In this sermon, I teach our youth what it means to live a Spirit-filled life and why Jesus had to return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could come. If Jesus had stayed physically on earth, His presence would have been limited to one place at a time, but through the Holy Spirit, God now dwells within every believer, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us daily.
I begin by explaining that the Holy Spirit is not an “it” or a force, He is a person, the third Person of the Trinity, and He relates to us like a friend. Just like healthy friends tell us the truth, walk with us through hardship, and help us grow, the Holy Spirit does the same, yet in a deeper, supernatural way. Many people struggle with the idea of the supernatural, but our faith is rooted in a God who is Spirit, a God who fills the emptiness in our hearts that the world can never satisfy.
From there, I walk through Jesus’ promise in John 14 and 16 that the Spirit would come as our Advocate. The world can’t recognize Him, but we can, because He lives within us. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives becomes evidence of God’s power and love at work, and He begins producing transformation from the inside out.
I then teach on the fruit of the Spirit, using an apple as a visual. Jesus said people are known by their fruit, meaning our actions reveal what is truly inside of us. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) shows whether we’re being led by the Spirit or by our flesh. I share practical, everyday examples, waiting patiently at the DMV, responding kindly to difficult customers, showing gentleness when correcting someone, and exercising self-control when anger rises. These aren’t just Christian ideals; they’re spiritual attributes the Holy Spirit grows in us over time.
Next, I teach on the gifts of the Spirit from 1 Corinthians 12. While the fruit shapes our character, the gifts empower our ministry. I share real-life examples from my own walk: moments where God gave me supernatural wisdom in conversation, times when I sensed a spiritual presence in someone, and moments when the Spirit gave interpretation during a time of tongues. These gifts operate not for personal pride but “for the common good,” to build up the church and reveal God’s supernatural love and truth.
Finally, I remind the youth that as a Spirit-filled church, we should not be surprised when the Spirit moves. We shouldn’t be surprised when God changes the direction of a sermon, convicts a heart, gives a prophetic word, or pours out a gift in the room. We honor the Word of God, we stay balanced, and we remain grounded in Scripture, but we also fully expect the Spirit to show up, because Jesus promised He would.
I close with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to make Himself real in our lives, speak to us when we need direction, grow His fruit in us, and activate His gifts within us. My heart is that every student understands that the Spirit-filled life is not mystical or strange, it’s the normal Christian life, empowered by God Himself.
My Faith Journey 