Reflecting God's Presence Through the Holy Spirit
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound impact of living a life that reflects God to others. We began with a story of a family whose simple, everyday actions made a neighbor think about God. This led us to consider how we can become such people—those who naturally reflect God's presence in our lives. We delved into a conversation Jesus had with His disciples in John 14, during the last hours before His crucifixion. Jesus, aware of the impending challenges, offered His followers assurance and hope, promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift, He explained, is not just for His first disciples but is available to all believers today.
Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. As our Sanctifier, He is actively involved in transforming us to reflect His holiness. This transformation is akin to a home restoration, where Jesus works within us to remove the clutter and restore us to the people He intended us to be. This process involves welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives, allowing Him to guide, empower, and reshape us.
We also discussed the importance of obedience as an expression of our love for Jesus. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father out of love, we too are called to follow His commands. This obedience is not burdensome but is a natural response to the love and presence of God within us. The Holy Spirit, our constant companion, empowers us to live out this love and obedience daily.
Finally, we were challenged to examine our lives: Are we welcoming Jesus as our Sanctifier, or are we bringing sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live? The invitation is open to all who are thirsty for more of God in their lives. By inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us, we can experience the rivers of living water flowing through us, impacting those around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Reflecting God in our lives is not about grand gestures but about the everyday actions that make others think of Him. This reflection is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within us, transforming us to be more like Christ. [37:11]
- Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit is a gift for all believers, offering us assurance and hope. The Spirit is our advocate, living within us to guide and empower us in our daily walk with Christ. [45:50]
- Obedience to Jesus' commands is a natural expression of our love for Him. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father out of love, we are called to follow His example, allowing our love for Him to inspire our actions. [57:03]
- The transformation Jesus offers is like a home restoration, where He removes the clutter and restores us to reflect His holiness. This process requires our willingness to welcome the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work within us. [52:36]
- The invitation to experience the Holy Spirit's work is open to all who are thirsty for more of God. By inviting the Spirit to fill us, we can experience the life-changing power of Christ within us, impacting those around us. [01:06:46]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:11] - Reflecting God in Everyday Life
[38:48] - Jesus' Promise of the Holy Spirit
[45:50] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[47:06] - Obedience as Love
[48:13] - God Making His Home in Us
[49:40] - The Greatest Transaction
[50:47] - Rich in Christ
[51:35] - Experiencing God's Presence
[52:36] - Transformation and Restoration
[54:48] - Welcoming Jesus as Sanctifier
[56:11] - The Holy Spirit as Our Companion
[57:03] - Love and Obedience
[57:49] - Following Jesus' Example
[01:02:55] - Testimonies of Transformation
[01:04:01] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[01:05:44] - Welcoming the Spirit's Work
[01:06:46] - Invitation to Thirst for God
[01:08:06] - Experiencing Rivers of Living Water
[01:09:27] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit's Work
[01:10:18] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 14:15-23
- John 7:37-39
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 14:15-23, what does Jesus promise to His disciples regarding the Holy Spirit? How is the Spirit described in these verses?
2. According to the sermon, what everyday actions of the family made their neighbor think about God? [37:11]
3. How does Jesus describe the relationship between love and obedience in John 14:15-23? What does He say about those who love Him?
4. What metaphor does Jesus use in John 7:37-39 to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be our Sanctifier, as discussed in the sermon? How does this concept relate to the idea of a home restoration? [52:36]
2. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit provide assurance and hope to believers, according to the sermon and John 14:15-23? [45:50]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that obedience to Jesus' commands is a natural expression of love for Him? [57:03]
4. How does the metaphor of "rivers of living water" in John 7:37-39 illustrate the impact of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily actions. Are there ways you can make others think about God through your behavior, similar to the family in the sermon? What specific changes can you make? [37:11]
2. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit as your advocate and guide. How can you be more aware of the Spirit's presence and guidance in your daily life? [45:50]
3. Jesus calls us to obey His commands as an expression of love. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience. What steps can you take to align your actions with your love for Jesus? [57:03]
4. The sermon challenges us to welcome Jesus as our Sanctifier. Are there areas in your life where you are resisting this transformation? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in those areas? [52:36]
5. The sermon speaks about the importance of being "thirsty" for more of God. How can you cultivate a deeper thirst for God's presence and work in your life? [01:06:46]
6. Reflect on the metaphor of "rivers of living water." How can you allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you to impact those around you? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:08:06]
7. The sermon mentions the potential to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Are there specific behaviors or attitudes in your life that might be causing this? How can you address them? [01:05:44]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Reflecting God in Everyday Actions
In our daily lives, the small, seemingly insignificant actions we take can have a profound impact on those around us. Reflecting God is not about grand gestures but about living in a way that naturally points others to Him. This reflection is a result of the Holy Spirit's transformative work within us, shaping us to be more like Christ. As we allow the Spirit to guide us, our lives become a testament to God's presence, prompting others to consider His reality. [37:11]
John 13:35 (ESV): "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Reflection: Think of a simple action you can take today that might reflect God's love to someone in your life. How can you make this a regular part of your daily routine?
Day 2: The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a gift to all believers, offering assurance and hope. The Spirit is our advocate, living within us to guide and empower us in our daily walk with Christ. This promise is not limited to the first disciples but extends to all who believe, providing us with the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life's challenges. Embracing the Holy Spirit means welcoming His guidance and allowing Him to work through us. [45:50]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance today? How can you invite Him to lead you in those areas?
Day 3: Obedience as an Expression of Love
Obedience to Jesus' commands is a natural expression of our love for Him. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father out of love, we are called to follow His example. This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to the love and presence of God within us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out this love and obedience daily, transforming our actions and attitudes to align with Christ's teachings. [57:03]
1 John 5:3 (ESV): "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
Reflection: Identify one command of Jesus that you find challenging to follow. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you obey out of love today?
Day 4: Transformation and Restoration
The transformation Jesus offers is akin to a home restoration, where He removes the clutter and restores us to reflect His holiness. This process requires our willingness to welcome the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work within us. As we open our hearts to His transformative power, we become more aligned with God's purpose, experiencing a renewed sense of identity and mission. [52:36]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What "clutter" in your life might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you invite Jesus to begin the restoration process in this area?
Day 5: Thirsting for More of God
The invitation to experience the Holy Spirit's work is open to all who are thirsty for more of God. By inviting the Spirit to fill us, we can experience the life-changing power of Christ within us, impacting those around us. This thirst for God leads to a deeper relationship with Him, where His presence becomes a source of strength and inspiration in our lives. [01:06:46]
Isaiah 44:3 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."
Reflection: Are you truly thirsty for more of God in your life? What steps can you take today to seek a deeper relationship with Him?
Quotes
"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." [00:46:56] (10 seconds)
"And, and so Jesus has plans for how he wants to work through us to fix what's broken. So he pulls up a dumpster, you know, so we can get rid of any junk that holds us back. And he does all kinds of restoration if we're willing, so he can make us the person that he always intended for you and for me to be." [00:52:42] (21 seconds)
"The spirit is our source of strength who empowers us to love Jesus through more consistent obedience. He wants us to be what Jesus initially created you to be. His followers, his child, his son, his daughter who reflects him, who makes other people think about him." [00:56:16] (23 seconds)
"The neighbor who said, when I see you, I think about, I think about God. That's the Holy Spirit shining through one of his followers. You might say it this way, the Christian life is impossible to live without the spirit of Christ within me." [01:03:48] (14 seconds)
"Here's what he says, John chapter 7, verse 37. It says, on the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, let anyone, wait, how many people are welcome? Anyone. Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." [01:06:28] (18 seconds)
Chatbot
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