Living in the Deep End of the Spirit

Summary

Over the past several weeks, we have been exploring the person and work of the Holy Spirit, culminating in a powerful encounter last Sunday that marked a turning point for our church. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or a fleeting feeling, but the very presence of God—personal, tangible, and active. He is the third person of the Trinity, co-eternal with the Father and the Son, and He is still moving and gifting believers today. Our faith is not meant to be lived at a distance from God, but in close, daily fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit.

What we experienced together was not just an emotional high, but a biblical reality that echoes the events of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Spirit was poured out on all people, not just a select few, and that same Spirit is available to us now. This is not about chasing experiences, but about being marked and changed by God’s presence. When we make room for the Holy Spirit—when we pray, worship, and set our expectations on Him—He meets us, transforms us, and empowers us to live differently.

The coming of the Holy Spirit means we have access to God everywhere, not just in church. The same presence that fills the altar is available in your car, your home, your workplace, and every moment of your life. This is the “deep end” of faith: a life led, driven, and directed by the Spirit, not by our own desires or the world’s standards. It’s a call to move beyond shallow faith, to refuse to settle for comfort or routine, and to pursue a relationship with God that changes us from the inside out.

We are not called to live off someone else’s relationship with God. Each of us is invited to know the Holy Spirit personally, to pray, worship, and listen for His voice ourselves. This is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can be witnesses—carrying the presence and power of God into our families, workplaces, and communities. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live victoriously, to love radically, and to turn our city upside down for Jesus. This is what it means to live in the deep end: to be fully immersed in God’s Spirit, to radiate hope, and to invite others to experience the same.

Key Takeaways

- The Holy Spirit is the personal, tangible presence of God, not just a feeling or force. He is the third person of the Trinity, co-eternal and fully God, and He desires close fellowship with each of us. This means we are never alone, and God is not distant or inaccessible, but present and available in every moment of our lives. [06:01]

- The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event or reserved for a select few; it is a continual invitation for all believers to experience God’s power and presence. Just as at Pentecost, the Spirit marks and transforms both individuals and communities, calling us to a life that cannot return to “normal” or settle for less. [10:28]

- Access to the Holy Spirit means we can encounter God anywhere—at home, at work, in our cars—not just in church. The presence and power of God are not confined to a building or a service, but are available to us wherever we go, empowering us to live with peace, boldness, and purpose in every area of life. [16:39]

- There is a difference between shallow faith and life in the deep end. Shallow faith is content with salvation or a changed life, but the deep end is about a continual pursuit of God, a willingness to be led by the Spirit, and a refusal to go back to comfort or routine. This kind of faith is marked by encounters with God that change everything and inspire others to seek Him as well. [22:32]

- Each believer must cultivate their own relationship with the Holy Spirit. We cannot rely on someone else’s faith or experiences; we are called to pray, worship, and listen for God ourselves. This personal relationship empowers us to be witnesses, to live victoriously, and to carry the hope and love of Christ into every sphere of our lives. [26:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Recap: Who is the Holy Spirit?
[03:30] - The Trinity and Our Beliefs
[05:20] - The Holy Spirit’s Presence in Our Church
[06:01] - Acts 2: Pentecost and the Deep End
[07:50] - Joel’s Prophecy and the Spirit for All
[10:28] - No Going Back After Encountering God
[11:39] - Why We Experience God’s Presence
[14:40] - The Holy Spirit Beyond the Altar
[16:39] - Accessing God’s Presence Everywhere
[19:13] - Types of Believers: Shallow vs. Deep
[20:33] - The Call to the Deep End
[22:32] - Marked by Encounter, Refusing to Go Back
[24:42] - Living a Life that Inspires Others
[26:49] - Personal Relationship with the Holy Spirit
[29:01] - Limitless: A Church Without Limits
[31:05] - Empowered to Be Witnesses
[32:42] - Beyond Feelings: Real Life Change
[35:11] - Challenge: Go to the Deep End
[35:42] - Prayer for Overflowing Presence
[38:56] - Closing Blessing and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Life in the Deep End with the Holy Spirit

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### Bible Reading

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
> When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

