Power - Pastor Laurel Bunker - 9am Sanctuary Covenant Church - 9.6.26

Sep 06, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When God Feels Past Your Fingertips

The ache of loneliness persists even in holy spaces. A young woman sits in pews surrounded by people yet disconnected, her religion reduced to dutiful rituals. This devotional confronts the hollow gap between religious performance and true communion with God. The Holy Spirit waits to close that distance, transforming obligation into intimate relationship. His presence turns empty striving into surrendered belonging. [41:44]

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17, NIV)

Reflection: Where has your faith felt like reaching for a God just out of grasp? How might inviting the Holy Spirit’s nearness transform duty into desire?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit’s Prismatic Presence

Like light through a diamond, the Spirit refracts God’s nature into tangible graces—comfort, conviction, power. This third Person of the Trinity is neither abstract force nor denominational debate topic. He guided Bezalel’s artistry, filled Pentecost’s upper room, and now dwells in believers. To reduce Him to theological arguments is to miss His vibrant companionship. His multifaceted work always points to Christ. [52:18]

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2, NIV)

Reflection: What single facet of the Spirit’s work—Comforter, Teacher, Empowerer—do you most need to embrace today? Why?

Day 3: Reclaiming Awe in a Disenchanted World

Western rationalism sterilized mystery, leaving faith brittle and explainable. But the Spirit breathes wonder into sanitized religion. Muslims encounter Christ in dreams. Persecuted churches walk in miracles. This devotional invites you to trade intellectualized faith for childlike awe. The same Spirit who overshadowed Mary now seeks to astonish you—not with spectacle, but with sacred nearness. [50:00]

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4, NIV)

Reflection: When did you last feel holy awe? What practical step could reawaken your wonder at God’s presence?

Day 4: The Advocate Who Dwells Within

Christ’s physical absence birthed a greater gift—His Spirit inhabiting human hearts. No longer distant Deity, God now resides within believers as Counselor and Friend. This indwelling turns fearful disciples into bold witnesses. The Advocate’s voice whispers truth when lies assault, comforts when grief overwhelms, and empowers when weakness threatens. His home in you makes every moment sacramental. [55:24]

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)

Reflection: How does the Spirit’s indwelling presence alter your view of daily struggles? What area needs His advocacy today?

Day 5: Power to Proclaim in Darkened Places

The Spirit’s fullness isn’t for ecstatic experiences but equipping to storm hell’s gates. He anoints ordinary people to heal, forgive, and testify in hostile spaces. This power flows not from shouting louder but from surrendered obedience. As the world darkens, the church’s radiance intensifies—not through political posturing but Spirit-empowered love. The same breath that resurrected Christ now fuels your mission. [58:17]

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV)

Reflection: What intimidating place or relationship needs Spirit-empowered courage? How will you rely on His strength rather than your own?

Sermon Summary

Jesus meets His disciples in John 14 at the edge of fear, worry, and bewilderment. Christ knows that His friends have walked with Him, seen His power, watched Him raise the dead, and still cannot imagine life without His physical presence. Jesus does not leave them as orphans. Jesus promises another Advocate, the parakletos, the Holy Spirit, who will never leave them.

The Holy Spirit is not a vapor, a dove thing, an “it,” or a denominational argument. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully God, personal, knowable, and able to be experienced. The Spirit has a mind, a will, joy, grief, and purpose. The Spirit teaches, convicts, guides, comforts, illuminates, sanctifies, testifies, strengthens, and reveals truth.

The Western church has often traded awe for explanation. The enlightenment impulse removes what cannot be neatly explained, and religious argument then replaces living dependence on God. The Holy Spirit becomes something to debate: cessationist or filled, baptized or not baptized, tongues or no tongues. The gift of God, however, was never given for confusion, performance, or argumentation. The Holy Spirit was given so believers could understand, obey, and walk in the ways of God in a darkening world.

The contrast between church-going and discipleship presses hard. Church-going can leave self seated on the throne, even after years of attendance and religious activity. Discipleship gives life completely over to Christ. The narrow road says no to the flesh, forgives people, and follows an upside-down kingdom ruled by a radical God who asks more than a Sunday appearance.

The Spirit’s power is not arrogance, pride, religiosity, or denominationalism. The Spirit’s power enables God’s people to proclaim the One who brought them out of darkness into marvelous light. Genesis, Joseph, Bezalel, Moses, the temple, Mary, and Pentecost all bear witness that the Spirit has been moving from the beginning. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in concert, meeting the needs of Christ’s disciples and preparing them to live as His witnesses.

