Transformative Access to God Through the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: Access to God Through Prayer

We have the incredible privilege of direct access to the God of all creation through prayer. This access is made possible through Jesus Christ, who empowers us to trust and wait on Him. Prayer is not just a ritual but a powerful tool that allows us to cry out to God from the depths of our souls, recognizing our constant need for Him. This deep, soul-level communication with God is essential for a closer walk with Jesus and for finding whatever we need in Him.

When we pray, we are not just speaking into the void; we are engaging with the living God who can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. This access should fill us with confidence and encourage us to bring all our needs, desires, and struggles before Him. It is through this intimate communication that we can experience His presence and power in our lives. [28:39]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need God's intervention. Spend time today crying out to Him in prayer, expressing your deepest needs and desires.

Day 2: Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

True change in our lives comes not from our own willpower but from the Holy Spirit working within us. Jesus teaches that we must address the root issues in our hearts, such as anger and lust, to experience genuine transformation. This involves allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal the deeper issues that need to be addressed.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to move beyond mere external compliance to a deep, joyful relationship with God. This transformation is about dealing with the root causes of our behaviors and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring about genuine change from the inside out. By addressing these root issues, we can experience the true freedom and transformation that Jesus offers. [54:23]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any root issues in your heart that need to be addressed. How can you invite Him to bring about genuine transformation in these areas?

Day 3: Living with Integrity

Jesus calls us to be people of integrity, whose words are trustworthy without needing to swear oaths. This means being honest and reliable in all our dealings, reflecting the character of Christ. Integrity is about aligning our actions with our words and being consistent in our behavior.

Living with integrity involves being truthful and dependable, ensuring that our yes means yes and our no means no. It is about being the same person in private as we are in public, and allowing our actions to reflect our faith. This kind of integrity builds trust and demonstrates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [01:15:45]

Proverbs 10:9 (ESV): "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent interactions and commitments. Are there areas where you need to align your actions with your words? How can you demonstrate integrity in your daily life today?

Day 4: Dealing with Anger and Lust

Anger and lust are not just about external actions but about the thoughts and desires that fuel them. Jesus teaches that we must deal with these root issues to prevent them from leading to sinful actions. This involves being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, as well as guarding our hearts and minds against lustful thoughts.

Addressing these root issues requires us to be vigilant about what we allow into our minds and hearts. It means being proactive in seeking God's help to control our emotions and desires, and to replace them with thoughts and actions that honor Him. By doing so, we can prevent these destructive forces from taking root in our lives. [01:01:18]

James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you felt anger or lust. How can you apply the principles of being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in similar situations in the future?

Day 5: Forgiveness and Letting Go of Revenge

In the kingdom of heaven, we are called to forgive and let go of the desire for revenge. This means allowing people to offend us without letting bitterness and resentment take root in our hearts. Our goal is to win people to Christ, not to get back at them. This requires a heart transformation that only the Holy Spirit can bring about.

Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees us from the chains of bitterness and resentment. It allows us to reflect the love and grace of Christ to others, even when they have wronged us. By choosing to forgive, we demonstrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and open the door for reconciliation and healing. [01:25:53]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we gathered to celebrate the incredible access we have to the God of all creation. We are reminded that through Christ, we have the Spirit of the living God within us, empowering us to trust, wait, and remain confident in Him. This access means that whatever we need, we can find in Him through prayer. We are encouraged to cry out to God, not just verbally but from the depths of our souls, recognizing our constant need for a closer walk with Jesus.

We explored the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us move beyond mere willpower to genuine change. Jesus teaches us that true transformation comes from dealing with the root issues in our hearts, whether it's anger, lust, or integrity. He challenges us to live out the principles of the kingdom of heaven, which go beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. For instance, anger is not just about avoiding murder but dealing with the underlying issues that lead to it. Similarly, lust is not just about avoiding adultery but addressing the thoughts and desires that fuel it.

We also discussed the importance of integrity, emphasizing that our words should be trustworthy without needing to swear oaths. Jesus calls us to be people of integrity, whose yes means yes and no means no. Finally, we touched on the concept of revenge, urging us to turn the other cheek and not let bitterness and resentment take root in our hearts.

