Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: A Personal Journey

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit Is Our Advocate and Constant Presence

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as an Advocate who would never leave us, someone who comes alongside to comfort, encourage, and guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but a personal presence, representing Jesus in our lives, teaching, reminding, supporting, and empowering us daily. Even when we feel alone or uncertain, the Spirit is with us, inviting us to know Him more deeply and to experience His encouragement and comfort in every circumstance. [35:01]

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to experience the Holy Spirit’s comfort or encouragement today, and how can you invite Him to be present with you in that specific situation?

Day 2: The Spirit of God Has Been Present Since Creation

From the very beginning, the Spirit of God was active, hovering over the waters at creation, and throughout history, God’s Spirit empowered and guided His people. The same Spirit who was present at creation and who came upon the prophets and leaders in the Old Testament is the Spirit Jesus promised would dwell within us, bringing God’s presence and power into our everyday lives. This truth reminds us that the Holy Spirit’s work is not new or unfamiliar, but is woven throughout the story of God’s people, inviting us to participate in His ongoing work. [36:55]

Genesis 1:2 (ESV)
"The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

Reflection: As you consider the Spirit’s presence at creation, how does it change your perspective to realize that the same Spirit is present and active in your life right now?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Empowers Ordinary People for God’s Purposes

God’s Spirit was given to empower not just a select few, but all of God’s people to share in His work. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon leaders like Moses and the seventy elders to help bear the burdens of the people, and Moses longed for all God’s people to receive the Spirit. Today, through Jesus, the Spirit is available to every believer, equipping us to serve, encourage, and build up one another as the body of Christ. [38:48]

Numbers 11:17, 29 (ESV)
"And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone... But Moses said to him, 'Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!'"

Reflection: Who in your life could you come alongside and support this week, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower you to encourage or help them in a tangible way?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit Invites Us to Listen and Know Him Personally

The Holy Spirit is not just someone to know about, but someone to know personally and relationally. He invites us to slow down, listen, and pay attention to His voice—often through Scripture, prayer, or the gentle nudges in our hearts. By creating space to listen, such as through journaling or quiet reflection, we can grow in recognizing His presence and guidance, moving from simply knowing about God to truly experiencing Him in our daily lives. [51:45]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: Set aside ten minutes today to be still and listen—what do you sense the Holy Spirit might be saying to you, and how can you record or respond to that prompting?

Day 5: The Spirit Transforms Us from Timid to Bold

When we encounter the Holy Spirit, He transforms us from people who are timid, uncertain, or afraid into those who are bold and confident in following God’s call. Just as the disciples were changed after receiving the Spirit—moving from fear to courageous action—we too can trust that the Spirit will empower us to step out in faith, take risks, and participate in God’s work in ways we never imagined possible. [55:29]

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: What is one step of faith or act of boldness you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to take, and how can you rely on His power rather than your own strength as you do it?

Sermon Summary

So often, life moves at a pace that drowns out the gentle presence of the Holy Spirit. Yet, God’s Spirit is not a distant force but a constant companion, encourager, and guide, longing for us to slow down and truly listen. As we enter a new season, there’s an invitation to rediscover the Holy Spirit—not as a mysterious “other guy” or a mere theological concept, but as a personal presence who desires to be known intimately. This journey is for everyone, whether you feel close to the Spirit, uncertain, or even a bit apprehensive because of past experiences or confusion.

Jesus, in his final hours with his disciples, promised them “another advocate”—the Holy Spirit—who would not just be with them, but in them. This was a radical shift from the Old Testament experience, where the Spirit would come upon select individuals for specific purposes. Now, through Jesus, the Spirit is given to all believers, making each of us a living temple of God’s presence. The Spirit is described as an advocate, comforter, encourager, and helper—one who comes alongside, not just to correct, but to strengthen and support.

Knowing the Holy Spirit is not about accumulating facts, but about relationship and experience. Just as the disciples had to move from knowing about Jesus to walking with him, so too are we invited to move from knowing about the Spirit to living in daily communion with him. This requires intentionality—creating space to listen, reflect, and respond. Sometimes, the Spirit’s voice is quieter than the noise of our busy lives, but through practices like journaling, prayer, and honest questioning, we can begin to discern his whispers.

