Guided by the Holy Spirit: Our Spiritual Journey
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the concept of spiritual direction and how the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding us. We began by discussing how some people are naturally good with physical directions, while others, like myself, often get lost. This led us to the idea that we all need help with spiritual direction at times. Many of us have felt lost in life, whether before knowing God's grace or even while succeeding in various aspects of life but still feeling something was missing.
We delved into the role of the Holy Spirit, who is active and present in our lives, guiding us even before we realize it. The Holy Spirit helps us discern God's will and provides us with spiritual gifts. We looked at 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul speaks to the young believers in Corinth, reminding them that their transformation and understanding of Jesus as Lord came through the Holy Spirit, not their own wisdom or Paul's eloquence.
Paul emphasized that the Holy Spirit is a gift giver and a guide, preparing the way for us to understand and accept God's grace. This divine guidance is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process throughout our lives. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, helps us understand righteousness, and guides us in making decisions that align with God's will.
We also discussed how God interacts with us individually, knowing our unique personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Just as a gardener uses different fertilizers for different plants, God uses various means to prepare the soil of our hearts. The Holy Spirit is our helper, much like a parent teaching a child to ride a bike, guiding and supporting us while we learn to trust and follow God's lead.
Finally, we touched on the importance of discerning the Holy Spirit's voice, which never contradicts God's Word. The Holy Spirit prompts us to love, serve, and forgive, continually inviting us to respond to God's call. My challenge to you today is to consider where you are on your journey with God and the Holy Spirit. Are you ready to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life?
### Key Takeaways
1. The Holy Spirit as a Guide: The Holy Spirit is actively involved in our lives, guiding us even before we realize it. This divine guidance helps us discern God's will and provides us with spiritual gifts that are essential for our growth and service to others. The Holy Spirit's role is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that continually shapes our spiritual journey. [33:16]
2. Transformation Through the Holy Spirit: Our understanding of Jesus as Lord and our transformation into believers is a result of the Holy Spirit's work, not our own wisdom or the eloquence of any teacher. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit's role in our spiritual awakening and ongoing growth. [35:50]
3. Individual Interaction with God: God interacts with us uniquely, knowing our individual personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Just as a gardener uses different fertilizers for different plants, God uses various means to prepare the soil of our hearts, ensuring that we grow in our relationship with Him. [47:00]
4. The Holy Spirit as a Helper: The Holy Spirit is our helper, much like a parent teaching a child to ride a bike. This relationship requires us to trust and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing us to grow and thrive in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit's help is ongoing, continually teaching and guiding us. [49:32]
5. Discerning the Holy Spirit's Voice: The Holy Spirit never contradicts God's Word. When we feel a prompting that aligns with Scripture, it is likely from the Holy Spirit. This divine guidance often challenges us to love, serve, and forgive, inviting us to respond to God's call and live a life that thrives under His leadership. [52:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:10] - Directionally Gifted
[31:06] - Getting Lost in the Park
[32:21] - Spiritual Direction
[33:16] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[34:32] - Discerning God's Voice
[35:27] - 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
[36:16] - Personal Transformation
[37:12] - Life-Changing Experiences
[38:18] - Understanding the Holy Spirit
[39:25] - Worship in Corinth
[40:02] - Paul's Radical Change
[41:10] - Demonstration of the Spirit's Power
[42:40] - Gifts of the Holy Spirit
[44:05] - The Fall and Redemption
[45:35] - Individual Relationship with God
[47:00] - Preparing the Soil of Our Hearts
[48:28] - The Holy Spirit as a Helper
[49:32] - Learning to Ride a Bike
[50:58] - Ongoing Dependency on the Holy Spirit
[52:14] - Discerning the Holy Spirit's Voice
[53:28] - Responding to God's Call
[54:29] - Acknowledging Jesus as Lord
[55:10] - Living Under God's Leadership
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (NIV)
> "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
2. John 16:7-8 (NIV)
> "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, what role does the Holy Spirit play in a believer's ability to declare "Jesus is Lord"?
2. In John 16:7-8, what does Jesus say about the necessity of His departure for the Holy Spirit to come?
3. How does the sermon describe the Holy Spirit's role in guiding us, similar to a parent teaching a child to ride a bike? [49:32]
4. What are some ways the Holy Spirit helps us discern God's will according to the sermon? [33:39]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:3? How does this emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in our spiritual journey?
2. How does Jesus' statement in John 16:7-8 about the Holy Spirit being an Advocate or Helper change our understanding of His role in our lives?
3. The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit never contradicts God's Word. How can this principle help us discern whether a prompting is from the Holy Spirit? [52:14]
4. How does the analogy of the Holy Spirit as a parent teaching a child to ride a bike help us understand our relationship with the Holy Spirit? [49:32]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost or unsure about a decision. How did you seek spiritual direction, and what role did the Holy Spirit play in guiding you? [32:21]
2. The sermon challenges us to consider where we are on our journey with God and the Holy Spirit. Are you ready to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [54:29]
3. Think about a recent situation where you felt a prompting to act in love, serve, or forgive. How did you respond, and how can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in the future? [52:14]
4. The sermon mentions that God interacts with us uniquely, knowing our individual personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. How has God uniquely prepared the soil of your heart, and how can you be more receptive to His guidance? [47:00]
5. The Holy Spirit is described as a helper who continually teaches and guides us. What are some practical ways you can rely more on the Holy Spirit's help in your daily life? [50:58]
6. How can you create space in your life to be still and listen for the Holy Spirit's voice, especially in a world full of distractions? [53:28]
7. The sermon encourages us to respond to God's call and live a life that thrives under His leadership. What specific steps can you take this week to respond to the Holy Spirit's invitations in your life? [55:10]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit as Our Ever-Present Guide
The Holy Spirit is actively involved in our lives, guiding us even before we realize it. This divine guidance helps us discern God's will and provides us with spiritual gifts that are essential for our growth and service to others. The Holy Spirit's role is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that continually shapes our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit's guidance is like a compass, always pointing us toward God's will, even when we feel lost or uncertain. This ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for our spiritual development and our ability to serve others effectively.
