Finding God in the Ordinary

The Holy Spirit: God Dwelling in and Working Through Us

Scripture References

Primary text

• Acts 2
• 1 Corinthians 3:16
• John 14

Other references

• Luke 1
• Genesis 1
• Genesis 2
• John 1:14
• Ephesians 2
• Romans 15
• Galatians 5:16
• Acts 1:8
• John 20
• Revelation 21
• Revelation 22

Overview

A clear view of the Holy Spirit is essential for everyday Christian life. The Spirit is not a vague force but the very presence and power of God who now lives inside every believer, making each follower of Jesus a walking temple. When we recognise that reality, we meet every situation—workplace, hospital room, home or school—with the confidence that God is already there, in us, ready to comfort, guide and empower.

Context

The sermon sits in week 3 of a series on the Apostles’ Creed. While most Christians can describe God the Father and Jesus the Son, many admitted to the pastor that their grasp of the Holy Spirit is “fuzzy.” Using a shoulder-injury illustration, he showed how an under-developed understanding of the Spirit leaves the Church off-balance and in pain.

Main Points

We believe in the Holy Spirit—who He is

• Third Person of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit—distinct persons, one nature.
• Personal, relational, not a mystical energy or magic.
• Makes the impossible possible (Luke 1).

“To be the people of God, you need the power of God in your life.”

The Temple Storyline: God’s desire to dwell with His people

• Eden: heaven and earth together; God walked with Adam and Eve.
• Tabernacle: movable tent in Israel’s camp—visible presence of God.
• Solomon’s temple: permanent structure, Holy of Holies housing God’s glory.
• Jesus: the ultimate “temple”—God in flesh, where heaven and earth meet (John 1:14).
• Now: believers are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); the Spirit lives within us.

• Implication: Wherever a believer goes, the visible presence of God enters the room.

• Future: Revelation 21–22 shows a cube-shaped New Jerusalem—no separate temple because God is fully present with His people forever.

What the Spirit does inside believers

• Comforts (John 14) – peace that overrides chaos.
• Encourages (Romans 15) – fills with joy, peace, hope.
• Intercedes (Romans 8 alluded) – prays when we don’t know how.
• Convicts (John 16) – of sin, righteousness, judgment, prompting change.
• Teaches and reminds (John 14).
• Guides (Galatians 5:16) – walk by the Spirit.
• Empowers for witness and service (Acts 1:8).

• Illustration: under construction image—Ephesians 2 says God is building us brick by brick on Christ the cornerstone.

Creating space to hear and follow the Spirit

• Story: Lost AirPods – frantically searching until wife suggests “ping” and then stopping long enough to hear the faint signal. Likewise, many can’t hear God because they never pause to listen.

• Silence and stillness are required; the Spirit is speaking but not shouting over our noise.
• The pastor’s daily rhythm:
  • Bible-reading plan (Spirit-inspired word).
  • Devotional reading in a designated chair.
  • Prayer that thanks God, intercedes for others and invites the Spirit:
    • “Comfort me, encourage me, convict me, guide me, empower me.”
    • Finishes with: “God, what do you want me to do today?”

• Principle: This is a way, not the way; every believer must carve out listening space.

Sent people: the Spirit moves through us

• John 20:19-22 – Jesus breathes the Spirit on fearful disciples and sends them just as the Father sent Him.
• The Spirit does not need our permission but invites our participation.
• Every believer is placed—work, school, family—as God’s temple and ambassador.

Key Truths

• The Holy Spirit is fully God and personally indwells every follower of Jesus.
• Believers are now the visible meeting place of heaven and earth—God’s living temples.
• The Spirit is continually shaping us to look like Jesus by comforting, teaching, convicting and empowering.
• Hearing the Spirit requires deliberate space and attentive listening in daily life.
• We are not merely surviving the world; we are sent into it with God’s power and presence.

Response

• Set aside daily, unhurried time to read Scripture, sit in silence and ask, “Holy Spirit, what do You want me to know or do today?”
• Welcome conviction: confess sin promptly and pursue reconciliation.
• Depend on the Spirit’s power when you enter challenging places—speak, serve and love as God’s temple.
• Step into discomfort; choose growth over ease by obeying the Spirit’s promptings.
• Remind yourself regularly: “Where I go, God goes—because the Spirit lives in me.”

Closing

The Spirit who hovered over creation now lives in every believer, still moving, still empowering. We can hide in locked rooms of fear or step out as God’s sent people. The pastor challenged the church to raise a hand in commitment and begin each day with the simple, risky prayer:

“God, what do you want me to do today?”

Those who had not yet followed Christ were invited to receive forgiveness and new life, so that God Himself might dwell in them as well.

Prayer

The pastor thanked God that His Spirit dwells within His people, asked for courage to embrace discomfort, and requested comfort, conviction and empowerment for every hand raised.