Empowered by the Spirit: A Journey Through Scripture

Summary

From the very first verses of Genesis, the Holy Spirit is present and active, not as a New Testament innovation, but as the divine agent of creation, life, and empowerment throughout all of Scripture. The Spirit hovers over the waters at creation, infusing life and order into chaos, much like a protective bird over her eggs. This image is not just poetic; it reveals the Spirit’s ongoing, personal involvement with God’s people from the very beginning. The same Spirit who moved at creation is the one who breathes life into humanity, as Job declares, “The breath of the Almighty gives me life.” This lifegiving presence is not reserved for a select few, nor is it limited to dramatic moments; it is the ongoing work of God in and through his people.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit empowers individuals for specific tasks and seasons. Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and the judges like Samson are all examples of people uniquely equipped by the Spirit for leadership, wisdom, and deliverance. Yet, the Spirit’s work is not confined to prophets and kings. In Exodus, Bezalel and Oholiab are filled with the Spirit—not to preach or prophesy, but to craft, build, and teach. Their Spirit-empowered artistry in constructing the tabernacle reminds us that God values and anoints all kinds of work, not just the overtly spiritual. The Spirit’s gifts are as diverse as God’s people, and every vocation can be a place where God’s presence is manifest.

Samson’s story, with all its messiness and imperfection, demonstrates that God’s Spirit works through flawed people for his purposes. The Spirit “rushes” upon Samson, granting supernatural strength at key moments, even as Samson struggles with his own weaknesses. This is a powerful reminder that God does not wait for us to have it all together before using us. Instead, he delights in empowering ordinary, imperfect people for extraordinary purposes.

The prophets, too, are moved by the Spirit to speak God’s words, rebuke, and call his people back. They also look forward to a day when the Spirit will be poured out on all people, a promise fulfilled at Pentecost. The Spirit’s activity in the Old Testament is not just history; it is the foundation for our present experience. Today, the same Spirit is available to all who seek, bringing new life, unique gifts, and the power to glorify God in every aspect of life. The invitation is to move beyond mere head knowledge and to seek a living, experiential relationship with the Holy Spirit, allowing him to fill, transform, and empower us for God’s glory.

Key Takeaways

- The Holy Spirit’s presence is foundational, not just a New Testament phenomenon. From creation onward, the Spirit is the divine agent of life, order, and empowerment, hovering over chaos and breathing life into humanity. Recognizing this continuity deepens our awe and gratitude for God’s ongoing work in the world and in us. [02:20]

- God’s Spirit empowers people for all kinds of work, not just spiritual leadership. Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit for craftsmanship, artistry, and teaching, showing that every vocation can be sacred when offered to God. The Spirit’s gifts are diverse, and God delights in using our everyday skills for his purposes. [11:02]

- The Spirit works through imperfect people, not just the spiritually elite. Samson’s story is a testament to God’s willingness to use those who are still “figuring it out,” reminding us that our weaknesses do not disqualify us from being empowered by the Spirit. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and he can do new things in us, even when we feel unworthy. [18:25]

- The Old Testament prophets, moved by the Spirit, not only spoke God’s words but also pointed forward to a time when the Spirit would be poured out on all people. This prophetic vision finds its fulfillment in Pentecost, but it also challenges us to seek the Spirit’s presence and power in our own lives, expecting God to move in new and creative ways. [25:24]

