Thriving in Faith: The Holy Tutor’s Strength and Wisdom

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit Reveals Christ and God's Will to Us

To truly thrive in our faith, we need more than just knowledge about Jesus; we need the Holy Spirit, our holy tutor, to reveal to us who Christ is and what He desires for our lives. This revelation comes not merely through sermons or teachings, but in the quiet moments when we seek God in prayer and Scripture, allowing Him to speak directly to our hearts. As we make space for these encounters, the truths of the gospel become alive and personal, transforming our understanding and drawing us closer to the living Christ. [29:46]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: When was the last time you set aside quiet, uninterrupted time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Jesus to you? What would it look like to intentionally create that space this week?

Day 2: God Gives Us Strength to Do What Pleases Him

Knowing what God desires is only part of the journey; we also need His strength to actually live it out, especially when life is hard or we feel weak. Through prayer, God offers us endurance, patience, and joy, empowering us to keep going even when we feel like giving up. As we rely on His power rather than our own, we find the ability to live lives that are pleasing to Him, bearing fruit even in seasons of struggle or fatigue. [36:35]

Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most in need of God’s strength right now? How can you invite Him to empower you today to do what you know He is calling you to do?

Day 3: We Are Qualified, Redeemed, and Given a New Identity in Christ

Through Christ, we are transferred from darkness to light, qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints, and given a new name and identity—not because of anything we have done, but by God’s grace. This truth means that no matter our past or our struggles, we belong to God’s family, are being made whole, and have a secure future in His kingdom. Embracing this reality changes how we see ourselves and how we live, filling us with gratitude and hope. [47:40]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What old labels or identities do you need to let go of in order to fully embrace your new identity as one qualified and redeemed by Christ?

Day 4: Daily Time with God Nourishes and Sustains Our Souls

Just as our bodies need daily nourishment, our souls need regular time in God’s Word and prayer to grow strong and resilient. When we make it a habit to seek God each day, He refreshes us, gives us wisdom, and prepares us to face whatever comes our way with kindness, love, and courage. Even when life is busy or difficult, prioritizing this spiritual “superfood” helps us to thrive and not just survive. [19:21]

Matthew 4:4 (ESV)
"But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to make daily time with God a consistent part of your routine, even if it’s just a few minutes?

Day 5: Praying for Others Invites God’s Power into Their Lives

When we see others struggling or not thriving, our first response should be to pray for them—asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to them and to strengthen them for what they face. Our prayers make a real difference, inviting God’s presence and power into their lives, even when we can’t see immediate results. As we faithfully intercede for others, we participate in God’s work of transformation and encouragement in our community and beyond. [41:56]

James 5:16 (ESV)
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to pray for today? How can you commit to praying specifically for their spiritual growth and strength this week?

Sermon Summary

When we pray for God’s name to be glorified, we are longing for his kingship to be known—a world without suffering, death, or war. We gather in worship, recognizing God’s majesty and mercy, and giving thanks for the redemption he has accomplished through Jesus Christ. Our hearts are called to be open, our minds illumined, and our spirits softened so that we might truly worship with gratitude and joy.

Yet, we confess that we often prefer our own plans to God’s purposes. We shrink from difficult acts of service and sometimes lose our way. But Christ, our Shepherd, never loses us. He finds us, restores us, and holds us in his love. Just as our bodies need nourishment, our souls need the “superfood” of prayer and Scripture. When we feed on God’s word and spend time in his presence, we are strengthened to face whatever comes.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians addresses a church that is faithful but not thriving. He recognizes that it is possible to be alive but not truly living, to be present but not flourishing. Paul’s remedy is twofold: first, he prays that the church would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is not just intellectual knowledge, but a deep, personal revelation that comes from time spent alone with God—the “holy tutor,” the Holy Spirit. It is in the quiet, in the “desert,” that Jesus reveals himself to us, making the truths of the gospel come alive in our hearts.

