Podcasts about Helper

Victorious Living

In this sermon, Pastor Jason explores the role of the Holy Spirit in bridging the gap between knowing about God and truly experiencing a relationship with Him. He emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in bringing the reality of God's presence into our daily lives. Pastor Jason discusses the different perspectives people have about the Holy Spirit, highlighting the need for balance between understanding and experiencing His power. He encourages the congregation to embrace the Holy Spirit's guidance, which points us back to Jesus, and to seek a deeper connection with God through the Spirit's work. The sermon also touches on the challenges of faith and the promise of the Holy Spirit as a helper in times of difficulty.

In this roundtable discussion, our team sits down for an honest, deep conversation about the third person of the Trinity. While the Holy Spirit can sometimes feel mysterious or misunderstood, the Scriptures show us a Helper who is personal, powerful, and deeply invested in our spiritual growth. The post Group Talk | The Spirit, the Gifts, & the Fruit: What's It All About? appeared first on Gospel Revolution Church.

You Shall Receive the Holy Ghost • Friday Service To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give Website: www.PastorTodd.org Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Luke 24:49 (NKJV) “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 (NKJV) “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV) “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV) “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 10:44-46 (NKJV) “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.” Acts 19:1-6 (NKJV) “He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'” John 14:16-17 (NKJV) “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV)

Send us Fan MailListen to a message from Emmanuel Baptist Church of Longview, TX. Church Bible Publishers produces high-quality King James Bibles that are not only beautiful, but durable enough for daily study, preaching, teaching, and life. These aren't flimsy, disposable Bibles. They're Smyth-sewn, carefully bound, and made to endure years of faithful use. If you want a Bible that feels solid in your hands and will still be standing long after trends fade, check out Church Bible Publishers today at churchbiblepublishers.com.  RG33 Candle Co. doesn't just make candles — they honor a life. Each hand-poured soy candle was created to celebrate the spirit and legacy of RG Gray III, a young man whose love, joy, and unforgettable personality inspired this company's mission.If you want a candle that feels personal, uplifting, and full of purpose — check out RG33 Candle Co. Visit rg33candleco.com and use code PODCAST10 for 10% off your purchase. Support the show

What does it really mean to live full of the Holy Spirit? In this powerful message, Pastor Jonathan Morgan teaches on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer — always abiding, always flowing, always active.Continuing our series on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, this sermon dives deep into the biblical purpose of praying in tongues, spiritual edification, divine understanding, and walking daily in the flow of the Spirit. Through passages in Acts 2, John 7, John 14, Ephesians 1, and 1 Corinthians 14, we discover that the Holy Spirit was never meant to be a distant experience, but a constant Helper living within us.This message will encourage you to:* Stay full of the Holy Spirit* Understand the purpose of praying in tongues* Receive spiritual wisdom and revelation* Walk in divine guidance and discernment* Stir up the gifts of God in your life* Live empowered instead of spiritually drained“The Holy Spirit is always in me — and He's flowing.”

Victorious Living

Recent theft cases involving domestic helpers have sparked difficult conversations in Singapore. But with more than 300,000 foreign domestic workers caring for children, elderly parents and households every day, how should trust and boundaries coexist? From handing over house keys to relying on them for childcare, where should families draw the line between trust, responsibility and oversight? And how do both employers and helpers build healthy relationships built on respect and clear boundaries? Colette Wong, Singaporean TV host and Sports Anchor joins Let's Talk, Singapore as a special guest co-host. Join Neil Humphreys & Audrey Siek — LIVE every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 8am for Singapore Unfiltered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we sing two songs that express God's goodness, even in dark seasons and His personality as Helper in our lives. We also remind ourselves of God's Word of comfort to us, Then the closing remarks for the season.

CW Today with Loretta Walker is heard each weekday at 12:05 Central Time on Faith Music Radio. Learn more about Loretta, her family and their ministries at ChristianWomanhood.org. Follow Loretta on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChristianWomanhood

Hey, it's Katie and I want to welcome you to this special bonus episode. It'll be here for you completely ad-free for the next week so you can get a feel of what it's like to be a PREMIUM member. If you'd like an easy ad-free experience for all of our podcasts - that's over 200 episodes each month, then JOIN PREMIUM today at https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium If you spend your days caring for everyone else, this 3 hour sleep meditation is your time to receive. Let yourself rest deeply tonight as your body relaxes and your mind gently drifts into peaceful sleep. Love,

137 - Hiding in Plain Sight: When the Helper Needs Help with Paramedic Brad Lawson For nearly 27 years, Brad Lawson served his community as a paramedic, responding to tragedies, accidents, overdoses, and some of life's darkest moments. Like many first responders, Brad learned to suppress emotions, push through pain, and wear the mask of strength. To everyone around him, he appeared to have it all together. But beneath the surface, years of unresolved trauma, addiction, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of support were taking their toll. In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Brad shares his personal journey from darkness to healing. He opens up about the cultural pressures that keep first responders silent, the challenges of seeking help, and the lessons he learned through therapy, recovery, and rebuilding his support system. Brad also discusses his book, Dancing With Darkness: A First Responder's Fight for Light, and the work he's doing through the Pierce Foundation to bring mental wellness resources, education, and hope to first responders across the country. You'll hear an honest discussion about leadership, organizational culture, burnout, resilience, and what it truly means to prioritize wellness in high-stress professions. Whether you're a first responder, leader, spouse, healthcare worker, or someone supporting those who serve others, this conversation offers practical insights and powerful encouragement. If you've ever wondered whether you're carrying too much alone, this episode is for you. Listen in and discover why healing begins when we stop pretending we're okay.   Connect with Brad:  piercefoundation.org Book: Dancing with Darkness https://a.co/d/0eJKQyTb +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

Pastor Femi Paul continued in the place of prayer with an exhortation titled Send David to Deliver Us From Reproach! Drawing from 1 Samuel 17, we reflected on how fear and hopelessness gripped Israel as Goliath continually challenged God's people. Yet the story changed with two powerful words: "Enter David!" We were reminded that when God's people seem overwhelmed by reproach, shame, opposition, or impossible circumstances, God is able to raise a deliverer and send help at the appointed time. Reading scriptures from Luke 1:74–75 and Psalm 22:19–20, PFP led the church in prayers for rescue, deliverance, and divine intervention. The message emphasised that God delivers His people from the hand and power of their enemies so they may serve Him without fear. Together, we declared that evil will not triumph over our lives, families, church, state, or nation, and that God will hasten to help His people. Confession: Lord, thank You for being my Deliverer and Helper. When fear or trouble arise, I choose to trust in You. Rescue me from every reproach, strengthen my faith, and let Your victory be evident in every area of my life. Amen.