- Experiencing the Holy Spirit requires more than intellectual assent; it calls for openness and a willingness to move from head knowledge to heart encounter. The Spirit brings life, transformation, and unique giftings, but we must be ready to receive, to lay down our barriers, and to invite him to move in us for God’s glory, not our own. [31:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Series Overview: Encountering the Spirit
[01:29] - The Spirit at Creation: Genesis 1
[03:35] - The Meaning of “Hovering” and the Spirit’s Protection
[05:16] - The Spirit as Mighty Wind: Genesis and Acts
[06:27] - The Spirit Gives Life: Job’s Testimony
[07:15] - The Spirit’s Selective Empowerment in the Old Testament
[09:05] - Joseph, Moses, and Joshua: Spirit-Empowered Leaders
[10:46] - Bezalel and Oholiab: Spirit-Filled Craftsmen
[13:31] - The Sacredness of Everyday Work
[17:18] - Samson: The Spirit’s Power in Imperfection
[21:35] - God’s Unique Empowerment for Unique Purposes
[24:57] - The Prophets and the Spirit’s Prophetic Role
[26:13] - Joel’s Promise: The Spirit for All People
[27:43] - The Spirit and the Foundation of Scripture
[29:24] - The Spirit’s Ongoing Work Today
[31:00] - Moving from Head Knowledge to Heart Encounter
[31:43] - Closing Worship and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

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### Bible Reading

- Genesis 1:1-2
*In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.*

- Exodus 31:1-5
*Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.”*

- Judges 13:24-25; 14:6
*The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him... The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands...*

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### Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 1:2, what is the Spirit of God doing at the very beginning of creation? How is this described in the sermon? ([03:35])
2. According to Exodus 31:1-5, what specific abilities did the Spirit give to Bezalel? What was the purpose of these abilities? ([11:02])
3. In the story of Samson (Judges 13-14), what happens when the Spirit of the Lord “rushes” upon him? What are some of the results? ([19:56])
4. The sermon mentions that the Spirit’s empowerment in the Old Testament was often for “specific people and specific tasks.” What are some examples given? ([09:05])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bible describes the Spirit as “hovering” over the waters at creation? What does this image communicate about God’s relationship to the world and to us? ([03:52])
2. The Spirit empowered Bezalel and Oholiab for craftsmanship, not preaching or prophecy. What does this suggest about the kinds of work God values and uses for his purposes? ([12:30])
3. Samson was far from perfect, yet the Spirit worked through him. What does this teach us about who God chooses to empower and why? ([18:25])
4. The prophets looked forward to a time when the Spirit would be poured out on all people. How does this Old Testament hope shape our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work today? ([26:13])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says the Spirit’s presence is not just a New Testament thing, but foundational from creation onward. How does knowing the Spirit has always been active change the way you see God’s involvement in your daily life? ([02:20])
2. Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit for their everyday work. What is your “everyday work,” and how might you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in it this week? ([13:31])
3. The Spirit’s gifts are diverse, and God delights in using all kinds of skills. What is one skill or talent you have that you haven’t thought of as “spiritual”? How could you offer it to God? ([14:51])
4. Samson’s story shows that God uses imperfect people. Is there an area of weakness or failure in your life where you feel disqualified? How might God want to use you anyway? ([18:25])
5. The prophets were moved by the Spirit to speak God’s words and call people back to him. Is there a situation or relationship in your life where you sense God prompting you to speak or act for him? What might that look like? ([25:24])
6. The sermon challenges us to move from “head knowledge” to a “heart encounter” with the Holy Spirit. What barriers might be keeping you from experiencing the Spirit more deeply? What is one step you could take to open yourself to his work? ([31:00])
7. The Spirit brings new life and transformation. Is there an area in your life where you need the Spirit to bring renewal or change? How can the group pray for you in this? ([06:27])

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Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit of God Brings Life from the Beginning
From the very first moments of creation, the Spirit of God was present and active, hovering over the waters and infusing life into the world. This image of the Spirit as a mighty wind and a protective presence reminds us that God’s Spirit is not a New Testament invention, but has always been intimately involved in creation and in the lives of His people. Just as a mother bird hovers over her eggs, the Spirit hovers over us, bringing order, protection, and life where there was once chaos and emptiness. Today, remember that the same Spirit who moved at creation is still moving in your life, ready to bring newness and transformation wherever you need it most. [04:42]

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel empty or in need of new life? Invite the Holy Spirit to hover over that area and bring His creative power today.

