The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God’s generous gift to every believer, sent by the Father and the Son to dwell within us, empower us, and guide us into all truth. Jesus, knowing He would soon return to the Father, promised His disciples that they would not be left alone. Instead, the Spirit of truth would come, not only to comfort but to equip them for the challenges ahead. The Spirit’s presence is not a distant theological concept but a living reality for every Christian—He indwells us, fills us, and works through us in ways we often overlook or misunderstand.

The Spirit imparts power, first by enabling us to be witnesses for Christ. This power is not just for the apostles at Pentecost but for all believers. There is a distinction between being indwelt by the Spirit (which happens at salvation) and being filled by the Spirit (which empowers us for boldness and effective ministry). The Spirit emboldens us to speak the gospel, even when we feel inadequate or afraid, and He works through our obedience, sometimes in ways we cannot see or predict.

The Holy Spirit also gives us the strength to persevere under pressure. Just as a diamond is formed under intense heat and pressure, so God uses trials to shape us into something beautiful and enduring. The Spirit’s presence ensures that we are not overcome by offense or resentment when we face opposition or suffering for Christ’s sake. Instead, He reminds us of God’s purposes and sustains us through every hardship.

Beyond empowering and sustaining us, the Spirit influences the world. He convicts unbelievers of the singular sin of not believing in Jesus, not of every individual sin. The law and conscience convict of sins, but the Spirit’s work is to point to Christ as the only remedy for unbelief. For believers, the Spirit convicts us of righteousness—He persuades and guides us to live in a way that reflects Christ’s character, not by shaming us for our failures but by leading us into what is right.

The Spirit also convicts the world—and Satan—of judgment. Christ’s victory on the cross means the ruler of this world is already judged, and those who refuse to believe share in that judgment. Finally, the Spirit illuminates our way, guiding us into truth and always pointing us to Jesus. He is like a floodlight, never drawing attention to Himself but always highlighting Christ, helping us to understand Scripture and to walk in the light of God’s will.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling and filling are distinct realities. Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit at salvation, but being filled is an ongoing experience that empowers us for bold witness and ministry. This filling is not about emotional highs but about surrender and obedience, allowing the Spirit to work through us even when we feel weak or unqualified. [10:16]
• 2. God uses the pressures and trials of life, through the Spirit’s sustaining presence, to shape us into something precious and enduring. Like a diamond formed under heat and pressure, our afflictions are not wasted but are working for us an eternal weight of glory. The Spirit enables us to persevere without becoming embittered or offended, reminding us of God’s greater purposes. [21:48]
• 3. The Spirit’s conviction in the world is focused on the sin of unbelief in Christ, not on every individual sin. The law and conscience reveal our sins, but the Spirit’s unique work is to point people to Jesus as the only solution for separation from God. For believers, the Spirit’s conviction is not about condemnation but about guiding us into righteousness—showing us what pleases God and empowering us to walk in it. [33:18]
• 4. What fills us controls us. If we are filled with sorrow, anger, or self, those things will dominate our actions and attitudes. But when we are filled with the Spirit, we come under His influence, enabling us to live and act in ways that reflect Christ. The Spirit’s filling is not automatic; it requires intentional surrender and a willingness to let Him lead. [27:09]
• 5. The Spirit’s ultimate role is to glorify Christ and guide us into truth. He is like a hidden floodlight, always directing our attention to Jesus rather than Himself. As we walk in step with the Spirit, He opens our understanding of Scripture, leads us in righteousness, and continually points us to the sufficiency and beauty of Christ. [56:31]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Prayer for Offering
• [01:27] - Announcements and Prayer Walk
• [03:17] - Scripture Reading: John 15:26–16:15
• [06:05] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit’s Work
• [08:07] - The Spirit Imparts Power to Witness
• [10:16] - Indwelling vs. Filling of the Spirit
• [13:57] - Power to Preach and Boldness
• [16:44] - Surrendering to the Spirit’s Control
• [18:51] - Power to Persevere Under Pressure
• [21:48] - Diamonds Formed by Trials
• [24:31] - The Spirit Influences the World
• [27:09] - What Fills You Controls You
• [29:13] - The Spirit Convicts of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment
• [33:18] - Conviction of Unbelief and Righteousness
• [43:46] - The Spirit’s Judgment on Satan
• [49:09] - The Spirit Illuminates Our Way
• [53:07] - The Spirit Guides into All Truth
• [55:51] - The Spirit Glorifies Christ
• [57:52] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
• [60:28] - Closing Song

Bible Reading

John 15:26–16:15 (ESV) —
> 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
>
> 1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
>
> “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
>
> 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in John 15:26–16:15, what are some of the specific roles the Holy Spirit (the Helper) will have when He comes?
2. In the sermon, what is the difference between being “indwelt” by the Holy Spirit and being “filled” with the Holy Spirit? ([10:16])
3. What does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will convict the world of, and why? ([24:31])
4. How does the sermon describe the way the Holy Spirit guides believers into truth? ([53:07])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus say it is to the disciples’ “advantage” that He goes away and the Holy Spirit comes? What does this mean for us today? ([07:24])
2. The sermon compares the process of becoming like Christ to a diamond being formed under heat and pressure. How does the Holy Spirit help believers persevere through trials and suffering? ([21:48])
3. The pastor says, “What fills you controls you.” What are some practical implications of this truth for a believer’s daily life? ([27:09])
4. The Holy Spirit’s conviction of “sin” is described as focusing on unbelief in Jesus, not every individual sin. How does this shape the way we understand evangelism and our own walk with God? ([33:18])

Application Questions

1. The sermon teaches that every believer is indwelt by the Spirit, but being filled is an ongoing experience that empowers us for bold witness. Can you think of a time when you felt especially empowered or emboldened by the Holy Spirit? What led up to that moment? ([10:16])
2. The pastor said, “What fills you controls you.” What are you most often “filled” with—worry, anger, self, or the Spirit? How can you intentionally surrender to the Spirit’s control this week? ([27:09])
3. When facing trials or pressure, do you tend to become bitter or discouraged, or do you sense the Spirit helping you persevere? What is one practical way you can invite the Spirit to help you see God’s purpose in your current challenges? ([21:48])
4. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of the sin of unbelief in Jesus. Is there someone in your life who doesn’t believe in Christ? How might the Spirit want to use you as a “channel” to point them to Jesus? ([36:36])
5. The Spirit convicts believers of righteousness—not by shaming us, but by guiding us into what is right. Is there an area in your life where you sense the Spirit nudging you toward a specific act of obedience or change? What is holding you back? ([39:58])
6. The Spirit’s ultimate role is to glorify Christ and guide us into truth, like a hidden floodlight always pointing to Jesus. Are there ways you tend to focus more on yourself or your own efforts rather than on Jesus? How can you shift your focus this week? ([56:31])
7. The sermon mentioned that the Spirit illuminates our understanding of Scripture. What is one step you can take to rely more on the Spirit’s guidance as you read the Bible or make decisions? ([53:07])