The Transformative Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit

Summary

Today’s focus is on the profound gift and presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer. As we look at John 16, we see Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure, not with despair, but with the promise of an even greater advantage: the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus assures us that His going is not a loss, but a gain, because the Spirit will come to dwell within us, guide us, and empower us for the life and mission God has called us to.

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but the third person of the Trinity—eternally distinct, yet unified with the Father and the Son. From the very beginning, the Spirit has been active, hovering over creation, empowering leaders, and now, in this age, indwelling every follower of Jesus. The Spirit’s work is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, opening our eyes to our need for Christ and drawing us to salvation. He is our Helper, our Paraclete, the one who comes alongside with urgency and compassion, pointing us to Jesus and transforming our hearts.

For those who have trusted in Christ, the Spirit not only convicts but also seals us, guaranteeing our inheritance and never leaving us. He guides us into all truth, teaches us, counsels us, and produces the fruit of Christlikeness in our lives. The Spirit’s presence is not just for our comfort, but for our mission—empowering us to reflect Jesus in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We are called to daily surrender, to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to control our thoughts, words, and actions, and to be sensitive to His leading in every moment.

The Spirit yearns jealously for us, longing for us to walk closely with Jesus and to build His kingdom together. Our response is to yield ourselves fully, to live in desperate dependence on Him, and to celebrate the life, hope, and purpose He brings. Whether you are coming to Jesus for the first time or seeking a fresh filling of the Spirit, today is the day to say, “Holy Spirit, I yield myself to you. Lead me, fill me, and glorify Jesus through me.”

Key Takeaways

- The Holy Spirit is our greatest advantage in this life, not merely a comforter but the very presence of God dwelling within us. His coming means we are never alone, and we have access to divine guidance, conviction, and empowerment for every step of our journey. This is not a distant theological truth, but a daily, living reality for every believer. [50:02]

- The Spirit’s primary work is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, revealing our desperate need for Jesus. He does not merely point out our failures, but lovingly draws us to the righteousness found only in Christ, and warns us of the consequences of rejecting God’s grace. This conviction is a gift, awakening us to the hope and transformation available in Jesus. [01:13:03]

- For those who belong to Christ, the Spirit indwells, seals, and secures us, guaranteeing our eternal inheritance. No circumstance, failure, or power can break this seal; our salvation is as secure as the promise of God Himself. This assurance frees us from fear and compels us to live boldly for Christ, knowing we are held fast by the Spirit. [01:17:52]

- The Spirit is our daily guide, teacher, and counselor, leading us into all truth and producing the fruit of Christlikeness in us. He speaks through the Word, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to love, forgive, and serve as Jesus did. Our responsibility is to cultivate a posture of surrender, making space for the Spirit to direct our steps and shape our character. [01:21:46]

- Walking in the Spirit is a moment-by-moment surrender, a continual yielding of our will, plans, and desires to God’s control. The Spirit yearns for us, longing to manifest Christ’s presence and power through us, both individually and as a church. Our greatest impact comes not from our own strength, but from living in desperate dependence on the Spirit, allowing Him to build God’s kingdom through us. [01:30:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:17] - Celebrating God’s Work in Our Region
[47:04] - Prayer for the Spirit’s Power
[48:22] - Good News and Bad News: Setting the Stage
[49:02] - Jesus’ Farewell and the Disciples’ Sorrow
[50:02] - The Advantage of the Spirit’s Coming
[01:13:03] - The Spirit’s Work: Conviction and New Birth
[01:17:52] - The Spirit’s Indwelling and Security
[01:19:03] - The Spirit as Our Guide and Teacher
[01:21:04] - The Spirit and the Word of God
[01:21:46] - Fruit of the Spirit and Evidence of New Life
[01:23:19] - Trusting the Spirit’s Guidance
[01:24:30] - The Spirit Glorifies Jesus, Not Ourselves
[01:26:20] - Surrendering Daily to the Spirit
[01:30:03] - The Spirit’s Jealous Yearning and Kingdom Mission
[01:32:36] - Responding to the Spirit’s Call
[01:35:02] - Living in the Power and Presence of the Spirit
[01:36:48] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gift and Presence of the Holy Spirit

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### Bible Reading

- John 16:4-15 (Primary passage)
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (The Spirit seals and guarantees our inheritance)
- Galatians 5:16, 22-25 (Walking in the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit)

