The Heart of God | Pastor Kevin Shindoll | January 18, 2026

God’s heart is portrayed as relentlessly relational: a God who comes near, dwells with humanity, and pursues restoration. From the birth-name Emmanuel to Jesus’ promise of the abiding Comforter and the Old Testament assurances of presence, God’s defining posture toward mankind is togetherness. Humanity was made for communion, and every redemptive act in Scripture—sacrifice, covenant, deliverance—clarifies that God desires not distance but intimacy. The divine aim is not abstract doctrine but a tangible, present fellowship that relieves shame, heals wounds, and reassigns identity to the lost.

This theology of nearness shows up in practical invitation: baptism “in Jesus’ name,” reception of the Holy Ghost through repentance, and open altars for healing and restoration. The Spirit is not merely an idea but an indwelling reality that comforts, empowers speech, and restores agency to the weak. Personal testimony underscores the doctrine—an encounter in a shabby classroom becomes proof that God meets people where they are, turning midnight despair into tears of relief and renewed purpose.

The narrative also emphasizes pastoral urgency: God’s promises to the patriarchs are the same promises extended to new generations; the God who guided Israel, walked through storms with the disciples, and ran to embrace the prodigal, continues to seek people today. Repentance is framed not as mere moral correction but as the doorway back into relational reality with God—where shame is unstitched and identity is reclaimed. The congregation is invited to respond concretely (baptism, prayer, receiving the Spirit), but the deeper call is to recognize and accept that God’s posture toward individuals is one of pursuit, provision, and presence. This is a God who will not abandon as an orphan, who will be with people in trial and in ordinary life, and who delights in restoring those who return.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God is Emmanuel: God with us God’s name as Emmanuel signals an ongoing, not occasional, presence; divine nearness was the plan from Eden through Calvary and into the present day. This nearness reshapes worship: it moves theology from speculation to relational attention, asking people to live as those already held by God rather than trying to earn proximity. The biblical promises to the patriarchs and to Jesus’ followers make being “with” someone the primary way God acts in history. [51:16]
• 2. The Spirit remains and comforts The Spirit is presented as an abiding inner presence that continues Jesus’ work of comfort and instruction; comfort is not sentimental but transformative, enabling speech, endurance, and re-entry into God’s life. Receiving the Spirit is described as a moment of practical restoration—repentance unlocks the indwelling reality that changes how one prays, perceives, and perseveres. This presence removes orphanhood and cultivates courage in trial. [51:47]
• 3. God pursues the prodigal heart Divine pursuit is depicted as proactive, shaming neither the returner nor excusing sin, but prioritizing reconciliation over recrimination. The prodigal’s story illustrates that God’s initiative often precedes human readiness: mercy meets confession, restores identity, and reframes failure as recoverable. This pursuit reframes shame into welcome and offers a concrete pattern for returning to communion. [84:24]
• 4. Repentance opens the door to restoration Repentance here functions as the practical response that re-enters a person into God’s intended fellowship; it is not performative penance but an enabling turn toward baptism, Spirit-filling, and renewed vocation. The altar call, baptismal opportunity, and invitation to speak in tongues are presented as coordinated means by which relational restoration is enacted and verified. True restoration restores name, purpose, and belonging. [43:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [40:52] - Opening Praise and Worship
• [41:32] - Invitation: Healing and Salvation
• [42:38] - Why Baptize in Jesus' Name
• [43:33] - How to Receive the Holy Ghost
• [45:54] - February 1 Special Service Announcement
• [50:50] - Sermon Introduction: The Heart of God
• [51:16] - Emmanuel: God With Us
• [53:45] - The Spirit Dwells Within
• [55:45] - Creation, Communion, and Purpose
• [61:08] - God’s Promises Across Generations
• [84:24] - The Prodigal: Restoration Portrait
• [86:23] - Altar Call: Baptism and Filling

Bible reading

Matthew 1:23 (ESV)
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

John 14:16–18 (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. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Observation questions

1. According to Matthew 1:23, what is the specific interpretation given for the name "Emmanuel"?
2. In John 14:18, Jesus makes a specific promise about how He will not leave His disciples. What is the condition He promises to avoid leaving them in?
3. The sermon lists several patriarchs like Isaac, Jacob, and Joshua who received a specific promise from God. What was the recurring promise given to each of them? [59:16]
4. In the story of the Prodigal Son described in the message, how did the father respond when he saw his son coming down the road, and what did he do regarding the son's apology? [01:24:24]

Interpretation questions

1. The sermon suggests that from the moment Adam and Eve failed, God already had a plan to restore relationship. Why does God prioritize "communion" and "togetherness" over simply punishing sin or remaining distant? [55:09]
2. Jesus says the Spirit will "dwell with you and shall be in you." How does this internal presence of the Spirit differ from the way God walked with Adam in the garden or appeared to the prophets in the Old Testament? [51:47]
3. The sermon describes the father running to the Prodigal Son and ignoring his apology to instead restore his identity. What does this reveal about God's attitude toward our past mistakes when we decide to return to Him? [01:24:24]
4. Hebrews 13:5 connects being content with what we have to the promise that God will never leave us. How does the assurance of God's constant presence provide a sense of security that material things cannot?

Application questions

1. God’s heart is described as "relentlessly relational," constantly pursuing us. [53:45] Have there been times in your life where you felt God "wooing" or drawing you back to Him, even when you were distracted or drifting?
2. We were created for communion, yet shame often makes us want to hide like Adam did. [01:23:22] Is there a specific area of your life where you feel the urge to hide from God, and what would it look like to invite Him into that space today?
3. God often meets people in ordinary or even "shabby" places, like a classroom at 2 AM, rather than just in perfect church settings. [01:17:56] Do you tend to wait for a perfect moment to connect with God, or have you learned to find Him in the middle of your messy, daily routine?
4. Repentance is framed not just as saying sorry, but as the doorway back into a relationship with God. [43:33] If you were to be honest about your current spiritual state, does your relationship with God feel distant or close right now? What is one step you could take this week to "return" to that closeness?
5. The promise "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" is meant to cure the feeling of being a spiritual orphan. [53:26] In moments of stress or loneliness, do you truly believe you are not alone? How can this group help remind you of that reality when life gets difficult?
6. The father in the Prodigal Son story ran to his son and restored his identity immediately. [01:24:40] Is there a past failure you are holding onto that God has already forgiven? How can you accept His restoration of your identity today?