How do we become more like Jesus? Is it by reading our Bibles more, getting an accountability partner, or volunteering at church? Those are definitely good steps, but they only deal with surface-level issues. As he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. explains how the Holy Spirit works to transform our hearts and our desires, to change us from the inside out.

In our series on the Holy Spirit called, Rushing Wind, we’ve learned who the Holy Spirit is and why we need him in our lives. In this message, Pastor J.D. gets really practical, explaining how you can experience the Holy Spirit in your own life. We’re learning how to tap into the Spirit’s power so we can do God’s work in the world. 

As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Rushing Wind, we’re studying the third person of the Trinity and learning how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor J.D. explains what the “filling of the Spirit” is, when it happens, and how it happens. We’re in Ephesians 5:18-21.

Some Christians think you can receive the Holy Spirit months or even years after you’ve been saved. They believe that when he comes, there will be a clear, outward sign, like speaking in tongues or prophesying. Others think you’re sealed with the Spirit when you’re first saved, and that’s your only experience with him! They believe in the Spirit in theory, but don’t think he really change anything in their lives. Pastor J.D. reveals that neither of those views tells the whole story! It’s part of our series called, Rushing Wind.

When we give our lives to Jesus, the Bible says we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean? Is the Spirit just a stamp we get in our spiritual passport to make sure we’ll get into heaven? As he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. explains that we aren’t just sealed with the Spirit. We’re also filled with the Spirit!

Cars either run on gasoline or electricity. If you tried to fill your car up with something else, like soda, you wouldn’t get very far! For a car to work, it has to be drawing from the right power source. And the same is true of us! Pastor J.D. points us to the power source for the Christian life as he continues our study of the Holy Spirit titled, Rushing Wind.

 When scientists began experimenting with electricity in the 1800s, a whole new world of possibilities opened up. This incredible power source had always existed, but they’d never before been able to tap into it. And Pastor J.D. explains that you and I have access to a spiritual power source that we might be ignoring! We’re talking about the power of the Holy Spirit as we continue our series called, Rushing Wind. 

 The word “charismatic” has very strong connotations for Christians today, and it can be extremely divisive. But as he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. gives us clarity on this issue, revealing what the Bible really says about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. 

In certain churches, the Holy Spirit is talked about as something you experience during worship, when the music crescendos and you get a surge of emotions. Or, when we’re praying about a decision and we feel a warmth in our chest, we think that that’s the Holy Spirit telling us which way to go. But Pastor J.D. explains that the Holy Spirit’s role in your life is way bigger and way more real than just getting goosebumps. It’s part of our series called, Rushing Wind.

 In some churches, you’ll hear a lot of talk about God the Father and Jesus Christ, but the Holy Spirit seems to sort of get pushed to the side. In other churches, people focus so much on trying to hear from the Holy Spirit, that they’ll interpret anything and everything as a sign from him. So which side is more biblical? What role is the Holy Spirit supposed to play in our churches and in our lives? Pastor J.D. unpacks those questions as he continues our new series called, Rushing Wind.