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 16:7, Jesus says it is to the disciples’ “advantage” that He goes away. What reason does He give for this?
2. According to John 16:8-11, what are the three things the Holy Spirit will convict the world of?
3. In Ephesians 1:13-14, what does Paul say happens to those who believe in Jesus?
4. What are some of the “fruit of the Spirit” listed in Galatians 5:22-23? How does Paul describe the difference between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus describes the coming of the Holy Spirit as an “advantage” for His followers, rather than a loss? What does this say about the Spirit’s role in our lives? ([50:02])
2. The sermon described the Holy Spirit as our “Helper” or “Paraclete”—someone who comes alongside us with urgency and compassion. How does this image help us understand the Spirit’s work in our daily lives? ([49:02])
3. Ephesians 1:13-14 says the Spirit “seals” us and guarantees our inheritance. How might this assurance affect the way a believer faces fear, doubt, or failure? ([01:17:52])
4. Galatians 5 talks about “walking in the Spirit.” According to the sermon, what does it look like to surrender to the Spirit’s leading in practical, everyday life? ([01:26:20])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said the Holy Spirit is not just a comforter, but our greatest advantage—God’s presence within us. Do you tend to think of the Spirit as a distant idea, or as someone actively involved in your life? What would change if you really believed He is with you every moment? ([50:02])
2. The Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment—not to shame us, but to lovingly draw us to Jesus. Can you remember a time when you felt the Spirit’s conviction? How did you respond? Is there an area in your life right now where you sense the Spirit calling you to change? ([01:13:03])
3. The sermon emphasized that the Spirit “seals” us and guarantees our salvation. When you struggle with doubt or fear about your relationship with God, how can you remind yourself of this truth? ([01:17:52])
4. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, and more. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you want to see grow in your life. What is one specific step you can take this week to cultivate it? ([01:21:46])
5. Walking in the Spirit is described as a “moment-by-moment surrender.” What does surrender look like for you on a typical day? Are there specific routines, prayers, or reminders that help you yield to the Spirit’s leading? ([01:26:20])
6. The sermon said the Spirit yearns jealously for us and wants to build God’s kingdom through us. Where do you sense the Spirit nudging you to step out in faith—at home, work, or in your community? What is one way you can respond this week? ([01:30:03])
7. The closing challenge was to pray, “Holy Spirit, I yield myself to you. Lead me, fill me, and glorify Jesus through me.” What would it look like for you to make this your daily prayer? How might it change your attitude, decisions, or relationships? ([01:35:02])

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Close in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to fill, guide, and empower each person to reflect Jesus in their daily lives.

Devotional

Day 1: The Advantage of the Holy Spirit’s Coming
Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit as a great advantage for every believer, assuring us that His departure means the Spirit will come to guide, help, and empower us. The disciples were filled with sorrow at the thought of Jesus leaving, but He assured them that it was for their benefit—because the Holy Spirit would come to dwell within them, bringing God’s presence and power into their daily lives. The Spirit is not a distant force but a personal Helper, Counselor, and Advocate who draws us to Jesus, convicts us of truth, and enables us to live out God’s purposes. As followers of Jesus, we are never alone; the Spirit is with us, guiding us into all truth and empowering us to glorify Christ in every circumstance. [50:02]

John 16:4-7 (ESV)
"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. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 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."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that the Holy Spirit is with you and for you today, even when circumstances feel uncertain or difficult?


Day 2: The Spirit Convicts of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment
The Holy Spirit’s work is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, opening our eyes to our need for Jesus and the reality of eternity. Without the Spirit, we remain blind to our sin and separated from God, but the Spirit urgently calls us to turn from our own way, recognize our need for Christ’s righteousness, and understand the seriousness of judgment apart from Him. Like a paramedic rushing to the scene, the Spirit brings conviction not to condemn, but to rescue and lead us to repentance and new life in Jesus. This conviction is a gift, awakening us to the hope and salvation found only in Christ. [01:03:03]

John 16:8-11 (ESV)
"And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."

Reflection: Is there a specific sin, attitude, or area of unbelief that the Holy Spirit is convicting you about today? How will you respond to His prompting?


Day 3: The Spirit Seals, Indwells, and Guides Believers
For every follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell, seal, and guide us, guaranteeing our inheritance and leading us into all truth. The Spirit’s presence is not temporary or conditional; He is the guarantee of our salvation, the One who convicts, counsels, and produces the fruit of Christlikeness in us. He guides us like a GPS, prompting us to obey, to repent, and to reflect Jesus in our daily lives. Even when we stray, the Spirit lovingly calls us back, assuring us that we are God’s children and that He will never leave us. [01:19:03]

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: How can you intentionally listen for and follow the Spirit’s guidance in a decision or relationship you are facing this week?


