Ignite: Empowered Living Through the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, making them spiritually alive and transforming them from the inside out. This indwelling is not something earned by human effort, but is a miraculous gift given to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. The Spirit regenerates, renews, and assures us of our salvation, working in us to make us more like Jesus over the course of our lives. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to honor God with our lives, knowing that His presence is always with us, shaping our character and empowering us for daily living. [06:13]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and how might this truth change the way you approach that area today?

Day 2: The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit for Mission

Beyond His indwelling, the Holy Spirit comes upon believers with power to equip them for the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. This empowering presence enables ordinary people to do extraordinary things for God’s purposes—whether it’s boldness in sharing the gospel, supernatural acts of service, or unity and generosity within the church. Just as the early disciples received fresh fillings of the Spirit for specific moments of ministry, we too are invited to seek more of the Spirit’s power to be effective witnesses in our world. [12:24]

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: Where do you sense God calling you to step out in faith for His mission, and how can you ask the Holy Spirit to empower you for that specific step today?

Day 3: Being Led by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

To experience the fullness of the Spirit’s power, we must choose daily to be led by the Spirit rather than by our own fleshly desires. There is no neutral ground—if we are not walking by the Spirit, we will inevitably be led by the flesh, producing its fruit instead of the Spirit’s. Walking by the Spirit means keeping in step with Him, listening for His guidance, and relying on His strength rather than our own. This ongoing dependence is the only way to live a life that pleases God and bears lasting fruit. [22:06]

Galatians 5:16, 25 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ... If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can pause and check whether you are being led by the Spirit or by your own desires in a decision you face today?

Day 4: Attentiveness and Obedience to the Holy Spirit’s Promptings

Being led by the Holy Spirit requires a sensitive, attentive heart—like a dove, always aware of His presence and direction. This means applying your mind to God’s Word, inviting the Spirit to speak, and being willing to take steps of faith even when it feels risky or inconvenient. When we listen and obey, we can expect the unexpected: divine interruptions, opportunities to share Jesus, and fruit that impacts others for eternity. The Spirit’s leading may disrupt our comfort, but it always advances God’s mission and brings life to those around us. [29:45]

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: When was the last time you sensed a nudge from the Holy Spirit to do something unexpected? How can you cultivate greater attentiveness and willingness to obey His promptings this week?

Day 5: Removing Barriers to the Spirit’s Leading

We can hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives by quenching, grieving, or resisting Him—through cynicism, unforgiveness, bitterness, or stubbornness. The Spirit is sensitive and desires to lead us into love, unity, and forgiveness, but when we hold onto negative attitudes or refuse to listen, we block His power and presence. Instead, we are called to test what we hear, hold onto what is good, and let go of what is evil, allowing the Spirit to produce His fruit in us and through us. [34:13]

Ephesians 4:30-32 (ESV)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there any bitterness, unforgiveness, or resistance in your heart that might be grieving the Holy Spirit? What step can you take today to release it and invite the Spirit’s fullness?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored the profound reality of being led by the Holy Spirit, distinguishing between His indwelling presence within every believer and His empowering presence that comes upon us for mission and ministry. Just as a fruit bowl cannot produce fruit by itself, we cannot manufacture the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—by our own strength. It is the Holy Spirit who produces this fruit in us, transforming our character and renewing our minds to make us more like Jesus. The greatest miracle is not a physical resurrection, but the spiritual regeneration that takes place when a person dead in sin is made alive in Christ.

We also considered the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, which comes upon us to equip us for service, witness, and the advancement of Jesus’ mission. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament figures like Samson and David, to Jesus Himself, who, though fully God, chose to minister in the power of the Spirit. The disciples, too, experienced repeated fillings of the Spirit, enabling them to speak with boldness, perform miracles, and live in radical unity and generosity.

To experience the fullness of the Spirit, we must first be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior. Only then can we become temples of the Holy Spirit. But there is more—God desires to fill us continually with His Spirit, empowering us for His purposes. This requires a posture of obedience and sensitivity, like a dove resting on our shoulder, always attentive to the Spirit’s leading. We must resist the temptation to rely on our own strength or to settle for a life of spiritual mediocrity.

