Embracing the Holy Spirit: Humility and Guidance

 

Summary

In today's reflection, I wanted to address the profound nature of the Holy Spirit and the humility required when speaking about God. As I prepared to teach, I was struck by the audacity of attempting to explain the divine. We are mere humans on a small planet in a vast universe, and yet we often speak of God as if we fully understand Him. This realization led me to approach today's teaching with a renewed sense of reverence and humility.

The Bible tells us that there are secret things that belong to God, and only some things have been revealed to us. We must approach these revelations with awe, recognizing the sacredness of God's name and presence. The Holy Spirit is not just a power or force but a person with a mind, emotions, and desires. This understanding challenges the prevalent man-centered theology that views the Holy Spirit as a tool for personal empowerment. Instead, we should see Him as a guide and a person to be followed.

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying according to God's will, which is comforting when we don't know how to pray ourselves. He has emotions and can be grieved by our actions, especially when we harbor bitterness or hatred. This calls us to live in harmony with one another, prioritizing God's desires over our own. The Holy Spirit also distributes spiritual gifts according to His will, not ours, to fulfill God's purpose for the church.

Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's role is to guide us into all truth, and our response should be one of submission and obedience. We must repent of any ways we've belittled God or treated Him as a mere power to harness. Instead, we should seek a genuine relationship with Him, acknowledging His love and forgiveness.

Key Takeaways:

- Humility in Understanding God: Recognize the audacity of claiming to fully understand God. We are finite beings trying to comprehend an infinite Creator. This realization should lead us to approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging that there are mysteries beyond our grasp. [02:47]

- The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person with a mind, emotions, and desires. This understanding challenges us to relate to Him as a guide and a person to be followed, rather than a power to be harnessed for our own purposes. [09:43]

- Intercession of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying according to God's will. This is comforting, especially when we don't know how to pray ourselves. It reminds us that God knows our needs better than we do and is actively working on our behalf. [11:56]

- Grieving the Holy Spirit: Our actions can grieve the Holy Spirit, particularly when we harbor bitterness or hatred. This calls us to live in harmony with one another, prioritizing God's desires over our own and seeking to build up the body of Christ. [17:50]

- Submission to God's Will: The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to His will, not ours. This challenges us to submit to God's desires for our lives and the church, trusting that His plans are better than our own. [21:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit
- [00:39] - The Audacity of Explaining God
- [01:46] - The Mystery of God
- [03:05] - Secret Things Belong to God
- [04:33] - Reverence for the Holy Spirit
- [06:51] - The Holy Spirit as a Person
- [08:10] - Man-Centered vs. God-Centered Theology
- [10:00] - The Mind of the Holy Spirit
- [11:56] - Intercession of the Holy Spirit
- [14:04] - Emotions of the Holy Spirit
- [17:04] - Grieving the Holy Spirit
- [20:18] - The Will of the Holy Spirit
- [23:07] - Submission to God's Will
- [24:30] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
- [27:42] - Invitation to Baptism and Repentance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Deuteronomy 29:29 - "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."
2. John 14:16-17 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
3. Romans 8:27 - "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."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Deuteronomy 29:29, what is the distinction between the "secret things" and the "things revealed"? How does this relate to our understanding of God? [03:05]
2. In John 14:16-17, how does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit? What does this tell us about the nature of the Holy Spirit? [07:12]
3. Romans 8:27 mentions the Holy Spirit interceding for us. What does this imply about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and God the Father? [10:00]
4. How does the sermon describe the potential impact of our actions on the Holy Spirit, particularly in terms of grieving Him? [14:04]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging the mysteries beyond our grasp? How can this perspective change our relationship with God? [02:47]
2. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a person rather than a power challenge the way we relate to Him in our daily lives? [09:43]
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit's intercession provide comfort and assurance in our prayer life, especially when we are unsure of what to pray for? [11:56]
4. How can harboring bitterness or hatred grieve the Holy Spirit, and what steps can we take to live in harmony with others to avoid this? [17:50]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you may have approached God with a sense of entitlement or arrogance. How can you cultivate a more humble and reverent attitude in your spiritual life? [02:47]
2. Consider your current understanding of the Holy Spirit. How can you shift your perspective to see Him as a guide and a person to be followed rather than a power to be harnessed? [09:43]
3. When you find yourself unsure of how to pray, how can you remind yourself of the Holy Spirit's role in interceding for you? What practical steps can you take to rely more on His guidance? [11:56]
4. Identify any relationships in your life where bitterness or unresolved conflict may exist. What actions can you take this week to seek reconciliation and prevent grieving the Holy Spirit? [17:50]
5. Reflect on the spiritual gifts you believe you have received. How can you use these gifts to serve God's purpose for the church, rather than your own desires? [21:57]
6. Think about a recent decision or situation where you prioritized your own desires over God's will. How can you practice submission to God's will in similar situations in the future? [21:57]
7. How can you actively seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, acknowledging His love and forgiveness in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to foster this relationship? [24:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Mystery of God
Recognizing the audacity of claiming to fully understand God is a humbling experience. As finite beings, we are attempting to comprehend an infinite Creator, which should lead us to approach God with humility and reverence. The Bible reminds us that there are secret things that belong to God, and only some things have been revealed to us. This realization should inspire awe and a deep respect for the sacredness of God's name and presence. By acknowledging the mysteries beyond our grasp, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, one that is rooted in humility and reverence. [02:47]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to control or fully understand God's plan? How can you practice humility and trust in His greater wisdom today?


