Embracing the Holy Spirit: Our Divine Helper

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as Our Helper

The Holy Spirit is not just an ornamental feature in our lives but a significant presence meant to guide, teach, and remind us of Jesus' teachings. He is our Helper, sent by the Father to dwell with us and be in us, providing divine guidance and comfort. The Holy Spirit's role is to be an ever-present guide, offering wisdom and understanding in our daily walk with God. He is there to help us navigate life's challenges and to remind us of the truths that Jesus taught.

In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises to send another Helper, the Spirit of Truth, who will dwell with us and be in us. This promise is not just for the disciples but extends to all believers. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is a testament to God's ongoing work in us, helping us to grow in faith and to live out the teachings of Jesus. [37:01]

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: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort today? How can you invite Him to be more present in those areas?

Day 2: Conviction and Right Standing with God

Conviction by the Holy Spirit is a divine persuasion that leads us to recognize our need for a Savior and to live in right standing with God. It is not about right behavior but about having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Conviction is often misunderstood as a negative experience, but it is actually a loving act of God to draw us closer to Him.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, helping us to see our need for Jesus and to live in a way that honors God. This conviction leads to a transformation of the heart, aligning our desires with God's will and enabling us to live in true freedom. [52:42]

John 16:8-11 (ESV): "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt convicted by the Holy Spirit. How did that experience draw you closer to God, and what changes did it prompt in your life?

Day 3: Overcoming Deception

The Holy Spirit helps us overcome the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Jesus declared Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, and the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Truth, guides us into all truth, enabling us to live free from deception. In a world filled with conflicting messages and falsehoods, the Holy Spirit is our reliable source of truth.

By dwelling in us, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds and hearts, helping us to discern what is true and what is false. He empowers us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes and to live in the freedom that comes from knowing and walking in the truth. [49:13]

1 John 4:1-3 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God."

Reflection: What are some lies or deceptions you have believed in the past? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and help you discern falsehoods in your life today?

Day 4: Empowerment and Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live victorious lives, filling us with God's love and bestowing spiritual gifts. These gifts are meant to profit all and enable us to serve God in a greater way, bringing boldness and effectiveness in our witness. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is not just for personal edification but for the building up of the body of Christ.

Spiritual gifts are diverse and are given to each believer as the Holy Spirit wills. They are tools for ministry, enabling us to serve others and to advance God's kingdom. When we operate in our spiritual gifts, we experience the fullness of God's power and love working through us. [50:56]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "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. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What spiritual gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others and to glorify God in your daily life?

Day 5: Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit

Many people have misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, thinking that inviting Him into their lives will make them weird. However, the Holy Spirit is a friend who brings power, love, and truth, and embracing Him leads to a life-transforming relationship with God. The Holy Spirit's work in our lives is not about creating strange experiences but about deepening our relationship with God and empowering us to live out our faith.

Understanding the true nature of the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome fears and misconceptions. He is a gentle and loving presence, always pointing us to Jesus and helping us to grow in our faith. Embracing the Holy Spirit leads to a richer, more vibrant spiritual life. [59:55]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: What misconceptions have you had about the Holy Spirit? How can you open your heart to experience the true power, love, and truth that the Holy Spirit brings into your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message focused on the transformative power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We began by inviting the Holy Spirit to rest upon us, emphasizing the need for His presence to open the gates of heaven and bring divine fire and wind into our midst. We then transitioned to a heartfelt farewell to Rachel and her family, acknowledging their contributions and praying for their future endeavors in Rockwall, Texas.

The core of the message centered on understanding who the Holy Spirit is and His role as our Helper. We explored John 14:16-17, where Jesus promises to send another Helper, the Spirit of Truth, who will dwell with us and be in us. This Helper is not just an ornamental feature in our lives but a significant presence meant to guide, teach, and remind us of Jesus' teachings.

We delved into the intimate setting of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared vital instructions with His disciples, knowing He was about to be crucified. He comforted them by promising the Holy Spirit, who would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance everything He had said. This promise extends to us today, offering guidance, truth, and the ability to overcome the lies and deceptions of the enemy.

The Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment was also discussed. Conviction is not a negative term but a divine persuasion that leads us to recognize our need for a Savior and to live in right standing with God. The Holy Spirit also empowers us, fills us with God's love, and bestows spiritual gifts that enable us to live victorious lives.

We concluded by addressing common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that He is not a source of weirdness but a friend who brings power, love, and truth into our lives. The Holy Spirit is essential for living a life free from deception and for experiencing the fullness of God's presence.

