The Presence of the Spirit (+Sunday at Immanuel!)
Let us be filled with courage, boldness, steadfastness, perseverance, and ever-deepening faith as the Holy Spirit works in us.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:15-16).
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:26-27).
One of the most incredible verses in scripture is when Jesus tells his disciples they will be better off if he departs because he will send his Spirit. That is so hard to believe, mostly because we struggle to treat the Holy Spirit as real and present with us. We somehow forget that God’s very presence is with us, indwelling us, empowering us, helping us every moment of every day!
So let’s not lose perspective–we live as those who have the power and presence of God at all times. When we face temptation, we can rely on the Spirit. When we face suffering, we can rely on the Spirit. When we face opposition to the gospel, we can rely on the Spirit. When we feel like the odds against us are too great, we can rely on the Spirit. When we are frustrated that we aren’t growing fast enough in our faith, we can rely on the Spirit. When we are struggling to patiently wait on God, we can rely on the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not some ephemeral power who works at our behest. He is the Spirit of the Living God, the presence of Jesus Christ with us. So let us be filled with courage, boldness, steadfastness, perseverance, and ever-deepening faith as the Holy Spirit works in us.
THIS SUNDAY AT IMMANUEL
SUNDAY: Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. as Dr. Russell Moore continues our sermon series The Gospel According to Genesis!
SUNDAY SEMINARS
9 AM: Student Seminar (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in Sadler Hall (through the breezeway and the red double doors)
10:45 AM: - Church History for Beginners, led by Dr. Gavin Ortlund in Sadler Chapel
Last Word seminar will resume on Sunday, 3/23, in Sadler Chapel
ON THE HORIZON
SPRING BREAK DATES: We’ll take a quick break from some of our regular gatherings in observance of Spring Break:
March 10: Monday night Men’s & Women’s Bible Study & Fellowship will take a break and resume on March 17!
March 12: Wednesday Night at Immanuel will take a break and resume again on March 19.
March 13: Thursday Women’s Bible Study will take a break and return on March 20.