Microchurch Minute
Imagine living Palm Sunday as it happened. You’ve made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem with your family. It is Passover, the sacred remembrance of when God led the Israelites out of Egypt. The city is full, buzzing with anticipation. You are busy preparing for the meal, carefully selecting your sacrificial lamb. It must be pure, without blemish. You’ve chosen well, spotless, the right size, set apart. There’s talk in the streets about a man named Jesus. Some say He heals the sick. Others say He casts out demons. Whispers grow louder: Could this be the Messiah?
Then suddenly, commotion. “Hosanna!” “Save us now!” You rush outside, pressing through the crowd, palm branches waving, cloaks thrown onto the road. And then, you see Him. Riding on a colt. Your heart catches. You remember the words of the prophet Zechariah. You learned them as a child. This is how the King would come. Could it really be? “Hosanna! Hosanna!” you cry out with the others. At last, the One who will rescue us. The One who will overthrow Rome. The One who will restore our people. But… He doesn’t look like a warrior. No armor. No army. No force. Just a humble man on a donkey.
They were waiting with expectation, full of hope for a Savior. But they had already decided what that Savior should look like. A conqueror. A king of power. A deliverer on their terms. Instead, Jesus came in humility. Not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin.
Not to overthrow governments, but to overthrow death itself. He is King—just not the kind they expected.
And how often do we do the same? We celebrate when God moves the way we hoped. We praise when His plans align with ours. We shout “Hosanna” when the outcome feels like victory to us. But when He doesn’t… When He’s quieter than we expected, slower than we wanted, or working in ways we don’t understand. Do we still trust Him? Do we still follow?
Jesus didn’t come to meet expectations. He came to fulfill promises. He turned the world’s idea of power upside down, choosing humility, sacrifice, and grace. And in doing so, He secured the only victory that truly matters.
So the question Palm Sunday leaves us with is this: Do you praise Jesus for who He truly is or only for who you hoped He would be?
Microchurch Minute
We previously learned about the fruit of the Spirit in our study of Galatians. As we continually strive to be more like Christ, these characteristics should become evident in every aspect of our lives. On Sunday, we took a deeper look at how the nine characteristics we bear when the Holy Spirit lives within us fit beautifully into three outwardly observable categories.
In our relationship with God (upward): love, joy, and peace.
We see agape love most clearly in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—a love so great that He was willing to suffer so we could be restored to God. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that the forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood. How incredible that God chose to become that sacrifice for us. Because of this, we can fully experience the love of our perfect Heavenly Father, who chooses us again and again.
From that love flows joy, a deep and steady satisfaction in who God is. And when we trust Him fully, we receive peace that surpasses understanding, even in life’s storms. Be mindful to keep your focus on Him, because distractions are often used by the enemy to steal that peace and joy, whether it’s frustrating paperwork, difficult diagnoses, or conflict in relationships. Resist the urge to take control and instead lean into the Holy Spirit within you. What may feel heavy now is not the end, joy truly comes in the morning.
In our interactions with others (outward): patience, kindness, and goodness.
Patience can be especially challenging. To endure hardship and remain slow to anger goes against our natural instincts, it requires the work of the Holy Spirit in us. From patience flows kindness, a visible compassion in how we treat those around us. This extends into goodness, where our character and actions reflect integrity. Are your interactions marked by genuine care? Do people walk away feeling seen, valued, and encouraged? That kind of impact can only come from a life rooted in God.
In our relationship with ourselves (inward): faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Faithfulness is seen in our commitment to God and our consistency in living out what He has called us to do. It also shows in how dependable we are in our daily lives. Gentleness is an area many of us desire to grow in, having strength that is steady and controlled, not reactive. It’s choosing grace in both our outward responses and our inner dialogue. And finally, self-control is like a muscle that must be exercised, it allows us to manage our emotions and responses in a way that reflects Christ, even in difficult moments.
Microchurch Minute
We have been learning about the Holy Spirit and took time on Sunday to dive into spiritual gifts. These aren’t just talents or something you can produce through your own willpower. Rather, they are distinct gifts given by the Holy Spirit. We didn’t log into “theholyspirit.com” to scroll through options and choose what appeals to us. On the contrary, one of the many blessings of being indwelled by the Holy Spirit is that He equips us with supernatural power to play our part in His masterfully orchestrated plan.
Do you ever doubt your gifting? I pray that you would receive it as it has been given to you, without questioning the good and loving Father who inscribed it with your name. Just like salvation, it is not something to be earned, but a gift freely given, meant to build up the Body of Christ.
As you observe others who are active in the church, you may notice that people are gifted in ways different from you. Don’t be discouraged, this is part of God’s design. If we’re not careful, our human mindset can become self-centered when it comes to our gifts. “That leadership team is so charismatic and outgoing… maybe I don’t belong here since I’m only useful in the nursery, kitchen, or behind the scenes.” Sound familiar?
The enemy uses comparison and pride to distort your identity. Either you begin to believe your gifting isn’t enough, or you fall into the trap of thinking your gift makes you more important than others. But that was never God’s intention for spiritual gifts.
I love the comparison Scripture gives us, the Body. A foot cannot see, but it can walk. An eye cannot walk, but it can see. A hand cannot smell, but a nose can. Each part is different, yet each part is essential. Your differences are not a flaw, they are exactly what make you an integral part of the Church.
