Encounter Week 1 - The Holy Spirit

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God Draws Near—He Comes to Us First

God is not distant or waiting for us to become good enough; He draws near to us, desiring a real relationship and making Himself accessible when we call on Him. The uniqueness of the Christian faith is that God understood our inability to reach Him, so He came to us, offering nearness and intimacy that no other faith provides. This truth means you never have to strive to earn His presence—He is as close as the mention of His name, ready to meet you wherever you are. [23:57]

Deuteronomy 4:7 (ESV)
"For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?"

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been trying to “earn” God’s nearness or approval, and how can you intentionally invite Him to draw near to you today, just as you are?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit Is Our Practical Counselor

The Holy Spirit is not strange or abstract; He is a practical counselor who guides us into all truth, speaking through Scripture, people, and discernment in our daily lives. Rather than only seeking God’s guidance in big decisions, we are called to bow to His authority in every aspect of life, recognizing that even the smallest daily choices shape our future. The Spirit’s counsel is always consistent with God’s Word, and He desires to direct your steps if you will acknowledge Him fully, not just with a passing nod but with surrendered trust. [33:49]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one “small” area of your life where you’ve been relying on your own understanding instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and how can you surrender it to Him today?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Communicate the Gospel

The Holy Spirit equips believers in practical ways to share the gospel, even overcoming barriers like language and generational differences, so that all people can hear and understand the good news of Jesus. Just as in Acts 2, where the Spirit enabled the disciples to speak unlearned languages for the sake of others, He still empowers us today to reach those who might otherwise be out of reach—whether across the world or in our own homes. Relying on the Spirit’s power, rather than our own cleverness, allows us to be effective witnesses in a world that desperately needs to hear God’s truth. [39:21]

Acts 2:1-6 (ESV)
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language."

Reflection: Who in your life seems “hard to reach” with the gospel, and how can you ask the Holy Spirit to give you practical wisdom or words to connect with them this week?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter in Every Circumstance

The Holy Spirit is a personal comforter, sent by the Father to come alongside us, offering true peace and wisdom that surpasses any counterfeit comfort the world provides. When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to turn to distractions or unhealthy habits for relief, but only the Spirit can give rest for our souls and the wisdom to make right choices before trouble hits. Inviting the Holy Spirit into your day, even before challenges arise, brings a supernatural comfort and guidance that no earthly substitute can match. [47:36]

John 14:26 (ESV)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, what is your first instinct for comfort, and how can you intentionally turn to the Holy Spirit for true peace and wisdom today?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit Is Our Unconditional Friend

The Holy Spirit is not only a counselor and comforter but also a faithful companion—an honest, unconditional friend who testifies to the truth and never leaves us, even when others might. His friendship brings clarity, correction, and confidence, rooted in God’s agape love that is not based on our performance but on the fact that we belong to Him. Embracing the Spirit’s friendship means accepting both His loving truth and His unwavering presence, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. [54:14]

John 15:26 (ESV)
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you’ve resisted the Holy Spirit’s honest truth or unconditional friendship, and how can you open your heart to His loving presence and correction today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we began a new series called “Encounter,” focusing on how to experience a real God in a real way. God is not distant or abstract; He is near, and He desires relationship with us. Unlike every other faith that teaches we must work our way to God, the good news of the gospel is that God came to us through Jesus. Now, through the Holy Spirit, He is as close as the mention of His name. The Holy Spirit is not some strange or mystical force—He is practical, personal, and essential for our daily lives.

We explored how the Holy Spirit is our counselor, comforter, and companion. As counselor, He guides us into all truth, not just in the big decisions but in the small, everyday moments. Acknowledging Him means more than a casual nod; it’s a daily bowing to His authority, allowing Him to direct our paths. He speaks through Scripture, through people, and through discernment, always confirming His voice with the truth of God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit is also our comforter. In a world full of distractions and counterfeit comforts, only the Spirit can provide true peace and rest. Knowledge alone is not enough; we need the wisdom and comfort that only He can give. When life gets heavy, we are invited to turn to Him before trouble hits, rather than relying on temporary fixes or old habits.

Finally, the Holy Spirit is our companion—a true friend who testifies to the truth, brings clarity, correction, and confidence, and loves us unconditionally. His friendship is not based on our performance but on God’s agape love for us. Just as a parent loves their child simply because they are theirs, so God loves us and gives us His Spirit as a gift.