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Key Takeaways

1. transforming relationship with God. [59:55]
### [59:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:51] - Declaration of Faith
[33:54] - Farewell to Rachel
[34:39] - Prayer for Rachel's Family
[35:05] - Family Reunion
[35:51] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit
[36:26] - John 14:16-17
[37:32] - Who is the Holy Spirit?
[38:14] - The Holy Spirit as a Comforter
[39:32] - Jesus' Last Supper Teachings
[40:14] - Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
[41:27] - The Core Message of John 14:16-17
[42:21] - The Role of the Helper
[43:34] - The Holy Spirit Dwelling in Us
[44:29] - How the Holy Spirit Helps
[45:06] - Teaching All Things
[46:08] - Bringing to Remembrance
[47:36] - The Spirit of Truth
[48:11] - Overcoming Deception
[49:13] - Living Free from Deception
[50:18] - The Spirit of Truth Guides Us
[52:05] - Conviction of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment
[53:17] - Conviction Leads to Salvation
[54:53] - Right Standing with God
[57:13] - Judgment of the Ruler of This World
[58:24] - Authority Over the Enemy
[59:55] - Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
[61:22] - The Holy Spirit as a Friend
[64:13] - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[67:20] - Four Benefits of the Holy Spirit
[72:18] - Invitation to Receive Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to John 14:16-17, what are the two main roles of the Holy Spirit as described by Jesus?
In John 14:25-26, what specific functions does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will perform for the disciples?
How does Jesus describe the advantage of His departure in John 16:7-8, and what will the Holy Spirit do when He comes? [50:18]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the Holy Spirit as a "Helper" and "Spirit of Truth" in John 14:16-17? How does this relate to our daily lives? [36:26]
What might be the significance of the Holy Spirit teaching "all things" and bringing to remembrance Jesus' teachings, as mentioned in John 14:25-26? How does this impact our understanding of Scripture? [45:06]
How does the Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-8) help us in our spiritual journey? [52:05]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did it help you make a decision or understand a situation better? [36:26]
The sermon mentioned that the Holy Spirit helps us overcome deception. Can you identify any lies or deceptions you have believed about yourself or your faith? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's truth in these areas? [49:13]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit this week? Are there specific practices or prayers you can incorporate into your daily routine to invite His presence more fully? [01:01:22]
The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? How can you use them to serve your church and community more effectively? [50:56]
Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit can hinder our relationship with Him. Have you had any misconceptions that you need to address? How can you learn more about the true nature of the Holy Spirit? [59:55]
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin to lead us to a right relationship with God. Is there an area in your life where you feel convicted? How can you respond to this conviction in a way that strengthens your relationship with God? [52:42]
Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with understanding the Holy Spirit. How can you share what you've learned from this sermon to help them grow in their faith? [01:14:57]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The supernatural presence of God is going to move in this house today. And I'm so glad that you are here to worship with us and to glorify God. You have honored God and you have honored us by being here today. Amen. You really have. And we appreciate you so much." [31:51] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus presents the Holy Spirit to us as the ultimate answer to overcoming and undoing every work of the devil. Everything that he has ever done. That great deceiver. And the father of lies. Satan is the father of lies. Every lie that's ever been told. Every lie that's ever been perpetrated here upon this planet. It came from the devil." [48:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When the Holy Spirit becomes your friend, He brings four amazing businessmen and benefits to your life. Four amazing things. Number one, power. Acts chapter 1 verse 8. You will receive power. Jesus said you're going to get power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And He was talking about their relationship in Acts chapter 2 when they were filled with the Holy Spirit." [01:07:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Holy Spirit is not going to do anything that's going to be ungentlemanly like. That's why Paul was writing to the Corinthians because they were saying that Jesus is a curse. They were getting drunk at the communion table. They were doing all kinds of things. All kinds of weird things. All kinds of weird things. And you know, and people will do weird things because they're just weird." [01:06:03] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit doesn't toot His own horn. Jesus said, He's not going to speak of Himself, but His is an equal, full membership of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. And He is with us and He wants to be in us so that we can serve God in a greater way. Don't you love the Lord?" [01:12:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit is meant to be so much more than just a gift. Just an ornamental feature in our lives. He is significant. And we want to introduce the Holy Spirit. We want to introduce Him to you. And I want to introduce the Helper. And as we ask that question, Well, who is the Holy Spirit? If we're going to meet Him, who is He? And that's a big question. One as big as God Himself." [38:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus declared himself to be the way and the truth and the life and the word. The way, the truth. And he announced that he would soon be sending us a helper. Hallelujah. Who would make it possible to live a life free from deception. And I'm telling you, if there's anything we need right now, it's living in a spirit and the presence of God so that we can understand and realize the deception and everything that's out there because Christianity's under attack." [49:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Conviction, conviction is not a bad word. Conviction is a good word. It is. Jesus names three areas in which the Holy Spirit will convict the world. Sin, righteousness, and judgment. And Jesus is talking about conviction in the sense of belief or persuasion. Convict means to convince the world of God's truth concerning righteousness and judgment. And he will persuade people with certain things that are absolutely true." [52:42] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The second way the Holy Spirit in this particular Scripture helps is bringing to your remembrance all things. Jesus said that I have said unto you. That's why the Gospels are so detailed. That's why we have the book. That's why faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. That's why that heaven and earth's going to pass away. But the Word of God abides forever." [47:03] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Holy Spirit convicts, He said, of righteousness. Contrary to common belief, righteousness doesn't mean right behavior. That's not what it means. Well, you know, you got to behave right. That's not what this means. Righteousness means having a right. Standing with God. A right standing with God. This verse doesn't say that the Holy Spirit will convict us of the need of righteous living." [54:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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