Embracing the Holy Spirit: A Year of Dependence

 

Summary

As we embark on a new year, it's crucial for us as a church to focus on a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. Our plans and dreams for 2025 must be guided by the Spirit's wisdom and power. Often, discussions about the Holy Spirit are avoided due to associations with chaotic or false teachings. However, we must not neglect the study and reliance on the Holy Spirit, who is an integral part of our triune God. Over the next few weeks, we will explore the Spirit's illuminating, convicting, and empowering work.

Today, we emphasize that the Holy Spirit is someone, not something. The Bible describes Him with personal attributes and actions, such as teaching, guiding, and interceding. He is not an impersonal force but a person with whom we can have a relationship. This understanding is vital because it shapes how we interact with God and others. The Holy Spirit is God, not an angel or created being. He possesses divine attributes and works, such as omniscience, omnipotence, and involvement in creation and regeneration.

Recognizing the Holy Spirit as God means prioritizing our relationship with Him. Jesus Himself said it was to our advantage that He leaves so the Spirit could come and dwell within us. This indwelling presence of God in believers is a profound truth that should lead us to awe, worship, and a transformed way of living. It affects how we make decisions, interact with others, and view ourselves as temples of the Holy Spirit.

As we move forward, we must consciously foster a relationship with the Holy Spirit, depending on His guidance and accepting it as perfect. Our plans for the future, including new staff and budget goals, must be rooted in this dependence. The Spirit's work in our lives is essential for achieving our dreams and fulfilling God's purposes for our church.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Holy Spirit is a Person, Not a Force: Understanding the Holy Spirit as a person with personal attributes and actions is crucial. He is not an impersonal force but someone we can have a relationship with, guiding and teaching us in our daily lives. [09:01]

2. The Holy Spirit is God: The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes and works, such as omniscience and involvement in creation. Recognizing Him as God means prioritizing our relationship with Him, as knowing the Holy Spirit is knowing God. [21:03]

3. Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would dwell within believers, providing a constant divine presence. This truth should lead us to awe and worship, transforming how we live and interact with others. [27:00]

4. Conscious Dependence on the Holy Spirit: Our plans and decisions should be rooted in a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. By seeking His guidance, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His power in our lives. [19:03]

5. Fostering a Relationship with the Holy Spirit: We must actively cultivate our relationship with the Holy Spirit, accepting His guidance as perfect. This involves prayer, seeking His wisdom, and allowing Him to shape our thoughts and actions. [35:29]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:05] - Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit
[04:51] - Importance of Studying the Holy Spirit
[06:51] - Prayer for Guidance
[09:01] - The Holy Spirit as a Person
[11:25] - Personal Attributes of the Holy Spirit
[19:03] - Dependence on the Holy Spirit
[21:03] - The Holy Spirit as God
[23:37] - Relationship with the Holy Spirit
[27:00] - Indwelling Presence of the Spirit
[29:27] - Impact on Daily Life
[30:44] - Viewing Others Through the Spirit
[31:37] - The Church and the Holy Spirit
[33:40] - Limitations and Clarifications
[35:29] - Fostering a Relationship with the Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:16-17
2. John 16:7
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 14:16-17, what role does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will play in the lives of believers?
2. In John 16:7, why does Jesus say it is to the disciples' advantage that He goes away?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 6:19 describe the relationship between believers and the Holy Spirit?
4. What are some personal attributes and actions of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the sermon? [09:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a person, rather than an impersonal force, change the way believers might interact with Him? [19:03]
2. What implications does the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit have for how believers view themselves and their daily lives? [27:00]
3. How does recognizing the Holy Spirit as God influence the priority of fostering a relationship with Him? [21:03]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit can impact a church's plans and decisions? [35:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consciously seek the Holy Spirit's guidance? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [19:03]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as a temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this perspective affect your daily actions and choices? [27:00]
3. Consider a challenging relationship in your life. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your interactions and responses in that relationship? [31:37]
4. What steps can you take to actively cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit this week? Consider incorporating prayer, scripture reading, or quiet reflection. [35:29]
5. How can you ensure that your plans and dreams for the future are aligned with the Holy Spirit's guidance and God's will? [35:29]
6. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit prompting you to take action. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attentive to such promptings in the future? [35:29]
7. In what ways can you encourage others in your church community to develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit? [31:37]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as a Relational Guide
The Holy Spirit is not an abstract force but a personal being with whom believers can cultivate a relationship. Understanding the Holy Spirit as a person with personal attributes and actions is crucial for spiritual growth. He teaches, guides, and intercedes, offering wisdom and support in our daily lives. This personal nature of the Holy Spirit invites us to engage with Him actively, seeking His guidance and allowing Him to shape our thoughts and actions. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as a relational guide transforms how we interact with God and others, emphasizing the importance of a conscious and intentional relationship with Him. [09:01]