The invitation is to acknowledge and welcome the Holy Spirit into every part of our lives, to let Him counsel, comfort, and walk with us. For those who have never received Jesus, today is the day to believe, confess, and receive the gift of salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. For those already following Jesus, it’s a call to deeper surrender and daily dependence on the Spirit’s power and presence.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit is a practical counselor The Spirit guides us into all truth, not just in the big, dramatic moments, but in the small, daily decisions that shape our lives. True acknowledgment of God means bowing to His authority in every area, not just the ones we can’t handle. This daily dependence transforms our journey, preventing us from drifting into confusion or regret. [31:59]
2. True comfort comes from the Spirit, not counterfeits We all seek comfort when overwhelmed, but the world offers only temporary and often destructive substitutes. The Holy Spirit provides a peace that surpasses understanding, inviting us to turn to Him before trouble comes. Real rest and healing are found not in distractions, but in the Spirit’s presence and wisdom. [44:21]
3. The Spirit’s friendship is honest and unconditional Unlike human relationships that can be conditional or uncomfortable with truth, the Holy Spirit is a friend who testifies to what is real, even when it’s hard to hear. His love is not based on our performance but on God’s unchanging agape love. This friendship brings clarity, correction, and confidence, rooting us in God’s purpose and grace. [50:01]
4. Knowledge without the Spirit’s wisdom is empty We live in an age of ever-increasing knowledge, but wisdom—knowing what to do with what we know—comes only from the Holy Spirit. Many can quote Scripture or accumulate facts, but without the Spirit’s guidance, we lack the power to live transformed lives. Wisdom is the Spirit’s gift, turning knowledge into godly action. [45:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Honoring Veterans
[02:10] - Series Introduction: Encounter
[03:20] - God Came to Us
[04:00] - God’s Nearness: Deuteronomy 4:7
[05:00] - Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
[07:00] - The Holy Spirit Is Practical, Not Weird
[10:00] - Personal Stories and Faith Traditions
[13:00] - The Purpose of the Holy Spirit
[15:00] - The Holy Spirit as Counselor
[18:00] - Acknowledging God in All Things
[21:00] - How the Spirit Speaks: Scripture, People, Discernment
[25:00] - Acts 2: The Practical Power of the Spirit
[29:00] - The Spirit’s Role Across Generations
[32:00] - The Holy Spirit as Comforter
[36:00] - Counterfeit Comforts vs. True Comfort
[40:00] - The Spirit as Companion and Friend
[45:00] - Unconditional Love and the Spirit’s Gift
[50:00] - Invitation to Receive Jesus and the Spirit
[55:00] - Next Steps and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Encounter – Experiencing a Real God in a Real Way”

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 4:7 (ESV)
> For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

John 14:16-17, 26 (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.
> ...
> But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
> Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Observation Questions

According to Deuteronomy 4:7, what makes Israel’s relationship with God unique compared to other nations?
In John 14, what does Jesus promise about the Holy Spirit’s role in the lives of believers?
The sermon described the Holy Spirit as “practical, personal, and essential for our daily lives.” What are some specific ways the Holy Spirit works in our everyday moments, according to the message? [[31:59]]
Proverbs 3:5-6 talks about “acknowledging” God in all our ways. How did the sermon explain what it really means to acknowledge God? [[33:13]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said the Holy Spirit is our counselor, comforter, and companion. Why do you think Jesus wanted us to have the Holy Spirit instead of just his physical presence? [[24:34]]
The message emphasized that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, not just in big decisions but in small, daily ones. Why is it important to seek the Spirit’s guidance in the “little things” and not just the “big things”? [[33:49]]
The pastor talked about “counterfeit comforts” the world offers. What are some examples of these, and why do they ultimately fail to bring real peace? [[47:36]]
The Holy Spirit’s friendship is described as honest and unconditional. How is this different from most human friendships, and why does that matter for our relationship with God? [[51:16]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “bow to God’s authority” in every area, not just the ones we can’t handle. What is one area of your life where you tend to rely on your own understanding instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? [[33:49]]
When life gets heavy, where do you usually turn for comfort? Are there any “counterfeit comforts” (like food, shopping, relationships, or distractions) you tend to run to instead of the Holy Spirit? What would it look like to turn to the Spirit first? [[47:36]]
The Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture, people, and discernment. Which of these have you experienced most in your life? Is there one you want to grow in listening to more intentionally? [[36:19]]
The message said that knowledge without the Spirit’s wisdom is empty. Is there an area where you have a lot of knowledge but struggle to apply it with wisdom? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you turn knowledge into action this week? [[45:41]]
The Holy Spirit is a friend who tells us the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. Can you think of a time when you sensed the Spirit correcting or challenging you? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [[50:01]]
The pastor described God’s love as “agape”—unconditional and not based on performance. Do you ever struggle to believe that God loves you this way? How might welcoming the Holy Spirit’s presence help you rest in God’s love? [[54:14]]
For those who have never received Jesus, the invitation is to believe, confess, and receive the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit. For those already following Jesus, it’s a call to deeper surrender and daily dependence. Which invitation do you sense God is giving you right now, and what is your next step? [[56:52]]

Sermon Clips

“God is not some abstract thing. He's not a cosmic bully waiting on us to mess up up there. And he's not this abstract reality that uh we just hear about and know about. He loved you so much. Loved us so much. The Bible says that um he knew that we could never come to him. Every other religion on earth, by the way, every other faith on earth says you have to become good enough. You've got to figure out your way to heaven. You've got to figure out your way to God.”

