Choosing the Right Guide (John 16:13)
This sermon explores the profound benefit of having the Holy Spirit as a personal guide through life's complexities. It unpacks how God's Spirit offers direction, protection, and power for daily living.
The sermon teaches that the Holy Spirit is God's personal guide for our lives, sent by Jesus to help us navigate decisions, resist temptation, and avoid mistakes, leading to a more effective and fulfilling life.
Overview
The sermon opens with an analogy of visiting a new city, contrasting simply wandering with using a map, a guidebook, or, best of all, a personal guide. This framework is then applied to life, highlighting that God provides both a guidebook (the Bible) and a personal guide: the Holy Spirit.
The preacher explains why Jesus said it was better for him to leave Earth, quoting John 16:13, where Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Spirit of Truth. This Holy Spirit is superior to Jesus' physical presence because he can be omnipresent, guiding all believers simultaneously into truth.
The sermon outlines six practical ways the Holy Spirit guides believers: helping them know what they need to know, getting them where they need to go, helping them say the right things, enabling them to wait for God's perfect timing, empowering them to resist temptations, and assisting in avoiding dangers and mistakes.
Finally, the preacher details the three most common ways the Holy Spirit guides—by revealing the meaning of scripture, reminding believers of learned truth, and giving internal nudges and confirmations. The sermon concludes by providing six actionable steps for inviting and responding to the Holy Spirit's daily guidance.
Key points
- Life can be navigated like a new city: by drifting, using a map, a guidebook, or, optimally, a personal guide.
- God provides both a guidebook (the Bible) and a personal guide (the Holy Spirit) for our lives.
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the "Helper" or "Spirit of Truth," who can be with all believers everywhere, making his presence more effective than Jesus' physical presence.
- The Holy Spirit helps believers know what to know, go where to go, and say the right things at the opportune time.
- He also empowers believers to wait for God's perfect timing, resist temptations they normally can't, and avoid dangers and mistakes.
- The Holy Spirit guides primarily by revealing the meaning of scripture, reminding us of truth we've learned, and giving internal nudges and confirmations.
- To be led by the Holy Spirit, one must pause, ask humbly, be willing to obey, consult God's Word, expect guidance in faith, and wait for a response.
In Rick Warren's words
“If there's an element of fear in it, it is not from the Holy Spirit.”
“God always gives his best to those who leave the choice to him.”
Outline
- I. Choosing the Right Guide for Your Life
- A. Life Navigation Options
- 1. Drift through life (no direction)
- 2. Get a map (some direction)
- 3. Get a guidebook (more detail)
- 4. Hire a personal guide (the best experience)
- B. God's Provision for Our Lives
- 1. A guidebook: The Bible
- 2. A personal guide: The Holy Spirit
- C. Why Jesus Sent the Holy Spirit
- 1. Jesus said it was better for Him to leave (John 16:13)
- 2. The Holy Spirit (Helper/Spirit of Truth) can be everywhere
- 3. The Holy Spirit guides into all truth and tells what is to come
- D. Understanding "Holy Ghost" vs. "Holy Spirit"
- 1. "Ghost" was a mistranslation of "spirit" 400 years ago (from Greek "pneuma")
- 2. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not scary
- E. The Holy Spirit: Helper, Spirit of Truth, With Us, In Us (John 14:16)
- II. How the Holy Spirit Wants to Guide My Life
- A. He will help me know what I need to know.
- 1. Provides essential information, insights, and truth in the moment.
- 2. This is called revelation (Luke 2:26).
- 3. Never contradicts the Bible.
- B. He will help me get to where I need to go.
- 1. Guides toward dreams and visions.
- 2. Opens doors of opportunity (Luke 2:27, Acts 8:29).
- 3. Helps us "catch waves" of God's timing and activity.
- C. He will help me say the right things.
- 1. Guides words, especially in conflict or difficult situations (Mark 12:36).
- 2. Often gives words for others' benefit.
- 3. Fulfills the promise in Matthew 10:19-20.
- D. He will help me wait for God's perfect timing.