Jesus gives peace that the world cannot give. The Spirit makes Christ present in wounded places, fearful places, and places where the devil lies. The Holy Spirit calls believers to humility before judgment, asking God to make them loving, faithful, forgiving, and open-hearted representations of Christ. The Spirit enlarges the narrowness of the soul so that God may dwell there.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit is a person. The Holy Spirit cannot be reduced to a feeling, a manifestation, or a theological controversy. He is fully personal, possessing a mind, will, affections, and a holy purpose. His presence invites relationship, not merely religious activity or spiritual curiosity. [54:24]
2. Discipleship dethrones the self. The difference between church-going and following Christ becomes clear when self no longer occupies the throne. The narrow road requires surrender, forgiveness, resistance to the flesh, and obedience when convenience is no longer available. The Holy Spirit empowers that costly life from within rather than leaving disciples to produce it by effort alone. [50:25]
3. The Advocate equips believers for truth. The Spirit reveals truth in an hour crowded with artificial and false alternatives. Christ gives the Advocate so His people can discern, obey, and stand with power rather than fear. The Spirit’s truth is not abstract information but the living presence of Christ guiding His people through a dark world. [55:06]
4. Christ does not leave orphans. Jesus meets fearful disciples with the promise that His departure will not mean abandonment. The Holy Spirit makes Christ present in places of pain, accusation, fear, and restoration. His indwelling presence turns isolated believers into witnesses who carry the life of Christ into the world.

## [58:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:25] - A Church Moving Toward God
[39:16] - Beginning the Journey of Power
[40:16] - Religion, Loneliness, and Knowing God
[42:34] - Good Morning, Holy Spirit
[44:10] - John 14: The Promise of the Advocate
[46:43] - Why the Holy Spirit Is Misunderstood
[48:04] - Western Christianity and Lost Awe
[49:45] - Church-Going or Discipleship
[51:59] - The Person and Power of the Spirit
[56:23] - Jesus Comforts Fearful Disciples
[58:57] - The Spirit Makes Christ Present
[60:03] - A Prayer for Enlarged Souls
[61:54] - Preparing Hearts for Communion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 14:15–27
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, ‘But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’”
[44:10] [46:27]

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
[57:46]

Matthew 28:20
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
[58:05]

Genesis 1:26
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”
[53:19]

Observation questions

In John 14, what names and actions does Jesus give to the Holy Spirit? What do those details show about the Spirit’s work among believers? [54:30]
What connection does Jesus make between loving Him and obeying His commands in John 14:15–24?
What fears or concerns might the disciples have carried as Jesus spoke about leaving them, and what promises does Jesus give in response? [57:03]
According to Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of the power believers receive from the Holy Spirit? [57:46]

Interpretation questions

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “another Advocate” who will be with believers forever. How does this promise address the fear of being left alone, especially in seasons of loss, confusion, or pain? [55:24]
John 14 says the Spirit will teach believers and remind them of Jesus’ words. What might it look like for a believer to seek the Spirit’s guidance rather than being led mainly by fear, opinion, or religious arguments? [49:19]
Jesus gives peace differently than the world gives peace. What kinds of peace does the world commonly offer, and why might they fail when life becomes difficult?
Acts 1:8 connects the Spirit’s power with being witnesses of Jesus. How does this keep spiritual power from becoming pride, performance, or a way to look more spiritual than others? [52:28]

Application questions

Is there an area of life where you have been trying to earn God’s approval through effort, activity, or religious performance? What would it look like to receive the Holy Spirit as God’s personal gift rather than trying to prove yourself worthy? [42:04]
Jesus says that those who love Him keep His commands. What is one command of Jesus—such as forgiving someone, loving an enemy, telling the truth, or serving another person—that feels costly for you right now?
Where do you most need to remember, “I will not leave you as orphans”? Is there a fearful, wounded, or lonely place where you need to invite the Spirit to make Christ’s presence real to you? [58:17]
It is easy to focus angrily on what is wrong in the world while overlooking the condition of one’s own heart. Where might humility, faithfulness, forgiveness, or a more open heart be needed in you this week? [59:18]
The Holy Spirit reveals truth in a world full of confusion and false alternatives. What voices, habits, media, or conversations make it harder for you to recognize God’s truth? What practical rhythm could help you listen more carefully to Scripture and the Spirit? [54:50]
Church attendance alone can leave self on the throne, but discipleship gives Christ the throne. What would surrendering one specific part of your life to Jesus look like this week—your schedule, relationships, money, habits, ambitions, or response to conflict? [50:25]
The Spirit gives power so believers can witness to Jesus. Who is one person or place in your everyday life where you sense God inviting you to represent Christ with greater love, courage, or kindness? [57:46]