The Spirit’s work is both personal and communal. As we listen and respond, we are transformed—growing in character, confidence, and courage. This transformation is not just for our own sake, but for the good of the church and the world God is restoring. The invitation is simple but profound: over the next 40 days, take time to listen, to journal, to notice, and to ask the Spirit to help you know him more deeply. As we do, we trust that God will breathe new life into us, reviving us to be a people ready to love and serve in his name.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a personal presence who desires relationship with each of us. He is our advocate, comforter, and encourager, coming alongside us in every season of life—not just to correct, but to strengthen and support us in our journey of faith. [35:39]
2. Throughout Scripture, God’s Spirit is seen moving from being present with a select few to indwelling all believers. This shift means that every follower of Jesus is now a living temple, carrying God’s presence into the world, and invited to experience the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment firsthand. [43:48]
3. Knowing the Holy Spirit requires more than intellectual understanding; it calls for relational and experiential engagement. Just as the disciples moved from knowing about Jesus to walking with him, we are invited to move from distant knowledge to daily communion with the Spirit, learning to recognize his voice in the ordinary and the profound. [41:53]
4. Listening to the Spirit is a practice that must be cultivated. In a world full of distractions and busyness, intentional habits like journaling, prayer, and honest reflection help us slow down, notice the Spirit’s whispers, and discern his leading. This is not about perfection, but about creating space for God to speak and move in our lives. [51:45]
5. The Spirit’s work in us is transformative, leading us from timidity and uncertainty to boldness and confidence. As we listen and respond, we are changed—not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of the church and the world God is restoring. The invitation is to step into this adventure, trusting that the Spirit is already at work and longing to be known more deeply. [55:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:05] - Opening Prayer and Gathering
[19:42] - Upcoming Events and Member Gathering
[20:20] - Baptism Sunday Invitation
[20:57] - Value of Caring for Vulnerable Children
[21:33] - Diaper Drive and Community Outreach
[22:54] - Care Communities Testimony
[26:05] - Thank You and Introduction to Brad
[27:27] - Knowing the Holy Spirit: Series Introduction
[30:00] - Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit
[31:55] - Personal Experiences and Barriers
[33:47] - Who is the Holy Spirit? (John 14)
[36:55] - The Spirit in the Old Testament
[40:03] - Jesus and the Holy Spirit
[41:53] - Experiencing the Spirit: Then and Now
[44:20] - The Advocate: What Does It Mean?
[47:23] - The Spirit’s Voice: Encouragement and Comfort
[49:15] - Learning to Listen: A Sabbatical Story
[51:45] - 40 Days of Listening: Journaling Challenge
[54:50] - Transformation Through the Spirit
[56:04] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 14:16-17 (ESV) — > And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Genesis 1:2 (ESV) — > The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

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.

Observation Questions

In John 14:16-17, what does Jesus promise his disciples about the Holy Spirit? What words does he use to describe the Spirit’s role? ([35:01])
According to Genesis 1:2, what was the Spirit of God doing at the very beginning of creation? ([36:55])
In the sermon, what shift does the pastor describe between the Old Testament experience of the Spirit and what Jesus promises in John 14? ([36:15])
What are some of the different words or images used in the sermon to describe the Holy Spirit’s presence and work? ([44:57])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “another advocate” or “helper”? What does this suggest about the Spirit’s relationship to us? ([35:39])
The pastor says the Holy Spirit is not just a force, but a personal presence who wants to be known. How does this challenge or affirm your previous understanding of the Holy Spirit? ([30:00])
The sermon mentions that the Spirit’s work is both personal and communal. What might it look like for the Spirit to transform not just individuals, but a whole church community? ([47:23])
The pastor shares that listening to the Spirit requires intentionality and slowing down. Why do you think it’s hard to notice the Spirit’s voice in our daily lives? ([49:52])

Application Questions

The pastor invites everyone to spend the next 40 days intentionally listening to the Holy Spirit through journaling, prayer, and reflection. What would it look like for you to create space in your daily routine to listen for the Spirit? What might get in the way? ([51:45])
The sermon says the Spirit is our advocate, comforter, and encourager—not just someone who corrects us. When was the last time you experienced the Spirit’s encouragement or comfort? How did it affect you? ([44:57])
The pastor shared that sometimes the Spirit’s voice is quieter than the noise of our busy lives. What are some practical steps you can take this week to “turn down the noise” and pay attention to God’s whispers? ([49:52])
The disciples moved from knowing about Jesus to walking with him. In what ways do you feel you “know about” the Holy Spirit, and in what ways do you actually “walk with” him? What would help you move from one to the other? ([41:53])
The sermon encourages honest questioning and reflection as part of getting to know the Spirit. Are there any questions or doubts you have about the Holy Spirit that you’ve been afraid to ask? How could you bring those honestly to God or your group? ([53:34])
The pastor describes how the Spirit’s work leads to transformation—moving us from timidity to boldness. Is there an area of your life where you need the Spirit’s courage or confidence right now? How can the group pray for you in this? ([55:29])
The Spirit’s presence is not just for our own benefit, but for the good of the church and the world. What is one way you could let the Spirit work through you to encourage or serve someone else this week? ([47:23])

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