The Least Known Person in Church - Pastor Joachim Chisanga

Devotional

Day 1: Ephesian Disciples’ Astonishing Answer

Paul found twelve believers in Ephesus who prayed, studied Scripture, and pursued God passionately. When he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” they stared blankly. “We’ve never heard of a Holy Spirit,” they replied. These weren’t nominal Christians—they’d been baptized, served faithfully, yet lacked the Spirit’s indwelling power. [42:53]

The Holy Spirit isn’t an optional upgrade for elite believers. He is God’s promised presence, the downpayment of our inheritance. Without Him, even sincere faith becomes duty without delight, labor without life. Jesus didn’t redeem us to leave us orphaned but to dwell within us.

How many of your spiritual efforts feel dry lately? The Ephesians’ story exposes our danger of reducing Christianity to rituals. The Spirit isn’t a doctrine to study but a Person to host. When did you last pause to acknowledge His presence in your daily routines?

“Paul asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They said, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 19:1-2, ESV)

Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’ve substituted activity for His active presence.
Challenge: Before your next meal, pause 10 seconds to whisper, “Holy Spirit, I welcome You here.”

Day 2: Wind, Fire, and Abiding Presence

Flames danced over heads. A roaring wind filled the house. On Pentecost, the Spirit didn’t merely visit—He moved in. For 1,200 years since Moses, God’s glory had dwelt in temples. Now He inhabits flesh. The same fire that consumed Elijah’s altar now kindles human hearts. [54:01]

Pentecost wasn’t a one-time spectacle but the Spirit’s arrival announcement. He didn’t retreat to heaven afterward. Like Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the Spirit’s descent marked His permanent earthly residence. Your chest is now His temple, your ordinary moments His sanctuary.

You carry the same Spirit that raised Christ from death. Why then do we beg for what we already possess? He’s not waiting for a special event to manifest—He’s in you now. What mundane task could become worship if done conscious of His indwelling?

“Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind... And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one.”
(Acts 2:2-3, ESV)

Prayer: Thank the Spirit for His permanent residence in you, not just Sunday gatherings.
Challenge: Place a small red dot on your hand today—when you see it, remember His fire within.

Day 3: Not “It” But He

Jesus called Him “another Helper” – not a force but a Person. The Greek word “paraklētos” means someone called to your side: Advocate, Counselor, Ally. When the Ephesians said, “We didn’t know He exists,” they missed a relational God, not just power. [01:01:22]

The Spirit feels grief when ignored (Ephesians 4:30). He intercedes with groanings (Romans 8:26). He teaches (John 14:26) and testifies (John 15:26). Impersonal forces don’t grieve, intercede, or testify. Only persons do. To neglect Him is to slight God Himself.

How would your marriage thrive if you ignored your spouse’s presence? The Trinity invites us into divine relationship, not religious transaction. What one conversation starter could you offer the Spirit today: “What’s on Your heart?” or “How do You see this situation?”

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard.”
(John 16:13, NLT)

Prayer: Confess times you’ve treated the Spirit as an “it.” Ask Him to speak as you listen.
Challenge: Write “HE” in your palm—when you see it, address Him personally in a sentence.

Day 4: The Book He Breathed

A leather-bound Bible sits on your shelf. But this isn’t just ink and paper—it’s the Spirit’s love letter. He hovered over creation’s chaos (Genesis 1:2), inspired prophets’ pens (2 Peter 1:21), and now illuminates these words to your heart. [01:10:11]

Scripture is the Spirit’s primary language. He authored it, so He delights to explain it. Like a composer unpacking his symphony, the Spirit wants to make Scripture’s melody resonate in your circumstances. Without Him, the Bible becomes a rulebook; with Him, a love note.

When Scripture feels dry, the problem isn’t the text but our connection to its Author. Before your next reading, try this: “Spirit, what phrase do You want to highlight today?” How might His answer surprise you?

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
(2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Prayer: Open your Bible and pray, “Spirit, breathe on these words again as I read.”
Challenge: Underline one verse that “shimmers”—then obey its prompt before sunset.

