Guided by the Holy Spirit: Trust and Boldness
Summary
Today, we gathered to explore the profound journey of being led by the Holy Spirit. We began by celebrating the generosity and love within our community, recognizing how God works through us even when we are unaware of His plans. This was exemplified by the unexpected blessings that arose from our acts of kindness, such as the support provided to a women's shelter in need. These moments remind us that God is always ahead, orchestrating events for His glory and our good.
Our focus then shifted to understanding the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit. This is a crucial step for every believer striving to live a holy and God-honoring life. The world seeks stability, and as followers of Christ, we are called to be constant and consistent, reflecting God's unshakable truth. The Holy Spirit guides us personally, not through control, but by leading and directing us. This guidance is essential for maintaining a life of love, joy, and peace, which in turn becomes a testimony to the world.
We delved into the practical aspects of discerning the Holy Spirit's guidance. This involves being sensitive to His voice, which often comes as an inner witness or intuition. Unlike instinct, which is a physical response, intuition is a spiritual insight that does not require reasoning. It is a divine nudge that we must learn to trust, even when we do not fully understand the reasons behind it. This trust in the Holy Spirit's leading is what enables us to experience spiritual breakthroughs and fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
Finally, we discussed the preparation necessary to be led by the Spirit. This involves a life of constant prayer and communion with God, yielding and surrendering to His will, and walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's plans and open ourselves to His supernatural guidance. As we mature in our faith, we are encouraged to be bold in following the Spirit's leading, trusting that He will direct our paths and use us for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
- Generosity and God's Timing: Our acts of kindness, like supporting the women's shelter, show how God uses our generosity to fulfill needs we may not even be aware of. This reminds us that God is always working ahead of us, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. [12:46]
- Being Led by the Spirit: The Holy Spirit's guidance is essential for living a consistent and stable Christian life. As believers, we are called to reflect God's unshakable truth, providing stability in a world that seeks it. [43:25]
- Trusting Intuition: Intuition, a spiritual insight from God, is distinct from instinct. It requires trust and obedience, even when we do not fully understand the reasons behind it. This trust leads to spiritual breakthroughs and fulfilling God's purpose. [50:19]
- Preparation for Guidance: To be led by the Spirit, we must live a life of prayer, yield to God's will, and walk in the Spirit. This preparation aligns us with God's plans and opens us to His supernatural guidance. [55:09]
- Boldness in Faith: As mature believers, we are encouraged to be bold in following the Spirit's leading. Trusting the Holy Spirit's nudges allows us to experience God's supernatural work in our lives and be used for His glory. [01:01:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
- [03:45] - Acts of Kindness and God's Timing
- [07:20] - God's Guidance in Our Lives
- [12:00] - Introduction to Being Led by the Spirit
- [15:30] - Importance of Consistency and Stability
- [20:00] - Understanding the Holy Spirit's Guidance
- [25:00] - Trusting Intuition and Inner Witness
- [30:00] - Preparation for Spiritual Guidance
- [35:00] - Yielding and Surrendering to God
- [40:00] - Walking in the Spirit
- [45:00] - Boldness in Following the Spirit
- [50:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [55:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Being Led by the Holy Spirit
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:26-28 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2. John 16:12-15 - "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:26-28, how does the Holy Spirit assist us in our weaknesses, and what is the outcome of His intercession? [01:10:14]
2. In John 16:12-15, what role does the Spirit of truth play in guiding believers, and how does He communicate the truth to us? [01:06:08]
3. How did the pastor describe the difference between intuition and instinct in the sermon, and why is intuition important for spiritual guidance? [01:13:28]
4. What examples were given in the sermon of God working ahead of us, orchestrating events for His glory and our good? [01:01:50]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the Holy Spirit's intercession in our lives lead to spiritual breakthroughs, as mentioned in Romans 8:26-28? [01:10:14]
2. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and how can this guidance impact our daily decisions and actions? [01:06:08]
3. Why is it important to distinguish between intuition and instinct when seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, and how can this understanding affect our trust in His leading? [01:13:28]
4. How can recognizing God's orchestration of events in our lives, as discussed in the sermon, change our perspective on challenges and opportunities? [01:01:50]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt a nudge or intuition from the Holy Spirit. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attentive to these nudges in the future? [01:13:28]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of being led by the Spirit to live a consistent and stable Christian life. What specific steps can you take to ensure you are consistently seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily routine? [01:01:50]
3. Consider a time when you struggled to trust God's timing or orchestration of events. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and sovereignty in future situations? [01:01:50]
4. The pastor mentioned the need for a life of constant prayer and communion with God. What changes can you make in your prayer life to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit? [01:26:58]
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own understanding rather than seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God? [01:26:58]
6. How can you cultivate boldness in your faith to follow the Holy Spirit's leading, even when it requires stepping out of your comfort zone? [01:01:50]
7. Think of a person or situation that tests your patience. What specific prayer or action can you take to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in this relationship? [01:26:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity as a Divine Orchestration
Generosity is more than an act of kindness; it is a divine orchestration where God uses our actions to fulfill needs we may not even be aware of. When we support others, like the women's shelter mentioned, we become instruments in God's hands, participating in His plans for His glory and our good. These acts of kindness remind us that God is always working ahead of us, orchestrating events in ways we cannot foresee. By being generous, we align ourselves with God's timing and purpose, allowing Him to work through us in miraculous ways. [12:46]
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity you had to be generous. How might God be using that act to fulfill a need you are unaware of?
