Finding Hope and Purpose Through the Holy Spirit

Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound emotions of feeling lost, lonely, worried, and wearied, which are prevalent in our society and even within our church community. These feelings are a reflection of living in a broken world marred by sin. We delved into John 14, where Jesus comforts His disciples who are anxious about His impending departure. Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, a Helper who will be with them and in them, teaching them and reminding them of His teachings.

We discussed the nature of the Trinity, emphasizing the unity and community within the Godhead, and how this divine relationship extends to us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's presence in our lives defines our purpose and propels us to live out God's commandments. This divine presence is not limited by physical boundaries, unlike Jesus' earthly ministry, but is omnipresent, filling every space and empowering every believer.

The sermon highlighted the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who not only teaches us but also empowers us to live out the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This transformation is evident in our daily lives and interactions, reflecting God's character to the world.

We also touched on the hope that the Holy Spirit instills in us, a hope that acknowledges the brokenness of the world but remains steadfast in the promise of God's ultimate victory and restoration. This hope empowers us to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Reality of a Broken World: We live in a world filled with sin, which manifests in feelings of being lost, lonely, worried, and wearied. These emotions are a natural response to the brokenness around us, but they also remind us of our need for God's presence and guidance. [03:23]

2. The Promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit, a Helper who would be with them and in them. This promise extends to us today, assuring us that we are never alone and that we have divine guidance and empowerment to live out God's commandments. [07:07]

3. The Transformative Power of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit not only teaches us but also transforms us from within, enabling us to live out the fruits of the Spirit. This transformation is a testament to God's presence in our lives and a powerful witness to the world. [15:11]

4. Living with Purpose and Power: The presence of the Holy Spirit defines our purpose and propels us to live out God's mission. This includes being witnesses of Jesus Christ, empowered to share the gospel and reflect God's glory in our daily lives. [22:44]

5. Hope in the Midst of Brokenness: The Holy Spirit instills in us a hope that acknowledges the brokenness of the world but remains confident in God's ultimate victory and restoration. This hope empowers us to be agents of change, reflecting God's love and truth in a world that desperately needs it. [30:28]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - The Reality of a Broken World
[03:23] - Emotions of a Broken World
[04:52] - Jesus' Comfort in John 14
[07:07] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[08:49] - The Nature of the Trinity
[10:42] - God's Omnipresence
[12:12] - Jesus' Earthly Ministry
[13:40] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[15:11] - The Spirit's Transformative Power
[16:41] - Living with Purpose
[18:03] - The Spirit's Empowerment
[19:38] - The Day of Pentecost
[20:57] - The Spirit Seals Us
[22:44] - The Mission of the Church
[24:07] - Reflecting God's Character
[25:59] - Practical Applications
[27:22] - Teaching and Modeling
[29:07] - The Spirit's Presence in Our Lives
[30:28] - Hope in the Midst of Brokenness
[31:48] - Being Salt and Light
[33:22] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:15-26
2. Galatians 5:22-23
3. Romans 15:13

#### Observation Questions
1. In John 14:15-26, what does Jesus promise to His disciples, and how does He describe the role of the Holy Spirit?
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and how are they contrasted with the works of the flesh?
3. In Romans 15:13, what does Paul say about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and hope?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14 provide comfort to the disciples who were anxious about Jesus' departure?
2. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to "teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:26)? How does this apply to us today?
3. How can the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 be seen as evidence of the Holy Spirit's transformative power in a believer's life?
4. Romans 15:13 speaks of abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. How does this hope differ from worldly optimism or denial of reality?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost, lonely, worried, or wearied. How did you seek comfort, and how might the promise of the Holy Spirit change your approach in the future?
2. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be with us and in us. How does this truth impact your daily life and decisions? Can you think of a specific situation where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's guidance?
3. The sermon emphasized the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Choose one fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 that you feel you need to cultivate more in your life. What practical steps can you take this week to develop this fruit?
4. The presence of the Holy Spirit defines our purpose and propels us to live out God's commandments. How can you be more intentional about living out your faith in your workplace, school, or community?
5. The sermon mentioned the hope that the Holy Spirit instills in us, even in the midst of a broken world. How can you be a source of hope and encouragement to someone who is struggling with feelings of despair or hopelessness?
6. Reflect on the mission of the church to be salt and light in the world. What is one specific way you can contribute to this mission in your local community or church?
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of being witnesses of Jesus Christ. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you share the love and truth of Jesus with them this week in a meaningful way?

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Brokenness
In a world marred by sin, feelings of being lost, lonely, worried, and wearied are common. These emotions are a natural response to the brokenness around us, but they also serve as a reminder of our need for God's presence and guidance. Acknowledging our brokenness is the first step towards seeking divine comfort and healing. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we can truly experience God's grace and love, as He meets us in our pain and offers us hope and restoration. [03:23]

Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."

Reflection: What specific feelings of brokenness are you experiencing today? How can you invite God into these areas to bring comfort and healing?

Day 2: The Ever-Present Helper
Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit, a Helper who would be with them and in them. This promise extends to us today, assuring us that we are never alone and that we have divine guidance and empowerment to live out God's commandments. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is a constant source of comfort and strength, enabling us to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and faith. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and purpose, knowing that God is always with us. [07:07]

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 ways do you sense the Holy Spirit's presence in your life? How can you become more aware of and responsive to His guidance today?

