The River of God’s Presence: Living Fully in the Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The River of God’s Presence Brings Life Everywhere It Flows

God’s presence is like a river that brings life wherever it goes, even into the most barren and lifeless places. Just as Ezekiel saw the river flowing from the temple, transforming the Dead Sea and causing trees to bear fruit, so too does God’s Spirit flow through His people today, bringing renewal, hope, and transformation to every environment we enter—our neighborhoods, workplaces, and the broken places of society. The invitation is to step deeper into this river, moving beyond comfort and convenience, and to let the Spirit carry us where we cannot go on our own, so that life may break out wherever we are sent. [02:14]

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (ESV)
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Reflection: Where is one “lifeless” place in your daily life that you can intentionally invite God’s presence to flow through you this week?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Mission and Transformation

The Holy Spirit is not a distant memory or a retired force, but the living power that animates the church today, equipping us for mission and transforming us from within. At Pentecost, the Spirit filled the believers with explosive power, enabling them to speak in new languages and boldly proclaim the wonders of God, fulfilling God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all people. This same Spirit is available to us now, calling us to be witnesses in our communities and to the ends of the earth, and to experience personal transformation that makes us more like Jesus. [21:57]

Acts 2:1-4, 37-39 (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.
...
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or community where you need to ask the Holy Spirit for boldness or transformation today?

Day 3: Repentance and Obedience Open Us to More of God’s Presence

Making space for God’s presence begins with repentance—honestly naming and turning from the distractions, habits, or idols that clutter our lives. As we confess and lay these things down, we create room for God to fill us afresh. Obedience then becomes the next step, as we respond to what God puts on our hearts, making ourselves available for His purposes. This ongoing process of repentance and obedience is how we grow in intimacy with God and experience the fullness of His Spirit. [26:12]

Acts 2:38 (ESV)
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: What is one distraction or habit you sense God inviting you to lay down this week so you can make more space for His presence?

Day 4: Prayer and Continual Filling Sustain Spiritual Power

The early church was marked by persistent prayer and a continual openness to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Even after powerful encounters, they sought God again and again, and He responded by filling them anew, giving them boldness and power to speak His word and live out their calling. This ongoing, present-continuous filling is essential—not just remembering past experiences, but daily opening our lives to the Spirit’s fresh work, letting the river flow through us in new ways. [29:39]

Acts 4:31 (ESV)
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time for prayer this week to invite a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Day 5: Humility and Full Surrender Lead to Transformation

Stepping fully into God’s presence requires humility—a willingness to admit our need, to move beyond comfort and half-heartedness, and to surrender every part of our lives to Him. When we come to God desperate for more, not content with just ankle-deep or knee-deep experiences, He meets us, fills us, and transforms us from the inside out. This kind of surrender is the pathway to being changed for God’s glory and becoming a vessel through which His life flows to others. [30:44]

James 4:6-8 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to move from partial surrender to full surrender, and what would it look like to take that step today?

Sermon Summary

God’s presence is like a river that brings life wherever it flows, even into the most barren and broken places. This river, first seen in Ezekiel’s vision, is not just a picture of the past but a reality for today—flowing from God’s people, filled with His Spirit, into the world around us. We are called to be carriers of this presence, not just gathered on Sundays but scattered throughout our city, our workplaces, and our homes, bringing the life of heaven into every corner of society. The story of Scripture is one of God drawing ever closer to His people—from the garden, to the tabernacle, to the temple, to Jesus dwelling among us, and now, by His Spirit, living within us.

Yet, many of us settle for living ankle-deep or knee-deep in God’s presence, content with comfort and convenience rather than surrendering fully to the Spirit’s leading. The invitation is to step in deeper, to let go of distractions and idols, and to allow God’s presence to transform us from the inside out. This requires intentionality—setting aside time, cutting out the noise, and making space for God to move. Revival and transformation begin with ordinary people who are hungry for God, willing to lay down what hinders, and open to the Spirit’s power.

