The Holy Spirit: God's Presence and Purpose in Us

The Apostles’ Creed is a powerful, ancient declaration that unites believers around the essentials of faith, reminding us not only of who God is and what He has done, but also of who we are in light of His work. As we have explored God the Father who creates and God the Son who redeems, today we turn to the Holy Spirit—the third person of the Trinity—whose presence and work are often shrouded in mystery. While the Father and Son may seem more tangible, the Spirit is no less real, personal, or essential. He is the breath, the wind, the active force of God, always moving, initiating, and drawing us toward the heart of God.

From the very beginning, the Spirit has been present, hovering over the waters at creation, and throughout history, God’s desire has been to dwell with His people. This longing is seen in the progression from the Garden of Eden, to the tabernacle, to the temple, and ultimately to Jesus Himself, who “tabernacled” among us. But now, through the Holy Spirit, God’s dwelling is not in a building, but within His people. We are the new temple, the visible presence of God on earth, carrying His Spirit into every room, every situation, and every relationship.

The Spirit is our Helper, Advocate, and Comforter—the one who comes alongside us, illuminating Jesus, guiding us, and empowering us to live as God’s people. He convicts, teaches, intercedes, and shapes us to be more like Christ, brick by brick, moment by moment. Yet, in the busyness and noise of life, we often miss His voice. Hearing from the Spirit requires us to slow down, quiet the distractions, and create space in the ordinary moments—whether through Scripture, prayer, or simply paying attention to the needs around us.

God’s Spirit is always moving in us so that He can move through us. As Jesus breathed peace and the Holy Spirit upon His disciples, He sent them—and us—into the world with purpose and power. Each day, we are invited to step into the discomfort of being God’s temple, to pray, “God, what do you want me to do today?” and to listen for His leading. The Spirit equips, empowers, and sends us, so that in every ordinary moment, God might do the extraordinary through us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Holy Spirit is God’s active, personal presence, not an abstract force. From creation to today, the Spirit is always moving—initiating, calling, and drawing us toward God’s heart. Recognizing the Spirit as fully God invites us to respond with reverence, obedience, and expectation, knowing He is intimately involved in our lives. [03:35]
• 2. God’s desire to dwell with His people is fulfilled through the Spirit living in us. The biblical story moves from God’s presence in the garden, to the tabernacle, to the temple, to Jesus, and now to us as His living temples. This means our lives are sacred spaces where heaven meets earth, and our ordinary rhythms become opportunities for God’s presence to be seen and experienced by others. [07:59]
• 3. The Spirit’s work is to reveal Jesus and shape us into His likeness. The Spirit stands alongside us, illuminating Christ, reminding us of His words, and empowering us to live out His commands. Transformation is not a one-time event but a daily, ongoing process as the Spirit convicts, comforts, and guides us into deeper Christlikeness. [10:59]
• 4. Hearing the Spirit requires intentional stillness and attentiveness in the ordinary. In a world full of noise and hurry, the Spirit often speaks in quiet moments—through Scripture, prayer, godly counsel, or even disruptions and needs around us. Creating space to listen is essential if we are to discern His voice and respond to His leading. [15:57]
• 5. We are sent by the Spirit into every sphere of life with purpose and power. As God’s temple, we carry His presence wherever we go, and every encounter becomes an opportunity for God to work through us. The simple, courageous prayer, “God, what do you want me to do today?” opens us to the Spirit’s direction and empowers us to participate in God’s extraordinary work in the world. [21:46]
  ** [21:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:26] - The Mystery of the Holy Spirit
• [03:35] - The Spirit in Creation: Ruach
• [04:54] - Temples: God’s Desire to Dwell with Us
• [06:55] - Jesus as the True Temple
• [07:59] - The Spirit Dwelling in Believers
• [09:57] - The Spirit’s Work: Calling, Gathering, Sanctifying
• [10:59] - The Helper: Parakletos and His Role
• [13:21] - The Power of the Spirit in Daily Life
• [14:42] - Listening for the Spirit’s Voice
• [15:57] - Creating Space for the Spirit in the Ordinary
• [17:31] - Personal Practices: Silence, Scripture, and Reflection
• [20:15] - Jesus Sends Us with the Spirit
• [21:46] - Praying and Responding to the Spirit’s Leading
• [22:30] - Closing Blessing and Sending

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV) — > In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 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.

2. 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.

3. 1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)
> Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 1:2, what is the Spirit of God doing at creation, and what does this suggest about His role from the very beginning?
2. According to John 14:16-17, what are some of the names or roles Jesus gives to the Holy Spirit?
3. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, what does Paul say about where God’s Spirit now dwells?
4. The sermon described the Spirit as “the breath, the wind, the active force of God, always moving, initiating, and drawing us toward the heart of God.” What are some examples from the Bible or your own life where you have seen the Spirit “moving” in this way? [03:35]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s desire to dwell with His people moves from the Garden, to the tabernacle, to the temple, to Jesus, and now to us. What does it mean for believers to be “the new temple” where God’s Spirit lives? How might this change the way someone views their daily life? [07:59]
2. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Helper” or “Advocate.” What does it look like for the Spirit to come alongside someone in their everyday struggles or decisions? [10:59]
3. The sermon mentions that the Spirit’s work is to “reveal Jesus and shape us into His likeness.” How does the Spirit do this, and what are some ways people might resist or ignore this work? [10:59]
4. The pastor shared that hearing from the Spirit often requires slowing down and creating space in the ordinary moments. Why do you think it’s so hard to hear the Spirit’s voice in our busy lives? [15:57]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “We are the new temple, the visible presence of God on earth, carrying His Spirit into every room, every situation, and every relationship.” Think about your week—where is one place or relationship where you need to remember you carry God’s presence? How could that change your attitude or actions? [07:59]
2. The Spirit is described as our Helper, Advocate, and Comforter. Is there a specific area in your life right now where you need the Spirit’s help or comfort? What would it look like to invite Him into that situation? [10:59]
3. The pastor shared a story about needing to slow down and listen for the Spirit, just like finding lost keys requires quieting the noise. What is one practical way you could create space this week to listen for the Spirit—maybe through silence, Scripture, or prayer? [15:57]
4. The sermon encouraged us to pray, “God, what do you want me to do today?” Have you ever prayed this kind of prayer? If so, what happened? If not, what holds you back from asking God for direction in your ordinary moments? [21:46]
5. The Spirit often speaks through the needs and disruptions around us. Can you think of a recent “interruption” or unexpected moment that might have been the Spirit trying to get your attention? How could you respond differently next time? [15:57]
6. The Spirit’s work is ongoing, shaping us “brick by brick, moment by moment.” Is there a specific area of your character or habits where you sense the Spirit wants to grow you? What is one step you could take this week to cooperate with Him? [10:59]
7. The pastor said, “God’s Spirit is always moving in us so that He can move through us.” Who is one person you could intentionally bless or serve this week, trusting that the Spirit wants to work through you? [21:46]