Hosting the Holy Spirit: Purity and Freedom
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Who's happy to be in the house of the Lord today? Let's make some noise for Jesus! Today, we have a powerful message that I believe will touch your hearts and transform your lives. Before we dive into the Word, let's celebrate a few things. Today is Fourth Sunday, and I am thrilled to see the pile of goods by the front door for our food pantry and the school at Walt Disney. Every Fourth Sunday, we bring food for these causes and also support the church in Honduras. Last month, we raised $1,900 for the mountain, and I encourage everyone to give $10 today to continue this blessing.
This weekend is also Memorial Weekend, a time to remember and be thankful for the freedom we have, which allows us to preach the gospel freely. Let's take a moment to pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the military. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the sacrifices made by these brave souls. We pray for peace to replace the pain in their families and for your Holy Spirit to minister to them. Amen.
Now, let's get into the message. We've been in a series focusing on the Holy Spirit. Today, I want to talk about hosting the Holy Spirit in our lives and what it means to have a pure tent. Matthew 6 tells us to pray in secret, and our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. This scripture sets the stage for our discussion on two contrasting figures from the book of Joshua: Achan and Rahab.
Achan and Rahab were both hiding something, but their outcomes were drastically different. Achan hid stolen silver in his tent, leading to his destruction and the defeat of Israel. Rahab, on the other hand, hid the Israelite spies, leading to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This story illustrates the importance of what we hide in our tents—our secret places.
When we hide sin in our tents, it grows in the dark and eventually leads to our downfall. Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours and had to hide it? Sin loves secrecy and blossoms in the dark. Achan's story shows us that secret sin can lead to public scandal. Luke 18:17 says, "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."
I want to challenge you today to examine your tent. Is there secret sin that you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit? Don't wait to be caught; surrender it now. Early in my walk as a Christian, I struggled with pornography. It made me feel sick and guilty, but I decided to confess it to some brothers and seek freedom. Proverbs 28:13 says, "Those that conceal their sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces will find mercy."
When you clear out the sin from your tent and host the Holy Spirit, you will experience a freedom that is so amazing and powerful. The devil has a plan B to make you so busy that you don't spend time in the secret place with the Holy Spirit. But remember, you are designed to produce fruit, not to be busy. Paul talks about building on the foundation of Jesus with gold, silver, and precious stones, which withstand fire, unlike wood, hay, and straw that burn easily.
To grow in Jesus Christ, you need to cultivate a tent that hosts the Holy Spirit. This requires making sacrifices for Jesus, not for the world. You need to focus on the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you host the Holy Spirit, you will bear fruit that blesses others.
Let's pray together. Holy Spirit, we come to you right now and surrender all the sin in our tents. Clean out our tents, Lord. Fill our hearts with your presence. We want to be vessels of purity. In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
If you've never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to pray this prayer with me. Lord Jesus, I surrender to your power, your love, and your will. Thank you for dying for my sins. I am forever free. Holy Spirit, come and fill me and lead me for the rest of my days. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of a Pure Tent: The story of Achan and Rahab from the book of Joshua illustrates the consequences of what we hide in our tents. Achan's hidden sin led to his destruction, while Rahab's act of faith led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This teaches us that secret sins can lead to our downfall, but faith and obedience can lead to redemption. [30:50]
2. Secret Sin and Its Consequences: Sin loves secrecy and grows in the dark. When we hide sin in our tents, it eventually leads to public scandal. Luke 18:17 reminds us that nothing hidden will remain secret. We must examine our lives and surrender any hidden sins to the Holy Spirit to walk in freedom and righteousness. [46:39]
3. The Cost of Freedom: Early in my Christian walk, I struggled with pornography. It made me feel guilty and trapped, but I decided to confess it and seek freedom. Proverbs 28:13 says, "Those that conceal their sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces will find mercy." True freedom requires confession and renunciation of sin. [39:07]
4. Building on a Strong Foundation: Paul talks about building on the foundation of Jesus with gold, silver, and precious stones, which withstand fire, unlike wood, hay, and straw that burn easily. To grow in Jesus Christ, we need to cultivate a tent that hosts the Holy Spirit, making sacrifices for Jesus and focusing on the fruit of the Spirit. [54:53]
5. The Power of the Holy Spirit: When we clear out the sin from our tent and host the Holy Spirit, we experience a freedom that is amazing and powerful. The devil's plan B is to make us so busy that we don't spend time with the Holy Spirit. But we are designed to produce fruit, not to be busy. Focus on the fruit of the Spirit and let the Holy Spirit guide you. [53:37]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:46] - Fourth Sunday and Memorial Weekend
[24:22] - Recap of the Series
[30:50] - Achan and Rahab: A Tale of Two Tents
[39:07] - The Cost of Freedom
[46:39] - Secret Sin and Its Consequences
[53:37] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[54:53] - Building on a Strong Foundation
[01:08:22] - Prayer and Altar Call
[01:13:05] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:6 - "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
2. Luke 18:17 - "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."
3. Proverbs 28:13 - "Those that conceal their sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces will find mercy."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 6:6 instruct us to do when we pray, and what is the promised outcome?
