Zac Poonen - The Holy Spirit Guides Us From Within

Summary

The speaker delves into the significance of hearing God's voice within, as opposed to the external voice of the Old Testament. Emphasizing the New Covenant's spiritual growth through sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, they stress the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit for effective Christian living and ministry. Drawing from Isaiah 30:21 and Hebrews 5, the sermon encourages believers to seek and discern God's will for their lives, highlighting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering them to fulfill God's plan.

Takeaways

• 📜 The memory verse from Isaiah 30:21 speaks of God's guidance coming from within, unlike the Old Testament where God spoke from the outside.
• 🔮 Even ungodly individuals like Balaam could hear God's voice from the outside, indicating that hearing God's voice externally is not a sign of spiritual maturity.
• 🌟 Spiritual growth in the New Covenant is characterized by sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice within, rather than external voices.
• 💡 Developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice is crucial for spiritual growth, and without it, one may not be growing spiritually.
• 🔑 The Holy Spirit's presence within believers is a distinguishing feature of the New Covenant, enabling a deeper relationship with God compared to the Old Testament.
• 🚀 Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for effective Christian living and service, as it empowers believers to fulfill God's plan for their lives.
• 🙏 Prayer, fasting, and seeking God diligently are necessary to experience the filling of the Holy Spirit, which can lead to a life-changing encounter with God.
• 🏗️ Building the church is more important than physical healing, and it is only after being filled with the Holy Spirit that the apostles were able to do so effectively.
• 🛣️ God has a specific plan for each believer's life, and being filled with the Holy Spirit helps in discerning and following that plan.
• 👂 The Holy Spirit helps believers hear the voice of God, guiding them in their daily walk and decisions, which is a privilege and responsibility of New Covenant believers.
• 🔍 The Holy Spirit reveals hidden aspects of Jesus' life and teachings that are not explicitly written in the Gospels, aiding in a deeper understanding of how to live like Christ.

Q & A

What does Isaiah 30:21 signify in the context of the New Covenant?

Isaiah 30:21 signifies the internal guidance of God's voice within us, as opposed to the external voice heard in the Old Testament. It represents God's highest way of speaking in the New Covenant, guiding us through the Holy Spirit within our spirit.

How does the speaker differentiate between the way God communicated in the Old Testament and the New Covenant?

The speaker differentiates by stating that in the Old Testament, God communicated externally, even to the ungodly, while in the New Covenant, God speaks through the Holy Spirit within the believer's spirit, guiding them internally.

What is the importance of developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice according to the speaker?

Developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's voice is crucial for spiritual growth. It helps believers discern God's guidance and differentiate it from their own thoughts, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a more Christ-like life.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit?

The speaker emphasizes that being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual empowerment, enabling believers to live a life that fulfills God's plan for them and to hear His voice guiding their path.

How did the speaker's life change when they were filled with the Holy Spirit?

The speaker's life changed dramatically when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They moved from a state of defeat and uncertainty to a life of purpose and spiritual empowerment, leading to the birth of CFC.

What is the speaker's view on the significance of building the church in the context of the Holy Spirit?

The speaker believes that building the church is more important than physical healing or other good works. It is only after being filled with the Holy Spirit that the apostles were able to build the church and hear the voice of the spirit guiding them.

What does the speaker suggest is the most useful life one can live on earth?

The speaker suggests that the most useful life one can live on earth is one where they fulfill the specific plan God has made for them, which is revealed through the Holy Spirit.

What does the speaker mean by 'forgetting what is behind' in the context of spiritual growth?

The speaker means that to press forward in spiritual growth, one must not dwell on past failures or successes. Instead, they should focus solely on God's will for their life, forgetting past achievements as well as failures.

How does the speaker interpret Hebrews 5:11-14 in relation to hearing the Holy Spirit?

The speaker interprets Hebrews 5:11-14 as an indication that there are deeper truths about Jesus that the Holy Spirit will reveal to believers, truths that are not written in the Gospels and require spiritual hearing to understand.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into understanding the life of Jesus, according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, the Holy Spirit guides believers into understanding not just the ministry of Jesus but also His daily life, including His habits, attitudes, and interactions, which are not explicitly written in the Gospels.

What does the speaker suggest as a prayer or plea for believers to seek the Holy Spirit?

The speaker suggests that believers should earnestly seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, praying for the ability to hear God's voice guiding them in their daily lives and to understand the deeper truths of Jesus' life.