THE COUNSELOR WE DON'T SEEK

Today, we explored the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Many of us seek counsel from friends, family, or even distractions, but neglect to consult the Counselor who dwells within us—God Himself, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not a mystical force or a fleeting feeling, but the very presence of God, co-equal with the Father and the Son, active from creation through redemption, and now living within every believer. This indwelling is not a distant or abstract reality; it is the fulfillment of God’s promise, making each of us a living temple, carrying His glory and presence wherever we go.

The Spirit’s work is multifaceted. He convicts us of sin, but does not leave us in shame—He liberates us, breaks the power of sin, and announces our freedom in Christ. He transforms our minds, reshaping our desires from fleshly impulses to spiritual appetites, and empowers us to live in a way that pleases God. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, reviving our hope, sustaining us through trials, and reminding us of our belonging to God. The Spirit leads us gently, not by coercion, but by calling us into deeper surrender and partnership with God.

Walking in the Spirit is not about legalistic micromanagement or chasing emotional experiences. It is about daily surrender—aligning our steps with His rhythm, feeding on God’s Word, communing in prayer, obeying His promptings, and cultivating stillness to hear His whisper. Our ability to walk in the Spirit is directly tied to our desire to know God; the more we seek Him, the more clearly we recognize His voice. The Spirit is our assurance, our guarantee of future glorification, and the one who makes the reality of Christ’s work present in our lives.

We are called to live as those who carry the very presence of God, reflecting His love, power, and holiness. This is not a privilege for a select few, but the inheritance of every believer. The Spirit’s presence is the fulfillment of God’s desire to dwell with His people—not just among us, but within us. Let us not take this lightly, but radically apply this truth, living each day in surrendered partnership with the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God and the good of others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or a fleeting feeling, but God Himself—co-equal with the Father and the Son, possessing every divine attribute. To treat Him as anything less is to miss the depth of relationship and guidance He offers. When we honor the Spirit as God, we move from chasing experiences to seeking true relationship and transformation. [09:52]
• 2. The Spirit’s indwelling presence is the fulfillment of God’s promise, making every believer a living temple. Unlike the Old Testament, where God’s presence was distant and reserved for a select few, now the veil is torn and the Spirit resides in all who are in Christ. This reality should shape our identity, our sense of worth, and our daily conduct, as we carry the very glory of God within us. [23:36]
• 3. The Spirit’s work is both liberating and transforming. He convicts us of sin, but not to condemn; rather, He breaks the power of sin and announces our freedom in Christ. True transformation begins as the Spirit renews our minds, shifting our desires from the flesh to the things of God, and empowering us to live in freedom and peace. [27:20]
• 4. Walking in the Spirit is a daily act of surrender, not a checklist of permissions or a pursuit of emotional highs. It is about aligning our lives with God’s rhythm through Scripture, prayer, obedience, and stillness. The Spirit leads gently, not by force, and our ability to discern His voice grows as we cultivate intimacy with God and yield control to Him each day. [44:13]
• 5. The Spirit is our assurance and guarantee of future glorification. We have received the “spirit of adoption” as a deposit, but the full adoption—the redemption of our bodies and the completion of our salvation—awaits us in glory. The Spirit’s presence is both our present comfort and our future hope, moving us ever closer to Christ and confirming that we belong to God. [37:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:37] - Introducing the Unconsulted Counselor
• [01:47] - The Pressures We Face and the Spirit’s Role
• [03:04] - Where We Seek Counsel and Comfort
• [04:19] - Romans 8: Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
• [06:10] - Who Is the Holy Spirit?
• [08:04] - The Trinity in Creation
• [09:15] - The Holy Spirit Is God
• [13:30] - The Spirit’s Role in Redemption History
• [16:03] - The Disciples’ Doubt and the Coming of the Spirit
• [18:36] - The Spirit’s Empowerment at Pentecost
• [20:34] - God’s Presence: From the Ark to Our Hearts
• [24:15] - The Spirit’s Roles in Romans 8
• [27:20] - Conviction, Freedom, and Transformation
• [31:02] - The Spirit Who Raises the Dead
• [33:35] - The Spirit’s Leading and Empowerment
• [36:01] - The Spirit of Adoption and Our Future Hope
• [41:42] - Every Work of the Spirit Points to Christ
• [42:20] - Walking in Step with the Spirit
• [44:13] - Daily Surrender and Partnership with God
• [46:01] - Knowing God and Recognizing His Voice
• [47:59] - Word, Prayer, Obedience, and Stillness
• [49:50] - Living as God’s Temple
• [52:22] - Created for God’s Glory
• [54:49] - The Invitation to Salvation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Romans 8:1-17 (ESV) — 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 8:1-4, what has the “law of the Spirit of life” accomplished for those who are in Christ Jesus?
2. In the sermon, what is the difference between conviction and condemnation as described in Romans 8:1 and explained by the pastor? ([27:20])
3. What does Paul say is the result of setting our minds on the flesh versus setting our minds on the Spirit? (Romans 8:5-6)
4. How does the pastor describe the way the Holy Spirit leads believers—what words or images does he use to contrast the Spirit’s leading with legalism or coercion? ([34:12])

Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor says the Holy Spirit is not just a force or a feeling, but God Himself, co-equal with the Father and the Son. Why is it important for believers to see the Spirit as a person and not just an “it”? How might this change someone’s relationship with God? ([09:52])
2. The sermon explains that the Spirit’s indwelling makes every believer a “living temple.” How should this reality shape a Christian’s sense of identity and daily conduct? ([23:36])
3. The pastor describes the Spirit’s work as both liberating and transforming. In what ways does the Spirit break the power of sin and announce our freedom in Christ, rather than just making us feel guilty? ([27:20])
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean to “walk in the Spirit” on a daily basis? How is this different from following a checklist or chasing emotional experiences? ([44:13])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that many of us seek advice or comfort from friends, family, or distractions before turning to the Holy Spirit. When was the last time you faced a decision or struggle and neglected to consult the Spirit? What would it look like to invite the Spirit into those moments first? ([03:04])
2. The sermon says the Spirit convicts us of sin but does not leave us in shame—He liberates us and announces our freedom in Christ. Is there an area of your life where you still feel stuck in shame or guilt? How can you invite the Spirit to bring freedom and transformation in that area? ([27:20])
3. The pastor emphasized that walking in the Spirit is about daily surrender, not legalistic micromanagement. What does “daily surrender” look like for you personally? Are there specific habits or routines you could start or adjust to help you yield to the Spirit each day? ([44:13])
4. The sermon mentioned that our ability to walk in the Spirit is tied to our desire to know God. What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your relationship with God—through Scripture, prayer, or stillness? ([46:01])
5. The Spirit is described as our assurance and guarantee of future glorification. How does this truth affect the way you handle trials, disappointments, or uncertainty in your life right now? ([37:15])
6. The pastor said that the Spirit leads gently, not by force, and that our ability to discern His voice grows as we cultivate intimacy with God. Have you ever sensed the Spirit’s gentle leading in your life? What helped you recognize it, and how can you become more attentive to His voice? ([34:12])
7. The sermon challenges us to live as those who carry the very presence of God, reflecting His love, power, and holiness. What is one relationship or situation where you want to be more intentional about reflecting God’s presence this week? ([51:42])