[33:16]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you had to make. How did you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in that situation? What steps can you take to be more attuned to the Holy Spirit's direction in your daily life?
Day 2: Transformation Through the Holy Spirit
Our understanding of Jesus as Lord and our transformation into believers is a result of the Holy Spirit's work, not our own wisdom or the eloquence of any teacher. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit's role in our spiritual awakening and ongoing growth. The Holy Spirit works within us to bring about a transformation that aligns us with God's will, often in ways we cannot fully comprehend. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand and accept Jesus as Lord.
[35:50]
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt a significant change in your understanding of Jesus. How did the Holy Spirit play a role in that transformation? What can you do to remain open to the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in your life?
Day 3: Individual Interaction with God
God interacts with us uniquely, knowing our individual personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Just as a gardener uses different fertilizers for different plants, God uses various means to prepare the soil of our hearts, ensuring that we grow in our relationship with Him. This personalized approach highlights God's intimate knowledge of us and His desire to nurture our spiritual growth in ways that are most effective for each of us. Understanding this can help us appreciate the unique ways God works in our lives and the lives of others.
[47:00]
Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
Reflection: Consider the unique ways God has interacted with you based on your personality and life circumstances. How can you be more receptive to the specific ways God is preparing the soil of your heart for growth?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit as a Helper
The Holy Spirit is our helper, much like a parent teaching a child to ride a bike. This relationship requires us to trust and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing us to grow and thrive in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit's help is ongoing, continually teaching and guiding us. This analogy helps us understand the nurturing and supportive role of the Holy Spirit, who is always there to assist us, especially when we face challenges or uncertainties in our spiritual walk.
[49:32]
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: Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit's help in a challenging situation. How did that experience strengthen your trust in the Holy Spirit? What can you do to rely more on the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life?
Day 5: Discerning the Holy Spirit's Voice
The Holy Spirit never contradicts God's Word. When we feel a prompting that aligns with Scripture, it is likely from the Holy Spirit. This divine guidance often challenges us to love, serve, and forgive, inviting us to respond to God's call and live a life that thrives under His leadership. Discerning the Holy Spirit's voice requires us to be familiar with God's Word and to be attentive to the ways the Holy Spirit prompts us to act in accordance with it.
[52:14]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent prompting you felt that aligned with Scripture. How did you respond to it? What practices can you adopt to better discern the Holy Spirit's voice in your life?
Quotes
1. "The good news is that you don't have to figure it out all on your own. God is at work in our lives even before we know he is. We just started a series last week on the Holy Spirit and we talked about how the Holy Spirit is lovingly active and present in our lives. The Holy Spirit is active in our lives." [33:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Maybe we used to be fearful but now we have more courage when we step into a challenging situation. Maybe we used to constantly look to a relationship to fill an intense void in our lives but now we don't do that nearly as much because we see that God has filled that space within us. Maybe you struggled with unforgiveness before but now you have grace that you can extend to yourself and others around you." [37:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul wants them to know that he is not the hero of their story. Paul's motivation is for them to know the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit was crucial in their lives, moving them. He's preparing them to even hear the message that Paul brought. Looking back on a couple of verses that we examined this morning. Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. And no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." [42:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Often, we are completely unaware of the compassion of God and how it's moving toward us and going before us, preparing a way, just like someone prepared the way on that hike that I was on. Putting that marker up, the Holy Spirit does that for us, giving us every opportunity to learn of the grace and redemption that there is in Christ. This is the very nature of the Holy Spirit. This is the very nature of God." [43:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "One of the things that is so cool about God is that he loves us individually and uniquely. He made us with our unique personalities, our giftings, our passions, but he also knows where we struggle. If I were to ask each of you how you first came to know God and how you were first impacted by your love, I would have hundreds of different answers here in this room. That's because God doesn't create us using cookie cutters. He reacts to us individually. God is all about relationship." [45:35] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The Holy Spirit paves the way. He draws us. He invites us into a relationship with God. He allows us to see the need that we have for him. The passage in John that we were just looking at goes on to say that the Holy Spirit will convict us. Good. That's exciting. Will convict us regarding sin and righteousness and judgment. But honestly, that's not meant to be a buzzkill. We can't come to the Lord and receive his grace without first realizing our very big need for it." [49:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "My encouragement to you today is that if you've ever wondered if the Holy Spirit has ever spoken to you, then my answer is yes. Maybe he's speaking to you right now. If you feel like you have a hard time discerning when he's speaking, the good news We can ask God to attune our ears to hear him. He desires us to hear his voice. Sometimes the issue is taking the time to be still, to put down our smart devices, to ask God before we ask all our friends and Google." [53:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "There are so many things that God will invite us to. He will continue to give us invitations. And every time we have the choice of whether to numb our ears to his promptings or to live a life that thrives under God's leadership, what will you choose today?" [55:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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