Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in Holiness
Summary
In this sermon, we delve into the profound truth that the Holy Spirit is God within us, transforming us to live out the call to holiness. On the day of Pentecost, as recorded in the book of Acts, the Hebrew people were confronted with the reality of Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one. They were called to repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an act of surrender, a plea for holiness, and an invitation for God to change and transform us.
We are marred by sin and in desperate need of salvation, which Jesus provided through His death and resurrection. This act made us holy, but it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit within us that we can live out this holiness. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth, to change the way we conduct business, treat our spouses, our children, and to transform the world by living out God's ways, even when it's difficult.
We are called to see the world as God sees it, to be holy as our Heavenly Father is holy. This means rejecting the world's formula of entitlement and self-gratification, and instead, seeing others as sinners in need of a Savior, extending forgiveness as we have been forgiven. This is the heart of the Lord's Prayer, which we are encouraged to pray three times a day, aligning our will with God's and seeking His provision and guidance.
Our relationship with our earthly fathers can deeply influence our perception of God as our Heavenly Father. No matter the quality of our earthly relationships, God is the perfect Father, full of love and mercy. We are invited to approach Him with the same intimacy as a child to their parent, calling Him "Abba," which means "Daddy." This relationship is transformative, allowing us to experience God's furious love and mercy in a personal and profound way.
As we commit to praying the Lord's Prayer over the next three weeks, we are challenged to seek God's presence, provision, and forgiveness, and to live out His holiness in our daily lives. We are reminded that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and that He delights in meeting our needs. We are to ask for the Holy Spirit above all else, for there is no greater need than God Himself.
Key Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit is the transformative power within us that enables us to live out the holiness to which we are called. Without the Spirit, we cannot fulfill the purpose God has for us, nor can we reflect His holiness in our lives. The Spirit is our partner in bringing God's Kingdom to Earth, and we must prioritize seeking His presence and guidance above all else. [01:04:00]
- Our perception of God as our Heavenly Father is often colored by our experiences with our earthly fathers. However, God is the perfect Father, whose love and mercy far exceed the best qualities of human parents. We must embrace this truth and allow it to heal and shape our relationship with God, leading us to a deeper understanding of His fatherly care. [49:33]
- Forgiveness is not just a command; it is a reflection of the forgiveness we have received from God. When we forgive others, we release them and ourselves from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. This act of forgiveness is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit within us and a crucial step in living out the holiness God desires for us. [56:38]
- Prayer is not about reciting words; it is about aligning our hearts with God's will. The Lord's Prayer is a template for our prayers, guiding us to seek God's kingdom, His provision, and His forgiveness. As we pray this prayer, we are to expand upon its principles, applying them to our specific needs and circumstances. [34:39]
- Seeking God with shameless audacity reflects the confidence we have in our relationship with Him as our Father. We are encouraged to approach God boldly, trusting that He delights in giving good gifts to His children, including the gift of the Holy Spirit. This audacity in prayer is rooted in our understanding of God's nature as loving, attentive, and infinitely capable of meeting our needs. [59:17]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)
> One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
2. Acts 2:38 (NIV)
> Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
> “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus' disciples ask Him to teach them in Luke 11:1?
2. According to Acts 2:38, what are the steps Peter outlines for receiving the Holy Spirit?
3. In Isaiah 55:8-9, how does God describe the difference between His thoughts and ways compared to ours?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized calling God "Father" in the Lord's Prayer? How does this shape our understanding of our relationship with God? [38:06]
2. How does the act of baptism symbolize a plea for holiness and transformation according to the sermon? [01:02:44]
3. What does it mean to seek God's Kingdom and His will in our daily lives, as highlighted in the Lord's Prayer? [01:05:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How can you incorporate the principles of the Lord's Prayer into your daily routine? What specific times will you set aside for prayer? [36:20]
2. How has your relationship with your earthly father influenced your perception of God as your Heavenly Father? What steps can you take to heal and reshape this perception? [38:46]
3. The sermon challenges us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take a step towards forgiveness this week? [56:38]
4. Consider the idea of seeking God with "shameless audacity." What is one bold prayer request you have been hesitant to bring before God? How can you approach Him with confidence? [59:17]
5. The Holy Spirit is described as the transformative power within us. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in a specific area of your life where you need transformation? [01:04:00]
6. The sermon encourages us to see the world as God sees it. What is one practical way you can change your perspective to align more closely with God's view, especially in how you treat others? [54:44]
7. How can you make the practice of praying the Lord's Prayer three times a day a habit in your life? What reminders or tools will you use to help you stay committed to this practice? [36:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Spirit's Transformative Power
The Holy Spirit is not merely a concept to be acknowledged but the very presence of God within us, actively working to transform our lives. This divine Helper empowers us to live out the holiness that we are called to embody. Without the Spirit, our efforts to reflect God's holiness are futile. The Spirit guides us in truth, equips us for service, and enables us to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth. It is through the Spirit that we can change the way we conduct ourselves in all aspects of life, from our business dealings to our family relationships. By prioritizing the pursuit of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance, we align ourselves with God's will and purpose for our lives. [01:04:00]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you more actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions and interactions?
