Strengthening the Church Part III
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from January 28, 2026
Let’s Break it Down
The key to hearing God's voice clearly is consistent obedience to His previous instructions, even when they challenge our comfort zones.
Key Takeaways
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a continual process, not a one-time experience
Spiritual maturity is demonstrated by focusing on others rather than ourselves
We develop spiritual discernment through obedience and 'exercising' our spiritual senses
God often asks us to do small, uncomfortable things to test our obedience before giving bigger assignments
Worship and fellowship with other believers are essential for maintaining our spiritual filling
Tap to watch Pastor John’s full sermon on Youtube
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: Never Stop Filling Up
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how your phone battery drains throughout the day? No matter how fully charged it starts, by evening it needs to be plugged in again. Our spiritual lives work similarly. Many believers think that one powerful encounter with God - perhaps at salvation or during a special church service - is enough to sustain them indefinitely. But that's not how God designed the Christian life. The Greek construction Paul uses when he commands us to "be filled with the Spirit" indicates continuous, ongoing action. It's not a one-time event but a daily necessity. Just as our physical bodies need regular meals and our phones need regular charging, our spirits need regular filling with God's presence and power. This isn't about chasing emotional highs or spiritual experiences. It's about recognizing our constant need for God's strength, wisdom, and guidance. When we acknowledge our daily dependence on Him, we position ourselves to receive fresh grace, renewed perspective, and supernatural empowerment for whatever lies ahead. The beautiful truth is that God wants to fill us continually. He's not holding back, waiting for us to prove ourselves worthy. He's ready to pour out His Spirit into our lives every single day. The question isn't whether He's willing - it's whether we're positioning ourselves to receive what He's offering. Tomorrow brings new challenges, new opportunities to love others, and new chances to represent Christ well. Don't try to face them on yesterday's spiritual fuel. Come to God fresh each day, acknowledging your need and opening your heart to His filling.
Bible Verse
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:18
Reflection Question
What daily practices could you establish to ensure you're regularly positioning yourself to be filled with God's Spirit rather than relying on past spiritual experiences?
Quote
But be filled with the Spirit. It literally means to be filled continually. To be filled continually. So it's not just a one off, it's not Just a. Well, Pastor John, I've had the experience of baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I'm good. No, this suggests that we need to be filled continually.
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize my daily need for Your Spirit's filling. Just as I wouldn't try to run my car on yesterday's gas, help me not try to live today on yesterday's spiritual fuel. Fill me fresh each morning with Your presence and power. Amen.
Day 2: Growing Beyond Yourself
Devotional
There's a telltale sign of spiritual immaturity that's easy to spot: everything revolves around "me." Immature believers are constantly focused on their own needs, their own problems, their own spiritual experiences. They attend church asking, "What can I get out of this?" rather than "How can I contribute?" But as we grow in Christ, something beautiful happens. Our perspective shifts from inward to outward. We begin to notice the person sitting alone in the church lobby. We start asking friends how they're really doing - and actually listening to the answer. We become aware of needs around us that we previously overlooked because we were too consumed with our own concerns. This transformation doesn't happen overnight, and it's not about becoming a people-pleaser or neglecting your own legitimate needs. It's about developing the heart of Christ, who "came not to be served, but to serve." When the Holy Spirit fills us continually, He naturally produces this others-focused love within us. Maturity in faith means learning to ask better questions: "How is my friend handling that difficult situation?" "What can I do to encourage someone today?" "How can I use my gifts to strengthen my church family?" These questions reflect a heart that's been touched by God's love and wants to extend that same care to others. The church becomes a healthier, more vibrant place when filled with mature believers who genuinely care for one another. This kind of community doesn't happen by accident - it's the fruit of individuals who have moved beyond spiritual self-centeredness to Christ-centered love.
Bible Verse
"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:22-25
Reflection Question
When you're in a group setting at church or with other believers, do you find yourself primarily focused on what you can receive or what you can give to others?
Quote
Immaturity thinks about itself. Immaturity is always concerned about itself. Maturity says, hey, how so? And so. Are you doing okay? Are you all right? Is everything cool? Is there anything we can do?
Prayer
Father, help me grow beyond spiritual self-centeredness. Open my eyes to see the needs of others around me. Give me a heart that genuinely cares for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Show me practical ways to encourage and support them today. Amen.