Sermon Clips

35s

#HolySpiritHelpUs

“Yes. So while we look sometimes out at the world angrily, may we begin by looking humbly and asking, holy spirit, help us. Help us to be loving. Help us to be faithful. Help us to be forgiving. Help us to open wide the doors. Help us not to look at people and say they don't belong. Help us to be your representation. Help us to be like you in every way that the world will say what is in her. I want that”

41s

#MeetTheHolySpirit

“You don't become over angry or worried. You just simply move and you pray for those individuals. I'm here to bear witness to the fact that the Holy Spirit does move. He does inspire. He does feel. He does equip. And he does cause the soul to experience something altogether unnatural because it's supernatural. In fact, my desire today is not to preach or teach on baptism or infilling. Instead, I want to introduce you in the time that I have to the person of the Holy Spirit.”

64s

#RadicalDiscipleship

“We love the idea of God. We love the idea of not going to hell. We love the idea of having someone who has forgiven us. But when it comes to sacrificial discipleship living in which our lives are given completely over to him, This is where we struggle because how many know there's a difference between church going and being a disciple? You could go to church your whole life. was there and still have myself on the throne of my own life. The reality is is if you call yourself a disciple, if you ever got on your knees and said, God, fill me and take my life over, be my king and my lord and my savior, then it means that you have said yes to a discipleship, to walking a narrow road, to saying no to your flesh, to forgiving people, to walking in an upside down kingdom with a radical god who asks something of you besides showing up on a Sunday.”

63s

#HolySpiritIsPersonal

“He filled the room in second Chronicles so that the priests were so unable to minister because of his power and his presence. He overshadowed Mary, causing her to be filled with the one who would become the Christ child. He filled believers at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is best understood as a he, for he is personal, and he can be known, and he can be experienced. Holy Spirit has a mind. The Holy Spirit has a will. The Holy Spirit grieves. The Holy Spirit gives joy. The Holy Spirit teaches. The Holy Spirit convicts and guides. But believers, in this hour, I want you to know that the Holy Spirit reveals truth.”

49s

#SpiritOfRestoration

“His promise in Matthew 28 was that he would be with us always. How is he able to be with us always? He's able to be with us in and through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. And so while they were fearful, Jesus told them, don't fear because wherever I am and if I'm in you and I am with you and I'm walking alongside of you and when we're supping together and walking together, when you wake up and you recognize the power of God that is in you, it's me. When the devil lies to you, I'm there. When you've been hurt from your past, I am there. I am he who reconciles all things, brings all things, restores all things. I have chosen you to be a part of that restoration.”

47s

#SpiritEquips

“The Holy Spirit is asking something of us. Now, yes, there are false tongues and there are false people who will do all manner of things, but when you're filled with the Holy Spirit, you don't worry, you don't trip about that stuff because you have the Holy Spirit to teach you. You don't become over angry or worried. You just simply move and you pray for those individuals. I'm here to bear witness to the fact that the Holy Spirit does move. He does inspire. He does feel. He does equip. And he does cause the soul to experience something altogether unnatural because it's supernatural.”

45s

#TrinitarianTruth

“And friends, he dwells in you and in me. The Holy Spirit is a gift given to us that we might stand and that we might be able to do more than we ever thought we could do. Our primary scripture bears witness to this in John 14, where we see a primary example of the Trinitarian language, which is important because some people will argue, particularly people of other world religions, there is no word for Trinity in the gospel. And yet the Trinity, father, son, holy spirit are known, intertwined, and always working in concert with one another.”

47s

#PrismaticGod

“Scripture has much to reveal about the Holy Spirit. His presence, his personality, and his power. Much like a diamond, when you hold it up to the light, you will find what we call a prism. Multiple facets of light that come through this diamond. That is kind of like what God is. God is never multifaceted. He's never flat. He is always prismatic, full of light, and full of life, and full of power, which he has given to his people that we might stand in power, not in arrogance, pride, religiosity, or denominationalism, in power to proclaim him who brought us out of darkness.”

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