John 16:7 (ESV)
> Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
> May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 2, what were the signs that the Holy Spirit had come upon the believers? What did they begin to do as a result?
2. According to John 16:7, why did Jesus say it was better for Him to go away? Who was He promising to send?
3. In the sermon, what did the pastor say is the difference between “shallow faith” and “life in the deep end”? ([20:33])
4. What does Romans 15:13 say happens to us when the Holy Spirit fills us?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to pour out His Spirit on all people at Pentecost, not just a select few? How does this shape our understanding of who can experience the Holy Spirit? ([07:50])
2. The pastor described the Holy Spirit as the “personal, tangible presence of God.” What does it mean for God to be personal and present in our everyday lives, not just at church? ([16:39])
3. The sermon talked about not living off someone else’s relationship with God. Why is it important for each believer to have their own relationship with the Holy Spirit? ([26:49])
4. What does it look like for a church or a person to “refuse to go back” after an encounter with God? ([22:32])

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor said the same presence of God that fills the church is available in your car, your home, and your workplace. Where do you most need to experience God’s presence this week? What would it look like to invite Him into that space? ([16:39])
2. Think about your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. Would you describe it as “shallow” or “deep”? What is one step you could take this week to move deeper? ([20:33])
3. The sermon challenged us not to settle for comfort or routine in our faith. Is there an area of your spiritual life where you’ve been playing it safe or holding back? What would it look like to “go to the deep end” in that area? ([24:42])
4. The pastor shared about living off someone else’s faith for a season. Have you ever relied on someone else’s relationship with God instead of building your own? What helped you make your faith personal? ([26:49])
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses and to carry hope and love into our families, workplaces, and communities. Who is one person or place where you feel called to bring God’s presence this week? How can you practically do that? ([31:05])
6. The sermon described being “marked and changed” by God’s presence, not just chasing experiences. Can you share a time when God’s presence changed you? How did it affect your daily life? ([10:28])
7. Romans 15:13 talks about abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Is there an area of your life where you need more hope? How can you ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with hope this week?

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to fill each person, to make His presence real in every area of life, and to empower the group to live boldly and bring hope wherever they go.

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers for Witness and Transformation
The Holy Spirit is not just a distant concept or a fleeting feeling, but the very presence and power of God available to every believer. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples experienced a life-changing encounter as the Holy Spirit filled them, enabling them to speak in new tongues and boldly witness to the world. This same Spirit is available to you today, empowering you to live a life marked by transformation, courage, and purpose. When you invite the Holy Spirit into your life, you are stepping into the deep end of faith, where God’s presence is tangible and His power is at work in and through you. [06:01]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to step out in faith or boldness today?


Day 2: God’s Promise: The Spirit Is Poured Out on All People
God’s promise is that His Spirit will be poured out on all people, regardless of age, gender, or background. This outpouring is not reserved for a select few but is available to everyone who seeks Him. The Holy Spirit brings dreams, visions, and prophetic words, marking moments that change lives and communities forever. When you open your heart to the Spirit, you are stepping into the fulfillment of God’s promise, experiencing His presence in ways that transform not only you but those around you. [07:50]

Joel 2:28 (ESV)
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

Reflection: How can you make yourself more available to receive the fullness of God’s promise and be open to the Spirit’s work in your life today?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit Is Your Personal Helper and Companion
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come as your Helper, Comforter, and Advocate, giving you access to God’s presence everywhere you go. The Spirit is not confined to a church building or a special moment; He is with you in your car, at work, at home, and in every circumstance. You can talk to God at any time, and His presence brings peace, guidance, and strength. Embrace the reality that you are never alone—God Himself is with you, ready to lead and empower you in every moment of your day. [16:39]

John 16:7 (ESV)
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Reflection: Where in your daily routine can you intentionally pause to acknowledge and invite the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance?


