Honouring the Holy Spirit: Embracing Our Divine Identity

Summary

The focus today is on honouring the Holy Spirit and understanding His vital role in our lives. Everything begins with Jesus—He is the one who has provided for us, and it is through Him that we have access to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Honouring the Holy Spirit is not just about outward gestures, but about placing true value on Him, making room for Him, and allowing Him to shape our lives. Honour, in the biblical sense, means to give weight and significance, to treat someone or something as meaningful and substantial. When we honour the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to His influence, guidance, and transformation.

God’s plan for us is twofold: first, that we become His dwelling place—a temple for His Spirit; and second, that we become sons and daughters who build His house and carry His nature. The journey of faith is not static; it is a continual process of becoming, growing, and serving. The Holy Spirit is central to this journey. Jesus promised not to leave us as orphans, but to send the Holy Spirit to father us, to provide, protect, guide, and strengthen us. The biblical concept of an orphan is someone who has lost their source of identity, protection, and provision. In contrast, the Holy Spirit restores our identity as children of God and leads us into maturity.

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person—sensitive, powerful, and deeply involved in our lives. He is the one who reveals the Father to us, teaches us, and empowers us to serve. The feasts of Israel illustrate the stages of our spiritual journey: Passover (the Spirit within, giving us a new identity), Pentecost (the Spirit upon, empowering us to serve), and Tabernacles (the coming glory and reward for those who have been faithful). Our responsibility is to honour the Holy Spirit, to remain learners, and to respond to His leading. This is how we grow, serve, and prepare for the inheritance God has for us. Each of us has a unique destiny, and it is through relationship with the Holy Spirit that we discover and fulfill it.

Key Takeaways

- Honour is the foundation for relationship with God and others. To honour is to place true value and significance on someone, which opens the door for deeper connection and influence. Dishonour, on the other hand, causes distance and loss of access. The way we honour the Holy Spirit determines how much of His presence and power we experience in our lives. [01:03:33]

- The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to father us—to provide, protect, guide, and strengthen us as we grow into maturity. Even if we have lacked a natural father or experienced brokenness, the Holy Spirit steps in to heal, restore, and lead us into our true identity as sons and daughters of God. This fathering is essential for overcoming the orphan spirit and living out our calling. [01:27:34]

- The journey of faith is a continual process of becoming and serving. The Holy Spirit dwells within us to transform our character and comes upon us to empower us for service. Stagnation comes when we stop learning and responding to the Spirit; growth and fruitfulness come when we remain humble, teachable, and open to His leading. [01:35:18]

- The biblical feasts illustrate the stages of our spiritual life: Passover (new identity in Christ), Pentecost (empowerment for service), and Tabernacles (future glory and reward). Each stage requires a response to the Holy Spirit—receiving, growing, and serving. Our present faithfulness and responsiveness to the Spirit prepare us for the fullness of what God has planned. [01:47:46]

- Every believer has a unique destiny and calling, crafted by God before birth. The Holy Spirit is the one who reveals this purpose, heals our wounds, and equips us to walk it out. Our responsibility is to say “yes” to His leading, honour His presence, and allow Him to father us into the fullness of our inheritance. [01:56:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00:15] - The Power of Saying Yes to Jesus
[01:02:14] - What It Means to Honour
[01:03:33] - Honour and Access in Relationships
[01:05:15] - Honouring the Holy Spirit
[01:07:36] - You Are God’s Temple
[01:09:58] - Sons and Daughters: Builders of God’s House
[01:12:24] - The Journey of Becoming
[01:19:41] - Jesus Will Not Leave Us Orphans
[01:22:47] - The Father’s Role and the Holy Spirit’s Fathering
[01:27:34] - The Holy Spirit as Our Father
[01:31:15] - Honouring the Holy Spirit in Daily Life
[01:33:03] - The Person and Sensitivity of the Holy Spirit
[01:35:18] - Lifelong Learning and Spiritual Growth
[01:38:25] - The Feasts of the Lord: God’s Redemptive Plan
[01:40:44] - Passover: New Identity in Christ
[01:46:45] - Pentecost: Empowered to Serve
[01:47:46] - Tabernacles: The Coming Glory and Reward
[01:56:48] - Responding to God’s Call and Destiny
[02:02:17] - Invitation and Prayer for Salvation
[02:04:20] - Ministry and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Honouring the Holy Spirit

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### Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)
> What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
> “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
> and I will be their God,
> and they shall be my people.
> Therefore go out from their midst,
> and be separate from them, says the Lord,
> and touch no unclean thing;
> then I will welcome you,
> and I will be a father to you,
> and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
> says the Lord Almighty.”