2. According to Luke 18:17, what will happen to things that are kept secret or hidden?
3. In Proverbs 28:13, what are the consequences of concealing sin versus confessing and renouncing it?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Achan and Rahab illustrate the consequences of what we hide in our tents? ([30:50])
2. Why is it important to examine our lives for hidden sins, according to the sermon? ([46:39])
3. How does the pastor's personal testimony about struggling with pornography relate to the message of Proverbs 28:13? ([39:07])
4. What does it mean to build on the foundation of Jesus with gold, silver, and precious stones, as mentioned in the sermon? ([54:53])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own "tent." Is there any secret sin that you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to bring it into the light? ([46:39])
2. The pastor mentioned that the devil's plan B is to make us so busy that we don't spend time with the Holy Spirit. How can you prioritize spending time in the secret place with God this week? ([53:37])
3. Think about a time when you felt guilty or trapped by a hidden sin. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What can you do differently now? ([39:07])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of hosting the Holy Spirit and producing the fruit of the Spirit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it? ([28:29])
5. How can you ensure that you are building your life on the foundation of Jesus with materials that withstand fire (gold, silver, precious stones) rather than those that burn easily (wood, hay, straw)? ([54:53])
6. The pastor shared a story about confessing his struggle with pornography to some brothers and finding freedom. Is there a trusted person in your life with whom you can share your struggles and seek accountability? ([39:07])
7. How can you change the sacrifices you make for the world to sacrifices for Jesus? What is one specific way you can start doing this today? ([01:04:53])
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of a Pure Tent
The story of Achan and Rahab from the book of Joshua illustrates the consequences of what we hide in our tents. Achan's hidden sin led to his destruction, while Rahab's act of faith led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This teaches us that secret sins can lead to our downfall, but faith and obedience can lead to redemption. Achan hid stolen silver in his tent, leading to his destruction and the defeat of Israel. Rahab, on the other hand, hid the Israelite spies, leading to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This story illustrates the importance of what we hide in our tents—our secret places.
When we hide sin in our tents, it grows in the dark and eventually leads to our downfall. Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours and had to hide it? Sin loves secrecy and blossoms in the dark. Achan's story shows us that secret sin can lead to public scandal. Luke 18:17 says, "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." [30:50]
Joshua 7:20-21 (ESV): "And Achan answered Joshua, 'Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.'"
Reflection: Is there something hidden in your life that you need to bring into the light? What steps can you take today to confess and surrender it to God?
Day 2: Secret Sin and Its Consequences
Sin loves secrecy and grows in the dark. When we hide sin in our tents, it eventually leads to public scandal. Luke 18:17 reminds us that nothing hidden will remain secret. We must examine our lives and surrender any hidden sins to the Holy Spirit to walk in freedom and righteousness. The story of Achan is a powerful reminder that secret sins can have devastating consequences not just for ourselves but for those around us.
Achan's hidden sin led to the defeat of Israel in battle and ultimately to his own death. This serves as a warning that secret sins, no matter how well hidden, will eventually come to light and bring about consequences. On the other hand, Rahab's act of hiding the Israelite spies was an act of faith that led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This contrast shows the importance of what we choose to hide in our lives. [46:39]
Proverbs 28:13 (ESV): "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Reflection: Are there any hidden sins in your life that you need to confess and forsake? How can you take a step towards transparency and accountability today?
Day 3: The Cost of Freedom
Early in my Christian walk, I struggled with pornography. It made me feel guilty and trapped, but I decided to confess it and seek freedom. Proverbs 28:13 says, "Those that conceal their sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces will find mercy." True freedom requires confession and renunciation of sin. The journey to freedom is not always easy, but it is necessary for spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God.
Confession is a powerful tool that brings hidden sins into the light and allows for healing and restoration. When we confess our sins, we acknowledge our need for God's grace and mercy. Renouncing sin means turning away from it and making a conscious decision to live in obedience to God's will. This process may involve seeking support from trusted friends or mentors who can provide accountability and encouragement. [39:07]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you need to confess to someone you trust? How can you take a step towards renouncing that sin and seeking accountability today?
Day 4: Building on a Strong Foundation
Paul talks about building on the foundation of Jesus with gold, silver, and precious stones, which withstand fire, unlike wood, hay, and straw that burn easily. To grow in Jesus Christ, we need to cultivate a tent that hosts the Holy Spirit, making sacrifices for Jesus and focusing on the fruit of the Spirit. Building on a strong foundation means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and transform us.
This requires intentionality and a willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of our spiritual growth. It means choosing to invest our time and energy in things that have eternal value, such as prayer, studying the Word, and serving others. When we build on the foundation of Jesus with materials that withstand fire, we are preparing ourselves to stand firm in the face of trials and challenges. [54:53]
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."