Day 3: Transformation Through the Spirit
The Holy Spirit not only teaches us but also transforms us from within, enabling us to live out the fruits of the Spirit. This transformation is a testament to God's presence in our lives and a powerful witness to the world. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we begin to reflect God's character more clearly, demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our daily interactions. This inner transformation is a continuous process that draws us closer to God and makes us more effective in our witness to others. [15:11]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit in your life?

Day 4: Living with Divine Purpose
The presence of the Holy Spirit defines our purpose and propels us to live out God's mission. This includes being witnesses of Jesus Christ, empowered to share the gospel and reflect God's glory in our daily lives. Our purpose is not just to exist but to actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world. As we embrace this divine calling, we find fulfillment and joy in serving others and advancing God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit equips us with the necessary gifts and strength to carry out this mission effectively. [22:44]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission today? What specific steps can you take to share the gospel and reflect God's glory in your community?

Day 5: Hope Amidst Brokenness
The Holy Spirit instills in us a hope that acknowledges the brokenness of the world but remains confident in God's ultimate victory and restoration. This hope empowers us to be agents of change, reflecting God's love and truth in a world that desperately needs it. Even in the midst of trials and suffering, we can hold onto the promise of God's redemption and the assurance that He is working all things for good. This hope not only sustains us but also inspires us to bring hope to others, pointing them to the source of true and lasting peace. [30:28]

Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's hope? How can you share this hope with someone who is struggling today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Lost, lonely, worried, and wearied. These are the emotions I think about when I think about the statistics I see for our nation, when I think about the people in this room. And some of you have things going on pretty well, right? You got the promotion, your kids are doing well, they got the good grades, and life is on its way, and yet you're still so busy that when someone asks you how you are, you answer busy. It's not really a way to feel, is it?" [01:43] ( | | )

2. "We were created to be in the presence of God. We were created to have communion with God. And for the first time at this point, the disciples get to experience a taste of Walking with Jesus, listening to Jesus, living with Jesus, ministering with Jesus the most fullest extent that mankind has experienced it since Adam, since before the fall. And so when Jesus says that he is going to go, they're terrified. They're frustrated. They're confused, and they're worried." [08:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our lives as Christians, as followers of Jesus, are marked by the presence and the power of the Spirit of the living God. Jesus says that if you're a disciple, you should know his community. You should know his community. You should know his community. You should know his commandments. You should obey his commandments. If you love me, you will live like me." [13:40] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Spirit imparts on us the power to reflect God's character to the world and to others around us. Now understand this, if you go back in Galatians 5, we won't look at it too much today, but there's this other list, this list of natural ways for people to react and live. A list of anger and self-centeredness and greed and lust and basically the ways that everyone outside these walls and every single one of us in these walls is tempted to live." [25:59] ( | | )

5. "We have a God who is overcoming those things. We have a God who is in us and transforming us and working through churches in our city, in our country, and around the world to see restoration and renewal take place. We have a God who has given us life from death. We have a God who has overcome the grave in Jesus, who has given resurrection and a hope for eternity. We have a God who is in us and with us in such a way that we can be empowered to have hope." [30:28] ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "The beauty of this picture is that God is omnipresent, right? So before entering into the earth, God was continuing to be omnipresent. Before Jesus took on flesh, God was omnipresent. What that means is that God is everywhere. Now, what this doesn't mean is that God is in the trees, right? God is not in the trees in the sense that we see of the beauty and the majesty of like the redwoods or sequoias and an overwhelming sense of this spirit in this massive tree in which there's this spiritual connection of some sort." [10:42] ( | | )

2. "The Spirit, the presence of God's Spirit defines our purpose, right? So if broadly, if our purpose as people, our purpose is being created in the image of God, is to have communion with God and to reflect his glory to others around us, the presence of God's Spirit in us and with us will empower us to do that. First and foremost, by defining what it looks like, right? The way that this looks as a husband, as a father, might be slightly different than as a mother and a wife." [16:41] ( | | )

3. "The beauty of the gift of the Spirit, this helper, this advocate, is that he can simultaneously do that for each and every single one of us in this room and do that around the world for every believer who has been transformed, who has put their faith in Jesus, who has heard the gospel and believed. Simultaneously, because he's omnipresent. He's with us and he is in us and he is not bound by flesh. This is the promise of a helper who can actually help us." [18:03] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And in the moment, and I'll read a verse from this section in just a second. In the moment when the disciples are gathered and they're praying and they're seeking the Lord and trying to understand what are they supposed to do? Jesus, through the Father, sends the Holy Spirit and the Spirit descends on people and they begin to proclaim the glory of God, right? And once... One person stands and declares God, his glory, his righteousness, another person in a completely different language." [19:38] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are empowered to have hope. Verse 13 says this, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Look, there is a hope that comes from foolishness. There's a hope that says, I'm going to stick my head in the sand. I'm going to ignore everything around me. I'm going to pretend like everything is fine and just act like I have a lot of hope, like I have a lot of joy, like I don't see anything wrong in the world." [30:28] ( | | )

Chatbot

Transcript

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