Walking in God's Presence: Trusting the Holy Spirit
Summary
From the very beginning, God’s greatest desire has been to be with His people. In the garden, He walked with Adam and Eve; in the wilderness, He instructed Moses to build the tabernacle so His presence could dwell among the Israelites. Yet, even then, access to God’s presence was limited. When Jesus came, everything changed—He made a way for God not just to be with us, but to live inside us through the Holy Spirit. This is the heart of the Christian journey: not striving to follow rules in our own strength, but learning to walk daily in relationship with God, empowered by His Spirit.
We all face a choice between two paths: God’s way, which leads to life, and our own way, which may look appealing but ultimately leads to emptiness. The enemy is subtle, often making us question God’s goodness or tempting us with things that seem harmless or even delightful—like donuts or distractions—but which can pull us away from the life God intends. The truth is, we cannot walk God’s path in our own strength. Even Moses, David, and Jesus Himself depended on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill their callings.
Trust is at the core of this journey. When life doesn’t go as we hoped, it’s easy to retreat to our own understanding, to comfort ourselves with lesser things, or to doubt God’s intentions. Yet, Scripture reminds us that those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted by streams of water—steadfast, fruitful, and unafraid of drought. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a daily turning back to God, inviting His Spirit to fill us anew and guide us on the narrow path.
As parents, mentors, and members of a multi-generational church, our calling is to model this dependence on the Holy Spirit for the next generation. We cannot simply teach rules or rely on our own strength; we must show our children and each other how to walk by the Spirit, to listen for His voice, and to trust Him in every circumstance. God’s way is not always the easiest at first, but it is the only way that leads to true life, wholeness, and purpose.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Presence Is the Distinguishing Mark
From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the indwelling Spirit after Christ, God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people. What sets us apart is not our performance or knowledge, but the presence of God within us. Like Moses, we must recognize that we cannot go forward or fulfill our calling without His presence leading and empowering us. [01:05:36]
- The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit Is Ongoing
Every day, we face the choice between God’s way and our own. The enemy’s lies often make the path of self-indulgence look easier or more rewarding, but it leads to emptiness and isolation. Only by relying on the Holy Spirit can we resist these temptations and remain on the path that leads to life. [01:04:12]
- Trusting God Means Surrendering Our Understanding
When life disappoints or confuses us, it’s tempting to retreat to what feels safe or familiar. Yet, Scripture warns that trusting in our own strength leads to barrenness, while trusting in the Lord brings fruitfulness and resilience. True surrender is a daily act, inviting God to lead us even when we don’t understand. [01:11:06]
- Repentance Is a Daily Turning, Not a One-Time Event
Repentance is more than feeling sorry; it’s a continual turning away from our own way and back to God’s way. No matter how far we wander, it is never too late to turn around—God is always ready to meet us with grace, restore us, and set us back on the right path. [01:14:06]
- The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Life and Mission
We cannot live the Christian life or fulfill our calling in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Teacher, and source of power, enabling us to overcome sin, walk in unity, and bear witness to Christ. Our daily prayer must be for a fresh filling of the Spirit, so that we can walk in obedience and lead others to do the same. [01:22:24]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:38] - Kids Announcements and Testimonies
[40:28] - RL Kids Mini-Sermons
[46:08] - Vision: Love God, Live Whole, Lead Out
[48:41] - The Tabernacle and God’s Presence
[50:10] - Interview with “Moses”
[52:16] - God’s Spirit Now Lives in Us
[54:00] - Jesus Makes a Way for the Spirit
[55:45] - Why the Holy Spirit Is Better
[57:06] - The Two Trees: God’s Way vs. My Way
[59:43] - The Deceptiveness of “My Way”
[01:01:11] - Temptations and Distractions
[01:04:12] - The Need for the Holy Spirit
[01:05:36] - Moses and the Power of God’s Presence
[01:11:06] - Trust, Disappointment, and Surrender
[01:14:06] - Repentance and Returning to God
[01:16:58] - God’s Way Is the Best Way
[01:17:37] - Learning to Listen to the Holy Spirit
[01:20:44] - Parenting and Modeling Dependence on God
[01:22:24] - Teaching the Next Generation
[01:23:46] - The Two Paths: Obedience and Blessing
[01:25:34] - Family Prayer and Repentance
[01:27:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
---
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)
> And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
2. Exodus 33:13-15 (ESV)
> “Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.”
3. Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
> But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 2:16-17, what specific command did God give Adam and Eve about the trees in the garden? What was the consequence for disobedience?
([57:51])
2. According to Exodus 33:13-15, what did Moses say was necessary for the Israelites to move forward? Why did he say God’s presence was so important?
([01:05:36])
3. In the sermon, what are some examples given of things that can distract us from God’s way and pull us toward “our own way”?