Practically, being led by the Spirit involves renewing our minds with Scripture, inviting the Spirit to speak and illuminate truth, and stepping out in faith when prompted—even when it feels risky or inconvenient. We should expect the unexpected, as God often interrupts our plans for the sake of His mission. Yet, we must also guard against quenching, grieving, or resisting the Spirit through cynicism, unforgiveness, or stubbornness. Instead, let us welcome the Spirit’s presence, seek His empowering, and walk in step with Him, so that our lives bear fruit and advance the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The Indwelling and Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, regenerating us and producing Christlike character. Yet, there is also an empowering presence that comes upon us for mission and ministry. Recognizing this distinction helps us understand that God not only transforms us from within but also equips us for His work in the world. [05:07]
2. Spiritual Fruit Is the Work of the Spirit, Not Human Effort Just as a fruit bowl cannot claim credit for the fruit it holds, we cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit by our own striving. True transformation and spiritual fruitfulness come only as we yield to the Spirit’s work within us, allowing Him to shape our desires, thoughts, and actions. This humility is essential for authentic Christian living. [03:49]
3. Obedience and Sensitivity: Walking with the Spirit Like a Dove The imagery of the Holy Spirit as a dove highlights the need for attentiveness and gentleness in our walk. Being led by the Spirit means cultivating a posture of constant awareness, asking, “Holy Spirit, where are we going?” and being quick to adjust when He prompts us. This sensitivity is the foundation for a life marked by God’s presence and power. [24:29]
4. Faith Requires Risk: Expecting the Unexpected Following the Spirit often means stepping out in faith, even when it feels risky or interrupts our comfort. Like Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch, we must be willing to act on the Spirit’s promptings, trusting that God’s plans are greater than our own. It is in these moments of obedience that we see extraordinary fruit and the advancement of God’s kingdom. [28:44]
5. Guarding Against Quenching, Grieving, and Resisting the Spirit Our attitudes and actions can hinder the Spirit’s work—through cynicism, unforgiveness, or stubborn resistance. We are called to test prophetic words, forgive as we have been forgiven, and remain open to the Spirit’s leading. Protecting the presence of the Spirit in our lives is like guarding a precious diamond; it requires intentionality, humility, and a willingness to be changed.

** [32:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Introduction of New Eldership Couples
[02:55] - Series Overview: Ignite and the Holy Spirit
[03:26] - The Fruit of the Spirit: Not by Our Strength
[05:07] - The Indwelling and Empowering Presence
[06:13] - Five Works of the Spirit Within
[08:09] - The Spirit Upon: Old and New Testament Examples
[09:29] - Jesus and the Power of the Spirit
[11:05] - Peter: Indwelling and Empowering in Action
[13:31] - D.L. Moody’s Hunger for More
[15:58] - The “More” of the Holy Spirit
[17:13] - Becoming the Temple: Washed by the Blood
[19:21] - Obedience and Being Led by the Spirit
[22:06] - Walking by the Spirit vs. the Flesh
[24:29] - The Dove: Sensitivity to the Spirit
[25:23] - Practical Steps to Be Led by the Spirit
[28:44] - Expecting the Unexpected
[32:14] - Quenching, Grieving, and Resisting the Spirit
[38:09] - Prayer for Filling and Empowerment
[41:03] - Invitation for More of the Spirit
[43:25] - Healing and Ministry
[48:37] - Taking the Presence into the World
[49:34] - Protecting the Presence and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:16, 22-25 (ESV) — > But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

2. 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.

3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
> Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5, what is the difference between walking by the Spirit and gratifying the desires of the flesh?
In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples, and what is the purpose of this empowerment?
The sermon described the Holy Spirit as both indwelling within believers and coming upon them for mission and ministry. What are some examples from the Bible or the sermon where this distinction is seen? [[05:07]]
What does it mean that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said, “Just as a fruit bowl cannot produce fruit by itself, we cannot manufacture the fruit of the Spirit by our own strength.” What does this suggest about the role of human effort versus the Spirit’s work in our lives? [[03:49]]
Why do you think the Holy Spirit is described as a dove, and how does this imagery help us understand what it means to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading? [[24:29]]
The sermon mentioned that the greatest miracle is not a physical resurrection, but the spiritual regeneration that takes place when a person dead in sin is made alive in Christ. How does this perspective shape the way we view salvation and transformation? [[06:30]]
What are some ways believers can quench, grieve, or resist the Holy Spirit, according to the sermon? Why are these attitudes or actions so serious? [[32:14]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us not to settle for spiritual mediocrity but to seek the “more” of the Holy Spirit. In what areas of your life have you been content with “just enough” spiritually? What would it look like to ask God for more? [[15:58]]
Think about a recent situation where you tried to “produce fruit” (like patience or kindness) in your own strength. How did it go? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to produce that fruit in you instead? [[03:49]]
The image of the Holy Spirit as a dove resting on your shoulder was used to describe sensitivity and attentiveness. What practical steps could you take this week to be more aware of the Spirit’s presence and leading in your daily life? [[24:29]]
The sermon said that following the Spirit often means stepping out in faith, even when it feels risky or inconvenient. Can you share a time when you sensed God prompting you to do something outside your comfort zone? What happened? [[28:44]]
The sermon warned against quenching, grieving, or resisting the Spirit through cynicism, unforgiveness, or stubbornness. Is there an area in your life where you might be resisting the Spirit’s work? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? [[32:14]]
The sermon encouraged us to renew our minds with Scripture and invite the Spirit to speak. What is one way you can make space this week to listen for the Spirit’s voice—maybe through reading, prayer, or quiet reflection? [[25:23]]
The early church was marked by unity, generosity, and boldness through the Spirit’s empowering. Is there a specific way you feel called to serve, give, or witness to others as a result of being filled with the Spirit? [[12:42]]

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