Day 2: The Spirit Empowers Ordinary Work for God’s Purposes
God’s Spirit does not only empower preachers or prophets, but also fills ordinary people for everyday tasks. Bezaleel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit to craft, build, and teach others as they constructed the tabernacle. Their story is a reminder that whatever your work—whether it’s teaching, building, driving, or creating—when dedicated to God, it becomes holy and purposeful. The Spirit gives wisdom, understanding, and skill for the tasks at hand, transforming even the most routine labor into an act of worship and service to the Lord. [14:03]

Exodus 31:1-5 (ESV)
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.”

Reflection: How can you dedicate your daily work to God and invite the Holy Spirit to empower you with wisdom and skill for the tasks before you?

Day 3: The Spirit Gives Strength Despite Our Weaknesses
The story of Samson shows that God’s Spirit empowers imperfect people for His purposes. Samson was set apart, yet deeply flawed, but the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, giving him supernatural strength to deliver Israel. God does not wait for us to have everything together before He uses us; instead, He meets us in our weakness and equips us for the challenges we face. No matter your struggles or shortcomings, the Spirit can do something new and powerful in your life when you are willing and open to His leading. [23:59]

Judges 14:5-6 (ESV)
Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Reflection: What weakness or imperfection have you believed disqualifies you from being used by God? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and use you in that very area today.

Day 4: The Spirit Inspires and Speaks Through God’s People
Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord spoke through prophets and leaders, giving them the very words of God to guide, correct, and encourage His people. David himself testified that the Spirit spoke through him, and the prophets looked forward to a day when the Spirit would be poured out on all people. The same Spirit who inspired Scripture and empowered the prophets is available to you, ready to guide your words and actions for God’s glory. [28:14]

2 Samuel 23:2 (ESV)
“The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.”

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs a word of encouragement or truth? Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your words and give you boldness to speak as He leads.

Day 5: The Spirit Is for All—Seek His Presence in Your Life
The Old Testament points forward to a time when the Spirit would be poured out on all people, not just a select few. This promise, fulfilled at Pentecost, means that the Holy Spirit is available to every believer, regardless of background or status. God is creative and unique in how He works in each person’s life, giving gifts and abilities that are tailored to your personality and calling. The invitation is to seek the Spirit not just with your mind, but with your heart—asking Him to move in new ways, break down barriers, and fill you afresh for God’s glory. [31:12]

Joel 2:28 (ESV)
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

Reflection: Are you seeking the Holy Spirit only with your head, or are you open to experiencing His presence in your heart? What step can you take today to invite the Spirit to move in a new way in your life?

Quotes

There is a tendency especially amongst us modern Christians to believe that the Holy Spirit is an invention of Acts chapter 2. And that's not true. It's it's it the Holy Spirit did not just show up in Acts, the book of Acts as we would read it. It's not a New Testament phenomena, but the Holy Spirit it it is right from the beginning. The Holy Spirit is seen right in the beginning of God's creation. He's active. He's personal. And he is the divine agent we see throughout the Old Testament. [00:01:58]

If you're if you are in need of new life, if you're in need of rejuvenation, if you're in need of change, the Holy Spirit is what changes, is what gives new life, is what brings change to a man or a woman's life. If we if we want to see the Lord move in our life, we've got to invite the Holy Spirit and say, "Lord, here I am. Change me." [00:06:31]

We praise the Lord have this ability to look back and see the progress of how God has moved throughout history, which should amaze us. one, it should cause us to be in awe of God's graciousness to people because in the Old Testament, there were specific times and specific examples where God used his the spirit was used for specific people and specific tasks. [00:08:23]

In the Old Testament, the spirit was used for selective and taskoriented examples, specific time periods, specific men, specific women for specific reasons. They were filled and it was resting on them, but it was slightly different than what we experience and see in the New Testament. But it was the same spirit. [00:09:31]