John 14:26 (ESV): "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: Think of a recent decision you made. How might it have been different if you had consciously sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit?


Day 2: The Divine Nature of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not merely an angel or a created being but is fully God, possessing divine attributes such as omniscience and omnipotence. His involvement in creation and regeneration underscores His divine nature and power. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as God means prioritizing our relationship with Him, as knowing the Holy Spirit is knowing God. This understanding calls us to a deeper reverence and commitment to nurturing our relationship with Him, acknowledging His divine presence and authority in our lives. [21:03]

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (ESV): "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with the Holy Spirit this week, acknowledging His divine nature and presence in your life?


Day 3: The Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would dwell within believers, providing a constant divine presence that transforms how we live and interact with others. This indwelling presence is a profound truth that should lead us to awe and worship, recognizing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's presence within us empowers us to live in alignment with God's will, influencing our decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Embracing this truth encourages a life of worship and transformation, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our daily lives. [27:00]

1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"

Reflection: How does knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells within you change the way you view yourself and your daily interactions with others?


Day 4: Dependence on the Holy Spirit for Guidance
Our plans and decisions should be rooted in a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit. By seeking His guidance, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His power in our lives. This dependence requires humility and a willingness to surrender our own desires and plans, trusting that the Holy Spirit's guidance is perfect and aligned with God's purposes. As we navigate the complexities of life, relying on the Holy Spirit ensures that our actions and decisions reflect God's wisdom and love, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. [19:03]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to depend on the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take today to seek His guidance and align with His will?


Day 5: Cultivating a Relationship with the Holy Spirit
Fostering a relationship with the Holy Spirit involves actively seeking His wisdom and allowing Him to shape our thoughts and actions. This relationship is cultivated through prayer, reflection, and a willingness to be led by the Spirit in all aspects of life. Accepting the Holy Spirit's guidance as perfect requires trust and openness to His transformative work within us. As we nurture this relationship, we experience a deeper connection with God and a greater capacity to live out His purposes in our lives, impacting our communities and the world around us. [35:29]

Galatians 5:25 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit? How can these practices help you stay in step with His guidance?

Quotes

"We cannot afford to make plans and move forward without the Holy Spirit's guidance and power. So we're going to take the next few weeks and talk about this. We have to be a church which is led by the Spirit and who depends on Him for all things." [00:03:05] (19 seconds)


"So if we're going to understand the Scripture, what the Scriptures teach about the Holy Spirit, one of the first things that we need to know is this, that the Holy Spirit is someone, not something. Very important. Very important for us to know that the Bible teaches in the biblical narrative is that the Holy Spirit is someone, not something." [00:08:17] (23 seconds)


"It's because to know the Holy Spirit is to know God. Right? And so if this is true, what I'm saying is true, and it is .... If this is true, and then what must follow is that we must then prioritize a relationship with the Holy Spirit." [00:23:37] (20 seconds)


"It's one thing to have a knowledge of something, but it's another thing to appropriate that knowledge or to let it affect your everyday life. Okay. Think about the ramifications. If we lived consciously as a church, as individuals, consciously that God himself indwells his people." [00:30:12] (26 seconds)


"Therefore, here's the thing, is that we must consciously foster a relationship with the Holy Spirit by depending on him and accepting his guidance as perfect since he is God. So when you know that the Spirit of God is poking on you, and you know exactly what I'm talking about, maybe you're dealing with something right now where the Spirit of God is just poking on you, you need to have that conversation." [00:34:24] (26 seconds)


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