Holy Spirit The Enabler Of Our Victory (3/3): When We Need Hope
Title: When We Need Power
Series: Holy Spirit The Enabler Of Our Victory
Text: Eph 1:13-14
In the midst of all the pain, chaos and devastation we see in the world today, we can be steadfast in hope because we have the Holy Spirit. How does the Spirit secure this hope for us and what exactly is it that we hope for?
1) The Spirit Is Evidence That We Belong To God (Eph 1:13)
Just like the need for food and water, a sense of belonging is a human need. Deep down, there is an inherent desire to be accepted, associated or be part of something greater than ourselves. How does this need to belong affect the way people live their lives? Think about yourself and the people around you, and share some of these stories. How does belonging, or the absence of it, affect one’s hope in times of difficulty?
The Holy Spirit is the seal given by God as evidence that we belong to Him. We are His children. Who is God to you? What is His character like? What does it mean for you personally when you realise that you belong to Him? In challenging times, how does the truth that you are part of God’s people encourage or comfort you?
2) The Spirit Is Assurance That We Will Receive Our Inheritance (Eph 1:14)
Reflect upon your life experiences so far. Were there times when you know something good will be coming your way in the future, be it a reward, a solution to a problematic situation etc, but the waiting process proved really challenging? Share how the experience was like and what helped you to go through it. More specifically, what helped you to keep sight of the “end goal” while you wait? How did the Spirit empower you to deal with the difficulties in the midst of waiting?
The Holy Spirit is God’s pledge of our inheritance, that He will fulfil His promise and complete His plan in us. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, how much are we looking forward to this inheritance at this point of time? What aspect of it are we most looking forward to? Why?
For some, tough times can cause them to lose hope and grow weary in trusting that God will fulfil His promises. For others, tough times lead them to yearn more for God and the eventual completion of His plan. What effect does challenges in life have on you and your faith in God? How does the assurance of our inheritance in Christ make a difference to how we face challenges? Practically, what is one thing we can now do differently during such times? How can we rely on the Spirit’s enablement to do so?