Second, Paul prays that the church would be strengthened with God’s power for endurance and patience. Knowing what to do is not enough; we need divine strength to actually live it out. Prayer is the means by which we intercede for one another, asking God to both reveal his will and empower us to follow it. This is how we move from mere survival to thriving in our faith.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to tutor us, we discover our inheritance in Christ: we are qualified, redeemed, forgiven, and transferred from darkness to light. The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through him, we are reconciled and made whole. Thriving comes not from programs or activities, but from a living relationship with Jesus, cultivated in quietness, prayer, and thanksgiving. When we pray for ourselves and others in this way, we become fully alive, enthusiastic, and fruitful in our faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Seek the Holy Spirit’s personal tutoring True spiritual growth comes not just from hearing about Jesus, but from encountering him personally in the quiet places of our lives. The Holy Spirit is our “holy tutor,” revealing Christ to us in ways that transform our understanding and ignite our hearts. Make space for solitude and let God’s presence become real to you, beyond mere information or routine. [29:04]
2. Pray for strength to live out God’s will Knowing what God desires is only half the journey; we need his strength to actually do it. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was not just for knowledge, but for power—endurance, patience, and joy in the face of life’s challenges. When we pray for ourselves and others, we are asking God to supply the energy and resilience we lack, so that we can live lives that truly please him. [36:35]
3. Intercede for others before intervening When we see someone not thriving, our first response should be prayer, not criticism or intervention. Paul models this by going to God on behalf of the church, asking for revelation and strength for them. Our prayers can make a real, tangible difference in the lives of others, even when we cannot see immediate results. [40:01]
4. Remember your identity and inheritance in Christ As the Holy Spirit tutors us, we are reminded that we are qualified, redeemed, and transferred from darkness to light. Our identity is not based on our performance, but on what Christ has done for us. This truth anchors us in hope and empowers us to live with gratitude and confidence, no matter our circumstances. [47:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:31] - Call to Worship: The Lord Reigns
[12:43] - Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
[14:05] - Prayer of Confession
[14:52] - Assurance of God’s Faithfulness
[18:06] - Children’s Lesson: Spiritual Superfood
[19:59] - Introduction to Colossians
[23:11] - The Problem: Faithful but Not Thriving
[25:23] - Paul’s Remedy: Prayer for Revelation
[27:51] - Personal Story: Finding Strength in God
[29:04] - The Holy Spirit as Our Tutor
[32:02] - The Need for Personal Revelation
[36:35] - Praying for Strength to Endure
[40:01] - The Power of Intercessory Prayer
[46:45] - Our Inheritance and Identity in Christ
[48:58] - The Supremacy of Christ
[50:46] - Lessons from Haiti: What Makes a Church Thrive
[52:56] - Living Fully Alive in Christ
[56:12] - Closing Prayers and Blessing
[59:20] - Encouragement to Seek God Daily
[61:40] - Announcements and Fellowship
[65:32] - Final Blessing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV) — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:9-10, what does Paul specifically pray for the Colossian church to receive?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between being “faithful” and “thriving” as a church? [[23:11]]
What two main things does Paul pray for the Colossians to experience, according to the sermon? [[36:35]]
What does the pastor mean when he calls the Holy Spirit our “holy tutor”? [[29:04]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize both knowledge of God’s will and the strength to live it out? How are these two things connected? [[36:35]]
The pastor shares that thriving comes not from programs or activities, but from a living relationship with Jesus. Why might programs alone not be enough for spiritual growth? [[51:14]]
What does it look like for someone to be “alive but not truly living” in their faith? Can someone be present in church but not flourishing? [[23:11]]
Why does Paul choose to pray for the Colossians before offering advice or intervention? What does this teach us about how to respond when we see others struggling? [[40:01]]

Application Questions

The sermon compares prayer and Scripture to “superfood” for our souls. What is one practical way you could make space for this “spiritual superfood” in your daily routine this week? [[19:21]]
The pastor admits that sometimes we prefer our own plans to God’s purposes and shrink from difficult acts of service. Can you think of a recent time when you chose your own plan over God’s? What would it look like to choose differently next time? [[14:05]]
Paul prays for the church to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding, not just head knowledge. When was the last time you felt God personally reveal something to you in a quiet moment? How can you create more opportunities for that kind of encounter? [[29:04]]
The sermon encourages us to pray for others before we try to “fix” them. Is there someone in your life who isn’t thriving spiritually? What would it look like to pray for them this week instead of offering advice or criticism? [[40:01]]
The pastor says our identity is not based on performance, but on what Christ has done for us. Are there areas in your life where you feel you have to “earn” God’s approval? How does remembering your inheritance in Christ change your perspective? [[47:05]]
The sermon mentions that thriving often happens in the “desert”—in quiet, sometimes difficult places. Are you currently in a “desert” season? How might God be using this time to tutor you or reveal himself to you? [[29:46]]
The pastor shares about praying for five families in the church every day. Is there a simple prayer practice you could start this week to intercede for others in your community? What might keep you from doing this, and how could you overcome it? [[40:40]]