Day 2: Relating to the Holy Spirit as a Person
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person with a mind, emotions, and desires. This understanding challenges us to relate to Him as a guide and a person to be followed, rather than a power to be harnessed for our own purposes. The Holy Spirit desires a relationship with us, one where we listen and follow His guidance. By recognizing His personhood, we are invited to engage with Him in a more meaningful way, seeking His guidance and aligning our lives with His will. [09:43]

"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." (John 14:16-17 ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit today? What steps can you take to listen and follow His guidance more closely?


Day 3: Comfort in the Holy Spirit's Intercession
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying according to God's will. This is comforting, especially when we don't know how to pray ourselves. It reminds us that God knows our needs better than we do and is actively working on our behalf. The Holy Spirit's intercession is a profound expression of God's love and care for us, providing assurance that we are not alone in our struggles and uncertainties. By trusting in His intercession, we can find peace and confidence in God's perfect plan for our lives. [11:56]

"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." (Romans 8:26 ESV)

Reflection: When you feel uncertain or overwhelmed, how can you remind yourself of the Holy Spirit's intercession on your behalf? What specific situation can you entrust to His prayers today?


Day 4: Living in Harmony with the Holy Spirit
Our actions can grieve the Holy Spirit, particularly when we harbor bitterness or hatred. This calls us to live in harmony with one another, prioritizing God's desires over our own and seeking to build up the body of Christ. By being mindful of our actions and attitudes, we can avoid grieving the Holy Spirit and instead foster an environment of love and unity. This requires a commitment to forgiveness, understanding, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. [17:50]

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:30-31 ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or reconcile with today? How can you take a step towards living in harmony and avoiding actions that grieve the Holy Spirit?


Day 5: Submitting to God's Will
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to His will, not ours. This challenges us to submit to God's desires for our lives and the church, trusting that His plans are better than our own. By embracing the gifts He has given us and using them for His purposes, we can contribute to the growth and unity of the church. Submission to God's will requires a willingness to let go of our own agendas and trust in His perfect plan. [21:57]

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gifts has the Holy Spirit given you, and how can you use them to serve others and fulfill God's purpose for your life? How can you practice submission to His will today?