“Only Christianity, only the Bible teaches. Isn't that interesting? Of the hundreds, thousands of different faith groups, only the Bible realizes that God understood we could never come to him. So, he came to us. That's good news, everybody. Uh the problem with that is we have a whole lot of people walking around this world not realizing that he came to us. He wants to be in relationship with you and with me.”

“While Jesus was here on this earth, wherever he was, that's where he was. There wasn't a lot he could do out of that because he was all God. Yes. But he was also all what? Man. He was all man. And so that's why you see throughout the scriptures when Jesus was needed, they had to what? Send for him. You can see when Lazarus was sick, they sent, "Please come. Lazarus is sick. You can't do I need you to be there."”

“This is what's great everybody that that coming to the earth now he is as close as the mention of his name worldwide. Isn't that cool? That's that makes it that makes it useful for us today. And so we're going to be talking a lot about what does it look like for us to encounter God today through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Encountering the Holy Spirit. It's not about your preconceived ideas. It's about, listen to this, it's about propelling believers into the world to share the gospel. Why the Holy Spirit? Jesus said it in Acts chapter 1. I'm going to give you stay here until you receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because you're going to be my witnesses.”

“The Holy Spirit is not weird. He's practical. You want to write that down. Okay, that's going to help you throughout today. He's not weird. He's practical. And what you have been taught or or or maybe you've learned or maybe you have preconceived ideas of what you think about the Holy Spirit based on your faith tradition or where you've grown up. You may not think he's as practical as somebody out of the blue just buying groceries and placing it on your front doorstep.”

“The Holy Spirit's not weird. He's practical. And he works very practically and has worked very practically for 2,000 plus years since God sent him to the church as a gift.”

“He speaks to you. I'll give you a couple ways. Number one, he speaks through scripture. He speaks through the word. Uh no other text, no other text in the history of the world is like the Bible. We have more documented proof, ancient documented proof of the Bible than any other text ever created. And you can take to the bank the authenticity of what's being written, what you're reading in the word of God.”

“The voice of the Holy Spirit will never contradict what you see in scripture. You feel like you maybe maybe the spirit is speaking something to you or telling you something. If it is, if always, always, always. Everybody say always, always always check what you feel with the truth of what you see. Always, always in scripture because he speaks through scripture.”

“We tend to have in our lives, we tend to have small ticket item, big ticket items. Well, I think I can handle this on my own. This part I can handle on my own. I need God to handle the big stuff. handle my career, handle my paycheck, handle where I'm going to live, handle who I'm gonna marry. Like, I I need you to handle those things. I don't I'll come to you when I think it's a big enough thing that I can't handle. I need you to handle. News flash everybody. We can't handle any of it.”

“It's the little things that we do every day, day in and day out, that always accumuls times over the last 20 years. It's the little things, right? Little tweaks lead to high peaks or big old valleys that we dig out ourselves. Because it's those little things that we do every day. And the problem is we think that we only need to acknowledge him in the big things, not recognizing that it's those little things that we do every day over the course of time that lead to those big things.”

“The Holy Spirit, everybody, is on divine assignment in your life. He's in our life. This means this. Listen, I wrote this down. Knowledge apart from wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit is not helpful. We know all kinds of things in this world. And we're ever learning. We're ever learning. We are getting smarter by the day as a society. It's crazy how fast things are spinning and changing.”

“Because there's a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Everybody, knowledge is great, but wisdom is the ability to know what to do with the knowledge that you're given. And we have millions of people, even followers of Jesus, walking around this world, growing in knowledge, growing in knowledge of the word, can quote scripture and can quote the Bible, but lacking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to do anything appropriate with it.”

“I realized in that moment there's nothing they could ever do to stop my love for them. There's nothing that they could do anything. And let's be honest, everybody about the first five and a half years, sometimes the first 15 years of their life, don't they do everything they can get you to do like to make you not like them? I mean, you know, you're just like, my god, what in how do I You're just confused all the time as a parent.”

“You have a God in heaven that loves you unconditionally. We screw that word up here in America. We got one word for love, but there's a word in the Greek that means completely unconditional love. It's called agape love. Maybe you've heard of it. It's it's a love that that defies every other thing. It defies disobedience. It defies bad decisions. I don't care what you do. I will love you and I'll give anything to rescue you at any given point.”

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