John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,” This verse helps us discern the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. It helped John. He wrote in 1 John 4:2, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, testifying that Jesus is God in the flesh. In Jesus' words recorded in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” These words were surely spoken so that there would be no confusion between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the antichrist. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Son, proceeds from the Father for the purpose of testifying, witnessing to, and glorifying the Son of God. The spirit of antichrist, sent by the devil, testifies to and glorifies man without Jesus. It is the spirit of the world contrasted with the Spirit of God. Let's not miss this incredible reality. The Holy Spirit could not be sent if Jesus were not alive, having conquered death by the resurrection. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, testifies to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, to His union with the Father, and to our union with Him. Only minutes before this, Jesus had said, “In that day [the day the Holy Spirit is sent to you] you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20). His presence in our lives, loving through us, is the testimony to the world that Jesus lives and we are His. Hallelujah! Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode of Evolve Ventures Tech, we look at the uncomfortable truth behind using alcohol as stress relief. When life feels heavy, alcohol can seem like the fastest way to soften the noise, fit into social settings, or finally feel like yourself again. But what feels like comfort can quietly become avoidance, and what looks normal can still be costing you clarity, connection, and emotional control.We explore the psychology behind why alcohol is such an easy coping mechanism, how stress exposes what needs attention, and why the harder choice is often the one that actually gives you your life back. The drink may take the edge off, but the bill always finds your nervous system.Here's a related episode that builds on today's conversation:#495 | The Real Reason People Give Up On Their Dreams - https://apple.co/4cLi1MQ #487 | Why You Struggle in Social Situations - https://apple.co/3RTJV2D Learn more about:

The Holy Spirit is one of the most talked about (and least understood) persons in the Church.Some see Him as a force.Others see Him as an experience.Jesus revealed Him as a Person.In this message, we unpack the Promise of the Father and discover who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how He transforms everyday life.Using passages from John 16, Acts 1, Acts 2, Romans 8, and Galatians 5, we explore:• Why the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a power• How He convicts, comforts, and guides believers• What it means to be filled with the Spirit• The difference between spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit• How the Spirit empowers us to live holy and bold lives• Why revival has always been connected to the Holy Spirit• Practical ways to cultivate a daily relationship with HimThis message isn't just about learning about the Holy Spirit.It's about knowing Him.Before Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world, He told them to wait for one thing: the Promise of the Father.“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...” John 16:7

The Helper | The Holy Spirit | John 14:15-17 by CityLight Church

In this episode of Living in Step with the Holy Spirit, Bruce Downes reflects on the promise of Jesus in John 14:16–18:“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as they were about to face confusion, fear, and uncertainty. He did not promise that they would understand everything or that life would suddenly become easy. He promised them the Holy Spirit, the Advocate and Helper, who would be with them forever.This episode invites us to stop living as though we are alone. In the practical realities of family, work, worry, disappointment, temptation, and daily decisions, the Holy Spirit is with us and in us.Bruce also shares personally about stepping out in faith, waiting on the Holy Spirit, and trusting God to open doors for the Gospel to reach more people.Today's prayer is simple:Holy Spirit, I am not alone. Teach me to walk with You today.You are not abandoned.You are not forgotten.You are not an orphan.Watch today's devotional here: [BruceDownes.org] To receive the Living in Step with the Holy Spirit eBook, visit: [https://brucedownes.org/ec/liswths_ebook/]

Main Idea: God Is the Helper and Upholder of Your LifeText: Psalm 54Outline: 1. By His name and might.2. While surrounded by depravity.3. Through judgment.4. Therefore, we give thanks.

The least talked about member of the Trinity, by far, is the Holy Spirit. We struggle to understand who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. Yet, Scripture clearly shows us how the Helper is sent specifically to be our advocate, comforter and counselor. We need that kind of help, don't we? Join us as we learn more about the Holy Spirit and how we can have God's power to fight sin and walk by faith. Services are at 9am and 11am.

John McKee discusses the development of our ministry's first Helper series volume, the Messianic Winter Holiday Helper, and how it logically led to the release of additional resources.

What Happens When the Helper Can't Handle YouThere is a systemic failure happening in the helping industry — and nobody is talking about it.Coaches and therapists are opening emotional doors they are completely unprepared to sit in. And when you show up authentically — crying, angry, overwhelmed, resistant — instead of being held, you get shut down. Pathologized. Shamed into getting small.I'm recording this one hot, because it happened to me today. And I need you to hear it.What I cover in this episode:The $25,000 business mastermind where I was told they'd "move on" while I cried — and how it took me months to recover my confidenceBeing interrupted mid-share and told to mute myself and come back with a "more appropriate" shareBeing told by a business coach — twice — that I needed therapy, not coachingWhy this isn't a you problem — it's a capacity problem on their endWhy shutting down emotion doesn't protect the client — it retraumatizes themWhat trauma-aware support actually looks like in practiceClients who've been fired by therapists for being "too emotional" — and why that's an industry failure, not a client failureWhat it looks like when all of it is welcome: crying, anger, resistance, circling, even lying — none of it pathologizedThe truth I keep coming back to:Shame is the mechanism used to make you small. When someone in authority responds to your emotion with dismissal or redirection, the message that lands is: what you just did was wrong. And you shrink. You manage yourself. You stop showing up fully.That was never your shame to hold.You are allowed to show up as the fullest, most authentic version of yourself. There are helpers — coaches, therapists, friends, partners — who won't reject that. Your job is to find them.If this resonated:Book a free discovery call with me: amandahess.ca/bookacallConnect on Instagram: @theamandahess

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris took a look at the Cubs' upcoming schedule.

31/05/2026 Gospel Sermon on: John 15 : 26 - 16 : 15 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. 1 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. "And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, "Where are You going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 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 depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. Glory be to God forever.

Pastor David Harris Sunday May 24, 2026

Pastor David Harris Sunday May 31, 2026

Are you lacking power? The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us what we need to accomplish our calling in this journey of faith. 

The Helper Has Come | Pastor Tom Feola | www.cffchurch.org

Praying In Jesus's Name John 14:8-14 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. John 14:15-17 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.