Day 4: The Spirit Glorifies Jesus and Reveals Truth
The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to glorify Jesus and to lead us into all truth, never drawing attention to Himself but always pointing us to Christ and the Word of God. He is the author of Scripture, the One who teaches, convicts, and reveals God’s promises as we read and meditate on the Bible. The Spirit’s voice will always align with God’s Word, and as we yield to Him, He produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, and more in our lives. Our daily dependence on the Spirit transforms us from the inside out, making us more like Jesus and equipping us to live for His glory. [01:21:46]

John 16:13-14 (ESV)
"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. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can make space today to listen to the Spirit through God’s Word, allowing Him to shape your thoughts and actions?


Day 5: Daily Surrender and Dependence on the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit means daily surrender—yielding every part of our lives to His control and living in desperate dependence on His power and presence. Just as a person under the influence of something else is controlled by it, we are called to be filled and led by the Spirit, letting Him direct our calendar, our words, our relationships, and our responses. This daily walk is not about perfection but about a heart posture of surrender, seeking the Spirit’s guidance, and allowing Him to bear fruit in us for the sake of God’s kingdom. As we do, we become vessels of hope, peace, and purpose, reflecting Jesus to a world in need. [01:26:20]

Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your daily routine or schedule where you need to surrender control to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to lead you today?

Quotes

He is our paracletes he is where we get the English word paramedic the helper the one with urgency who comes and he gives the counsel he gives the help he convicts our heart to say come to Jesus turn to Jesus you're a sinner in need of saving grace he's that one. [01:06:37] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

Do you not know that you are God's temple Pastor Brandon mentioned this a moment ago that the spirit of God dwells in you or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you that you have from God you are not your own you're bought with a price anybody say glory well that's not much of a glory so glorify God come on glory glorify God in your body as he mentioned this morning as we share this moment friend the church is everywhere God's called us to assemble as his people but we don't ever throw it away because it's throughout the word but in the morning when you go to work the temple of the Holy Spirit as you know the person of Jesus Christ has shown up he's in the house and now he's saying be the reflection of Jesus come and be infectious. [01:16:09] (00:01:03 seconds) Edit Clip

Repentance is not a bad deal. It's a beautiful word. And it's the beauty of the heart of God that he says, look, I'm not just going to cut you off, but you're my son. You're my daughter. Come back to me. And as he does that, oh, friend, how beautiful that for the child of God, he will never, ever, no, never leave you. [01:17:48] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip

He teaches us, convicts us, gives us counsel, produces fruit in us. Oh, the beautiful nine fruits. If you know, you know, that's how you know if you know Jesus. Man, how I know that I know Jesus? Because the joy, the love that came into my heart. I've told you before, and I mean it to this day. I grew up with a drug problem. My mother drugged me into church. She drugged me home from church. I didn't want to be with God's people. I didn't have any desire. But I'm telling you, when the love of Jesus, when the fruit of the Spirit moved into my heart, I loved it. Because I love the Word of God. I love the things of God. I'm not perfect, as my wife. I blow it all the time. I spend half of my life repenting to her. But I'm thankful, man, if the love of Jesus, if you don't love the things of God, you don't know Jesus. [01:22:16] (00:00:57 seconds) Edit Clip

But friend, the Spirit of God is life. Word of God is life. And he's pleading with you. He's saying, oh, I'm jealous for you. Come to Jesus, because I want to take resident in you, that I might live through you, that you can live a life of hope, knowing that yes, everlasting hope in Jesus, living a life of purpose, living a life of peace. Even when the waters are turbulent, I'll give you comfort. I'll give you help. I'll move in and make my residence known. If you'll just turn from you and say, yes, Jesus. Spirit of God, come. That's the word today. [01:32:48] (00:00:47 seconds) Edit Clip

But as a follower of Jesus, friend, and I pray, would it be our prayer of Impact Church, that the presence and the power of the Spirit of God would rest on His church, would rest on our pastor, would rest on the elders, would rest on we as God's people. And that we would live daily in desperate dependence on our paracletes. The one who daily in urgency never sleeps, never slumbers, omnipotent. We don't have to invite Him. He's with us. But He wants to make Himself known. Manifest Presence. [01:35:24] (00:00:47 seconds) Edit Clip