Guiding Light
Notes
Transcript
Hey Vertical. Welcome to HERD Night. Tonight the schedule is a little different, so we’ll jump right into our sermon. We are starting a new series called Guiding Light, where we're going to be talking about how to find guidance and wisdom.
I don’t know about you but I used to be really afraid of the dark. I remember one time, my brother and I came to our parents bed to sleep for some reason, but I remember so vividly there was this red dot, consistently on. Now imagine this with me. The room was pitch black but there was one red dot.
I remember thinking it was the predator (Predator pic) waiting for to me fall asleep. The next day, once there was light in the room I realized that it was just the DVD player.
What I think of this story is that we need light in our lives to see and understand. In the same way, in life we might be fearful and doubtful if we do not have light that can guide us.
It's one thing to feel fearful because of a red dot while being in your parent’s bed, but it's way bigger issue when we're feeling fearful of what the future holds for your life and even if you feel lost today.
Maybe you've felt lost because you weren't sure how to handle a fight with a friend, or you had to make a big decision, or life just got a little too hectic or difficult. You might need someone that can walk with you and can guide you.
• We all respond to fear, feeling lost or unsure a little differently. When you're feeling lost and don't know what to do, do you usually . . .
o Feel stuck and not do anything?
o Distract yourself with other things to not think about it?
o Try to plan all your options?
o Do whatever comes to mind first?
o Ask someone for advice or help?
• When we don't have clarity or are feeling a little lost, we often need some guidance from someone wiser than we are.
• For the next few weeks, we're going to explore some of the reasons we might sometimes need a "guiding light" — and how God has already got us covered.
Today, I want us to start looking at the person of the Holy Spirt. I want to share three truths about the Holy Spirit, that I hope will encourage you to trust in his power and his guidance. Here is my main Point
If we do not understand that the Holy Spirit is personal, powerful and that He is God, we can ignore He who was sent to help us- guide us.
If we do not understand that the Holy Spirit is personal, powerful and that He is God, we can ignore He who was sent to help us- guide us.
Why should we trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
Holy Spirit is powerful.
Holy Spirit is powerful.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Holy Spirit is personal.
Holy Spirit is personal.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 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.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Holy Spirit is God.
Holy Spirit is God.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Because the Holy Spirit is Personal, Powerful and He is God, we can trust in His guidance for our lives.
Because the Holy Spirit is Personal, Powerful and He is God, we can trust in His guidance for our lives.
Obviously, there is way more about the Holy Spirt in the Bible. I want to share with you a video that has helped me understand more about the Holy Spirt. I encourage you to go home and watch it. In fact, Mike Winger from the video says
“Study theology, it will make you a more stable Christian.”- Mike Winger.
• In the beginning of our conversation today, we mentioned some of the reasons why we sometimes need help and guidance when we're feeling lost or confused. In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit to guide you right now?
o Do you need help understanding something difficult about God or your faith?
o Do you need help getting to know Jesus for the first time?
o Do you need guidance in a difficult situation with a friend or family member?
o Are you stuck doing something you know you shouldn't be doing, but you're not sure how to stop?
o Do you need help making a big decision?
o Are you looking for comfort or peace in a difficult time?
• If you could ask God to help you in one area of your life right now, what area would that be? How do you need the Holy Spirit to be a guiding light for you during a dark time?
The Holy Spirit is personal, powerful and He is God. He is ready to help you, guide you and help you become more like Christ.