- 1. Timing is everything; the right thing at the wrong time fails.
- 2. Vision has three parts: What, How, and When.
- 3. Helps us not freak out over delays, trusting God's timing (Galatians 5:5).
- E. He will help me resist things I can't normally resist.
- 1. Holy Spirit's power is stronger than willpower (Galatians 5:17-18).
- 2. Helps us not fulfill selfish desires, even if temptations persist (Galatians 5:16).
- F. He will help me avoid dangers and mistakes.
- 1. Part of his job is to protect and shield us.
- 2. Warns and cautions us (Acts 21:4).
- 3. Hearing the Holy Spirit is easier when relaxed; fear is not from the Holy Spirit.
- III. How Does the Holy Spirit Guide? (Three Common Ways)
- A. By revealing the meaning of what he said (the Bible).
- 1. Spirit of Truth uses the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:11-14, John 15:26).
- 2. He illuminates scripture and applies it to our lives.
- B. By reminding me of what he said.
- 1. Serves as our mental reminder of learned truth (John 14:26).
- 2. The more Word in our minds, the more he can remind (2 Peter 1:20).
- C. By giving us nudges and confirmations.
- 1. Internal impressions or "witness" with our spirit (Romans 8:16).
- 2. Acting on these nudges strengthens our ability to hear him.
- IV. Steps to Let the Holy Spirit Lead You Daily
- A. Pause and be quiet (Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 30:15).
- B. Humbly ask the Holy Spirit to guide you (Psalm 25:9, Psalm 27:11).
- C. Be willing to do what he says before he tells you (John 7:17).
- D. Look to God's Word (Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:133).
- E. Expect his guidance in faith (James 1:5-7).
- F. Wait for God's response.
Scripture references
- John 16:13
- John 14:16
- John 14:26
- Romans 8
- Luke 2:26
- Luke 2:27
- Acts 8:29
- Mark 12:36
- Matthew 10:19-20
- Ecclesiastes
- Galatians 5:5
- Galatians 5:17
- Galatians 5:18
- Galatians 5:16
- Acts 21:4
- Psalm 37:7
- Isaiah 30:15
- Psalm 25:9
- Psalm 27:11
- John 7:17
- Psalm 119:105
- Psalm 119:133
- James 1:5-7
- 1 Corinthians 2:11-14
- John 15:26
- 2 Peter 1:20
- Romans 8:16
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Insights
True guidance often comes by knowing the source, not just the directions.
God's best is often found in waiting for His perfect timing.
The Holy Spirit offers power beyond personal willpower.
Questions & answers
Why did Jesus say it was better for him to leave Earth?
Jesus said it was better because when he left, he would send the Holy Spirit, also called the Helper or Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit, unlike Jesus in a physical body, can be with all believers everywhere at the same time.
What is the difference between "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" according to this sermon?
The sermon explains that "Holy Ghost" is an old mistranslation from the King James Version of the Bible, where "ghost" simply meant "spirit" 400 years ago. Today, "ghost" has a different connotation, so "Holy Spirit" is the preferred term, both referring to the same divine being.
What are the three parts of a vision God gives, as mentioned in the sermon?
The three parts of a vision are: first, what God is going to do; second, how God will do it, which is often contrary to our own methods; and third, when God's perfect timing will bring it to pass.
How can I know if a thought or impression is from the Holy Spirit or from my own fear?
The sermon states that if there is any element of fear in what you are hearing, it is not from the Holy Spirit, because God has not given us a spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit's warnings are not fear-based.
What does it mean to "catch a wave" in this sermon's context?
Catching a wave refers to recognizing and responding to opportunities or directions that God is actively creating. Just as surfers don't make waves but ride them, believers should listen to the Holy Spirit to discern and align with God's work.
What happens if I ignore the Holy Spirit's nudges to do good?
The sermon teaches that every time you get an impression to do good and act on it, you strengthen your ability to hear the Holy Spirit. Conversely, delaying or ignoring these nudges weakens that spiritual muscle.
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