Embracing the Holy Spirit: Guidance, Boldness, and Humility
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the achievements of Emily Silva, a high school graduate moving on to college. We prayed over her, asking God to guide her path and bless her future endeavors. This moment of celebration set the tone for our service, which focused on the Holy Spirit, the often misunderstood yet essential part of the Trinity that dwells within us.
We recapped our series on the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of having a relationship with Jesus before experiencing the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our right standing with God, not our sins, and helps us make decisions aligned with God's will. We discussed the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing that it is one fruit producing multiple characteristics like love, joy, and peace. The key is to draw closer to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce these traits in us.
We also talked about hosting the Holy Ghost by keeping our "tent"—our secret place with God—clean from distractions and sins. Being led by the Spirit involves a process similar to Jesus' journey: being born of the Spirit, filled by the Spirit, and led by the Spirit. This process ensures that we are consistently used by God.
The story of Saul served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking credit for the Holy Spirit's work. Saul started well but lost his way by becoming self-reliant and prideful. We must remain humble and give God the glory for His work through us. We also discussed the importance of boldness in our faith, stepping out to pray for others and share the gospel, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us.
Finally, we focused on three key areas to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit: paying the price of consistency, remaining humble, and never outgrowing our need for repentance. Consistency in our walk with God, humility in recognizing our dependence on Him, and a heart of repentance will keep us aligned with His will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit: Before experiencing the Holy Spirit, one must have a relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our right standing with God, not our sins, and helps us make decisions aligned with God's will. This relationship is foundational for a life led by the Spirit. [26:30]
2. Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit is a single fruit producing multiple characteristics like love, joy, and peace. Instead of focusing on improving individual traits, we should draw closer to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce these traits in us. This holistic approach ensures we are not operating in the flesh but in the Spirit. [30:38]
3. Hosting the Holy Ghost: Our "tent," or secret place with God, should be free from distractions and sins. Hosting the Holy Ghost involves confessing and renouncing anything that doesn't belong in our tent, ensuring a pure and focused relationship with God. This cleanliness allows for a deeper communion with the Holy Spirit. [32:02]
4. Boldness in Faith: Stepping out in boldness to pray for others and share the gospel is crucial. Trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us, we should not fear man but have a healthy fear of the Lord. This boldness not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a powerful witness to others. [49:08]
5. Consistency, Humility, and Repentance: Consistency in our walk with God, humility in recognizing our dependence on Him, and a heart of repentance are essential. These practices keep us aligned with God's will and prevent us from becoming self-reliant or prideful. They ensure that we remain vessels through which the Holy Spirit can work. [59:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:54] - Celebrating Emily Silva
[26:30] - Recap of the Holy Spirit Series
[27:57] - Relationship with Jesus
[29:21] - Conviction by the Holy Spirit
[30:38] - Fruit of the Spirit
[32:02] - Hosting the Holy Ghost
[33:28] - Zechariah 4:6
[34:38] - The Story of Saul
[37:11] - Appointing Requires Anointing
[38:45] - Overflow of the Holy Spirit
[40:09] - Saul's Jealousy and Downfall
[43:07] - Disagreeing in Love
[44:43] - Discernment and Boldness
[46:27] - Stepping Out in Faith
[49:08] - Boldness in Prayer
[50:32] - Courage Over Cowardice
[52:19] - Fear of the Lord
[55:30] - Reverence and Love for God
[56:59] - Saul's Downfall
[59:03] - Consistency, Humility, and Repentance
[01:00:34] - Running the Race with Endurance
[01:02:38] - Remaining Humble
[01:04:13] - Gifts on Loan from God
[01:05:46] - The Importance of Repentance
[01:07:31] - Seeking True Change
[01:09:02] - Gratitude and Faith
[01:10:54] - Final Encouragement
[01:12:37] - Closing Prayer and Salvation Call
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 16:8 - "And when he has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
3. Zechariah 4:6 - "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 16:8, what are the three things the Holy Spirit will convict the world of? How does this differ for believers? [29:21]
2. In Galatians 5:22-23, what are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit? How is it described as a single fruit producing multiple traits? [30:38]
3. What does Zechariah 4:6 emphasize about the source of our strength and accomplishments? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about relying on the Holy Spirit? [33:28]
4. What was the significance of Saul’s story in the sermon, and how did his actions serve as a cautionary tale? [34:38]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Holy Spirit’s conviction of righteousness, rather than sin, reflect God’s love and grace towards believers? [29:21]