Quotes


"well this this this morning I had uh set aside to teach just some basic truths about the Holy Spirit I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page and we understood the basic theology behind the Holy Spirit and who he is and so I got out a bunch of notes and I'm studying through my notes notes that I've taught here notes that I've taught at at bible studies Bible College what whatever I've gone through it before and as I'm reading through going okay which ones do I put in which things do I not teach it just hit me for the first time it it was so weird it hit me where I thought wait a second do I realize what I'm about to do here and I thought this is insane I don't know if this thought has ever entered your mind but I've been teaching for years and this was the first time where I thought to myself wait a second I'm a human being on this tiny planet called Earth amidst this huge Universe here I am this little human being and I am going to come to church and explain God to you just just dwell on that for a second and I just thought about the arrogance in that and how arrogantly I've taught about him in the past as though hey I'm I understand God me little I I've existed for a few years I've been in existence just a few years as a human being on this tiny tiny little planet and I'm going to I'm going to stand up here and say well let me tell you about what he is like as though I understand him that's so arrogant man I don't even understand my wife and I'm going to try to explain God you you know I mean have you ever have you ever just thought about the arrogance of that where we can we can enter into a Bible College and and a person will stand up front as though he knows it all and I've had that attitude like well let me tell you about this area and God and this and this and and we try to package everything so that somehow we get God when the Bible tells us explicitly you're not going to understand me completely there's no way he goes he goes right now you're going to see like in a faint dim mirror a little image of him just a little piece of him because how can you as Flesh and Blood who's existed for a few years explain a holy Eternal God who made this whole this whole universe that we're living in and I thought wow that is so crazy I'm going to get up and I'm going to try to explain him and let me just say right off the start I do not understand God I don't understand him let's just get that straight the Bible teaches in Deuteronomy 29:29 that there are secret things that belong to God secret and he knows about them he goes but then it also says there are things that have been revealed and those things belong to us so there are certain things that God lets us know about him and that's all we want to talk about is go okay I mean think about it they they used to not even say his name there are people who who followers of him that won't even say g d because they're thinking how I have no right as a human being to speak a name that's that sacred and they would say Yahweh they wouldn't say Jehovah they they just the name him I'm not going to say not with not with these little lips you know these little human lips not with this breath that he could take away any moment I mean it's up to him whether or not I survive this sermon whether I get through this and and and for me to stand here and go well let me tell you what he's like no way no way am I going to have that attitude this morning this is Holy Holy Ground that we're we're treading on speaking about him and to say the Holy Spirit here's what we know based upon what he has written and I I I I apologize if in in the past I've just kind of blurted things out about God without really having a sense of awe and rence about speaking about him so if you don't mind I I'd love to pray right now and just ask God uh to to let us get through this time would you would you pray with me Father Our Father Our Father in Heaven holy holy holy is your name father I I ask that you don't allow any words to come out of my mouth that would be untrue of you may we realize how careful we ought to be when we speak of you who are we that you would be so good to us and let us know even these things about you what we know of you is wonderful amazing blows our minds everything we learn about you is fascinating fill us with more knowledge of you whatever you would allow but protect us Lord from false teaching because we do not ever want to belittle you forgive us for the times when we have in Jesus name amen first off the holy spirit is a person and not just a power understand that this is very important I cringe when people when referring to the Holy Spirit say it um John chapter 14 when Jesus was describing the coming of the Holy Spirit he says this and I will ask the father and he will give you another helper that he may be with you forever that is the spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it does not Behold Him or know him but you know him because he abides with you and will be in you Jesus explains this coming abiding of the Holy Spirit and when he refers to the Holy Spirit he always says he every time you see in scripture when it's talking and giving him a pronoun it is the personal pronoun he and so when we speak of the Holy Spirit let's remember that he is a person not an it not a power and that may sound um trivial to some of you or you may just well that's just semantics no no no it goes much deeper than this this is this is very huge because when we use the term it it it it changes the Holy Spirit it it it makes him into this thing and our perception of the Holy Spirit it it it goes right along with this whole man centered theology that is so powerful and so widespread nowadays and so evil where we think that everything revolves around us rather than a god- centered theology where we go wow we revolve around him and people all around the world are going you know what I could use a little bit of God I mean it's all about me so you know what the Holy Spirit he'll give me some Power I could use it give me some Power I could use it in my life if if this is going to make me happy if God Can Make Me if I can use him somehow if I can