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezale, son of Uri, the son of her of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the spirit of God." By the way, in the Bible, this is the first example we see of a man being filled with the Holy Spirit. right here, Bezale. In Exodus 31, I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. [00:10:49]

This is the Lord. This is the spirit of the Lord giving specific talents and gifts and abilities for a specific purpose. What was he doing? He was building the tabernacle. He's building the tabernacle. By the way, if I personally were have to have to work in wood or skills or gold or any type of metal work, I would need the Holy Spirit. [00:11:32]

Bezale is filled with the spirit. So here here's the thing. He's filled with the spirit to preach? No. Is he filled with the spirit to prophesy for the Lord? No. He is filled with the spirit to pick up a hammer and pound out some nails. He's he's filled with the spirit to work with gold and a furnace and metal. He's a man, right? I mean he is he is called of the Lord to and filled with the spirit and given wisdom and understanding and and said in fact I love that it says with knowledge and all kinds of skills. [00:12:30]

The spirit of God is for all people and he will give you those abilities that you need at that time to and you will be known as a man or woman with wisdom and understanding. Ain't that amazing, church. Bezile and Aholab are people that God used and his spirit was infused in them so that they could accomplish something great. [00:13:34]

In your day-today work, don't think don't think it's for it's for nothing. Don't think you're not having an impact when because remember in Matthew 6:33 it says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." If you set if you're a man and woman of God and you set your heart on the Lord, if you say, "Lord, I know I'm doing this and this is my job. This is how I make money. This is what I get up and I do every single day. But it's not for me. It's for you. My work, Lord, is for you." [00:14:07]

Our work as believers is above the the normal. Our work as of believers is dedicated to the Lord. Therefore, yes, are we still going to have bad days? Yeah. Are we going to have bad weeks? Yeah. Are we possibly going to have bad years? Yeah. But when your when your mind the Bible says, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." When the mind of the Christian is changed, they we're focused on the Lord and then we go to work. [00:15:20]

The Holy Spirit empowered him to devise artistic designs and execute precise work in gold and silver, bronze, cutting stones and carving wood. Look at uh 35. Uh yeah, chapter 35. I think that's on a holy there. 35 verse 30. Look at 34. We already we reread the first part already. And he gave him both and Oh Holab, son of Ahishmach of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. [00:16:16]

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen and weavers. And all of them skilled workers and designers. He filled them. He gave them what they needed. It's amazing. It should be an encouragement to us today that the same spirit that filled them fills you today. That's the encouragement. [00:16:54]

Samson was a warrior. Samson was a man that was dedicated to the Lord. He was a Nazerite. He didn't cut his hair. He didn't drink alcohol. He didn't touch dead bodies. He was a man set aside for God. And the spirit of the Lord filled him for a specific purpose. You see, the the children of Israel at the time were fighting these nasty Philistines. They were it was a battle over and over and over again. [00:17:33]

God uses people who are still figuring out life. You see I think the we as Christians think we have to have everything together and then God will use us. And that couldn't be further from the truth. We think that if I don't have my everything together, if I can't come and say A, B, C, and D, we're all good and then God will use me. That's not how it works. That's not how it works. [00:18:18]

God gave Samson supernatural ability for a specific purpose in a specific time in history. Now, you might say, "Well, Justin, I'm not sure I want to be like Samson." Well, okay. But what I know is that God, the spirit of the Lord will give you abilities when they are needed. Whether it's speaking to people, whether it's for a specific purpose at work, whether it's a specific purpose in your home, if you pray, if you take that step back and say, "Lord, I need help. I need this situation to change." [00:21:28]

The holy the the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament deepens our understanding of Jesus. Why? Because the whole Old Testament is pointing forward to the Messiah. It's pointing forward to the Messiah. We won't we don't have time to read it this morning, but of course Isaiah chapter 53 with the suffering servant. Isaiah 11, Isaiah 61, the whole Old Testament and the prophets are pointing us towards Messiah and understanding Jesus. [00:27:08]

Chatbot

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