Reflection: What are you building your life on? Are there areas where you need to invest more in your relationship with Jesus and the things that have eternal value?
Day 5: The Power of the Holy Spirit
When we clear out the sin from our tent and host the Holy Spirit, we experience a freedom that is amazing and powerful. The devil's plan B is to make us so busy that we don't spend time with the Holy Spirit. But we are designed to produce fruit, not to be busy. Focus on the fruit of the Spirit and let the Holy Spirit guide you. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God and to bear fruit that blesses others.
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. When we prioritize our relationship with the Holy Spirit and make time to be in His presence, we are transformed from the inside out. This transformation enables us to live in a way that reflects God's character and brings glory to His name. [53:37]
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: Are you making time to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit? How can you prioritize your relationship with the Holy Spirit and focus on bearing the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Think about that scripture. I mean, if you're tired of living a life of striving and surviving and by your own standards, are you tired of living that way? It's draining. It's so heavy when you could be living a life filled with the Holy Spirit because you built on the foundation of Christ with gold, silver, and precious stones, something that won't burn down that you can dwell in when the difficulties of life come. You can go there and pray and fast and talk to the Lord and he will show you a way out of it. He will show you how to navigate it. He'll show you how to walk through the tragedy and come out on the other side." [01:03:21]
2. "You got to be passionate about the tent. The second thing is you have to surrender the secret sin that's in your tent. You have to get rid of it. It's preventing you from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit to do His work. And you got to get that out of your life. And church, I'm telling you, this is not a message. This is not a message for you to go home and drive in your car and think about it for a while and ask God what you should do. I want to ask you right now, if you have secret sin in your life and you know it's there. Check, check, check. Directly wired. You can't turn this one off. you want to get rid of this secret sin, my prayer today was that you would get rid of this secret sin today." [01:07:35]
3. "When you host the Holy Spirit, you can't host the Holy Spirit. He's going to save you from destruction. Rahab was a prostitute, and the two spies that came over, one of them was named Solomon, and she ended up marrying him and became the wife of Solomon, and then she became the great-great-great-grandmother of King David. She wasn't even in the lineage of Jesus and of the lineage of the line, but she made a decision to follow what she felt was right to do in her home. She was going to save you from destruction. By inviting them in and hosting them in her home. Do you know that she is only one of five women that are listed in the genealogy of Jesus because of what she did? Now, that's powerful when you realize what she did by emptying the sin out of her tent." [50:33]
4. "When you decide to host the Holy Spirit, you are going to experience a freedom that is so amazing and powerful. When you host the Holy Spirit, you are going to experience a freedom that is so amazing and powerful. When you clear out the sin out of your tent and host the Holy Spirit in the secret place, you're going to experience freedom. Somebody asked me earlier, how do we do this? How do we make this happen? And it's by, remember we talked about this last week. It's when you have an attitude of the fruit of the Spirit in your life. I have an attitude of love, an attitude of goodness, an attitude of kindness. The Holy Spirit will show you how to do this." [52:14]
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we hide sin in our tent, it grows in the dark and eventually leads to our downfall. Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours and had to hide it? Sin loves secrecy and blossoms in the dark. Achan's story shows us that secret sin can lead to public scandal. Luke 18:17 says, 'For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.'" [46:39]
2. "You have to be passionate about the tent. The second thing is you have to surrender the secret sin that's in your tent. You have to get rid of it. It's preventing you from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit to do His work. And you got to get that out of your life. And church, I'm telling you, this is not a message. This is not a message for you to go home and drive in your car and think about it for a while and ask God what you should do. I want to ask you right now, if you have secret sin in your life and you know it's there. Check, check, check. Directly wired. You can't turn this one off. you want to get rid of this secret sin, my prayer today was that you would get rid of this secret sin today." [01:07:35]
3. "Paul talks about it if you want to grow as a Christian in Jesus Christ. Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and this is what he says to grow as a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, your foundation has to be on Jesus. There is no other foundation. If you build it on sand, it will wash out from under you. It has to be on the number one. But he gives you six options to build with, three of one and three of the other. The first three is gold, silver, and precious stones. The second three is wood, hay, and straw. And he says you can build with gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw. And you know what the difference is between those two things? Gold, silver, precious stone withstands fire. Wood, hay, and straw get burnt by it." [54:53]
4. "When you clear out your tent and you put the Holy Spirit in it, the devil has a plan B. He has to have a plan B because you've cleared out your sin and now you're hosting the Holy Spirit. So he's got to have a plan B. He has to have a plan B because you've cleared out your sin and now you're to come up with a different way to take you out. The best way he likes to do is when you hide sin, you don't surrender it so he can continually destroy you as you walk. But if you figure that out and surrender that stuff to the Lord, which I'm hoping that you're going to do that today, he has a plan B to stop you and to mess things up, to mess up the secret place. You know what his plan B is? You're going to resonate with this. This is going to resonate with you. His plan B is to make you so busy that you don't go to the secret place." [53:37]
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