2. Why is it important to view the fruit of the Spirit as a single fruit with multiple characteristics rather than separate traits to work on individually? [30:38]
3. How can the principle of "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" be applied to our daily lives and decisions? [33:28]
4. What lessons can we learn from Saul’s downfall about the dangers of pride and self-reliance in our spiritual journey? [34:38]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. How can you deepen this relationship to better experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit? [27:57]
2. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific steps can you take to draw closer to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to cultivate this trait in you? [30:38]
3. What distractions or sins are currently cluttering your "tent" or secret place with God? How can you begin to clean out these distractions to host the Holy Ghost more effectively? [32:02]
4. Think of a recent situation where you felt hesitant to step out in boldness for your faith. What held you back, and how can you trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in similar situations in the future? [49:08]
5. Consistency, humility, and repentance were highlighted as key areas to strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Which of these areas do you struggle with the most, and what practical steps can you take to improve in this area? [59:03]
6. How can you practice humility in your daily life to ensure you give God the glory for His work through you, rather than taking credit yourself? [34:38]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt the need for repentance but struggled to change. What can you do differently to ensure that your repentance leads to true transformation? [01:05:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit
The foundation of experiencing the Holy Spirit is having a relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our right standing with God, not our sins, and helps us make decisions aligned with God's will. This relationship is essential for a life led by the Spirit. When we draw closer to Jesus, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who guides us, comforts us, and empowers us to live according to God's purpose.
Understanding that the Holy Spirit is not just a force but a person who desires a relationship with us changes how we live our daily lives. It means we are never alone; we have a constant companion who intercedes for us and helps us navigate life's challenges. This relationship is not about perfection but about a continual journey of growth and alignment with God's will. [26:30]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today to allow the Holy Spirit to work more fully in your life?
Day 2: Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is a single fruit producing multiple characteristics like love, joy, and peace. Instead of focusing on improving individual traits, we should draw closer to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce these traits in us. This holistic approach ensures we are not operating in the flesh but in the Spirit. When we focus on our relationship with the Holy Spirit, these characteristics naturally manifest in our lives, reflecting God's nature to those around us.
The fruit of the Spirit is not about striving but about abiding. As we remain in close communion with the Holy Spirit, He transforms us from the inside out. This transformation is evident in our actions, attitudes, and interactions with others. It is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, producing a life that glorifies God. [30:38]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: In what ways can you draw closer to the Holy Spirit today to allow Him to produce His fruit in your life?
Day 3: Hosting the Holy Ghost
Our "tent," or secret place with God, should be free from distractions and sins. Hosting the Holy Ghost involves confessing and renouncing anything that doesn't belong in our tent, ensuring a pure and focused relationship with God. This cleanliness allows for a deeper communion with the Holy Spirit. When we prioritize our secret place with God, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can dwell and work powerfully in our lives.
Maintaining a clean tent requires intentionality and vigilance. It means regularly examining our hearts and lives, confessing our sins, and removing anything that hinders our relationship with God. This process is not about legalism but about creating a space where the Holy Spirit can move freely and transform us. [32:02]
Psalm 51:10 (ESV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Reflection: What distractions or sins do you need to confess and renounce today to create a clean tent for the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Boldness in Faith
Stepping out in boldness to pray for others and share the gospel is crucial. Trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us, we should not fear man but have a healthy fear of the Lord. This boldness not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a powerful witness to others. When we act in boldness, we demonstrate our trust in God's power and our commitment to His mission.
Boldness in faith requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks for the sake of the gospel. It means being willing to pray for others, share our faith, and stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. This boldness is fueled by our confidence in the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. [49:08]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Reflection: How can you step out in boldness today to pray for someone or share the gospel, trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance?