Opener 1. When you wanted to do something as a kid, did you have a specific parent you went to first to ask for permission? What made you choose one over the other? 2. What are the different names, titles, or nicknames people call you depending on the setting (e.g., at work, at home, by old childhood friends)? What does the various names say about your relationship or role in that environment? Discussion 1. Read Matthew 3:13-17. If you were standing on the banks of the Jordan River witnessing this moment firsthand, what would your impression be? What does this scene show us about the distinct presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working all at once? Look at the roles highlighted in the sermon: God the Father: Creator, Protector, Provider. God the Son: Redeemer, closer than a brother, shows us the Father’s heart. God the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Guide, the one who empowers us to follow Jesus. 2. Which person of the Trinity do you naturally find it easiest to relate to right now? Which role do you feel you need to experience more deeply this week? The Trinity is three distinct persons but ONE God. When we ask the practical question, “Who do I pray to? Father? Son? Holy Spirit?”, the sermon’s ultimate answer is a resounding “YES!” because prayer is fundamentally about relationship. 3. How does shifting your focus from a theological puzzle to an invitation into a relationship change the way you talk to God this week? How has this week's sermon about the Trinity and the Holy Spirit grown you? What questions does it raise? Application 1. What does it look like for you to invite the Holy Spirit to be your Guide and Helper, and the one who empowers you to walk with Jesus this week? Close in Prayer Spend time in prayer freeing ourselves from the anxiety of “getting prayer right”. Thank God for drawing us into relationship with Him , and ask the Holy Spirit to comfortably guide, help, and empower everyone to walk closely with Jesus this week.  

What if the help, wisdom, and guidance you've been searching for are already living inside of you? In “God In You: The Indwelling Spirit, Part 2,” Pastor DeWayne L. Wright continues his study on the Holy Spirit by exploring the believer's daily relationship with the Spirit of God and the life-changing benefits of His presence. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:15–26, and John 16:12–15, Pastor Wright teaches that the Holy Spirit is more than a doctrine to study—He is a divine Helper, Teacher, Comforter, and Guide who desires intimate fellowship with every believer. Through practical teaching and biblical insight, this message encourages Christians to develop a greater awareness of God's presence, learn to listen for His leading, and rely on His wisdom in every area of life. This encouraging message reminds us that we were never meant to navigate life alone. The Holy Spirit has been sent to strengthen, teach, guide, and transform us as we grow in our relationship with Christ and walk in the truth of God's Word.

What if becoming a better dad wasn't just about trying harder?   In this episode of Father On Purpose, Kent and Lawson talk about the role of the Holy Spirit in fatherhood and why Christian dads were never meant to parent alone. Jesus called the Holy Spirit our Helper, Counselor, and Guide, but many fathers struggle to understand what that actually looks like in everyday life.   This conversation explores how the Holy Spirit helps dads respond with patience, wisdom, humility, conviction, and courage in real parenting moments. From discipline and encouragement to apologizing and leading your family well, this episode is packed with practical biblical encouragement for fathers who want to follow God more intentionally.   Kent and Lawson hit on: The role of the Holy Spirit in parenting Biblical fatherhood and spiritual leadership Hearing God's guidance as a dad Parenting with patience and wisdom How Christian fathers can rely on God daily Walking in the Spirit in your own home   If you've ever felt overwhelmed, reactive, uncertain, or spiritually exhausted as a dad, this episode will remind you that God didn't just call you to lead your family. He also equipped you with His presence to do it.   Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!   You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vah36Dt2_Xc  -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Visit rangeleather.com/mj to score 10% off your next order! Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God-honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.   Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.    

Jesus remains our steady helper through every trial, struggle, and season of life.► Gather with us live online and in person every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:00a: https://live.fbcw.org/► Watch/listen to our services: https://fbcw.org/worship-with-us/► Give to help our mission: https://fbcw.org/give/

Worship with us 9 + 11 AM 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010. For more information or to get connected, please visit: www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit. What does it actually look like to follow Jesus in everyday life? Not just during the big spiritual moments, but in the ordinary rhythms of work, family, uncertainty, relationships, and daily routines. In this powerful message from John 14 and Romans 8, we begin the Ordinary Time series by exploring one of the most important and often misunderstood realities of the Christian life. The Holy Spirit grows our intimacy with God. As Jesus prepares His disciples for His death, resurrection, and ascension, He tells them something shocking. It is actually better for them that He goes away because the Holy Spirit will come. For the disciples, this would have been difficult to understand. They had walked with Jesus face to face. They had watched Him teach, heal, perform miracles, and transform lives. Yet Jesus promises that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will now dwell within His followers and continue His work in them. This sermon unpacks what it means to live with the Holy Spirit in the ordinary seasons of life. From graduations to career changes to moments of uncertainty, life often moves from anticipation into reality very quickly. We all experience moments where we realize, “This is my life now.” The question becomes, how do we continue following Jesus faithfully in those ordinary moments? One of the central themes of this message is intimacy with God. Many believers are comfortable seeing God as authority, leader, or boss, but struggle to experience Him as Father. Through the work of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers are adopted into the family of God as sons and daughters. Romans 8 reminds us that we have not received a spirit of fear or slavery, but the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” This sermon also addresses several common misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit. Following the Holy Spirit is not reserved for elite Christians or spiritual experts. There is no secret formula, advanced level, or hidden knowledge required. Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, and the Holy Spirit works in every follower of Jesus to increase intimacy with God, illuminate Scripture, and shape us into the image of Christ. Throughout this teaching, we are reminded that the Christian life is not sustained through human effort alone. The fruit of the Spirit is not the result of self improvement, achievement, or performance. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are produced through the Holy Spirit working within us. God has a vision for our lives, and through the Spirit He lovingly shapes us as His children. This message also offers hope for those carrying wounds, especially wounds connected to fathers, authority, shame, or fear. Many people struggle to trust God because of painful experiences in earthly relationships. Yet through the Holy Spirit, God patiently teaches His people what it means to truly know Him as a loving Father whose acceptance and love are secure through Jesus Christ. If you have ever felt distant from God, unsure how to grow spiritually, confused about the Holy Spirit, or exhausted from trying to earn God's approval, this sermon will encourage you. It points back to the truth that intimacy with God is not something we achieve. It is something God grows in us through His Spirit. Join us as we begin the Ordinary Time series and discover how the Holy Spirit helps us follow Jesus faithfully in the everyday moments of life.