([01:01:11])
4. What does Galatians 5:16 say is the result of walking by the Spirit?
([01:04:12])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God limited access to His presence in the Old Testament, but then made a way for His Spirit to live inside believers through Jesus?
([52:16])
2. The sermon talks about two paths: God’s way and our own way. Why does the “my way” path often look more appealing at first, and what does the sermon say is the real outcome of that path?
([59:43])
3. Moses, David, and even Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit. What does this suggest about our own ability to follow God and fulfill our calling?
([01:06:31])
4. The sermon says repentance is not just a one-time event but a daily turning back to God. Why is this daily practice important, and how does it connect to trusting God?
([01:14:06])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon describes how easy it is to get distracted by things that seem harmless or even delightful (like donuts or video games). What is one “donut” or distraction in your life that tends to pull you away from God’s path? What would it look like to ask the Holy Spirit for help with that this week?
([01:01:11])
2. When life doesn’t go as you hoped, do you find yourself retreating to your own understanding or comfort? Can you share a recent example, and what might it look like to trust God in that situation instead?
([01:11:06])
3. The sermon says that God’s presence is what sets us apart, not our performance or knowledge. In what area of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength or try to “do it right” without God’s help? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into that area this week?
([01:05:36])
4. Repentance was described as a daily turning, not just feeling sorry. Is there a specific area where you need to “turn around” and invite God’s Spirit to guide you? What would a practical step of repentance look like for you today?
([01:14:06])
5. As a parent, mentor, or friend, how are you modeling dependence on the Holy Spirit for the next generation? Is there a way you could be more intentional about showing others how to listen for God’s voice and trust Him?
([01:22:24])
6. The sermon shared a story about learning to listen to the Holy Spirit in everyday situations (like the Panera umbrella story). Can you think of a time when you sensed God’s prompting, whether you listened or not? What did you learn from that experience?
([01:17:37])
7. The sermon says God’s way is not always the easiest at first, but it leads to true life and purpose. Is there a “narrow path” choice you are facing right now? What would it look like to choose God’s way, even if it’s hard?
([59:43])
---
Close in prayer, asking for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and for the courage to walk God’s path each day.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Greatest Desire Is to Be With Us
From the very beginning, God’s heart has been to dwell with His people—not just near them, but within them. He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, led the Israelites with His presence in the tabernacle, and ultimately sent Jesus so that, through the Holy Spirit, He could live inside each believer. This changes everything: wherever you go, God is with you, longing for relationship, guiding, helping, and shining through you. You are now the place where God’s presence dwells, and He desires to be intimately involved in every part of your life. [52:16]
Exodus 25:8 (ESV)
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God is not just near you, but living within you, ready to help and guide you today?
Day 2: The Daily Choice Between God’s Way and Our Own
Every day, we face the same choice Adam and Eve did: to trust God’s way, which leads to life, or to follow our own understanding, which leads to emptiness. The enemy’s lies can make the wrong path look appealing, but God’s way, though sometimes harder, is always best and brings true blessing. The narrow road may seem difficult, but it is the path to real life, and God gives us the power to choose it through His Spirit. [01:00:34]
Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”
Reflection: What is one “easy” or tempting choice you face today that you know isn’t God’s best, and how can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose His way instead?
Day 3: We Need the Holy Spirit’s Power to Live God’s Way
Trying to follow God on our own strength leads to frustration and failure, but God never intended for us to do it alone. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, teaching, guiding, and empowering us to walk in God’s ways and overcome the pull of our flesh. Even Moses, David, and Jesus Himself depended on God’s presence and Spirit for everything. The Spirit distinguishes us as God’s people and gives us the power to live differently in the world. [01:06:31]
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Reflection: Where do you most feel your own strength running out? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you in that area today?
Day 4: Trusting God’s Way Brings Life and Fruitfulness
When we trust in ourselves, we end up feeling alone and empty, but when we trust in the Lord, we become like a tree planted by water—secure, fruitful, and unafraid even in hard times. God’s way is not always easy, but it is always good, and He promises to be with us, providing what we need as we surrender to Him daily. Repentance is always possible, and God is eager to welcome us back and help us walk in His life-giving path. [01:14:06]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you’ve been relying on your own strength or understanding? What would it look like to trust God and surrender that area to Him today?
Day 5: Teaching and Modeling Dependence on the Holy Spirit
We are called not only to walk in God’s way ourselves, but also to teach and model this path for the next generation. Obedience is the “easy road” in the long run, but we must be honest that we can’t do it on our own—we need the Holy Spirit’s help every day. As parents, mentors, or friends, our greatest legacy is to point others to dependence on God’s Spirit, showing them that true strength and victory come not from our own efforts, but from His power working in us. [01:23:46]
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Reflection: Who in your life is watching how you walk with God? How can you intentionally model dependence on the Holy Spirit for them this week?
Quotes
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