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.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, what two pictures does Paul use to describe our relationship with God? ([01:05:15])
2. According to John 14:16-18, what does Jesus promise his disciples about the Holy Spirit? ([01:12:24])
3. In the sermon, what does the word “honour” mean in both the Old and New Testament context? ([01:02:14])
4. What is the biblical meaning of being an “orphan” as explained in the sermon? ([01:19:41])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that honouring the Holy Spirit is more than outward gestures. What does it mean to truly honour Him in our daily lives? ([01:31:15])
2. How does the Holy Spirit “father” us, especially for those who have experienced brokenness or lacked a natural father? ([01:27:34])
3. The sermon describes the journey of faith as a continual process of becoming and serving. What might cause someone to become stagnant in this journey, and how does the Holy Spirit help us avoid that? ([01:35:18])
4. The feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles are used as illustrations of our spiritual journey. What does each feast represent in the life of a believer? ([01:40:44])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon teaches that honour opens the door for deeper connection and influence, while dishonour causes distance. Is there an area in your life where you have not truly honoured the Holy Spirit? What would it look like to change that this week? ([01:03:33])
2. The Holy Spirit’s role is to father us—providing, protecting, guiding, and strengthening. Can you think of a recent situation where you needed guidance or comfort? How might you invite the Holy Spirit to “father” you in similar moments going forward? ([01:27:34])
3. The speaker warns about the danger of becoming stagnant in our faith. Are there signs in your life that you have stopped learning or growing spiritually? What is one practical step you can take to become a learner again? ([01:35:18])
4. The sermon says that the Holy Spirit is sensitive and can be grieved or quenched. Are there attitudes or habits in your life that might be grieving the Holy Spirit? What is one thing you could do differently this week to honour His presence? ([01:33:03])
5. The feasts illustrate stages of spiritual growth: new identity, empowerment, and future reward. Which stage do you feel you are in right now, and what is one way you can respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in this season? ([01:47:46])
6. Every believer has a unique destiny and calling. Do you have a sense of what God has called you to? If not, how can you begin to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in discovering your purpose? ([01:56:48])
7. The sermon encourages us to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Is there something you sense God is asking you to do, but you have been hesitant? What would it look like to say “yes” this week? ([01:54:25])

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Devotional

Day 1: Honouring the Holy Spirit—Welcoming God’s Presence

To honour the Holy Spirit is to place great value on His presence, to welcome Him, and to make room for Him in every area of your life. When you honour the Holy Spirit, you are not just giving Him a polite acknowledgment, but you are inviting Him to be the guiding and empowering force within you. This means being attentive to His voice, sensitive to His leading, and grateful for His work in your heart. Dishonour, on the other hand, treats His presence as insignificant, leading to a diminished experience of His power and guidance. The more you honour the Holy Spirit, the more you will experience His nearness, wisdom, and transforming power in your daily walk. [01:03:33]

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)
“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’”

Reflection: In what practical way can you honour the Holy Spirit today—perhaps by setting aside time to listen for His voice, or by removing something from your life that hinders His presence?


Day 2: The Holy Spirit—Our Helper and Spiritual Father

Jesus promised that He would not leave us as orphans, but would send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Comforter, and spiritual Father. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but a personal presence who comes alongside to guide, protect, provide, and nurture us into maturity. Where there has been abandonment, loss, or a sense of being unprotected, the Holy Spirit steps in to restore identity, security, and belonging. He is the one who fathers us, teaching us who we are in Christ and leading us into the fullness of our inheritance as sons and daughters of God. [01:22:47]

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.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel alone or unprotected? Invite the Holy Spirit to father you in that area and ask Him to reveal your true identity as God’s beloved child.