get some of that in here I'll take it and it's all about me me me and so if there's a power available then give it to me and most Christians I hear when you talk about the holy spirit it's like a power Just A A A lifeless you know mindless power that you can just take almost like a a superhero like a Spider-Man you got these Powers suddenly that he's got control of or Superman or something like that it's like wow okay so I can have you know this the holy spirit in me give me that give me that because I could use some power I could use some power it's like no remember this is a person not a power to be harnessed but a person to be followed there's a big big big big difference in that and that's why we can't reduce him to just some power that we use the Bible explains that he has his own mind okay he thinks the holy spirit is a person it says in Romans 8 verse 27 it says and he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the spirit is because he intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God I love this verse okay talking about he who searches the hearts that's God the Father him he knows what the mind the the mind of the spirit the mind of the holy spirit is and the reason why God knows the mind of the holy spirit is because the Holy Spirit actually intercedes that means he prays he speaks on behalf of us he intercedes for the Saints those of us who have been saved he speaks for us according to the will of God I love this because do you realize that he with his own mind the holy Spirit actually prays to the father for us and that that comforted me so much this week because aren't there times when you don't know how to pray for yourself and and I love the phrases as he intercedes for us according to the will of God according to the desires of God because often when I pray I pray according to the will of Francis I pray according to what I want and what I think would be best for my life and what I would enjoy and what the Holy Spirit does is he intercedes on my behalf and he'll pray and say well I know Francis I I live in him I I know his thoughts I know his actions and here's what he really needs and he prays according to the will the desires of God and what God would want for my life Isn't that cool to to think that as I am praying and and be because who who even knows how to pray the right way and we do our best and God commands us to do it and he wants us to do it and wants to hear everything that we feel and and long for and he says at the same time you've got the holy spirit interceding for you according to the will of God I mean some of my prayers are just ridiculous haven't haven't there just been times when you just pray dumb things and you go why did I even pray that the other day the other day I was praying while I was golfing which isn't bad but what I was praying for it's like God I'd love to shoot in the 70s I've never been in the 70s you know I'm like a 90 probably average bogey golfer and like what if just this one time you filled me with Supernatural strength to shoot in the 70s the Holy Spirit must have been interceding at the same time cuz he's gone no what would be good for Francis how SHO about 115 he just needs to be humbled he needs to work on his anchor and uh I guess that's what I needed it's just this whole but but it's just it's just so funny how in our flesh we can just we'll just we'll just pray about whatever and and sometimes just be flippant with our words and not really think through why am I praying this what is this about and how comforting it was that the Holy Spirit he thinks and and he knows what's going on in my life and he knows what God would want in my life and he is interceding with me for me as I pray for myself and and so he has his own mind don't treat him as an it that you use he's praying for you he's thinking through your life but another part about him that is so fascinating to me that we don't talk about often is that he has emotions Ephesians chapter 4 is a this verse um do not grieve the holy spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption do not grieve the holy spirit of God and you think well what is grieve no grieve really means grief it it really means this pain that you can cause this grief that you can cause and you and it's hard to believe man when I read this verse I still struggle with it CU it's hard to believe well how could I I you remember little Flesh and Blood nothing who've existed a few years little plan I'm going to grieve God that sounds almost Blasphemous to say and I only say it because it's in the book that that somehow my actions can bring him grief much like my children who are less powerful than I can absolutely break my heart but but still when I thought about this I go wow Lord remember this is Holy Ground I don't dare want to say anything about God that isn't true and I'm thinking this this seems sacrilegious it seemed sacrilegious to me just telling you how I felt to say that God has feelings for some reason it it seemed to me to belittle him and I was trying to get at the core of what that's all about and it comes down to for some reason in my culture at least in my thinking I've been so warped to believe that feelings are a sign of weakness where do we get that so if someone cries then they're weak but where do we get this idea that if you feel something that it makes you weak and the stronger you are the less you will feel where did we get that from the feeling is weakness and and so that's why I had this thing like man I can't say that the Holy Spirit has feelings cuz that seems to weaken him or belittle him and yet could it be that the creator of feelings has feelings himself and that feelings are not a sign of a lack of strength but they're actually a wonderful thing that God has created in these feelings and he feels himself and when you read through the scriptures you see the feelings of God the emotions of God and we don't think of him as a person though that's our problem as we think of him as this machine or this power that we can somehow harness and not think about him having a mind him having feelings and and and I don't want to I don't want to just say okay okay here's that's