Day 2: Healing Through Our Heavenly Father's Love
Our perception of God is often influenced by our relationships with our earthly fathers, which can be a mixture of positive and negative experiences. However, God is the perfect Father, whose love and mercy are boundless and unfailing. This truth has the power to heal our wounds and redefine our understanding of fatherhood. As we embrace God as our "Abba," we allow His love to transform us, fostering a deeper intimacy and trust in His fatherly care. This relationship is not based on fear or performance but on the unconditional love that God has for each of us. [49:33]
"And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding and experience of God as your perfect Heavenly Father?
Day 3: The Freedom Found in Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a profound expression of the grace we have received from God. It is not merely an obligation but a reflection of the divine forgiveness that has been extended to us. When we forgive others, we mirror the heart of God and release both ourselves and those who have wronged us from the chains of bitterness and resentment. This act of forgiveness is a testament to the Holy Spirit's work within us and is essential for living out the holiness that God desires. It is through forgiveness that we can truly be free to love and serve as Christ did. [56:38]
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13 ESV)
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive today, and how can you take the first step towards releasing them with the same forgiveness God has given you?
Day 4: Aligning Our Hearts Through Prayer
Prayer is the means by which we align our hearts with God's will. The Lord's Prayer is not just a set of words to recite but a blueprint for our communication with God. It guides us to seek His kingdom, His provision, and His forgiveness. As we pray, we are encouraged to personalize and expand upon these principles, applying them to our specific situations and needs. This intentional practice of prayer shapes our desires to match God's and helps us to live in accordance with His purposes. [34:39]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2 ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the principles of the Lord's Prayer into your specific circumstances today?
Day 5: Approaching God with Shameless Audacity
We are invited to approach God with the confidence of a child approaching a loving parent. This shameless audacity in prayer reflects our trust in God's nature as attentive, loving, and capable of meeting our needs. When we understand God's willingness to give good gifts, including the Holy Spirit, we can boldly ask for His provision and presence in our lives. This boldness in prayer is rooted in our relationship with God and is an essential aspect of living a life of faith. [59:17]
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7 ESV)
Reflection: What need or desire can you bring before God today with the confidence that He is both willing and able to provide?
Quotes
1) "The Holy Spirit is God in you, transforming us that we might be holy and live out the call to be holy through His power inside us." [01:04:00] (Download)
2) "No matter how good or how bad your Earthly dad was, he's not your heavenly father. The real thing is so much better, full of love and mercy." [49:33] (Download)
3) "God's holiness means He does not see the world, our sin, and our problems the way we do. He's calling us to see the world differently." [54:44] (Download)
4) "Forgiveness is a fountain that flows out of you because God has forgiven you. It's about coming into the presence of the Father and saying, 'God, I need you.'" [56:38] (Download)
5) "The best of the best of the world all smashed together would barely scratch the surface of the awesome love of God." [01:06:27] (Download)
6) "God is both intimate and infinite, attentive and awesome. He has all the resources, access, and ability you need right here, right now." [54:01] (Download)
7) "Jesus tells us to pray to God holding the tension of Father and Holy. He's not either/or; He's both and all the time, full of grace and truth." [54:01] (Download)
8) "The greatest gift I've ever received is the ABA experience. It's not sloppy sentimentality but a life-changing power of the ABA encounter." [48:13] (Download)
9) "Baptism is a surrender, inviting God to change and transform us. It's a plea for the Holy Spirit, for holiness." [01:02:44] (Download)
10) "Imagine a coin with two sides. One side is our sin, the other is God's call to holiness. The Holy Spirit is the power that enables us to live out this holiness." [01:03:22] (Download)
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