Day 5: Keys, Bosses, and Listening Prayer

The pastor lost his keys. The woman dreaded her toxic boss. Both needed more than principles—they needed a Person. “Holy Spirit, where are my keys?” “Give me grace for my boss.” Simple prayers, but they presume ongoing dialogue with a present Helper. [01:15:51]

The Spirit isn’t just for crises but for ordinary moments. He cares about your lost keys and workplace tensions. Every whispered “Help” trains us to rely on His nearness. Like a child tugging a parent’s sleeve, we learn His responsiveness through small asks.

What practical need feels beneath God’s notice? The Spirit who hovered over creation hovers over your chaos. Try bringing Him one “trivial” request today. How might His care in the small things deepen your trust for bigger ones?

“The fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV)

Prayer: Share a mundane frustration with the Spirit, then wait 30 seconds in listening silence.
Challenge: Text a friend: “The Holy Spirit just helped me with ___. How can I pray for you?”

Sermon Summary

Acts 19 opens the door on a hard truth. The text finds disciples in Ephesus who love Jesus, serve faithfully, and yet answer, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” That line names the burden of the day. The Holy Spirit is often the least known person in church. Salvation comes in a moment by faith in Christ, but knowing the Spirit is a relationship that must be understood, cultivated, and experienced. Without him known, the Christian life runs below God’s intention, saved yet powerless, faithful yet ineffective. Christianity is not boring because someone is here who makes life alive. His name is the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost carries the foundational truth that changes everything. The Spirit came to earth and never left. Pentecost is to the Holy Spirit what Christmas is to Jesus. On that day he arrived like wind and fire to dwell among and within believers. Jesus had promised “another Counselor” to be with his people forever. So the Spirit is here, every bit as real today as Jesus was walking the streets of Galilee. That is why the church can say in simple faith, “He is here.”

The Spirit also must be known for who he is. He is not an it, not a mystical force, not emotional energy. He is God. The one God eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is into the name, not the names. These persons share the same divine nature, equal in power and glory. To know the Spirit is to know God himself. To relegate him is to miss God’s manifest presence.

Scripture then teaches the way into fellowship. First, receive Jesus Christ. God gives the Spirit to those who belong to his Son. The Spirit is not a reward for maturity but the gift of belonging. Second, study what the Spirit authored. All Scripture is God-breathed, so the Word reveals who he is, how he leads, and how to discern counterfeits. Third, spend intentional time in his presence. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit means real communion, real guidance, from keys and daily frustrations to life-shaping callings. “Holy Spirit, what do you think?” is not a formula. It is a relationship. Today can be the beginning. He is here. He desires to be known.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit is here now His arrival at Pentecost was not a moment to remember but a Person to receive. He came to dwell among and within, and he has never left the church. His presence is as real as Jesus was in Galilee, even if unseen by natural eyes. The right starting point is simple acknowledgment: he is here. [52:58]
2. Salvation differs from Spirit fullness Faith in Christ saves instantly, yet life without knowing the Spirit runs beneath God’s intended fullness. A believer can be sincere and still be powerless, faithful yet ineffective. Knowing him turns duty into delight and service into Spirit-empowered ministry. Invitation is not to earn more of God but to live in what has already been given. [49:29]
3. The Spirit is God, not a force He is not an it, not energy, not a vague vibe. The one name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit confesses one God in three persons, equal in majesty. To know the Spirit is to know God himself, and to sideline him is to miss God’s own self-disclosure. Reverence begins by addressing him as he. [60:15]
4. Fellowship with the Spirit is learned Relationship grows through intentional time, simple prayer, and quiet listening. The Spirit’s fellowship meets ordinary moments and large decisions with real guidance and peace. “Holy Spirit, what do you think?” welcomes counsel that never errs and often surprises. Practice forms recognition, and recognition nurtures trust. [74:48]
5. Scripture forms Spirit recognition The Bible the Spirit breathed teaches who he is, what he does, and how he speaks. Immersion in the Word trains spiritual senses to discern true from counterfeit. What sounds similar may not be the same, and Scripture equips the church to test and to rejoice in what is genuine. The canon the Spirit authored is the classroom where he introduces himself. [70:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:30] - Turning to Acts 19
[42:53] - The least known person
[45:04] - Ephesus disciples and dilemma
[46:35] - Salvation vs knowing the Spirit
[52:58] - He came and never left
[54:01] - Pentecost as a Person’s arrival
[55:50] - Another Counselor with us forever
[60:15] - The Holy Spirit is God
[66:13] - Three ways to know Him
[69:18] - Scripture and discerning counterfeits
[73:33] - Fellowship with the Spirit in practice
[77:33] - Listening prayer and guidance stories
[82:37] - Invitation and closing prayers