Joy Follows the Trials: It's Too Soon to Quit!Are you sitting in the middle of a heavy season right now? In this video, Coach Shelby shares a powerful, timely word that rose up during his personal Bible study with his wife—a message specifically for those navigating deep waters, whether it's financial strain, a broken marriage, problems at work, persecution, or sickness.Drawing from John 15:11 and Hebrews 12:2, Coach breaks down the true definition of Kingdom Joy. Real, Christlike joy isn't a temporary emotional high; it is a deep spiritual confidence. It's knowing that when we die to our own will and endure the heavy weight of a trial, the absolute certainty of God's victory is waiting on the other side. Jesus endured the cross because He kept His eyes fixed on the joy set before Him. If you knew a breakthrough was just around the chronological corner, your attitude in the storm would completely shift. Don't let a lack of endurance rob you of your inheritance. Lean on the Helper, stay the course, and claim your fullness of joy today. It is way too soon to quit!Classroom Talking Points:Fullness of Joy: The difference between worldly happiness and the remaining, permanent joy of Christ.The Bank Account Analogy: How knowing the "end of the matter" completely changes your perspective on current suffering.The Danger of Short-Cutting: Why giving up early indicates a subconscious lack of trust in the One who promised.The Eternal Witness: Comfort in knowing that God saw this specific trial coming from eternity past.The Final Lap: Visualizing heaven cheering you on as you head into the final stretch of the race.Scriptures Explored:John 15:11 – "...that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.John 15:26 – The arrival of the Helper, the Spirit of Truth who testifies of Christ.#WordTime #CoachShelby #JoyFollowsTheTrials #StayTheCourse #FullnessOfJoy #SpiritualEndurance #FaithInTheStorm #TooSoonToQuitChapters0:00 - Intro: A Timely Word on Joy from Personal Study0:18 - John 15:11: Defining the Fullness of Kingdom Joy0:33 - Lessons from Hebrews 12: How Jesus Endured the Cross1:09 - Kingdom Dynamics: The Price of Dying to Self1:32 - What Are You Battling? Facing Divorce, Sickness, and Strain2:03 - The Million-Dollar Perspective: Knowing the End of the Matter2:34 - Giving Up Early: How Quitting Reveals a Lack of Trust2:43 - John 15:26: You Are Not Alone, The Helper Is Coming3:06 - Known in Eternity Past: God Saw This Day Coming3:30 - The Final Lap: Heaven is Cheering You Across the Finish Line3:47 - It's Too Soon to Quit: A Prayer to Inherit Your Joy

In this episode we stand with the disciples as Jesus prepares to leave and promises a Helper who will do what He could not do while walking beside them: expose sin, reveal righteousness, and call the world to account. The story unfolds like a courtroom drama and a rescue mission rolled into one: the Holy Spirit points out the wrong road, shows the right road, and lays out the stakes. We trace how judgment was met at the cross and how that single act separates two destinies: sin judged and removed for those who trust Christ, or sin awaiting the white-throne verdict for those who persist in unbelief. Along the way the narrative brings to life a doomed enemy, a just God, and the simple but world-changing choice every listener must face. Finally, the episode becomes a personal call to action — recognize the Spirit, speak to Him, and learn to listen. Don't bury this Helper in the background of your life; instead, invite His nudges, ask bold prayers, and let the Spirit empower you to witness, to live righteously, and to do greater works for God.

