ritual, and the Spirit
[13:46] - Jesus’ Teaching on the Holy Spirit
[16:17] - The Spirit’s Conviction: Sin, Righteousness, Judgment
[20:49] - Hearing God’s Voice and Guidance
[25:47] - The Security of Salvation and the Spirit’s Seal
[29:37] - Yielding More of Ourselves to the Spirit
[31:55] - Baptism by and with the Holy Spirit
[33:37] - Being Filled with the Spirit: A Daily Choice
[37:31] - The Importance of Continual Filling
[40:33] - Hearing the Spirit and Following Peace
[42:29] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Life in the Holy Spirit
---
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:25-26 (ESV)
> “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
2. John 16:7-15 (ESV)
> “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment... 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. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
3. Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
> “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:26, what are two specific things Jesus says the Holy Spirit will do for believers?
2. In John 16:8-11, what three areas does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will convict the world about, and what is the reason for each? ([16:17])
3. Based on Ephesians 5:18, what is the difference between being baptized into the body of Christ and being filled with the Spirit? ([37:31])
4. In the sermon, what does Pastor Charlie say is the “deciding factor” between a vibrant, powerful faith and a dry, ritualistic one? ([03:56])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus call the Holy Spirit our “Helper,” and how does this shape our understanding of the Spirit’s role in our daily lives? ([13:46])
2. The sermon says the Holy Spirit convicts believers of righteousness, not just sin. What does it mean to be convicted of righteousness, and how is this different from condemnation? ([16:17])
3. Pastor Charlie mentions that being filled with the Spirit is a daily, ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Why might this continual filling be necessary for Christian living? ([37:31])
4. The Holy Spirit is described as speaking in a “still, small voice.” What are some practical reasons it can be hard to hear Him, and what does the sermon suggest we do about it? ([40:33])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says the Holy Spirit is not just a force or energy, but a person who wants to be honored, loved, and obeyed. In what ways do you personally honor or ignore the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([08:27])
2. Pastor Charlie says, “The more we surrender, the more He fills us.” Is there an area of your life you find hard to yield to the Holy Spirit? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? ([29:37])
3. The Holy Spirit convicts believers of their righteousness in Christ, not just their failures. How does this truth affect the way you respond to guilt or shame? ([16:17])
4. The sermon challenges us to “turn down the noise” to hear the Spirit’s voice. What are some specific distractions in your life that make it hard to listen to God? What is one step you can take this week to quiet those distractions? ([40:33])
5. Pastor Charlie says being filled with the Spirit is a daily choice. What is one practical habit you could start (or restart) to help you yield to the Holy Spirit each day? ([37:31])
6. The Holy Spirit’s role is to glorify Jesus and guide us into all truth. Can you think of a recent decision where you sensed the Spirit’s guidance? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([13:46])
7. The sermon says, “Without the Holy Spirit, we are left with empty religion and rituals, but with Him, we experience true transformation and power.” Have you ever experienced a time when your faith felt dry or ritualistic? What changed when you invited the Holy Spirit to lead you? ([11:22])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to fill each person afresh, to help everyone yield more of themselves, and to make His voice and peace clear in the week ahead.
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit is God, Personal and Present
The Holy Spirit is not a force, energy, or mere inspiration—He is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, and deeply personal. He authored the Scriptures, possesses all the power of the Father and the Son, and is actively involved in creation, redemption, and the ongoing ministry of Jesus in the world. The Holy Spirit desires to live within every believer, to be honored, loved, and obeyed, and to make the Word of God come alive in our hearts. Understanding and embracing the Holy Spirit as God is the foundation for a vibrant, empowered Christian life. [03:56]
Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Reflection: In what ways have you related to the Holy Spirit as a person rather than an abstract force, and how might recognizing Him as God change your daily walk with Him?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit Guides, Teaches, and Glorifies Jesus
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come as our Helper, teaching us all things, reminding us of Jesus’ words, guiding us into all truth, and always pointing us to Christ. The Spirit is never misleading; He is the Spirit of truth, and His voice brings clarity, wisdom, and direction for every area of life. He does not draw attention to Himself but testifies about Jesus, glorifying Him in all things. As you open your heart to the Spirit’s guidance, you can trust that He will lead you faithfully and always magnify Jesus in your life. [13:46]
John 14:25-26 (ESV)
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need the Holy Spirit’s guidance or teaching today, and how can you invite Him to lead you in that specific situation?
Day 3: The Holy Spirit Seals and Secures Every Believer
When you put your trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you, sealing you as God’s own and guaranteeing your inheritance until the day of redemption. This sealing is permanent and unbreakable—God’s Spirit fuses with your spirit, marking you as His forever. You don’t have to live in fear of losing your salvation; instead, you can rest in the assurance that you are God’s, and the Spirit is your guarantee. This security frees you to serve God wholeheartedly, not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude for what He has done. [25:47]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Reflection: How does knowing you are sealed and secure in the Holy Spirit affect your confidence and motivation to live for God today?
Day 4: Yielding Daily to the Holy Spirit Brings Fullness and Power
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily choice to yield every part of yourself to Him. The more you surrender—your heart, mind, will, emotions, and even your voice—the more He fills you, empowering you to live out God’s purposes. This daily filling is essential because life’s pressures and distractions can “leak” your spiritual vitality. By continually yielding, you allow the Spirit to influence every area, bringing transformation, boldness, and supernatural fruit. [37:31]
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Reflection: What is one area of your life you have been holding back from the Holy Spirit, and how can you intentionally yield it to Him today?