the point okay so God has emotions no what the verse says don't you grieve him and it's in the context of relationships when you read uh verses 29 and you read after verse 30 it's all about don't don't let any UNH wholesome speech come out of your mouth it says in the verse right before only say the things that actually build other people up and then right after the verse of grieving the Holy Spirit he says so so get rid of any type of bitterness any type of Rage any type of of hatred that you have against one another it's talking about our relationships he goes don't grieve the Holy Spirit don't cause pain by fighting with each other I mean you his children we in this room okay that's the point of this this is not just a theology lesson to walk away and go oh that was neat I learned that God has emotions no what does that verse say it says don't you grieve him do not command don't grieve him get along pull these relationships together man why do I hate divorce because because it Grieves the heart of God am I sad that oh you know now you got a divided house and sure a little bit but I'm more concerned about God because I have this focus on him it's like let's not grieve him man if you've got things wrong with with your own family with with your kids and there's an anger and bitterness get that right for his sake let's not grieve him it's not all about you it's like well this would make me happier okay well God says get along that would make him happier and what what kind of theology do you have is it all about you or is it all about him and as we seek to please him that's when we're going to be blessed people remember every time we give to God we're the ones that are going to be blessed every time we obey his commands we're the ones that are going to be blessed and so the point of that is if you've got any hatred in this room for anyone else in this room man you've got to let it go we've got to put up with each other we've got to love one another love each other as much as ourselves and not grieve the holy spirit of God I'm going to offend you I'm going to hurtt you I'm a human being you're going to offend me you're going to bug me but we got to get past that and say no I'm I'm not going to grieve God I'm going to love everyone in this room I'm going to forgive them I'm going to put aside all this stuff and I'm going to try and encourage I'm not going to gossip about them I I I got to just let the words out of my mouth because I don't want God hearing gossip and and slandering of other people coming out of this mouth this this Grieves the Holy Spirit who lives inside of me see he has a mind he has emotions and do you realize that he has his own desires things that he wants he has a will in other words the Bible says in in 1 Corinthians 12 he says but one and the Same Spirit works all these things Distributing to each one individually just as he Wills he desires just as he once now this is in the context of spiritual gifts that we'll be getting to soon but but the idea in this context of 1 Peter 12 I mean I'm sorry 1 Corinthians 12-4 is he explains that the Holy Spirit himself he gives everyone in this room who has the holy spirit in them he gives every one of you a unique gifting and a unique ability and it says that he distributes it as he Wills as he desires as he wants don't look at that verse it's not really for right now um thank you uh that he distributes it as he wants this this is so important because you don't get to choose you don't go man I'd like the gift of Prophecy or I'd love to have the gift of healing I'd love to have the gift of just speaking these foreign language I'd love all these different gifts the Bible says no you you're not in control of that he has his own mind he has his own desire will he has a will for this church and so so you may want something but he wants something also and he's going well you know what I'd love to give Lori this gift I'm going to give Andrew this gift I'm give Graham this gift and he just goes around and just goes okay I'm going to give this person this gift this person this gift because in his mind in his own mind and in his own desires he has a desire for this church and he goes I know what I want to do with Cornerstone this is the holy spirit speaking I know what I want to do what I want to do with Cornerstone and so in order to achieve what I want I'm going to give this person this gift this person this ability and here's how this thing is going to function together the right way and so he thinks this way see the difficult thing about this is the holy spirit has a will for Cornerstone Church but so do you there are certain things you would love us to do a certain direction you think that we ought to go and where we ought to meet and how we ought to do it I have a will and things I want to do every leader has a will of what and and what we're trying so hard to do and we're fighting for this as Leaders is let's let's just try to think if the Holy Spirit had his way with this church based upon what we read here I mean there's things I want to do but it seems like best I understand if he got his way he would have do this this and this and and let's try to go along with how the Holy Spirit seems to be leading this church it's a difficult thing to do but we understand okay he has a will and that's why we pray things like thy will be done thy will be done see God because you have desires I have desires but my prayer is your desires be done on Earth as it is in heaven see in heaven everything's going exactly how you want it well we want on this Earth we want a Cornerstone we want to go with that we want to go with what you desire not what we desire and so God bring that to fruition have the Holy Spirit keep praying for me according to your will and your desires because I trust your will I am not that smart I don't know what's best for me if I'm just left on my own I am going to ruin my life ruin my family's life ruin all of your lives so God come into me lead me according to your will your desires what you think what you want see it's about following the holy spirit being it says he will guide us into all truth he is a guide it is not about a