The Advantage of the Holy Spirit

Happy New Year! As we begin this season, we’re stepping into our annual 21 days of prayer and fasting. Every year, this time together is designed to help us fall more in love with the Lord Jesus Christ. As we gather on all our campuses, we’re seeking His face, drawing closer to Him, and preparing our hearts to receive from His living and active Word.
This month, we’re focusing on the Holy Spirit. For many Christians, the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Some have encountered extremes, and others may have been taught little about Him at all. But Jesus told His disciples it was to their advantage that He would go away, so He could send the Holy Spirit. Think about that. Having the Holy Spirit with us is better than having Jesus physically present!

So, why is the Holy Spirit so important?

The Holy Spirit Is God
The Holy Spirit isn’t an “it” or a force. He’s God—the third person of the Trinity. Just as the Father is God, and Jesus is God, the Holy Spirit is God. He’s not less than the Father or the Son, but He submits to them to magnify Jesus and glorify the Father. His role is to make Jesus look good and to help us live lives that honor Him.

The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers
When you come to Christ, you’re regenerated by the Spirit—He makes you alive in Christ. You’re baptized into the body of Christ and sealed as His own, marked with a guarantee of your future inheritance. The Holy Spirit indwells you forever. And here’s the truth: you can’t live the Christian life by yourself. That’s why the Holy Spirit is called the Helper. He’s here to do in and through you what you could never do on your own.
The Holy Spirit empowers you to live holy—not necessarily perfectly, but increasingly. He gives you the ability to overcome sin, live morally, and reflect Christ in your daily life. And when you yield to Him, when you let Him control your actions and attitudes, you’re filled with the Spirit, living a life that glorifies Jesus.

The Holy Spirit Convicts the World
The Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He reveals that Jesus is the Christ, that we’re in need of Him, and that judgment is real. Even as believers, the Spirit continues to convict us—not to shame us, but to sanctify us, to make us more like Christ.

The Holy Spirit Glorifies Christ
Above all, the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. He’s always pointing us to Christ, magnifying His name, and helping us grow in our faith. When you abide in Christ and let His Word abide in you, you’ll bear fruit, and the Father will be glorified.

So, What’s the Takeaway?
The Holy Spirit is a gift. Jesus said it’s to your advantage to have Him, and He wasn’t exaggerating. The Spirit’s work in your life is constant—He’s thinking about you, helping you, and transforming you. When you feel convicted, it’s because God loves you and is shaping you into who He’s called you to be.

You might think going all in with the Lord means giving up something or doing something you fear. But here’s the truth: when you go all in with Jesus, you’ll find your greatest satisfaction. God wants to use you—your gifts, your personality, your unique design—to bring Him glory.
So, as we continue this journey together, remember this: You have the Helper. You’re not alone. And with the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.
- Pastor Jeff