This doesn’t dismiss the natural talents you’ve been given. Maybe you’ve always been creative, or you thrive in the kitchen, or you naturally lead a room. Those characteristics may very well be the places where the Holy Spirit has uniquely gifted you. The shift happens when our mindset changes from “Look what I’m good at.” to “Lord, how can I use this to serve and build up Your Church?”
When we walk in our spiritual gifts as God intended, the focus isn’t on the person, it’s on the work God is doing through them. As believers, we are called to do everything in love. When I use my gifts, it should flow from reverence for God and love for His people.
I look forward to us continuing to grow together, discovering our gifts, encouraging one another, and strengthening the Body of Christ so that we can more powerfully carry out God’s work together.
Microchurch Minute
Remember the last time you stirred up a nice cold glass of chocolate milk? You pour in just the right amount of chocolate syrup and mix it vigorously until it spreads all the way through the milk. The result is delicious, a satisfying treat that comes from taking the time to mix it well.
When we accept Jesus Christ and the reality of our redemption, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to dwell within us. Like chocolate syrup poured into white milk, the Holy Spirit is now present in every believer. You can’t remove Him from the glass, His presence is there.
But here’s the question: are you letting Him settle at the bottom, or are you stirring things up?
While the Spirit fully lives within us, we are called to intentionally walk in step with Him and allow His presence to permeate every part of our lives. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you (your thoughts, decisions, relationships, and actions) requires surrender and daily dependence.
Don’t remain stagnant and let the richness settle at the bottom. Stir it up. Let the goodness move through every part of you until every “sip” of your life reflects the sweetness of the Holy Spirit.
His presence shouldn’t result in only a mild change (still mostly white milk) but a complete transformation, turning your life into something entirely new.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
Microchurch Minute
Present at Creation
Genesis 1:2: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
Gives Life
Job 33:4: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
Inspired Scripture
2 Peter 1:21: “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and
for training in righteousness.”
Conceives Jesus
Luke 1:35: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you…”
Anoints Jesus for Ministry:
Luke 4:18 (quoting Isaiah): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to
proclaim good news to the poor…”
Leads Jesus:
Luke 4:1 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit
in the wilderness.”
Empowers Jesus:
Acts 10:38: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…”
Convicts of Sin
John 16:8: “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness
and judgment.”
Causes New Birth
John 3:5–6: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God…
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Regenerates and Renews
Titus 3:5: “He saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptizes into Christ’s Body
1 Corinthians 12:13: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… and all were made
to drink of one Spirit.”
Seals Believers
Ephesians 1:13–14: “When you heard the word of truth… and believed in him, were sealed with
the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…”
Testifies We Are God’s Children
Romans 8:16: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Pours God’s Love into Our Hearts
Romans 5:5: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been
given to us.”
Sanctifies
2 Thessalonians 2:13: “God chose you… through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the
truth.”
Produces Fruit
Galatians 5:22–23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Empowers Victory Over Sin
Romans 8:13: “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Transforms into Christ’s Image
2 Corinthians 3:18: “We all… are being transformed into the same image… For this comes
from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Guides into Truth:
John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”
Teaches Believers:
John 14:26: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your
remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Directs Ministry
Acts 13:2: “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I
have called them.’”
Forbids / Redirects
Acts 16:6–7: “They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia…”
Helps in Weakness
Romans 8:26: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groanings too deep for words.”
Enables Cry of Adoption
Galatians 4:6: “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Empowers Witness
Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses…”
Distributes Spiritual Gifts:
1 Corinthians 12:4–7: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Gives Specific Gifts:
1 Corinthians 12:8–11: To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to
another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same
Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another
prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of
tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and
the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Dwells in Believers:
1 Corinthians 6:19: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…”
Dwells in the Church Collectively:
1 Corinthians 3:16: “You are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you.”
Creates Unity:
Ephesians 4:3–4: “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit… There is one body and one
Spirit…”
Raises the Dead
Romans 8:11: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you… he… will
also give life to your mortal bodies.”
Is the Down Payment of Glory:
2 Corinthians 1:22: “[God] has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a
guarantee.”
Can Be Grieved:
Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…”
Can Be Quenched
1 Thessalonians 5:19: “Do not quench the Spirit.”
Can Be Lied To:
Acts 5:3–4: “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied to man
but to God.”
Microchurch Minute
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but God Himself — fully divine, fully personal, and fully present. From Genesis to Acts, the Spirit has always been at work: hovering over creation, empowering leaders like David, speaking through the prophets, and promised as the One who would one day dwell within God’s people. Jesus lived in complete dependence on the Spirit and promised that after His ascension, the Spirit would come not merely upon a few, but within all believers. At Pentecost in Acts of the Apostles 2, that promise was fulfilled — the Spirit was poured out, empowering the Church for bold witness and forming a new Spirit-filled community.
We also saw the major shift from the Old Covenant to the New: the Spirit no longer comes temporarily upon select individuals but permanently indwells every believer in Christ. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us — convicting, guiding, empowering, and producing fruit. The question is no longer whether we have the Spirit, but whether we are living in daily dependence on Him. Since we live by the Spirit, we are called to keep in step with the Spirit.
Don’t be afraid to ask yourself…
Do I actually believe that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within me?
Do I confidently call on Him?
Do I aim to keep in step with the Holy Spirit inside me, or do I have habits that are quenching it’s power?
