Jesus: The One Who Baptizes with the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Only Savior—Trust in Him Alone

There is only one Savior who can truly rescue, forgive, and give eternal life—Jesus Christ. No other religion, ritual, or spiritual practice can substitute for the saving work of Jesus, who died and rose again to bring us to the Father. Trusting in anything or anyone else, even alongside Jesus, is to say He is not enough, but He alone is sufficient and worthy of our wholehearted faith. [14:27]

John 14:6 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Reflection: Is there anything or anyone you’ve been tempted to trust in alongside Jesus for your salvation or sense of security? What would it look like to surrender that fully to Him today?

Day 2: The Baptism and Power of the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a real and necessary experience for every believer, distinct from salvation and water baptism, empowering you to live, serve, and witness with God’s supernatural strength. Just as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power before beginning His ministry, so too are we called to seek and receive this fullness, so that rivers of living water may flow from our lives. [26:00]

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Reflection: Have you earnestly asked Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit? If not, what is holding you back from seeking this gift and power today?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Confronts Hypocrisy and Brings Holiness

When the Holy Spirit comes in power, He exposes and deals with hypocrisy, pretense, and hidden sin, calling the church to genuine holiness and reverence before God. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a sobering reminder that God desires truth in our inward parts and that the Spirit will not tolerate deceit among His people. [38:13]

Acts 5:1-5 (NKJV)
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

Reflection: Is there any area of your life where you are pretending before God or others? Will you invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and lead you into truth and repentance today?

Day 4: The Gift of Tongues and Spirit-Led Prayer

Speaking in tongues is a biblical, Spirit-given gift that edifies the believer, enabling deep prayer and praise beyond human words, and is a sign of the Spirit’s fullness—not emotionalism or deception. God gives this gift to build you up from the inside out, helping you to pray when words fail and to experience a deeper communion with Him. [58:08]

1 Corinthians 14:2, 5 (NKJV)
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. … I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Reflection: Have you been open to the gift of tongues or have you resisted it due to fear or misunderstanding? What would it look like to ask God for this gift and trust Him with your prayer life today?

Day 5: Ask, Seek, and Receive—God Gives the Holy Spirit to the Hungry

God is a good Father who delights to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask, seek, and knock; it is not automatic, but He promises to respond to your hunger and persistence with the fullness of His Spirit. He will never mock or withhold from those who come to Him sincerely—so come boldly, ask repeatedly, and expect Him to answer. [07:12]

Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV)
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally seek God for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit today—through prayer, worship, or simply asking in faith? Will you persist until you receive?

Sermon Summary

Tonight, we gathered to seek the living God, the one who speaks, moves in power, and brings salvation, healing, and deliverance. He is not like the idols of this world—He is alive and active, and His love is demonstrated through Jesus, who gave Himself so we could be forgiven, made clean, and transformed into fruitful lives. The stories shared—of miraculous healings, restored hearing, and lives turned around—are not just tales of the past but reminders that Jesus is still at work today. He is the only Savior, the one who conquered death, and the one who invites us to trust Him fully, not leaning on our own understanding but acknowledging Him in all our ways.

We explored the reality of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a gift distinct from being born again or water baptism. Jesus Himself is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and this baptism is essential for living the life God calls us to. It is not about religious ritual or outward form, but about being filled and empowered by God’s Spirit to walk in His power, confront darkness, and live in the fullness of His presence. The Spirit convicts, cleanses, and fills, enabling us to overcome sin, hypocrisy, and the empty forms of religion that cannot give life.

The early church experienced this power, and it was not limited to the apostles or a select few. The promise of the Spirit is for all who believe and ask. The evidence of the Spirit’s fullness is not just in supernatural gifts like tongues, but in transformed lives, boldness, and the ability to walk in the light and truth of Christ. We are called to seek, ask, and knock, trusting that our heavenly Father delights to give the Holy Spirit to those who earnestly desire Him. This is not a passive waiting, but an active pursuit, a hunger and thirst for more of God.

Let us not settle for empty religion or arguments that diminish what Jesus has promised. Instead, let us come to Him, the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and ask for a fresh outpouring of His fire and presence. He is faithful, and He will fill those who come to Him in faith and humility.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Is the Only Savior and Source of Life No matter our background, culture, or past, Jesus alone is the Savior who brings forgiveness, new life, and hope. Trusting in anything or anyone else—even alongside Jesus—diminishes His sufficiency and insults the One who gave everything for us. He invites us to come directly to Him, without intermediaries, and receive the fullness of life He offers. [14:27]
2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit Is Essential and Distinct Being born again and water baptism are vital, but the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate, necessary work for every believer. This immersion in the Spirit empowers us to live beyond our natural abilities, to confront spiritual opposition, and to walk in the supernatural life Jesus modeled. It is not reserved for a spiritual elite but is promised to all who believe and ask. [19:40]
3. The Spirit Confronts Religion and Hypocrisy with Transforming Power The Holy Spirit is not content with empty rituals or outward appearances. He exposes and confronts hypocrisy, both in the world and within the church, calling us to authentic, Spirit-filled living. When the Spirit moves, He brings both conviction and cleansing, leading us into genuine relationship with God rather than lifeless religion. [33:59]
4. The Gifts and Evidence of the Spirit Are for Today Supernatural gifts, including speaking in tongues, are biblical and continue to be given as evidence of the Spirit’s fullness. These gifts are not emotionalism or demonic, but divine tools for edification, prayer, and witness. The Spirit’s work is not limited by our understanding or tradition; He empowers even new believers to prophesy, pray, and serve in ways that build up the body of Christ. [56:46]
5. Seeking the Spirit Requires Active Faith and Persistent Asking Receiving the fullness of the Spirit is not automatic; it requires us to ask, seek, and knock with hunger and expectation. God is a good Father who delights to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask, but He calls us to pursue Him earnestly, not passively. Sometimes He prepares our hearts in the process, but He promises to answer those who persist in faith.