Day 3: Small Steps, Big Faith
Devotional
We often think God will ask us to do something dramatic and visible - lead a ministry, give a powerful testimony, or make some grand gesture of faith. But most of the time, God's assignments are much quieter and smaller than we expect. He might prompt you to send an encouraging text to someone, help a neighbor with groceries, or simply listen to a friend who's struggling. These small promptings are actually God's training ground for our faith. He's not trying to make us famous; He's trying to make us faithful. When we respond to His quiet voice in the little things, we're building spiritual muscle that will serve us well when bigger opportunities come. The beautiful thing about obeying God in small matters is that it's between you and Him. No one else needs to know. No one else needs to applaud. It's pure obedience motivated by love for God rather than desire for recognition. These private acts of faithfulness are precious to Him because they reveal the true condition of our hearts. Every time you step out in faith - even in something small - you're exercising your spiritual discernment. You're learning to recognize God's voice and distinguish it from your own thoughts or outside influences. This practice is essential for spiritual growth because discernment, like physical strength, develops through use. Don't wait for God to ask you to do something spectacular. Start paying attention to the small promptings He's giving you today. That gentle nudge to call someone, that thought to pray for a specific person, that idea to help in a practical way - these might be God's voice. Step out in faith and see what happens.
Bible Verse
"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14
Reflection Question
What small prompting have you sensed recently that you might have dismissed as unimportant, and how could you respond to it in faith today?
Quote
I think God's going to ask you to do small things the majority of the time. No one's ever going to see. The Lord has asked me many times to do things that no one would ever see because they weren't meant to be seen by a bunch of people. They were meant to be seen by Him.
Prayer
Lord, help me be faithful in small things. Tune my heart to hear Your quiet voice and give me courage to obey even when the assignment seems insignificant. I want to please You more than impress others. Amen.
Day 4: The Voice Gets Clearer
Devotional
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to hear God's voice so clearly while you struggle to know if it's really Him speaking? The secret isn't some special spiritual gift - it's consistent obedience to what you already sense God asking you to do. Think of it like learning a new language. At first, you can only pick out a few words here and there. But as you practice and immerse yourself in it, your comprehension grows. Eventually, you're having full conversations with ease. Hearing God's voice works similarly. The more you respond to His promptings, the clearer His voice becomes. When you obey what you believe God is asking - even when you're not 100% certain it's Him - something wonderful happens. You begin to experience His pleasure, a sense of "yes, that's exactly what I wanted you to do." This confirmation builds your confidence and sharpens your spiritual ears for next time. But here's the flip side: when we consistently ignore God's promptings, our spiritual hearing becomes dull. We lose sensitivity to His voice. It's like a muscle that atrophies from lack of use. This is why some believers struggle to discern God's will - they've trained themselves not to listen by repeatedly choosing disobedience. The good news is that it's never too late to start fresh. God is patient and gracious. He's willing to speak to you again, even if you've ignored Him before. But He's also wise - He's not likely to give you a bigger assignment if you haven't been faithful with the smaller ones He's already given. Start where you are today. Listen for His voice, and when you sense His prompting, step out in faith.
Bible Verse
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
Reflection Question
Looking back over recent weeks, can you identify times when you sensed God's prompting but chose not to respond, and how might that have affected your ability to hear His voice clearly?
Quote
With every step of obedience, his voice gets louder and louder, and you have no problem figuring out, okay, this isn't rocket science. That seems to please the Lord. And this doesn't so much.
Prayer
God, I want to hear Your voice more clearly. Forgive me for the times I've ignored Your promptings. Help me be quick to obey what I sense You asking, even when I'm not completely certain. Sharpen my spiritual discernment through faithful obedience. Amen.
Day 5: Seeking First
Devotional
It's natural to worry about the future - your career, relationships, finances, health. These concerns feel urgent and important because they directly impact your daily life. But what if there was a better way to approach these anxieties? What if focusing on something else entirely could actually address all these concerns more effectively? Jesus gives us a radical prescription for worry: seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you. This isn't about ignoring practical responsibilities or living carelessly. It's about reordering our priorities so that our relationship with God takes precedence over everything else. When we seek God first, something beautiful happens. We begin to see our circumstances from His perspective. Problems that seemed overwhelming become opportunities for Him to show His faithfulness. Decisions that felt impossible become clearer as we align our hearts with His will. Resources we thought were lacking begin to appear as He provides for our needs. This doesn't mean life becomes problem-free, but it does mean we face challenges with divine backing. God knows exactly what you need - often better than you do. He sees the bigger picture of your life and understands how each piece fits together for your good and His glory. The key is trust. Instead of frantically trying to control every outcome, we learn to rest in God's character and promises. We invest our energy in growing closer to Him, serving His purposes, and living according to His values. As we do, we discover that He truly does add everything we need to our lives - not necessarily everything we want, but everything that's truly necessary for our wellbeing and His purposes. This is the pathway to peace in an anxious world.
Bible Verse
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:31-34
Reflection Question
What specific worry or concern in your life could you surrender to God today, choosing instead to focus your energy on seeking His kingdom and righteousness?
Quote
Let's just seek God and let's allow him to add to our lives the things that we would seek. Let's seek him and let him add.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know my needs better than I do. Help me trust You enough to seek Your kingdom first, knowing that You will provide everything I truly need. Replace my anxiety with faith in Your perfect provision and timing. Amen.