The Spirit of Truth Who Leads Us in Righteousness - John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Please turn in your Bibles to John 14. You can find that on page 1071. Before we read, let me remind you of a couple things and explain why we're jumping ahead to chapter 14. Last week, we finished up John 5. If you remember, chapter 5 was about the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus of equating himself with God. Jesus responded by affirming that, yes, he was indeed equal with the Father. In the middle of chapter 5, Jesus made a very clear declaration that he shares the glory and power of the Father because he and the Father are one. Well, today, I thought we would do something a little different. Since we just considered God the Father and the Son, I thought we would round that out by considering the Holy Spirit. We're going to stay in the Gospel of John, but look at selected passages from chapters 14-16. Next week, we'll return to chapter 6 So, if you would, turn to John 14 and we'll begin with verses 15-17. Reading John 14:15-17, 25-27; John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15 Prayer “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” That question stumped me. I was a High school senior at the time. And I was applying to a Christian college. That question about the Holy Spirit was on the admissions application, but I didn't know how to answer it. Yes, I had grown up in the church, and yes, I was a believer in Jesus. Our church, although a faithful church, was light on teaching and discipleship or maybe I just wasn't paying attention. “Who is the Holy Spirit?” I didn't know. Maybe that's you… if I asked you to tell me about the Holy Spirit, would you know where to begin? If not, you're not alone. Of all the doctrines about God, the area of weakest understanding is the Holy Spirit. In a recent study from Lifeway Research, 28% of Christians in the United States believe the Spirit is divine but not equal to God the Father and the Son. Another 21% were unsure. In a second question, 56% believed the Spirit of God to be a force but not a divine person. You know, when it comes to God, we can conceptualize God as a Father… we can comprehend Jesus in his human nature, and through Jesus' testimony and ministry, we can understand that he is fully God. But it's harder to understand the Holy Spirit. My hope is that by the end of this sermon... We would each more fully grasp… Who the Holy Spirit is, what role he performs, and how we benefit from and receive him. Who, what, and how. But even beyond these important questions about the Holy Spirit and the benefits we have in him… I also hope that we would each feel and sense his convincing and convicting work in our hearts and minds. That's my prayer. As we begin, let me summarize Jesus' teaching about His Spirit… this way: (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. There are three points there. Let me say that again if you are taking notes... (1) The eternal Spirit of God, (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God, and (3) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. 1. The eternal Spirit of God… answering the WHO 2. who speaks truth and conviction as God… answering the WHAT 3. dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. the HOW. And just to be sure… These verses on the Holy Spirit are not exhaustive… they are just a few of the many Biblical texts. All throughout the Scriptures we learn about the Spirit of God. ·      In the book of Acts… The Holy Spirit is given and he leads the early church. ·      We learn of his work in and through believers through the apostles Paul and Peter and others. ·      In Genesis 1, we learn that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… ·      Furthermore, the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles… was given as a festival by God to teach about salvation and God's grace in the giving of His Spirit. ·      The prophets also spoke of God's Spirit… ·      And all throughout the Scriptures… we're promised to have “rivers of living waters” flowing forth from us… through the work of God's Holy Spirit. We can't cover all of that, but Jesus' teaching on the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel is very helpful. It's very clear and very foundational. So let's dive in. (1) The eternal Spirit of God So again, #1, The eternal Spirit of God. In the verses we read, Jesus calls God's Spirit by many names. He's called “the Helper” which means advocate. Jesus also names him the “Spirit of Truth” several times … Jesus calls him the “Holy Spirit.” That title is used throughout the New Testament. But the most common New Testament name is just “the Spirit.” Referring to God's Spirit. And from these verses… one thing we see over and over… is that the Holy Spirit is sent from both God the Father and from God the Son. Let me highlight some verses: ·      Chapter 14:16 – “The Father will give you the Helper” ·      and 14:26 “The Father will send [him] in my name” ·      Chapter 15:26, Jesus said, “I will send you from the Father… the Spirit of truth. Who proceeds from the Father.” ·      And again, in chapter 16, Jesus said again, “I will send him to you” We'll be reciting the Nicene creed in a little bit. It summarizes what we believe the Bible teaches about God… And regarding the Holy Spirit, it says He “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” That's helpful… it's a good summary of what these and other verses teach. The Holy Spirit “proceeds from” both the Father and the Son. The Spirit, therefore, has the full authority of God because he is God. He proceeds from God. He's unified with God the Father and God the Son. Furthermore, we learn here that the Holy Spirit is eternal. We get a glimpse of his eternal nature in chapter 14 verse 16… he's given to us forever. He will be with us for all time into heaven. And as we look to eternity past, as I briefly mentioned from Genesis 1, the Holy Spirit has always existed. Jesus teaches that not only is he, himself, fully God… but he teaches that the Holy Spirit is also God. Remember what we considered two weeks ago from John 5? Our God is one God, three persons, same in substance, equal in power and glory. Well, these verses affirm that for the Holy Spirit. We call God a triune God - a Trinity - 3 in 1. All three persons of God work in union one with one another; the Father, the Son, and the Spirit… and they share the same substance and power and glory. That's why in John 16 verse 14… Jesus says of the Holy Spirit that “he will glorify me.” That's because each divine person of the Trinity exalts one another as God. So, to summarize point #1 - the Holy Spirit is the eternal Spirit of God… fully God, forever existing, with all the knowledge, wisdom, glory, power, and authority of God. (2) who speaks truth and conviction as God # 2… He speaks truth and conviction as God. We're on to the what question. What role does the Spirit fulfill? What do the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit accomplishes? Well, first, the very titles that Jesus uses for the Spirit reveal his role. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Helper.” In our reading, we heard that four times…. the English doesn't really capture the breadth of the concept here. Really “helper” in Greek comes with the sense of being a counsellor or an advocate. You know, someone who represents you, who is for you, like in a legal setting. He guides you and he speaks to you and is for you. Jesus also calls the Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth.” That is in our verses three times. What is this Counsellor counselling us about? Well, he counsels us on the truth. He counsels us on God's truth. His Word. Throughout these verses, over and over, we're given a very clear understanding of what truth the Holy Spirit speaks. Look down at chapter 14 verse 26. Jesus says, “he will teach you all things AND bring remembrance all that I have said” Now keep that in mind and go one chapter ahead to chapter 15, verse 26. The very end of the sentence, there… Jesus says of the Spirit “he will bear witness about me.” So, the Holy Spirit is revealing Christ and his testimony. Chapter 16 is similar. Verse 13 it says, “he will guide you in all the truth” and then “He will declare to you the things that are to come” This is the role of the Holy Spirit… to speak God's truth, to enlighten our minds, to bear witness about Jesus' work… All the things about Jesus… You know, his life, his teaching, his redemption, and our future hope in him to come. The Spirit declares all this to us. He testifies to us the truth of God's Word. You see, all those things are found in God's Word. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals God Word to us. Really, God's Word and Spirit go hand and hand. They are inseparable. We're given a beautiful image of this in Ezekiel chapter 37. God gave Ezekiel a vision. In a dream, God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dead dry bones. But as God's Word went forth… God breathed his breath onto those dry bones. His breath is his Spirit - same word. And through the ministry of the Word being spoken by the prophet and God's Spirit being given… the valley of dry bones began to rattle... And then the bones came together. God gave new life to the bones. A vast army of God's people was resurrected through the work of God's Word and His Spirit… together. Friends, none of us can know and believe this Word without the work of the Holy Spirit. We're ignorant and sinful, we're dead dry bones…. We're unable to know God and nor believe in him by ourselves. But God has given us a great gift… the Spirit of Truth. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit does more than just speak God's word to us. He also convicts our hearts and minds. Look now at chapter 16 verse 8… it says, “He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment” Verses 9-11 then elaborate on that. We're not capable of seeing our sin and our blindness. And what the Spirit does in our lives is that he persuade us in three ways. He brings conviction of sin. He brings conviction of righteousness. And he brings conviction of judgment. “Conviction” here means to convince. To bring to light. To see yourself and your need for God and his salvation.  Let me say it this way… conviction is the Holy Spirit applying his truth to your heart in your situation. He shows you your condition and he enables you to respond. And it's more than just knowing what is right and wrong. It's also seeing your own depravity and your failure to live up to God's standard. God's Spirit brings that conviction… When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, he enlightens your mind to see your sin and to repent of it. And that's related to the second conviction… the conviction of righteousness. You see, the Holy Spirit also reveals to you God's standard of holiness and goodness. He prompts you to not only repent of your sin, but to pursue the goodness and righteousness that God calls you to in his Word. Do you see the two sides of it? Not only conviction of your sin, but a conviction to pursue holiness. And the third conviction is conviction of judgment. You see, it is more than just knowing your sin and seeing the path to holiness. It is realizing the judgment of God upon sin and the devil. It's a recognition that God has been at work throughout history to bring redemption from that judgment through Christ. Truly, without this conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment… our hearts and minds would remain blind. We would not be able to see our sin or our situation, nor how to respond. But God has revealed his truth and is applying it in our hearts and minds. So, to summarize point #2… The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, speaks the truth of God, through His Word. He reveals God's redemption in Christ and he brings conviction. He convicts us of sin. He points us to the righteousness of God. And he shows us the judgment and hope of God in Christ. 3.) dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ So, here's where we are … #1 The eternal Spirit of God - the who. #2 He speaks truth and conviction as God - the what. And that brings us to #3… he dwells in those who know God, because they have received his grace by faith in Christ. This is the how question. How does God do this? How does he dwell in us?  Well, it's a mystery… ok, let me close in prayer. I'm just kidding. It is a mystery, but we can't leave it at that. Look with me at John chapter 14, the end of verse 17. Look at it. John 14:17 “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Do you see that? Notice the two prepositions … “with” and “in.” “He dwells with you and will be in you” Have you ever seen one of the Pixar movies called “Inside out?” There are two movies. Maybe some of the kids have seen them. Well, in the first movie, a young girl named Riley was dealing with all of her emotions after her family moved across the country. And we're brought to the headquarters of her mind… In her head, there's a command center with knobs and levers and buttons. It's where Riley's emotions lived. They're represented by different characters. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, and despair. And of course, they all want control… Well, at one point, Sadness and Joy were arguing… and they accidentally knocked over some of Riley's memory blocks. But as they scramble to retrieve them, Sadness and Joy got sucked like a vacuum out of the headquarters of Riley's mind. Well, that causes Anger and Despair to take over. Because of it, Riley was left in a state of apathy. I won't tell you what happens. You'll have to see it. It's a good movie, helpful in many ways… It's a picture of how we struggle with sin and emotions on the inside. But one thing is apparent. Riley is missing something. Riley is not in control. Her emotions are battling it out. If I can relate this to the Holy Spirit… What the Spirit does is enter into the headquarters of our hearts and minds. He speaks to our thoughts, and our emotions, and our desires, and our passions. Our sinful tendencies don't go away, but as we fill our mind with God's Word, the Holy Spirit takes that and guides us and speaks to us. He guides us in all the ways that we discussed… in truth and conviction. So, when you are on the precipice of sin or when you are struggling with unbelief about one of God's promises, God's Spirit prompts you. For example, maybe a family member or co-worker has said something unkind… and you're tempted to become angry. But then, you're prompted by the Holy Spirit… “Man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God requires.” James 1. Or it's late at night, you have your phone with you and lustful thoughts come to mind. You're struggling with temptation… but you also have the Spirit's leading. He brings to mind Jesus' word. “if anyone looks at a woman with lustful thoughts he has already committed adultery in his heart” or the corollary “if anyone looks at a man in that way” Will you listen to the Spirit within you in those moments when he prompts you? Or maybe you feel the weight of physical pain, or grief, or discouragement. If so, let the Holy Spirit bring to mind the truth and hope of Christ. That is, what he's accomplished for you on the cross and in the resurrection… and the hope he gives. We would be here for days to unpack all the ways the Spirit prompts, guides, encourages, and convicts us. And to be clear, the Holy Spirit is not like a professional counsellor that you meet with every so often. He does not have office hours nor only occasionally speaks into your life. No, if you believe by faith in Christ, God's Spirit is with you and is in you. He's given you a new heart. He's enlightened your mind. He has applied the work of Christ to you, that you may receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation. And in that salvation, the Holy Spirit has united you to Christ. You are ingrafted into Christ. The Spirit of God dwells within you. Sinclair Ferguson, you know, pastor and theologian, says it this way, “…to have the Spirit is to have Christ; to have Christ is to have the Spirit. Not to have the Spirit of Christ is to lack Christ. To have the Spirit of Christ is to be indwelt by Christ.” If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you. Now, there's a lot more that could be said. When we get to John 15, in particular, we'll consider our union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. As Jesus said, he is the vine and we are the branches. That will be a few months out. Here's the summary: The eternal Spirit of God, who speaks truth and conviction as God, will dwell with you and in you, ifyou have received the grace of Christ by faith in him. Conclusion Back to the opening question: “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is his role in your life?” Honestly, I don't even remember what I wrote on my college application. This was before the internet, by the way, so I couldn't research online. But I did call a friend in another state who was also applying and all I remember is that he was a great help. And the school did accept me. But how would you answer that? Well, if I had to answer that question today, here's what I'd say: The Holy Spirit is one of three Persons of the Trinity. He is the same in substance and equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. He is eternal and unchangeable having proceeded from the Father and the Son. And he is the one who applies the salvation of Christ in the hearts and minds of God's children. He unites us to Christ by faith. The Holy Spirit furthermore speaks the truth of God Word to us. He brings conviction of sin and causes us to repent and renew our trust in God and in the Gospel. In moments of temptation, he reminds us of God's promises and reminds us of Jesus ministry of reconciliation and his righteousness. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us in truth. He reveals that we are God's and assures us of salvation in Christ. He is not some mystical force, but as God and as a person of the Godhead, he possesses God's nature as a loving, just God, who knows us, his creatures… and speaks to us through his Word… We need God's assurances and his conviction, and we need to know and believe in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I would furthermore add by saying that when I find myself overwhelmed by situations or being tempted, I seek to listen to his convicting voice within… who brings to mind his Word, which he inspired… and who reminds me of the cross and my forgiveness in Jesus. The Spirit of Truth is my Helper and he will be with me forever. May God, through the Holy Spirit, assure and bless us in Christ. May he mature us in our understanding of him and may he lead us in righteousness and truth. Amen