The invitation today is to stop pretending and start living as true disciples of Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not about external compliance but about a deep, joyful relationship with God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Access to God Through Prayer: We have direct access to the God of all creation, who can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. This access is made possible through Jesus Christ, and it empowers us to trust and wait on Him. Prayer is our most powerful tool, and we are encouraged to cry out to God from the depths of our souls, recognizing our constant need for Him. [28:39]
2. Transformation Through the Holy Spirit: True change comes not from willpower but from the Holy Spirit working within us. Jesus teaches that we must address the root issues in our hearts, such as anger and lust, to experience genuine transformation. This involves allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal the deeper issues that need to be addressed. [54:23]
3. Living with Integrity: Jesus calls us to be people of integrity, whose words are trustworthy without needing to swear oaths. This means being honest and reliable in all our dealings, reflecting the character of Christ. Integrity is about aligning our actions with our words and being consistent in our behavior. [75:45]
4. Dealing with Anger and Lust: Anger and lust are not just about external actions but about the thoughts and desires that fuel them. Jesus teaches that we must deal with these root issues to prevent them from leading to sinful actions. This involves being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, as well as guarding our hearts and minds against lustful thoughts. [61:18]
5. Forgiveness and Letting Go of Revenge: In the kingdom of heaven, we are called to forgive and let go of the desire for revenge. This means allowing people to offend us without letting bitterness and resentment take root in our hearts. Our goal is to win people to Christ, not to get back at them. This requires a heart transformation that only the Holy Spirit can bring about. [01:25:53]
### [85:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:39] - Access to God
[27:08] - Trust in the Lord
[28:39] - Power of Prayer
[29:10] - Crying Out to God
[30:12] - Jesus Offers Rest
[31:17] - Power Through Jesus' Blood
[32:30] - Jesus Paid the Ransom
[33:30] - Taking Advantage of Access
[35:22] - God as Our Source
[37:52] - We Are God's Children
[39:40] - The Amazing Kingdom Life Series
[41:19] - Matthew Chapter 5 Introduction
[54:23] - Holy Spirit's Role in Transformation
[55:43] - Dealing with Anger
[59:56] - Root Causes of Anger
[61:18] - Controlling Our Mouths
[64:15] - Addressing Lust
[71:36] - Root Causes of Lust
[75:45] - Living with Integrity
[77:21] - Why We Lie
[81:30] - Revenge and Forgiveness
[85:53] - Turning the Other Cheek
[91:52] - Invitation to Transformation
[93:19] - Rededicating Your Life
[95:06] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[96:23] - Outreach Month Introduction
[103:08] - Supporting Angel's Nest

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 5:21-22, what does Jesus say about anger and its consequences compared to the Old Testament law? ([55:43])
In Matthew 5:27-28, how does Jesus redefine the concept of adultery? ([01:04:15])
What does Jesus teach about making oaths in Matthew 5:33-34, and how does this differ from the traditional understanding? ([01:14:19])
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our hearts and dealing with root issues like anger and lust? ([54:23])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize dealing with the root issues of anger and lust rather than just the outward actions? How does this approach lead to genuine transformation? ([55:43])
How does the concept of integrity, as taught by Jesus, challenge our everyday interactions and commitments? What does it mean to be a person whose "yes means yes and no means no"? ([01:15:45])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is a powerful tool for accessing God's help and experiencing transformation? ([28:39])
How does the idea of turning the other cheek, as mentioned in the sermon, relate to the broader theme of forgiveness and letting go of revenge? ([01:25:53])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anger. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to address the root issue rather than just the outward expression? ([55:43])
Think about your daily interactions. Are there areas where you struggle with integrity? How can you work on being more trustworthy and reliable in your words and actions? ([01:15:45])
How often do you rely on prayer when facing challenges or needing guidance? What steps can you take to make prayer a more integral part of your daily life? ([28:39])
Have you ever struggled with feelings of lust or inappropriate thoughts? What practical steps can you take to guard your heart and mind against these temptations? ([01:04:15])
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or let go of a desire for revenge against? How can you begin the process of forgiveness and healing in that relationship? ([01:25:53])
Identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's help for transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area this week? ([54:23])
Consider the concept of living as a true disciple of Jesus. What changes do you need to make in your life to move from external compliance to a deep, joyful relationship with God? ([01:31:52])