Day 2: Stability Through the Spirit's Guidance
Being led by the Holy Spirit is essential for living a consistent and stable Christian life. In a world that seeks stability, believers are called to reflect God's unshakable truth. The Holy Spirit guides us personally, not through control, but by leading and directing us. This guidance helps us maintain a life of love, joy, and peace, which becomes a testimony to the world. As we follow the Spirit's leading, we provide stability and reflect God's truth in a world that desperately needs it. [43:25]
"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." (John 14:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance to bring stability and reflect God's truth?
Day 3: Trusting Spiritual Intuition
Intuition, a spiritual insight from God, is distinct from instinct. It requires trust and obedience, even when we do not fully understand the reasons behind it. This trust in the Holy Spirit's leading enables us to experience spiritual breakthroughs and fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Unlike instinct, which is a physical response, intuition is a divine nudge that we must learn to trust. By doing so, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit's guidance and the fulfillment of God's plans. [50:19]
"For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 2:11, ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt a divine nudge or intuition? How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
Day 4: Preparing for Spiritual Guidance
To be led by the Spirit, we must live a life of prayer, yield to God's will, and walk in the Spirit. This preparation aligns us with God's plans and opens us to His supernatural guidance. By yielding and surrendering to God, we position ourselves to receive His direction and wisdom. Walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh allows us to experience the fullness of God's guidance and purpose for our lives. [55:09]
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to better prepare yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit?
Day 5: Boldness in Following the Spirit
As mature believers, we are encouraged to be bold in following the Spirit's leading. Trusting the Holy Spirit's nudges allows us to experience God's supernatural work in our lives and be used for His glory. This boldness comes from a deep trust in God's plans and a willingness to step out in faith. By following the Spirit's leading, we become active participants in God's work, experiencing His power and presence in new and profound ways. [01:01:50]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to be bold? How can you take a step of faith in that direction today?
Quotes
"You know what you did? You showed your heart of love in so many ways. No one got offended. No, everybody just saw the preciousness of some kids that were happy to be in the house of the Lord. I don't know. As the pastor, it made me a proud papa, you know, to just see that we just went right along with everything. What we didn't know at the moment that I learned later that the mom and the kids both were going through a difficult time in their lives, what we didn't know was that their prayer request was on this altar through someone else for 21 days during the prayer and fasting, and not only has that situation been partly resolved, but the family was back together." [00:15:06] (42 seconds)
"The reason I'm stressing that is I believe that's what the world's looking towards the church for. I believe the world's looking for stability in life. And there's one thing that is always stable and that is God's stability. God's still on the throne. Amen. He's still alive and well, that he's faithful in all of his ways. And because of that, then the body of Christ should also be consistent and constant in not only our walk, but in our voice. We shouldn't be shaken by the things of the world. No matter what's going on in politics, no matter what's going on in third world countries, no matter what's being threatened by weather or anything else, nothing should shake us from our foundation." [00:42:04] (45 seconds)
"And so everything we do has to be built on the word of God and the person of the Holy Spirit who guides us through life so that we can live constant and consistent lives. Let me say this. When we fail to do that, listen to me, listen to me, listen to me. When we fail to live constant, consistent lives, we fail to live constant, consistent lives. We fail to live we become stumbling blocks for the rest of the world." [00:43:51] (27 seconds)
"Now, let's discover some practical ways how to understand this. The Holy Spirit leads and guides, listen to me, but he never, he never controls. True authority, true authority leads and guides. True authority, true authority leads and guides. True authority, true authority leads and guides. Leads and guides and directs but never controls. I learned early on with horses. My uncle raised horses, broke his own horses. I was around them a lot. I learned early on that when they've got the halter on and you've got this piece of rope or leather or whatever it is that has a clip on the end of it and you clip it in, it's called a lead line. Y 'all with me, amen? Diane, it's called a lead line, amen." [00:54:00] (41 seconds)
"he works by giving revelation which helps us to willingly somebody say willingly willingly yield to him so that he may work not only in us but through us secondly or be the holy spirit guides us personally now listen to this this is going this is going to shock some of you how many of you know that the principles of god work for anyone how many of you know that the principles of god work for anyone how many of you know that the principles of god work for anyone i i've seen people being blessed i i've seen people being blessed i i've seen people being blessed financially that were not christians are y 'all listening to me financially that were not christians are y 'all listening to me financially that were not christians are y 'all listening to me they were not christians but they they were not christians but they they were not christians but they knew enough about christianity that they knew enough about christianity that they tithe on a regular basis and god blessed tithe on a regular basis and god blessed them" [00:57:19] (43 seconds)
"of god are different the principles were but even the principles in your life listen those things that are corporately are different than the personal pieces of those things somebody has said again to live according to god's principles is to live by what he said and again living by the guidance of the holy spirit is for the children of god because it involves what god is doing in the right now moment of your life however living by the guidance of the holy spirit is for the children of god listen and don't miss this following his guidance accelerate spiritual breakthroughs in every stagnant area of your life giving direction for reaching our destiny and enabling us to complete the purpose that god designed us for so principles let's do this thing this way principles could be defined this way the principles of god would be the big road map that you have you young kids never seen a road map probably a big one back in the day man you get in the car and you're in the car and you're in the car and you're in the car and you're in the car and you're and you look in the glove box, and you had about six, one for every state that you were going to go in, and you unfolded that thing, and the person in the passenger seat would be trying to navigate the route, but that thing would be unfolded. The driver couldn't even see around it hardly to see where they were going." [00:58:13] (77 seconds)
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