Dance class, gymnastics, cheerleading, Student Council, Marching Band, youth ministry, worship team, Bible studies, speaking engagements — and that's just a few items from Emily Rose Massey's packed list of accomplishments. For more than twenty years, her worth was wrapped up in her productivity. And if we're honest, many of us know that exhausting cycle all too well. In this episode, Emily offers a grace-filled invitation to step off the performance treadmill and rest in the truth that God's love was never something you had to earn. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it beautifully clear: salvation is a gift, not a reward. And that same grace that saved you is the very grace that is sanctifying you, shaping you, and carrying you forward — day by day, inconsistency by inconsistency. God started this work in you, and He will finish it (Philippians 1:6). You don't have to hide when you fail or scramble to do better on your own. You simply need to come boldly to the throne of grace, lean on His strength, and trust that He is working — because He is. Today's Bible Verse "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." — Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV Ponder Today Grace is a gift, not a reward. You cannot earn it, maintain it, or lose it through your performance. It is freely and abundantly given — full stop. The same grace that saved you is sanctifying you. God doesn't just rescue you and then hand you a checklist. He oversees your growth, your maturity, and your transformation from beginning to end. Your failures do not surprise God or derail His plan. Your inconsistencies, your disobedience, your lack of trust — none of it can thwart what He has purposed for your life. God starts it, and God finishes it. You don't have to hide when you sin. Jesus lived the perfect life for you and paid the penalty you couldn't. When you fall, the answer is not to run away — it's to run to Him, boldly, to the throne of grace. Trust that He is working and yield to it. You don't need to muster up your own strength or faith. The Holy Spirit is your Helper, and God's plan for your life will be accomplished because of His goodness and faithfulness — not yours. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, let the truth of Your Word take deep root in my heart — that Your grace is a gift I can never earn and never need to maintain. Thank You, Jesus, for Your great sacrifice on the cross that made a way for me to receive eternal life. May I never forget that the work of the cross is finished. Help me to rest in that finished work. And when I sin, Holy Spirit, convict my heart to run boldly to the throne of grace and receive Your forgiveness and love. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you release the weight of striving, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to rest and grow in your faith every day. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the reason you have been struggling to live the Christian life is not that you need to try harder, but because you have been trying to do it alone?In this message from The Essentials series, Pastor Josh opens up John 14 and introduces us to the one Jesus called the Helper. The Holy Spirit. The person of the Trinity that most believers know the least about and need the most. This is not a message about weird religious experiences or things that make you uncomfortable. This is a message about the most practical relationship available to every believer. A helper who will guide your decisions, strengthen you when you are weak, give you boldness to share your faith, keep you from sin, produce fruit in your life, and show you the path when you do not know which way to go.Jesus said those who believe in him will do even greater things. But He never said they would do them alone. He sent a helper. And that helper is available to you right now.If you have ever felt like Christianity was more of a struggle than a source of power, this message will change everything about how you see your walk with God.