The gifts and power of the Holy Spirit are not relics of the past or reserved for a select few; they are for all believers, for today. There are hurdles—bad theology, fear from past abuses, and a secular mindset that doubts the supernatural. But the answer is not avoidance; it’s authenticity and discernment, learning to steward the gifts well and remain anchored in Scripture. The world is spiritually hungry, and the church must not be spiritually cautious but boldly open to the real, tangible presence of God.

The events of Pentecost show us that God’s Spirit brings explosive, transformative power—power to witness, to heal, to be changed, and to bring life to others. This is not just about personal experience but about being sent out in mission, empowered to do the works of Jesus and even greater things. The way forward is through repentance, obedience, prayer, and ongoing openness to the Spirit. We are called to humility, to be all in, letting God fill us afresh so that His life flows through us to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence Flows Through Us Into the World The vision of the river in Ezekiel 47 is a prophetic picture of God’s presence flowing from His people into the most lifeless places, bringing transformation and hope. We are not meant to contain God’s presence but to carry it into every sphere of life, trusting that where things seem dead, God can bring new life. This is a call to see ourselves as conduits of heaven’s life, wherever we go. [01:32]
2. Depth in God’s Presence Requires Surrender, Not Just Comfort Many settle for a shallow experience of God, content with comfort and convenience. But the Spirit invites us to go deeper—beyond ankle or knee-deep—into full surrender, letting Him carry us where we cannot go on our own. True transformation and power come when we lay down distractions and idols, making space for God to move in and through us. [02:58]
3. The Gifts and Power of the Spirit Are for Today The Holy Spirit has not retired; His gifts and power are not just historical but are meant for the church now. While there are legitimate fears and past abuses, the answer is not to avoid the Spirit’s work but to pursue authenticity, discernment, and wise stewardship of His gifts. The church is at its best when it is open to the Spirit, anchored in Scripture, and willing to be led into the unknown. [10:52]
4. Transformation Comes Through Repentance, Obedience, and Prayer Stepping into the fullness of the Spirit begins with repentance—making space by clearing out what clutters our lives. Obedience follows, as we say yes to God’s leading, and prayer sustains us, keeping us open to ongoing filling and empowerment. This is not a one-time event but a continual process of being filled, transformed, and sent out. [26:12]
5. Humility and Hunger Position Us for More of God The journey into deeper life with the Spirit is marked by humility—a recognition of our need and a willingness to be all in, not just partially committed. God responds to those who are desperate for Him, who are willing to step out of comfort and into dependence on His power. As we humble ourselves and seek more of Him, He promises to fill us and use us to bring life to others.

** [30:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Ezekiel’s River: Life Wherever It Flows
[01:32] - The River Flows Through God’s People Today
[02:14] - Are You Ankle Deep or All In?
[03:47] - God’s Presence Through the Story of Scripture
[05:13] - Distraction and the Need for Presence
[07:08] - Word and Spirit: Growing Up in Grace
[08:34] - Greater Works: The Call to More
[09:54] - Hurdles to the Spirit: Theology, Fear, and Secularism
[12:27] - The World’s Spiritual Curiosity
[14:21] - Baptized in the Spirit: Power and Witness
[15:25] - Stepping In: From Observation to Participation
[18:20] - Pentecost: Fulfillment and New Creation
[21:18] - The Spirit’s Power: Transformation and Mission
[24:24] - Peter’s Story: From Denial to Boldness
[26:12] - Repentance, Obedience, and Prayer
[29:39] - Keep Being Filled: Living Pentecost
[30:15] - Humility: The Posture for More

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Let the River Flow: Living in God’s Presence”

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (ESV)
> Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east... And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.