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Acts 19:1-2 (ESV)
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

Observation Questions

In Acts 19:1-2, what surprising answer did the Ephesian disciples give when Paul asked about the Holy Spirit? How does their response highlight a gap in their spiritual understanding?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between being saved and living in the “fullness” of the Holy Spirit? [49:29]
How does the sermon describe the Holy Spirit’s identity (e.g., impersonal force vs. divine person)? [01:00:15]
What three practical steps were suggested for cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit? [01:06:13]

Interpretation Questions

Why might the Ephesian disciples have been unaware of the Holy Spirit despite their faithfulness? What does this reveal about the difference between doctrinal knowledge and relational experience?
The sermon states, “Christianity is not boring because there is someone with you who makes Christian life exciting.” How does the Holy Spirit’s presence transform routine faith practices into dynamic experiences? [51:49]
How does the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) being “one God in three persons” shape our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer’s life? [01:02:25]
Why is Scripture described as the “classroom” for learning to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice? How does this guard against counterfeit spiritual experiences? [01:10:11]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are there areas where you’ve treated Him more like a “force” than a person? How could you intentionally address Him as “You” rather than “it” this week? [01:00:31]
The sermon emphasizes asking, “Holy Spirit, what do you think?” in daily decisions. What is one practical situation (e.g., a conflict, a choice, a frustration) where you could pause and invite His guidance today? [01:15:12]
The Ephesian disciples were saved but lacked power. Are there areas in your life where you feel “faithful yet ineffective”? What step could you take this week to lean into the Spirit’s empowerment? [49:53]
The sermon encourages studying Scripture to discern the Holy Spirit’s voice. What is one passage about the Spirit (e.g., John 14-16, Acts 2) you could read this week to grow in recognizing His work?
Share a time when you sensed the Holy Spirit’s guidance clearly (e.g., a prompting, peace, or conviction). How did that experience deepen your trust in Him? If you haven’t had such an experience, what might be holding you back from seeking it? [58:27]
The Holy Spirit is called the “Counselor” (John 14:16). What worry or decision are you currently facing that you could bring to Him in honest, conversational prayer this week?

Sermon Clips

Pentecost was not merely an event on the church calendar. It was the arrival of a divine person, and he has a name. He is the holy spirit. Just like Jesus, the son of God, came to earth in human form as a baby in Bethlehem, the holy spirit came from heaven to earth on the day of Pentecost, not in human form, but in the form of wind and fire. This was the moment when the holy spirit came to dwell among his people and also within every believer. In that sense, Pentecost is to the Holy Spirit what Christmas is to Jesus Christ. [00:54:01] (45 seconds)

Are you sinning if you don't know the holy spirit? The answer is no. You are not sinning at all. Are you going to go to heaven if you don't know the holy spirit? The answer, yes, is yes. You will go to heaven because salvation is simply based on faith in Jesus. You are going to heaven by believing in Christ. But here is the problem when you do not know the holy spirit. You will be living far below what God intended for you. [00:48:42] (30 seconds)

If you do not know the holy spirit, you are still saved. You are not sinning against god as a result of not knowing him. In fact, you are on your way to heaven. The problem is you will not experience the fullness of God while you are here. You will be saved, but you'll be powerless. You will be faithful, but ineffective. You'll be busy in ministry but lacking the empowering power of God's presence. You will be on your way to heaven, but you'll be missing out on the fullness of God right here. [00:49:29] (41 seconds)

So where do we begin if we truly want to know the holy spirit? We begin by understanding one foundational truth, and it is this. The holy spirit came to earth and he never left. After Jesus rose from the dead, he remained with his disciples for forty days. Acts chapter one verse three says, he appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. He has risen from the dead and is on earth for forty days, ministering and meeting his disciples. That is how much he loved his disciples. [00:52:50] (41 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What makes the Holy Spirit a divine person?

How does Pentecost signify the Spirit's arrival?

What practical steps lead to knowing the Holy Spirit?