Our Current Situation Jonathan Parnell Download Acts 1:1-11,In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Acts 2:1-4,When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Today, on Pentecost Sunday, it has seemed good to the elders to have a sermon that addresses our current moment. Now, if you've been around for the past few months, you know that we've not ignored our situation — we have tried to ‘keep our eyes on the base' ahead of us, and every now and then we've said things behind this pulpit, and I've written things, to try to guide us through these days. But what makes today different is that I want to address everything a little more ‘on the nose,' as it were. My hope is to be as clear as possible. I want to tell you three realities about our current moment: Where we areWhat we're facingHow we respond And if you're a guest with us this morning, I need to explain that we normally do what's called expositional preaching. It's the central part of our worship, which is the heartbeat of our church. Every Sunday, we open the Bible and preach through a passage of Scripture. My goal as a preacher is to simply tell you what God says. We do that by conviction, because we believe what we most need, and the power to change our lives, is the word of God. And we're in the word today, here in Acts 2, but we're just gonna spend most of our time, not on exposition, but on application. You'll see what I mean. Let's get started.The first reality of our current moment … I want to tell you …1. Where we areRight away, it's this: we are currently in the promised age of the Spirit.We are in the part of redemptive history when the Holy Spirit has been poured out on the people of God. The gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church — And that's what I tell my grandfather every summer when I seem him on our family trip to North Carolina.Twenty-three years ago, when I believed God was calling me to be a pastor, my grandfather was one of the first persons I told. He is a godly man who has had a deep influence on me, and I try to see him at least once a year. And every summer that I've seen him for the last decade, he always asks me, “Son, how's the church?” And for several years now, the first thing I say is: “Grandaddy, the gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church.” And he just smiles.Well, this morning, from Acts 2, I wanna tell you the short story of why that's true.The Story of PentecostThis is where the Day of Pentecost comes in. Pentecost is the foundational event in the Book of Acts, and Luke wants us to see the connection between Pentecost and the ministry of Jesus. Look at Acts 1, verse 4. Luke writes, And while staying with them he [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me…”Notice that when Jesus gives his disciples instructions for receiving the Spirit, he starts it by saying “you've heard me talk about this.” Jesus has taught on the Holy Spirit before, and we've heard this teaching! The Holy Spirit is the big topic in the Farewell Discourse, in the Gospel of John. We've heard Jesus say:John 14:16, “… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth …”John 15:25, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”So as we come into the Book of Acts, we already have an expectation: the Spirit proceeds from the Father — he is the promise of the Father and Jesus will ask and receive from the Father to give the Spirit to us. And so we are ready for this. Now jump over to Acts Chapter 2.Acts 2, verse 1 — it is the Day of Pentecost — 50 days after Jesus's resurrection, about a week and a half after Jesus's ascension. And the disciples have done what Jesus instructed; they had been waiting in Jerusalem; they were altogether, and then verse 2: … suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.The promised Spirit has come!And it leaves the onlookers amazed and perplexed, so Peter ‘stands up' among the disciples to explain what's going on. This is significant: Because Peter had fallen — which we saw last week: in his worst moment he denied Jesus — but he is now restored and standing among his brothers. And, filled with the Holy Spirit, he preaches the best sermon ever. He says that Jesus, who had been crucified, is now raised up, and, verse 33:Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.Notice how this ties it altogether. We know the behind-the-scenes here, because Jesus told us: Jesus has asked the Father for the Spirit, to give him to us. Jesus has received the Spirit from the Father, and now, on this Day of Pentecost, Jesus has poured out the Spirit on his people. This is so significant that it marks the official transition from the old covenant to the new. This moment commences what the apostle Paul calls the “day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). That's another way to talk about the ‘promised age of the Spirit' or the ‘messianic age of salvation.'Witness and OpportunityThis age means at least two things:First, it means that we are Jesus's witnesses.The Spirit who bears witness to Jesus, bears witness to Jesus through us. We've talked about this recently: the work of Jesus in this world has not ended, but it's continued now by his Spirit through his people. We are not of the world, but Jesus has sent us into the world, and he tells us in Acts 1:8, “you will be my witnesses.”We are here to be life and light to a dead and dark world by pointing to Jesus.And secondly, this age of the Spirit means what Peter says in Chapter 2, verse 21 … that right now, because the Spirit is poured out, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from; your background, your mistakes, your name — none of it matters. If you call on the name of Jesus Christ — if you ask Jesus to save you, he will save you. This is more amazing than we can begin to comprehend! It is the real headline today — just like it was the real headline yesterday. In fact, this has been the real headline everyday for the past two thousand years! Ever since Acts Chapter 2, the real daily headline is: TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!That is where we are. That is the truest situation we're in. The grace of God is abounding all over this world! And so get in on the grace while you still can. That's where we are. Now, #2 … what we're facing …2. What we're facingIn a word, what we're facing is opposition — which is not strange.First, it's not strange because opposition is a kind of trial — and trials of various kinds are a means that God uses to produces in us steadfastness (James 1:2–4). This is part of the way that God shapes our character and deepens our hope (Romans 5:2–5). This is how he brings to completion the good work he began in us (Philippians 1:6).Another reason opposition is not strange is that, in light of churches throughout history and churches all around the world, countless local churches face opposition. It's just how it is! From the moment the Spirit is poured out in Acts 2, the church advances through both power and resistance.If anything, the opposition and challenges we're facing make us more at home with world Christianity — and more at home with the Book of Acts — than we ever were before.And so, ultimately, church, we're gonna be okay. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and we will see his face one day, and until then our Heavenly Father watches over us in such a way that not a hair can fall from our heads apart from his will, and in fact, all things must work together for our salvation. Hey, we're blessed! And we need to remind ourselves of this everyday, over and over again. And the Holy Spirit helps us to do that! He ministers hope to us through this Book!And at the same time, as we live in this hope, we should not downplay the opposition set against us, especially not the parts that are unlawful, harmful to our families and children, and that put other churches at risk.I think about a good friend in college … he spent a whole summer in West Africa, in the bush, doing a missions project, and one of the individuals on his team was so eager to suffer for Jesus that they decided not to the bring a toothbrush for the entire four months. And this person experienced all the things you might imagine you would if you don't brush your teeth for a long time. And one of the lessons my friend learned is that “Jesus is most likely okay with a toothbrush.”The lesson is that although suffering for Jesus is normal — and the Bible teaches us to expect it — that doesn't mean that we seek it out or accept it without any concern.For example: God has instituted earthly authorities, known as government, as a means to create and guard ordered societies. According to Romans 13, we should expect our government to punish wrongdoing.What happened to us on January 18 was wrong, period.And much of what continues to go on out here on Sunday mornings is also wrong.And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then great. Keep it like that. There are ways to get into this space without having to walk past these people who hate us. I'd encourage you: avail yourselves to those ways.But to be clear: out front, over the past few months we have experienced, and have evidence of, chargeable offenses. People have said things and behaved toward our church members with the intent to cause harm and induce reasonable fear. They want to make our coming to worship as uncomfortable as possible so that we would stop coming. (Their goal is to shut us down, just like the people who desecrated our worship service on January 18.) But, the more serious issue is that, so far, our city and state officials are doing nothing about it. And that's the bigger problem. The world hating us is expected — Jesus told us they would. But our local government should enforce the law equally, for all people, including for Baptists … including for Evangelical Christians … but they're not doing that.So that's what we're facing, here in our little slice of the world, in the Twin Cities, in this promised age of the Spirit poured out.Now #3, I want to tell you …3. How we respondNow before I say anything here about our response, I first want to commend you and thank you for your response so far.And I want to give a special thanks to our security team. These men have done so much over the past several months to protect us from physical harm and to promote safety, and I thank God for them. I encourage you, when you get a chance, express your gratitude to these men. And for our entire church, corporately, look, your response has been remarkable. Over and over again the fruit of the Spirit has been manifested in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.I've seen it in you! So thanks be to God, and may this fruit abound more and more!Now, as we look forward to a new season, and the opposition drags on, I want to tell you about a three-part strategy that's trying to taking everything into account. With God's help, these are three actions that we can take in these days.1. We will pursue wise and lawful means to hold our opponents accountable for wrongdoing. We are continuing to document everything, and we're doing our best to work with the St. Paul Police and city officials to get the law enforced. This means that we, as your pastors, gotta be a little persistent. We have to kindly bother them, and that's what I plan to do.I hope to have an audience with Mayor Her, and I want to appeal to her. And I would say:Mayor Her, on April 20th this year, in your address on the state of St. Paul, you said that you are committed to listening and to acting and to lifting St. Paul higher to its full potential, but I wonder: Do you include Evangelical Christians in that commitment? Or, do you only care about people you agree with? You have left us to wonder this. These are serious questions that we need to ask. That's one part of our response.Here's the second:2. We will increase our fervent prayer.I know many of us have been praying, and many other churches have been praying for us, and I want to encourage us to keep on, and even pray more. Look, we know, Ephesians 6:12, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Our opposition is fundamentally spiritual, and therefore our response must be fundamentally spiritual. We put on the armor of the Lord, which includes praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).And so the plan is to equip our greeters and security with some guided prayer points to carry with them as they're serving, and I would like to build a small team of prayer warriors to pray as our people are coming to worship. I will send more communications about this, but just know it's coming. We're gonna pray more. I'm reminded of the quote, goes back to Oswald Chamber. He says:“Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work.”3. We will remember the real headline. Now I've already told you the real headline, but it's probably not one that you're gonna find in your feeds. The real headline today — and everyday until Jesus comes back — is that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS BEEN POURED OUT!TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!Church, Jesus is real. Jesus is alive — and he is not anxious about anything. He's not worried about our future. Right now he's reigning from the Father's right hand. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has many in these cities who are his people. We are in the promised age of the Spirit, the age of salvation. And that means that anybody from anywhere — it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from or what you're past is — if you call on the name of the Lord you will be saved!And because this is true, church, be filled with the Holy Spirit and take the next step on mission — Have that gospel conversation with your neighbor or coworker. Invite people to church! — hey, if you think people are not gonna wanna come because of the opposition, just test that out. Invite people to come see for themselves who we truly are.In these days when our opponents want to shut us down, I pray that God doubles our size. I pray that he multiplies us! I pray that he sends us out! We don't want less mission — we want more. More prayer. More courage. More witness. More disciples made.More of the glory of Jesus overcoming us and overflowing through us! The promised Spirit is here! And he is at work. In a couple of months, God willing, I'm going to see my grandfather in North Carolina. And he's been following what's going on. He keeps up on us. But when I see him, he's gonna ask me, “Son, how's the church?” And I'm gonna say, “Granddaddy, the gospel is advancing! Jesus is building his church!”And he's gonna smile because he knows it's true. This is the time in which we live. May God be glorified through us!And that's what brings us to the Table. The TableAt this table each week, we enter into a ritual that Jesus gave to his church. It's for Christians.So if you're here and you're not a Christian, if you have not put your faith in Jesus, this is an opportunity to do that. On this day, in this moment, I invite you: call on the name of Jesus, put your faith in him, and be saved. Now, for Cities Church and all who trust in Christ, let us remember him — let's remember his death and resurrection for us, and let's remember the hope we have in him.