Sermon Clips

1. "As I was praying this morning for us and for our time together, the thing that was tripping me out is the reality that we have access to the God of all creation. We have access. To the God who created everything and sustains everything. We, you, have access to that God right now. And not only do you have access to that God right now, but if you are in Christ, you have the spirit of the living God on the inside of you right now. So when the song says that I will trust in the Lord, that I will, and I can wait on him because I trust in him and I will remain because my confidence is nowhere but in him, that can be true of you because of the spirit that is on the inside of you." [26:39] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Don't tell me what you can't do. Just tell me what God can do. Don't tell me that you can't find a job. Just tell me that if you were just, just keep trusting in him that the right door of employment will open. Don't tell me that you can't forgive your loved one. Just tell me that God can change your heart and you can forgive them and be reconciled to them. Don't tell me what you can't do. Remind yourself what the spirit of God has said in his word about who you are and who you are. You are a child of the most high God." [27:39] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Everybody in here stands in need of something if that something is only just a closer walk with Jesus. We need that. If we don't need anything else, we all need that. And if you need that, and if I need that, if we can all say we need that, God, we are crying out to you. God, we need you. And we know because your word has said that if we would seek you, that we would find you. God, you're not trying to hide. This is not a game of hide and seek. God, you're right there in plain sight. You're right here." [29:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Would you please believe with me that the most powerful you will ever be is when you are on your knees crying out to God with faith. That is where our power comes from. That is our source. you please believe with me today in the power of prayer? Would you please? All of this is made possible because of the blood of Jesus Christ. The only way that you have access, that I have access, the only reason why we have access this morning is because Jesus gave us access. Innocent blood was shed on Calvary's cross. Jesus gave his life, the Bible says, as a ransom for many." [31:17] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have access to the one true and living God. I don't want you to leave this place having not taken advantage of that access. How do you take advantage of that access? You pray. You pray. You cry out to God for his help, for his conviction, for his forgiveness, for his power to be active in your life. You listen attentively to the word of God, and you pray and you ask the Lord to change your heart, not just to let the words go in one ear and out the other, but God, would you change my heart that these words would be life to me?" [33:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The message that Jesus came preaching was a message that said these words, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And what Jesus is going to lay out in the book of Matthew and what we're trying to lay out in this series is what it means to really be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Not a churchgoer, but what does it mean to follow Jesus? What does it look like to live life in the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is not a place that you need a passport that you can fly into. The kingdom of heaven is God's rule, reign, and authority in the earth through the people or the citizens of the kingdom." [39:40] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What Jesus is saying is in my kingdom, we don't run off of a willpower. We run off a Holy Ghost power. First Corinthians chapter 2 verse 10, for to us God revealed them through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Come on. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the Spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is not going to have a conversation with you on your front porch." [54:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If you want to stop looking and sounding like a Christian, and you want to actually start living and loving, being a disciple of Christ. Don't worry about that murder and the fighting. Worry about the root cause, the anger that's festering in your heart. Then he goes on to say about adultery. He says in Matthew chapter 27, verse 28, he says, you have heard it said, or as the ancients have said, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that every one, one, brothers, this is going to get real tight. But I say to you that everyone, everyone who looks at a woman, and I'm going to just put this out here, or a man, ladies, with lust, everybody say lust." [01:02:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If you want to change, just grit in your teeth. There's another one. Holy Spirit, help me see. Is my Bible reading just stale? Have I gotten so stale in my word that when I'm reading it and I'm confronted with stuff that deals with sexual immorality, that it doesn't even touch me anymore? So then my prayer, then it's really about my Bible reading. And am I giving time for the Spirit to actually talk to me when I'm studying the Scriptures? See, you thought you had a looking problem. Well, your problem is much deeper than that. And Jesus says, as a part of my kingdom, we're dealing with some root cause stuff." [01:11:36] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "My brothers and sisters, the invitation for you today is to stop pretending, to stop being stuck doing a whole bunch of things for God, but having no joy and drawing no closer to Him. That is the invitation that Jesus is giving you today." [01:31:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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