Day 5: Consistency, Humility, and Repentance
Consistency in our walk with God, humility in recognizing our dependence on Him, and a heart of repentance are essential. These practices keep us aligned with God's will and prevent us from becoming self-reliant or prideful. They ensure that we remain vessels through which the Holy Spirit can work. Consistency involves daily practices that draw us closer to God, humility keeps us grounded, and repentance keeps our hearts pure.
These three elements are interconnected and vital for spiritual growth. Consistency builds a strong foundation, humility keeps us in the right posture before God, and repentance ensures that we are continually being refined and transformed. Together, they create an environment where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully in our lives. [59:03]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to be more consistent in your walk with God, practice humility, and maintain a heart of repentance?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The Holy Spirit convicts the world, the lost people of the sin that they're living in, but when you accept Jesus your Lord and Savior, he doesn't convict you of your sin, he convicts you of your right standing with God. Is that not the love of God? He wants to show you is this the right saying of God? Are you doing the right things of God? He's not trying to beat you over the brow with the sin that's going on in your life. Amen? Beautiful compassion of love." [29:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Who wants some of that? Well, this is what you have to do. You have to love being in right standing with God. You have to love being in right standing with God and hate wickedness and evil things of this world, and the destiny of the oil of joy will be poured out in your life, and you will be overflowing." [38:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't attack, attract. Attract them with the love of Jesus that's in your life. Attract them with the word of God that's in your life. Make sure you're living out what you're preaching. Amen, somebody? When our discernment becomes jaded, you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself. Discernment, it's not fighting words. Amen?" [44:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you have fear of man and what he can do to you, you are probably not walking in the Holy Spirit. The word tells us to fear the Lord. Does that mean run away from him? No, it doesn't mean run away from him. Fearing the Lord is recognizing who he is, that he is the creator, that you have a reverence, a love, a fear of love for him. It's completely different than being afraid. Amen?" [53:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The river of forgiveness is found in repentance. The river of the never stopping, always flowing, rapid river of forgiveness is found in your repentance to surrender stuff to God so you can walk in freedom." [01:05:46](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We talked about the fruit of the Spirit. You remember the fruit of the Spirit? To walk in the Holy Spirit, you got to have two legs. One leg is the gift of the Spirit, the power gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to you to be a witness, and the other one is the fruit of the Spirit. You have both of these legs. You can walk stern and firm in Jesus. Amen? And we concentrated on the fruit of the Spirit because you remember the scripture says it's one fruit that produces all these characters, right? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But it's one fruit." [30:38](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you neglect the Holy Spirit, who he is in your life, you are indirectly rejecting the fear of the Lord. Amen? Because God gave you the fear of the Lord and you're not going to have the fear of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, so that he could work in and through you to witness to them. If you're neglecting him and not letting him in your tent, then you're pushing away the fear of the Lord, the reverence, the beauty, the awe of the Lord. Think of it as the awe power of the Lord. Amen?" [56:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pay the price for being consistent. Remain small in your eyes. Be humble. And never outgrow your need for repentance. And I've shared a lot with you guys about the Holy Spirit these last six weeks, and I want you to know the purpose of my messages were not to change my life but to change you. My messages don't actually change you. It's you changing you by hearing the message and saying, 'I'm going to do something different. I'm going to do something better. I'm going to grab hold of this and I'm going to step into this relationship.' You change you. My messages don't change you. You make a conscious decision to say, 'You know what? If this is available, I want it.'" [01:09:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We suffer because we seek the relief of God and not repentance with him. We suffer because we want God to take away the hurt and pain, but we truly aren't willing to change, so it doesn't happen again. God just fixed my problem, take away the pain, but I'm not willing to really change. I'm not really willing to find scripture to help me overcome that situation so I don't do it again, and we just cycle right back through the process." [01:07:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Don't ever trade your communion with the Holy Spirit. Don't ever trade it for something else. Social media, trying to trade that, and it's not just with their kids. Don't lie to yourself. It's us too. Nothing is more suitable for you than communion with the Father. He created you that way." [01:01:00](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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