Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Trusting God's Plan

The heart of tonight’s gathering centers on the deep, sustaining power of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer. As we worship and declare, “Let your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are reminded that God’s presence is not distant or indifferent, but intimately involved in every detail of our lives—even our hobbies, our families, and our deepest concerns. God’s care extends to the smallest things, and He desires to lift burdens, restore joy, and bring breakthrough in areas where we feel heavy-laden or discouraged.

We see this truth illustrated in the story of Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple, as recounted in Zechariah 4. The Israelites faced overwhelming obstacles: opposition from adversaries, discouragement, and a lack of resources. Yet, God’s word to Zerubbabel was clear: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” The vision of the lampstand, continuously supplied with oil from the olive trees, is a vivid picture of how God’s Spirit provides a never-ending source of strength, wisdom, and ability for the tasks He assigns us. The work of God is not sustained by human effort alone, but by a supernatural partnership with the Holy Spirit.

This principle is not just for ancient Israel, but for each of us today. No obstacle can thwart God’s plan when we are yielded to His Spirit. The capstone of every God-given assignment is evidence of His grace, not our ingenuity. We are not to despise small beginnings, for God delights in taking what seems insignificant and using it for great purposes. Jesus Himself modeled complete dependence on the Spirit, and we are called to do the same.

To walk in this power, we must actively pursue fellowship with the Holy Spirit, allow Him access to every area of our lives, and seek His wisdom continually. Sensitivity to His promptings, quick repentance, and obedience are keys to remaining in step with Him. Whether our calling is public or hidden, each of us is invited to experience the fullness of the Spirit’s empowering presence, trusting that He will complete the good work He has begun in us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Intimate Care Extends to Every Detail God is not only concerned with the grand, spiritual matters of our lives but also with the small, personal details—our hobbies, our families, and our daily burdens. He delights in restoring joy and lifting heaviness, even in areas we might consider insignificant. Trusting Him with these details opens the door for His peace and provision to flow into every aspect of our lives. [25:22]
• 2. The Power Source for God’s Work Is the Holy Spirit Human effort, resources, or ingenuity are insufficient for accomplishing God’s purposes. The vision of the self-filling lampstand in Zechariah 4 is a powerful reminder that the Holy Spirit is our continuous, supernatural supply. When we rely on Him, what once seemed laborious or impossible becomes possible and even easy, as we operate in His strength rather than our own. [53:47]
• 3. No Obstacle Can Thwart God’s Plan The “great mountain” before Zerubbabel represented overwhelming opposition and discouragement, yet God promised to level it by His Spirit. In our own lives, obstacles—whether external resistance or internal discouragement—cannot stop what God has ordained if we remain yielded to Him. Our role is to trust, obey, and stand in faith, knowing that God’s Spirit will bring every assignment to completion. [61:28]
• 4. Do Not Despise Small Beginnings God often starts with what seems small or insignificant, both in our lives and in His redemptive plan. The greatest event in history began with a baby in a manger. When we offer our “little” to God, He multiplies it by His Spirit, accomplishing far more than we could imagine. Faithfulness in small things is the pathway to greater impact in the kingdom. [63:21]
• 5. Cultivating Sensitivity and Obedience to the Holy Spirit Remaining sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings requires intentional pursuit—through prayer, repentance, and obedience. Ignoring His voice leads to a hardened heart, but quick response keeps us aligned with His will. As we allow the Spirit greater access, He empowers us to fulfill our unique calling, whether public or hidden, and transforms us into the likeness of Christ. [73:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [21:24] - Worship: Let Your Kingdom Come
• [22:08] - Declaring the Power of Jesus’ Name
• [24:00] - Personal Words: God’s Care for the Details
• [26:39] - Prophetic Encouragement for Families
• [29:12] - Prayer for Protection and Peace
• [31:52] - Offering: Preparing for Your Future
• [39:18] - The Power of Dependency on the Holy Spirit
• [43:00] - Historical Background: Zerubbabel and the Temple
• [47:25] - Zechariah’s Vision Explained
• [53:47] - The Lampstand and the Source of Power
• [58:54] - Four Key Lessons from Zechariah 4
• [69:04] - How to Depend on the Holy Spirit
• [73:18] - Sensitivity and Obedience to the Spirit
• [84:38] - Responding to the Spirit’s Invitation
• [87:48] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

Zechariah 4:1-10 (ESV) — 1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.
3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”

Observation Questions

1. In Zechariah’s vision, what is the significance of the lampstand being supplied directly by the olive trees, and how does this differ from the normal way the lampstand was maintained? ([53:47])
2. According to the sermon, what were some of the main obstacles Zerubbabel and the Israelites faced when rebuilding the temple? ([50:00])
3. What does the phrase “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” mean in the context of Zechariah 4? ([53:47])
4. How does the sermon describe God’s care for the small, personal details of our lives, such as hobbies or family concerns? ([25:22])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to use a vision of a self-filling lampstand to encourage Zerubbabel and the people of Israel? What does this say about the way God wants us to approach challenges? ([53:47])
2. The sermon says, “No obstacle can thwart God’s plan when we are yielded to His Spirit.” How might this truth change the way someone faces discouragement or opposition in their own life? ([01:01:28])
3. The message warns against “despising small beginnings.” Why is it sometimes hard to value small or humble starts, and how does God view them differently than we do? ([01:03:21])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. What are some practical ways a believer can cultivate this sensitivity in daily life? ([01:13:18])

Application Questions

1. The sermon shared that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives, like our hobbies or family concerns. Is there an area of your life that you’ve considered too small or insignificant to bring to God? What would it look like to invite Him into that area this week? ([25:22])
2. Think about a current challenge or “mountain” in your life. How might your approach change if you truly believed that it’s “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” that victory comes? ([53:47])
3. Have you ever felt discouraged by a “small beginning” in your life—maybe a new job, ministry, or relationship? How can you shift your perspective to see these small starts as opportunities for God to work? ([01:03:21])
4. The sermon talked about the importance of quick repentance and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Is there a recent moment when you sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to do something, but you hesitated or ignored it? What could you do differently next time? ([01:13:18])
5. Jesus modeled complete dependence on the Holy Spirit. What is one practical step you can take this week to depend more on the Spirit rather than your own strength or resources? ([01:04:37])
6. The message encouraged us to seek the Spirit’s wisdom continually. What is one decision or area where you need God’s wisdom right now? How will you intentionally seek the Spirit’s guidance in that area? ([01:09:04])
7. The sermon mentioned that whether our calling is public or hidden, each of us is invited to experience the fullness of the Spirit’s empowering presence. In what ways can you be faithful in the “hidden” or less visible areas of your life and trust God to use them for His purposes? ([01:21:27])