** [66:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Opening Prayer and God’s Living Power
[01:46] - Testimonies of Healing and God’s Miracles
[04:02] - The Kingdom of Jesus and Trusting Him
[05:17] - Healing at New Hope and God’s Perfect Ways
[06:24] - Addressing Skepticism and God’s Answers
[08:12] - Personal Healing Testimony and God’s Uniqueness
[09:22] - The Emptiness of Religion vs. Jesus’ Salvation
[11:13] - The Reality of the Risen Christ
[13:05] - Jesus Speaks to Every Heart and Language
[15:35] - The Triune God and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[19:40] - Jesus: The Baptizer in the Holy Spirit
[22:19] - Jesus’ Baptism and the Anointing of the Spirit
[25:25] - The Necessity of Being Filled with the Spirit
[28:14] - Spiritual Opposition and the Power of the Spirit
[33:59] - The Spirit Confronts Religion and Hypocrisy
[37:41] - The Spirit Confronts Hypocrisy in the Early Church
[42:00] - The Promise and Purpose of the Spirit’s Power
[46:49] - Addressing Objections to the Baptism of the Spirit
[54:21] - The Gift of Tongues: Biblical and Misunderstood
[58:08] - The Purpose and Power of Praying in the Spirit
[62:07] - Deliverance, Healing, and the Spirit’s Authority
[65:29] - Seeking and Receiving the Spirit’s Fullness
[66:38] - The Father’s Promise: Ask, Seek, and Receive
[70:36] - Invitation to Receive a Fresh Baptism
[71:52] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) — > "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

2. Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
> "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

3. Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV)
> "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 3:11, what is the difference between John’s baptism and the baptism that Jesus gives?
In Acts 1:8, what is the promised result of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples?
In Luke 11:9-13, what does Jesus say about the Father’s willingness to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?
The sermon described the baptism in the Holy Spirit as distinct from being born again or water baptism. What examples did the pastor give from the book of Acts to show this distinction? [[44:16]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the pastor emphasize that trusting in anything or anyone alongside Jesus “diminishes His sufficiency and insults the One who gave everything for us”? [[14:27]]
What does it mean that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is “essential and distinct” from being born again or water baptism? How does this affect the way we think about the Christian life? [[19:40]]
The sermon says the Holy Spirit “confronts religion and hypocrisy with transforming power.” What are some ways the Spirit does this, both in the early church and today? [[33:59]]
According to the sermon, what is the evidence of the Spirit’s fullness in a believer’s life? Is it only supernatural gifts, or is there more? [[56:46]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared stories of miraculous healings and lives changed by Jesus. Have you ever experienced or witnessed something that made you realize Jesus is alive and active? How did it affect your faith? [[01:46]]
The sermon warns against trusting in Jesus “and” something else (like a religious ritual, a saint, or a good luck charm). Are there things in your life you tend to trust alongside Jesus? What would it look like to trust Him alone? [[14:27]]
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is described as a gift for all believers, not just a spiritual elite. Have you ever asked Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit? If not, what holds you back? If yes, how has it changed your walk with God? [[19:40]]
The Holy Spirit exposes and confronts hypocrisy, even in the church. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to “go through the motions” or put on a religious front? What would it look like to invite the Spirit to bring real change? [[33:59]]
The sermon says the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are for today and are not just emotionalism. What has been your experience or understanding of spiritual gifts? Are there any fears or misunderstandings you need to bring to God? [[56:46]]
Jesus teaches us to “ask, seek, and knock” for the Holy Spirit. What would it look like for you to actively pursue more of God’s presence and power in your life this week? Is there a specific way you can seek Him with hunger and expectation? [[01:06:38]]
The pastor said sometimes God prepares our hearts in the process of seeking. Are you willing to persist in asking for the Spirit’s fullness, even if it takes time? What might help you keep seeking and not give up? [[01:06:38]]

Sermon Clips

``Whatever else you trust in and add it to Jesus, you're telling him he's insufficient. You're telling him he's not powerful enough. You're telling him that he's not capable of doing it. And so it's an insult to him. Don't insult him. He's the one that bled for you. He's the one that died for you. [00:14:30] (18 seconds) #JesusAloneIsSufficient

You don't have to go to somebody else to get to Jesus. Jesus said, he said, come to me, he said, and I'll give you life. Come to me, all you who labor and heavy laden. I'll give you rest for your souls, he said. He didn't say you need to talk to so-and-so and then come to me. [00:14:51] (19 seconds) #DirectAccessToJesus

He came as man to walk it out so we could walk in his steps. Because he wants us to be like him. If he did it as God, you and I, forget that. We're not gods. He's God alone. But if he's man, he becomes this man filled with the Spirit. Now I've got hope as long as God fills me with the same Spirit. Now I can be conformed to the image of Christ. I can do his works. [00:30:20] (25 seconds) #WalkInHisSpirit

How many times you got to pray? I don't know. You go to someone's house and you know they're inside. How many times do you knock until they come to the door? So the answer is you do it as many times as you need to until they get to the door. Because if you know they're inside, they're trying to hide from you. God doesn't hide from people. He's not like that. But you keep knocking until what? Until they open the door. So ask him. Well, I asked him. Ask him again. Bug him. Oh, he's got a lot for you. Sometimes he's got to work in your heart to get you ready. So when he moves, you're ready for it. [01:11:02] (43 seconds) #KeepKnockingForGod

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