Day 5: Listen, Obey, and Follow the Peace of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit speaks through God’s Word, a still small voice in your heart, and the peace He brings. In a world full of noise and distraction, it’s vital to quiet yourself and listen for His leading. The Spirit will never lead you contrary to peace; even in chaos, He can give you inner calm and clarity. By listening, obeying, and following His peace, you can make wise decisions and walk confidently in God’s will, knowing you are moving with Him. [40:33]
Colossians 3:15 (ESV)
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to turn down the noise and follow the peace of the Holy Spirit as you make decisions or face challenges today?
Quotes
The Holy Spirit is God. He is God. Listen to this. He is the third person of the Trinity. No doubt about it. The Holy Spirit is a person. He's not a force or an energy. He's not an inspiration. I've heard all those. He is a person. He's a person. He is the author of the Old and New Testament. He is the author of the Bible. This is why he is the only one qualified to interpret the Bible. Praise God. I got three amens. Praise God. All right. I'm here to tell you the truth of the matter is none of us can understand the Bible without the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit of God who makes the Word of God come alive in our hearts. That's the truth. Listen to this. He possesses all the power of the Father and the Son in creation and redemption. In other words, He is active from the beginning. [00:05:06] (53 seconds)
The Holy Spirit is to be honored, loved, and obeyed just like anyone else. There are entire portions of Scripture in your Bible in the New Testament where it's the Holy Spirit speaking. He speaks just like the Father speaks, just like the Son speaks, just like Jesus. Matter of fact, in Hebrews, if you go and study the first chapter, it is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit having a conversation. And I broke that down before, but I'm just saying it's in there. Listen to this. He is powerful as fire, gentle as a dove, life -giving as water. He embrings the anointing and power of God into your life. So here's my question. Do you want more of God? Okay, you can't say I want more of God God, and yet you want less of the Holy Spirit. [00:06:44] (46 seconds)
The Holy Spirit is a gift to the church to assure the continued ministry of Jesus in the earth. So whenever Jesus said, hey, I'm leaving, but I'm not going to leave you as orphans. I want you to go out and do what I've called you to do, but I don't expect you to do it on your own. You're going to do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's the Spirit of God who does the work. Think about how awesome this is, y 'all. All right? [00:07:52] (28 seconds)
But the truth of the matter is, I grew up with an understanding that anything that was Holy Spirit was weird. Okay? And the truth is, please hear my heart. That is not him. That's not who he is. He's not weird. He loves you. He's God. He's God on the inside of you if you're a believer. And he's not weird. And he doesn't want to be weird. Matter of fact, he looks at some people and goes, wow, I really should do more work in them. Go, never mind. [00:10:15] (31 seconds)
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away. In other words, Jesus says, it's better for you to have the Holy Spirit than for me to be here with you. That's what he's saying. And you say, well, how could that possibly be? Here's why. God in you is awesome. Praise God. He's in you. Jesus could only be in one location at one point in time, in time. Now with the Holy Spirit, we can all have the spirit of God on the inside of us at the same time. It goes on to say, I go away, for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I depart, help me out, I will send him to you. That's right. Here's the next one. Jumping down here to 16 .8. Look at this. And when he, capitalized, deity, Holy Spirit. Now when he has come, help me out, he will convict the world of sin. Now, before we even go anywhere, it says convict the world of sin. [00:14:58] (63 seconds)
The conviction that the Holy Spirit does is you need to believe in Christ that's what you need to do now watch this next part of righteousness in other words the holy spirit will convict you of righteousness why because i go to my father and you see me no more the work of the cross he convicts you of righteousness i've been made righteous because he went to the father and you see me no more he went through the suffering of the cross to get me right with god therefore he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of god in christ jesus praise god he convicts you of righteousness now watch this next part and he goes on uh because uh i go to my father you see me no more of judgment everybody say of judgment so he [00:16:17] (46 seconds)
The Holy Spirit convicts the enemy that you have been judged. And guess what? We are the vocal pieces of that conviction. We tell the devil all the time, you are defeated. You have no power over my life. You are defeated. Can I tell you? I've noticed, this is me, not you. You don't have to say this. I've noticed that people that understand what the Holy Spirit does in the world understands that the devil is defeated. [00:18:58] (24 seconds)
The key to the Christian life is the Holy Spirit. Do you believe that? It is. You can either go rules and religion or you can go with the Holy Spirit. I'm going to pick the Holy Spirit every time. Listen to this. You ready? Does a believer have the Holy Spirit? Absolutely. Absolutely. Every believer, you can't be saved without the Spirit of God. Number one, no one comes to the Father except the Holy Spirit leads them. That's number one. Number two, as soon as you speak anything, say, God, I want to be right with you. Boom. The Holy Spirit comes on the inside of you. Because now he is the one responsible for leading and guiding you. Listen to this. This Ephesians chapter 1 verse 13 says it this way. In him, talking about Christ, you also trusted. After you heard the word of truth, heard the word of truth, Jesus came and died and rose again for your salvation. The gospel of your salvation in whom also, help me out, having believed, you were sealed with the Spirit of promise. So, when you believed, you got ziplocked back, bam, with the Holy Spirit, praise God. You were ziplocked. The Spirit sealed you. You were sealed. Signed, sealed, delivered. I'm yours, baby. [00:23:34] (84 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 05, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?