Day 3: Becoming a Dwelling Place—Living as God’s Temple

God’s plan is not just to get you to heaven, but to bring heaven to earth through you by making you His temple—a dwelling place for His Spirit. As a believer, you carry the presence of God wherever you go, and your life is meant to reflect His glory and character. This calling invites you to keep your life clean, to let go of bitterness, anger, and old baggage, so that God’s presence can fill you more fully. You are not meant to be a haunted house full of old wounds, but a living temple where God’s Spirit is at home, transforming you and those around you. [01:07:36]

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

Reflection: What “baggage” or old wounds might be cluttering your heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you release these things so you can be a true dwelling place for His presence.


Day 4: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Serve and Build

The Holy Spirit not only dwells within us to change our identity, but also comes upon us to empower us for service. Just as the feasts of Passover and Pentecost point to the Spirit’s work within and upon us, God’s desire is for you to grow in maturity and to be equipped to serve, build, and advance His kingdom. The Spirit gives gifts, guidance, and supernatural strength so you can minister to others, overcome challenges, and fulfill your unique calling. You are not called to be a passive observer, but an active builder in God’s house, empowered by the Spirit to make a difference. [01:47:46]

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: What is one area where you sense God calling you to serve or build? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you specifically for that task today.


Day 5: Keep Growing—Responding to the Spirit’s Leading

The journey of faith is one of continual growth, learning, and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. Stagnation comes when we stop learning, become complacent, or rely on past experiences rather than seeking fresh encounters with God. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and guide, always ready to lead you into new truth, deeper intimacy, and greater effectiveness. Your destiny unfolds as you say “yes” to His promptings, remain teachable, and allow Him to shape your character and purpose. This is your one opportunity to respond to God’s call in your generation—don’t settle for less than all He has for you. [01:51:48]

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: What is one new step of growth or learning you can take this week to keep moving forward with the Holy Spirit?

Quotes

Whatever you honour and whoever you honour and place value on will come towards you in life. But whoever you dishonour or whatever you dishonour will move away from you in your life. So if you dishonour people, badmouth them, treat them disrespectfully, you'll find access to them will diminish. If you honour people through words and attitudes and actions and gift, then they are attracted to you. [01:03:19] (30 seconds)  #AttractWhatYouRespect Edit Clip

Always God has wanted to manifest His presence in the earth. A lot of Christians or people have got the wrong idea. God wants to get you to heaven. He wants to get you to heaven. Somebody else shoots you there and then you go there. That's not the plan of God. The plan of God is for heaven to come to earth through you. [01:09:58] (17 seconds)  #CalledToBuildTheHouse Edit Clip

So the Holy Spirit's role is to father you, to be present in your life continually doing what a good father would do, strengthening you, providing for you, protecting you, guiding you. So you're never alone. A good father says, son, I've got your back. I've got your back. I'm here with you. I'm with you to help you become all that you've called to be. That's what the Holy Spirit's given. [01:28:25] (31 seconds)  #FatheringThroughTheSpirit Edit Clip

The Holy Spirit is a person. We're going to talk to him about that in a moment. He's a person who actually is sent to father you and can't do that if you don't let him. So his primary role is to father us. And fathering means you bring your children and get them to grow up to maturity. [01:29:44] (17 seconds)  #SpiritKnowsAndFeels Edit Clip

If you stop learning, then you stop growing. If you stop growing, you stop changing. And now you become stagnant. You know, water is supposed to move. The water not moving, it gets stagnant. All kinds of bitey things get into it. You don't want to be like that. [01:35:34] (16 seconds)  #BeALifelongLearner Edit Clip

If we listen to the Holy Spirit, he will father us. He will fulfill everything a natural father could not fulfill. And so we say thank you and we honor our natural father for what we've received. We forgive and release and deal with the pain of things that have not been so good. But we now turn and we start to live a life because our natural father is meant to turn us to our Father in heaven and to start to walk into our identity and the full calling of God. [01:55:45] (27 seconds)  #FromBrokennessToGold Edit Clip

``You were never born by mistake. Maybe it was your parents had a mistake. Maybe they thought, oh, this is a bad mistake. Whoa, what a bad mistake. But God made no mistake. It says before, he says, you were, we are in Christ, his workmanship, created for good works, for things unique to us. And those works unique were planned by God before we became into being. [01:56:12] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

I have seen people who were rejected, abandoned, broken, and when God touched them, their life was transformed. And they realized that though they'd been treated like garbage, they were now becoming a vessel of gold suitable for God's use. [01:57:19] (16 seconds) Edit Clip