Walking With the Holy Spirit: Part 1

Today we will look into the sermon "Walking With the Holy Spirit", given by pastor Sam Merigala on May 18, 2024, at Grace Gospel Church. The sermon addresses a common struggle among believers: spiritual inconsistency, characterized by experiencing seasons of deep connection with God followed by periods of spiritual dryness and distance. This fluctuation is described as a "battle between passion and emptiness" where prayers feel empty, passion fades, and faith weakens. Pastor Sam posits that this isn't just an individual issue but a "spiritual crisis that millions of believers face".

According to the pastor Sam, this struggle often stems from treating the relationship with God "like an event rather than a lifestyle". Many depend on "emotional highs, powerful sermons, worship experiences or Supernatural moments to feel close to him", but faith, as quoted from C.S. Lewis, "is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods". Lewis's insight highlights the conflict between intellectual conviction and fluctuating emotions. The sermon emphasizes that our spiritual lives "cannot be governed by emotions".

The core problem, according to pastor Sam, is often not God's distance but the believer's lack of awareness of His constant presence. Many try to navigate their spiritual life alone or expect dramatic encounters (like visions or an audible voice), missing the ordinary moments where the Holy Spirit desires to walk with them. They might seek God only when desperate or when life is difficult, drifting away when comfortable.

Pastor Sam's proposed solution is to cultivate a "daily walk with the Holy Spirit". This walk is described as a "continuous journey of closeness, guidance and unwavering peace no matter how we feel". It is not a temporary experience but "a way of life". The sermon clarifies that this isn't achieved by "striving harder, doing more and proving their worth through religious effort". Instead, walking with the Holy Spirit is about "yielding more, it's about surrendering control allowing him to lead and developing a daily awareness of his presence". The Holy Spirit was given to make the relationship with God "effortless, natural and powerful," not harder.

Pastor Sam provides a detailed description of the Holy Spirit: He is not merely "an impersonal force, an energy or just an influence". He is "God himself living inside of you", the very presence of God sent to lead, teach, and empower believers to live in constant communion with the Father. He is intended to be a "daily guide, counselor and source of strength," not just for occasional inspiration. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as "another advocate to help you and be with you forever" [John 14:16 NIV]. This means the Holy Spirit is a "permanent companion" and "essential" to the Christian life, just as Jesus himself was led by the Spirit [Luke 4:1 NIV]. The Holy Spirit is also actively transforming believers into the image of Christ, fundamentally changing their nature towards "complete glorification".

Pastor Sam outlines three key roles of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life:

  1. Guide: Leading into truth, warning of danger, and directing steps.
  2. Teacher: Revealing the deep things of God, making scripture alive, and providing supernatural wisdom [John 14:26 NIV].
  3. Helper: Giving strength, comfort, and power.

Throughout the sermon pastor Sam addresses why believers struggle to hear the Holy Spirit if He is always speaking. The issue is "not his absence but our awareness". Spiritual barriers dull sensitivity and make it harder to recognize His voice. These barriers include:

  • The world's noise and distractions: Social media, television, entertainment, preventing stillness needed to listen [Psalm 46:10 NIV].
  • Unbelief: Thinking hearing from the Spirit is only for a select few, rather than recognizing that Christ's sheep hear His voice [John 10:27 NIV].
  • Sin: While not removing God's love, sin creates "spiritual static" that makes it harder to discern His voice [Isaiah 59:2 NIV].
  • Pride and self-reliance: Relying on human understanding and logic instead of trusting the Lord [Proverbs 3:5 NIV].
  • Spiritual inconsistency: Seeking the Spirit only when desperate, neglecting Him in times of comfort. This is likened to a friendship where you only talk when you need something.
  • The illusion of "my time is my own": Compartmentalizing spiritual life instead of recognizing that every moment belongs to God.
  • Fear of surrender: Resisting God due to fear of losing control or giving up comfort or personal plans.
  • Past wounds and disappointments: Leading to building walls due to unmet expectations.

Removing these barriers requires awareness, repentance, surrender, and intentional pursuit. It involves intentionally quieting competing voices and turning attention to the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Sam provides ten keys to developing a daily relationship or walk with the Holy Spirit:

  1. Surrender: Starting the day by giving the Holy Spirit control over thoughts, words, and actions.
  2. Deep Prayer: Engaging in prayer as a conversation, including listening, not just asking.
  3. Immersing Yourself in Scripture: Allowing the Holy Spirit to bring the word to life and guide through it [John 14:26 NIV].
  4. Worship: Inviting the Holy Spirit's presence through worship, which shifts the atmosphere [Psalm 22:3].
  5. Obedience: Acting on the Spirit's nudges strengthens the connection and makes His voice clearer.
  6. Spiritual Awareness: Recognizing His presence in every moment throughout the day and inviting Him into decisions. This habit keeps the spirit aligned with Him.
  7. Being Intentional about Spiritual Growth: Setting aside dedicated time, fasting, surrounding yourself with other believers, and avoiding negative influences. Prioritizing the Spirit leads to the relationship flourishing.
  8. Journaling Your Spiritual Journey: Recording what God has spoken or how He has led to strengthen faith and deepen the relationship.
  9. Staying Accountable: Engaging with a community of spirit-filled believers for encouragement and challenge [Proverbs 27:17 NIV].
  10. Expecting God to Speak Daily: Believing He speaks in ordinary moments, not just major ones, and listening for His voice in small decisions, conversations, and difficulties.

Pastor Sam also details how to recognize the Holy Spirit's voice, distinguishing it from personal thoughts or external influences. Key ways to discern His voice include:

  • Alignment with Scripture: The Holy Spirit never contradicts God's word [John 16:13 NIV].
  • Peace, not Pressure: His guidance comes with peace, even in difficult situations; the enemy uses confusion and urgency [Colossians 3:15 NIV].
  • Repetition: His message is often confirmed multiple times in different ways (scripture, sermons, conversations).
  • Godly Counsel: Seeking wisdom from mature believers [Proverbs 11:14 NIV].
  • Conviction, not Condemnation: The Spirit corrects in love, leading to repentance; the enemy condemns with shame and hopelessness [Romans 8:1 NIV].
  • Divine Interruptions: Unexpected urges or redirects.
  • Training Spiritual Ears: Spending time in prayer, worship, and stillness.
  • Dreams and Visions: Using them according to scripture, comparing to the word, and seeking confirmation [Joel 2:28 NIV].
  • Inner Knowing: A deep conviction beyond logic [Romans 8:16 NIV].
  • Obedience: Acting on previous instructions leads to greater clarity.

Ultimately, walking with the Holy Spirit daily is about making Him a priority, seeking Him intentionally, and including Him in every part of life, including daily decisions, work, and struggles. It involves starting each day with surrender, recognizing His presence throughout the day, inviting Him into every decision, creating an atmosphere that welcomes Him (removing distractions, adding worship, prayer, and the word), developing a lifestyle of gratitude, keeping your heart pure by removing sin [Ephesians 4:3], and talking to Him throughout the day. This conscious communion trains the heart to rely on Him constantly.

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