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The Holy Spirit: Our Source of Strength

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 14
• Acts 2
• Ephesians 5:15

Other references

• Luke 10
• Ephesians 1
• Galatians 3
• 1 Corinthians 3
• Romans 8:5
• John 15:5
• Galatians 5:25

Overview

Pastor Amy reminds us that Christian life only works when we stay connected to the Holy Spirit. Just as an unplugged oven or phone is useless, a believer who is not Spirit-filled will struggle in frustration and self-effort. The Spirit is Christ’s promised gift, the very power that raised the Church at Pentecost, and He now lives in every follower of Jesus. Our daily task is to empty ourselves, allow Him to fill us, and let Him pour through us for God’s glory.

Context

This message kicked off the new Sisters study “Closer.” After thanking the many teams who prepared for the event, Pastor Amy paused for prayer, asking God to meet every woman personally.

Main Points

1. You need the power source

• Illustration: Amy set a brisket in the oven but never turned the oven on; bought a new printer but never connected it to Wi-Fi; plugged a phone into a cable that wasn’t in the wall. Each device looked fine but had no power.
• Spiritual parallel: many of us “look” Christian yet feel defeated because we are disconnected from the Spirit.

2. Who the Holy Spirit is

• Not an “it” but the third Person of the Trinity.
• Names in Scripture: Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of truth, Spirit of power, Spirit of adoption, etc.
• Key title from Jesus: ὁ Paraklētos — “the one called alongside” as Helper, Advocate, Comforter, Counselor.

3. Promise and arrival

• Jesus told the disciples in John 14 that it was to their advantage He go away so the Helper could come.
• In Acts 2 the Spirit filled the believers like a rushing wind and tongues of fire; the same Spirit now dwells in every believer (Ephesians 1).

4. Living filled versus living fleshly

• Ephesians 5:15 commands us to watch how we live and “be filled with the Spirit,” not drunk on lesser influences.
• Even Christians can relapse into jealous, quarrelsome, powerless living (1 Corinthians 3; Galatians 3).
• Our daily choices set our “spiritual temperature”: burning hot, lukewarm, or cold.

5. A three-part daily prayer

“Lord, I empty myself.
Fill me, Holy Spirit.
Pour me out for Your glory.”

1. Empty myself

   • Confess sin, surrender pride, “power off and reset” whenever the flesh starts glitching.
   • Replace worldly thoughts with the mind of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).

2. Fill me

   • Invite the Spirit to saturate every area; read Scripture, worship, stay in sharpening community.
   • Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

3. Pour me out

   • A Spirit-filled life overflows in love, forgiveness, witness, and spiritual gifts for others’ good.
   • Galatians 5:25 – keep in step with the Spirit so His fruit is visible.

6. What the Spirit supplies

• Comfort in worry, strength in weakness, conviction in sin, guidance in decisions, freedom from strongholds, boldness in witness, power in serving.
• “He is the source of our strength.”

7. Stories of Spirit-led impact

• Story: Jenny (Life.Church Wichita) was about to end her life, but at 2 a.m. her friend Dee felt the Spirit wake her and prompt a phone call that saved Jenny. Jenny is now sober, safe, and pouring into others.
• Story: Caroline (Life.Church Online) lost her job and sank into loneliness. The Spirit nudged her into an online Sisters group where she found prayer, friendship, and practical help.

Key Truths

• The Holy Spirit is Christ’s promised Helper living inside every believer.
• A disconnected Christian life breeds frustration; a Spirit-filled life bears fruit.
• We decide daily whether to feed the flesh or be filled with the Spirit.
• Emptying, filling, and pouring out form a continual rhythm of growth.
• The Spirit still prompts ordinary people into extraordinary moments of rescue and love.

Response

• Empty yourself of pride, sin, and self-reliance every morning.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to fill every thought, plan, and conversation.
• Stay hot: engage Scripture, worship, and community that stir your zeal.
• Look for promptings and act quickly to serve, encourage, or share Jesus.
• Record and rehearse your own Holy Spirit stories to strengthen faith.

Closing

Pastor Amy urged every woman to trade “try harder” for “stay connected.” When we continually empty ourselves, the Spirit gladly fills and empowers us, turning ordinary moments into God-stories that display His glory.

“The Holy Spirit—He is the source of our strength.”

Prayer

Pastor Amy led the women to surrender distractions, ask for fresh filling, and seek guidance on whom to love and serve. She concluded by inviting those who had never trusted Christ to receive His forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Resources

• “Closer” Bible study by Pastor Amy Rochelle