This week we look at who the Spirit is and what he does. In a sentence, the Spirit always and continually glorifies the Son in all that he does. Jesus told his disciples that it was better for him to leave so that the Spirit (the Helper) would come to help them: indwelling, guiding, illuminating, convicting, and empowering God's people. The Spirit sent from the Father and Son convicts and guides and always glorifies Jesus.

The Holy Spirit isn't supposed to just follow along in your life. He is meant to guide you through every season and do what you cannot.

In this message we celebrate Pentecost Sunday—the day the church was born and the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2. Pastor Wade unpacks what the Day of pentecost ment for the believers in the upper room, and what it means for us today. Jesus called the Holy Spirit our Helper, and through Him we receive power, purpose, and renewed vision for our lives. From fear to faith, from emptiness to fullness, God is still filling rooms and changing lives today. Join us as we open our hearts and say again: “Holy Spirit, fill the room.”Freedom Church exists so that you would know God, find freedom, discover your purpose and make a difference. We want to help you find freedom from anything that holds you back from all that God has planned for your life. Our mandate comes from the Bible, and we have a few steps we've implemented to make finding freedom simple. Find out more here — http://myfreedom.org/Stay Connected!Freedom Church Website: http://bit.ly/2w8wD4QFreedom Church Facebook: http://bit.ly/2MgOd1c Freedom Church Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PfYkRE --To invest in the mission of Freedom Church, click here.http://bit.ly/2Zm0Nz8--#freedomchurch #iamfreedomchurch

Thank you so much for volunteering to help Mr. Hemlock with the necessary gardening chores, Dear Guest! We were amazed at the lightning speed with which you raced to scribble your name on the sign-up sheet! Why, you seemed almost to be in a fever-dream as you drove your pen into the paper with madness, then you wandered away giggling and mumbling to yourself. In any case, we appreciate your overt willingness to lend a hand. And we certainly won't forget your efforts. We doubt that you will forget, either...Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Find peace in knowing that every believer has the Holy Spirit as a sufficient and personal helper.Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier in the Catechism, we unpacked Mary as the Mother of Jesus. Now, we look at what it means for Mary to be the Mother of the Church. Fr. Mike makes it clear that, when he entrusts his disciples to Mary, his Mother, from the Cross, he's entrusting us to her as well. Today's readings are from Catechism paragraphs 963-970. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.