Sermon Clips

And so in the morning I'd wake up at five in the morning and I'd get alone and I would pray. I would get quiet and I'd open up the Bible and I would just kind of read it. And as I was reading it, it was like the author came out of the page and began to minister to me. And began to open up who he is and what he accomplished. And more than that, he began to let me know that I'm loved and forgiven. He began to refresh my heart and refresh my soul. [00:27:51] (35 seconds) #QuietTimeRefresh

He was teaching me that he would shepherd me in what I was to do and what I was to say. That I needed to get into his presence and get briefed by him in order that I could be the one who would advance his kingdom. So day by day, in his presence, in his word, he began to minister to me so that he could minister through me. So this holy tutor came alongside. And that's what Paul is praying. He's saying, listen, I am praying that God would send his holy tutor so you might know him, his will for you. [00:28:33] (45 seconds) #HolyTutorPresence

See, as much as I want to preach to you the gospel, and I can tell you what the gospel is, and I can do it week after week after week, right? Jesus, who loves you, took the cross for you, entered into a tomb, rose from the grave so that your sins are forgiven, so that he can be redeemed, you can be part of his kingdom. I mean, as much as I say that to you, the penny only drops when you get alone with him and he reveals it to you. It's when you get alone in your quiet place. [00:32:02] (35 seconds) #PersonalRevelation

Jesus would say, it's much better that he goes so that he can send the Holy Spirit who will teach us all truth. And so we have a holy tutor 24-7 who will help us to understand who he is and what he's done for us. And so Paul is praying that somehow he's going to the Holy Tutor and he's asking them to begin to let everyone know that he is present. [00:33:11] (32 seconds) #StrengthToAct

If I could only do what I know to do, I would be just the greatest saint ever, right? But I can't. And so not only is Paul saying, I'm praying that you would know what to do so that you would live a life that's pleasing to the Lord and bear good fruit. I'm praying not only that we have the knowledge, but then he begins to pray a second prayer where he says this. He says, May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you. [00:36:15] (44 seconds) #PersistentPrayerWorks

There's some days when some of us are going through some difficult days. And all of our energy is just like, just getting up is all that we can do in a day. And we're dealing with grief and we're dealing with betrayal and we're dealing with, and so Paul is saying, there's days where it's hard to have endurance. Like we know what we can do and we want to do it, but we can endure and so we need a strength beyond ourselves to do it. And Paul is saying that this strength can happen through prayer. [00:38:15] (29 seconds) #InheritanceInChrist

And so if you start praying for somebody that they might know who the Lord is, it's going to happen that they're going to have some desert time, some time where they can get alone with the Lord and he with them. So the Lord can begin to knock at the door of their heart and begin to sit with them and have a meal with them and begin to converse with them about their life. And when the Lord does this, you see, you're changed. [00:43:10] (29 seconds)

I know that when the Lord sits with me and opens up his word, again and again he lets me know, number one, how loved I am, how cherished I am. And then he begins to recognize like this is what I want you to do, this is my will for you. And then the strength to do it. You see, that's how thriving happens. [00:43:39] (29 seconds)

Glenn, would you pray that I would tutor them so they might know me and who I am and my way? Would you pray with all diligence for that little church? And would you pray that I might strengthen them so they can live lives that please me with all endurance and all the struggles of their life? Glenn, you do those two things and that church will thrive. And I said, yeah, that's true. Okay, that's what I'm going to do. And then he said, but don't just do it for that church. Do it for this church. [00:51:38] (50 seconds)

If we want to thrive, what happens when we pray, allow the tutor to tutor us, make it some desert time, for him to speak into our lives, to reveal truth about who he is and how we're to live, and then to begin to let him strengthen us so that we might have the power to do all that would please him. And soon we'll find ourselves fully alive and enthusiastic in our faith. [00:52:28] (38 seconds)

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