Acts 2:1-13, 37-39 (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 they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance... Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Observation Questions

In Ezekiel’s vision, what happens to the land and the Dead Sea as the river flows from the temple? What does this show about the nature of God’s presence? ([00:51])
According to Acts 2, what were the visible and audible signs that the Holy Spirit had come upon the believers at Pentecost? ([17:51])
What was the crowd’s reaction to the disciples being filled with the Spirit and speaking in other languages? How did Peter respond to their questions? ([18:54])
In the sermon, what are some of the hurdles or fears people have about the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit? ([09:54])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to use the image of a river in Ezekiel’s vision to represent His presence? What does this say about how God wants to work in and through His people? ([00:51])
The sermon mentions that many people settle for “ankle-deep” or “knee-deep” experiences of God’s presence. What might this look like in someone’s daily life or faith journey? ([02:14])
According to Peter’s message in Acts 2, what are the steps to receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? Why do you think repentance, obedience, and prayer are emphasized? ([25:54])
The sermon talks about the church being “scattered” to bring God’s presence into every part of society. What are some practical ways this could happen in our city or community? ([02:58])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us not to settle for a shallow experience of God’s presence. Are there areas in your life where you feel you are only “ankle-deep” or “knee-deep” with God? What would it look like for you to step in deeper? ([02:14])
Distractions and idols can keep us from experiencing more of God. What is one specific distraction or idol in your life that you sense God is asking you to lay down? How could you make space for God this week? ([05:13])
The gifts and power of the Holy Spirit are for today, not just the past. Have you ever witnessed or experienced the Spirit’s gifts (like healing, prophecy, or boldness)? If not, what holds you back from being open to them? ([10:52])
The sermon says revival and transformation begin with ordinary people who are hungry for God. What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate more hunger for God’s presence? ([07:08])
Repentance, obedience, and prayer are described as the way into deeper life with the Spirit. Which of these do you find most challenging, and why? What is one step you could take to grow in this area? ([26:12])
The world is spiritually hungry, but the church is often spiritually cautious. How can you personally be more bold and authentic in sharing or demonstrating God’s presence in your workplace, school, or neighborhood? ([12:27])
The sermon ends with a call to humility and being “all in” for God. What would it look like for you to be “all in” this season? Is there a specific area where you need to humble yourself and ask God to fill you afresh? ([30:15])

Close in prayer, asking God to fill each person afresh with His Spirit and to help the group be carriers of His presence wherever they go.

Sermon Clips

26s

#RealSpiritNotFake

“And yet here's the irony. Look at our culture, fascinated by the supernatural. People experimenting with psychedelics, energy portals, past lives, that's transcendence without Jesus. And so the world is spiritually curious, but the church is often spiritually cautious. And yet we're the ones with the real thing, the tangible, undeniable presence of God.”

34s

#WisdomInPrayer

“Many of us watch others experience God's power at work, but we've never actually entered the room ourselves to experience it. So when someone says to you, I've got a word, and you get that feeling of, oh, I think that might be for me, but the idea of stepping forward for prayer, I don't want to do that because I don't want to be seen to be in that. I don't want to be seen to be in that. I don't want to be seen to be in need. Let me say something to you. Being prayed for is probably one of the wisest things you can do. It's the strongest decision you can make because it's acknowledging you can't go on the way you were. Leave the same in your own strength.”

16s

#PresenceTransformsLife

“Your marriage doesn't just need good communication advice, it needs the presence of God. Your healing isn't just process, it's about his presence. Your breakthrough isn't just about grit, it's about his grace at work in your life.”

31s

#SpiritTransformsUs

“That same Peter that denied by a fire, that had grace by a fire, was now preaching fire and 3,000 people come to Jesus. That's what the Holy Spirit does. He changes us to move from someone that's denying, not me, I can't be used, to seeing his kingdom break through salvation, healing, miracles.”

Ask a question about this sermon

ChristChurch Fulham This sermon · AI assistant

What does stepping fully into God's presence require?

How does the Holy Spirit transform believers' lives?

What are common barriers to experiencing spiritual revival?

The River of God’s Presence: Living Fully in the Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The River of God’s Presence Brings Life Everywhere It Flows

Day 2: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Mission and Transformation

Day 3: Repentance and Obedience Open Us to More of God’s Presence

Day 4: Prayer and Continual Filling Sustain Spiritual Power

Day 5: Humility and Full Surrender Lead to Transformation

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

The River of God’s Presence: Living Fully in the Spirit

Share