power that we harness and we bring into ourselves and we use somehow there was so much I wanted to say uh this weekend and we're going to we're going to continue in the series and I'll talk about some more things next weekend but I just want to make sure you understood the main point today is let's not belittle the Holy Spirit it was the Holy Spirit it was he who convinced you of the truth the truth that see I'm let me let me just let me just lay it out you have offended God I have offended God I don't want to say that lightly we have done things that he hates because he can hate things and he can hate actions he's he's allowed to do that he's allowed to do whatever he wants he hates certain things and we've done the things that he hates but he also loves and he loves us that's that's even that's the crazy part he loves the people have done things that he hates and he says I love them so much that I'll have my son die on a cross and pay for their crimes he'll pay for them because he's fair and he he's Fair also and he hates sin so he has to punish it he goes I'll punish my own son someone has to pay for he'll pay for it on the cross and then I'll have him I'll have him die this physical death and then rise from the grave and whoever believes in him whoever believes in him I'm going to give them eternal life I'm going to let them forego all of their punishment that they deserve and I'm going to let them into heaven with me and he says if you believe that if you really want to live the way if you if you want my spirit then for those who believe he says I'll put my spirit in them so they can start following me and so if you really want to follow and you really want to turn and say you know I've been living this way for so long and I know God hates these things and and yet he'll forgive me and he has a better way of living and you want to turn from the way you're living and actually follow him and you believe that he died on that that cross and he rose from the grave the Bible says then what you need to do is make that public through baptism and just publicly in front of everyone say you know what I'm I I'm I'm going to walk away from my old life and I'm going to rise again to a new one just like Jesus died and Rose from the grave I believe that and I'm a follower of his now and the Bible says when you do that when you repent and you are baptized the Bible says you receive the holy spirit of God that's when he himself comes into you and then he becomes your guide he becomes your master he directs you and we talked about that a couple weeks ago and that weekend we had 61 people baptized who said you know what I I want to turn um just last service we had another dozen or so people just say you know what that's what I I want I want to follow him I want his Spirit not to harness his power but to be led by him and to follow him I want that in my life and I'm tired of living my way I believe the creator has a better way and it's just been a beautiful thing to watch and if that's your desire this this morning then uh during the worship time you can come forward and be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit and turn from this life that you've been living and and here's the thing is some of you heard what I just said and you immediately go that's a bunch of bull that's like a fairy tale okay God sent his son to die on a cross for my sins and he rose from the grave and that's what you think in your mind and then there's others of you where you hear it and you go that's true that is true I have offended God I know that and I know that I deserve his punishment and when you say that he sent his son to die on that cross for me I just know it yeah he did and he did rise from the grave man and that's not something I can convince someone of I used to think I could I used to think I could sit down argue someone into believing that use all the facts because the prophecy is all there the history the the archaeology you know just it's all there on black white and yet people just dismiss it and I realize you know what it is all up to the Holy Spirit according to the Bible either you hear it and you get it or you don't and that's why Jesus would say he who has ears let him hear if you get it you're going to get it and you're going to want him and you're going to follow this Jesus you won't have all the answers you won't know it all who does but you just know what you've heard is true and you get baptized and You Begin following and he reveals more and more truth to you as life goes on and then others if the Holy Spirit hasn't spoken spoken to you this morning you'll hear what I say and you'll go I don't believe it and so I don't stand here and beg I just lay down and go you know what that is true I know it is true God has changed my life he's changed many of our Lives the holy spirit is real he has led me he has empowered me he's he's totally transformed my life I know that and then I just leave it at that and if you want him and you believe in him then come and get baptized but for the rest of us I I I just thought it'd be so good good right now if we just spent like two minutes repenting if we just spend two minutes just coming before God and just confessing because as I'm speaking you've probably realized that there have been times when you've belittled God and you haven't given him the reverence he deserves and there have been times when you just try to use him like a like a force that you harness and a power it's like let me use you for my benefit rather than seeing him as a person a loving wonderful person that you actually want to follow and you want to be in a love relationship with and the beautiful thing about God he says well just confess it to me if you just confess where you've messed up I will forgive your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness that's the wonderful thing is this God he forgives and so would you just bow your heads right now and and just close your eyes and and just confess to God if you've belittled him in the way that you've treated him and thought about him maybe as a power rather than a person" [00:00:11]

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