Day 4: Life in the Deep End: Refusing to Settle for Shallow Faith
There is a difference between living a life of shallow faith and choosing to dive into the deep end with God. Those who go deeper are marked by encounters with God that change everything—they refuse to go back to comfort or complacency. A life in the deep end is one that is led, driven, and directed by the Holy Spirit, not by the world or by fear. This is a call to move beyond surface-level Christianity and to let your life reflect the power and presence of God so that others are drawn to Him through you. [24:42]

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 comfort zone or “shallow water” you need to leave behind in order to pursue a deeper relationship with God?


Day 5: The Spirit-Filled Life Radiates Hope, Joy, and Power
A life filled with the Holy Spirit is not just about personal experiences or emotional highs—it is about being transformed so deeply that you radiate hope, joy, and peace to the world around you. The Spirit’s power is meant to overflow into every area of your life, equipping you to be a witness and to bring God’s love to your family, workplace, and community. As you trust in God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you, you become a beacon of hope, empowered to live victoriously and to share the transformative love of Christ wherever you go. [38:56]

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the hope and joy of Christ through you today, and how can you intentionally share that with them?

Quotes

The same presence that you feel here at the altar is the same presence that's available in your car. It is the same presence that's available at your house. It is the same presence that's available on your lunch break. It is the same presence that is available to you everywhere you go. [00:15:34] (19 seconds)  #HolySpiritCloseFellowship Edit Clip

So you're telling me that the creator of heaven and earth, the person that put breath in my lungs, the person that allows the sun to rise and fall, to stop the seas and the waters, you're telling me I have access to that person 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Yes, this is why the Holy Spirit came. [00:18:34] (21 seconds)  #ChooseTheDeepEnd Edit Clip

``Let me tell you, your life should be a reflection that when people see you, they want to get into the deep end to where you are. They should want to know the God that you serve. They should want to operate in the power that you operate in. They should see the presence of God and feel the presence of God when they come. And they say, how do I get there? How do I encounter the presence? How do I pray like you pray? How do I worship like you worship? How do I get the presence of God moving in my life? And you can say, I took a trip to the deep end and I made a decision to never go back. [00:25:51] (42 seconds)  #VictoriousSpiritPower Edit Clip

It is the life that says I have decided that my life will be led, it will be driven and directed not by the world, not by current events, not by my feelings, not by my opinions, not by my fleshly desires, but by the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to just believe. We are called to dive deep into a relationship with the Holy Spirit that transforms us from the inside. [00:26:53] (32 seconds)  #BreakLimitsWithSpirit Edit Clip

You can't live based on somebody else's Holy Spirit. Because let me tell you about, I'm telling myself, because when I was younger in the faith, I was living off my God parents' Holy Spirit. I said, I know, and they know this very well, she has coffee with Jesus in the morning. This is what we said. She has coffee with Jesus in the morning. And she has to go to heaven and meet God in the morning. And so what we did is whenever I had a problem, I would call her. Oh, call my God mom. Whenever I need a device, I'm calling my God mom. Whenever something was going on, I'm calling my God mom. And what happened was I began to build my relationship, not based off of the Holy Spirit in my life, but the Holy Spirit moving in her life. But at some point I had to detach from what was going on in her life. Listen, and I had to have a personal relationship with him for myself. What did that mean? That means I got to pray for myself. That means I got to praise for myself. That means I got to read for myself. That means I got to spend time with him for myself. Because you can't have a personal relationship with somebody that you don't have a personal relationship with. [00:27:27] (82 seconds)  #ResurrectedPowerWithin Edit Clip

This empowerment that he promised us is not for us just to have a good feeling or an emotional experience. It is the power to live a victorious life according to the word of God and to share the transformative love of God and to the love of Christ and to turn a city of wilderness around the cities upside down for Jesus. [00:30:21] (23 seconds)  #NoMoreRegularLife Edit Clip

And to know that you have the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead, living on the inside of you, and you have access to it at any and every moment, should change your life. [00:32:26] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

We have been equipped and we have been empowered. Now we go out and we witness to all of Woodland, all of David, Davis, all of Sacramento, all of the city of California to the ends of the earth. That is what this empowerment is for. To them people at your job, to the people at your school, to the people in your neighborhood, to the people in your family. You have been empowered with the ability to be a witness. [00:36:02] (35 seconds) Edit Clip