“The Most Uncomfortable Comforter” | Dr. David Wilkinson
In this powerful message, Dr. David Wilkinson explores how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and calls us to mission. Discover what it means to encounter the Spirit personally—and why it’s both beautiful and uncomfortable.
In this week’s message, Dr. David Wilkinson — a theologian and astrophysicist — explores the dynamic, sometimes unsettling, presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His message challenges the idea of the Spirit as a passive or quiet comforter. Instead, he describes the Spirit as the personal presence of God who both comforts and disrupts, pushing believers into deeper faith and courageous mission.
Dr. Wilkinson outlines four key truths:
Encountering the Holy Spirit is encountering the personal God.
The Spirit is not an idea or force, but the living, breathing presence of God with us.Encountering the Holy Spirit is uncomfortable.
God meets us in our comfort zones—but never leaves us there.Encountering the Holy Spirit pushes us into mission.
The Spirit empowers us to engage the world with love, justice, and boldness.Encountering the Holy Spirit is for all.
Pentecost wasn’t a one-time event for a few elite believers. The Spirit is still poured out today—on all people.
This message is a call to reimagine comfort not as safety, but as the courage to follow wherever the Spirit leads.
Discussion Questions
How does viewing the Holy Spirit as the “personal God” change the way you relate to Him?
When have you experienced the Holy Spirit making you uncomfortable? What came out of that experience?
What does it mean for mission to be Spirit-led? Where might the Spirit be calling you to step out?
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is for you? What might be holding you back from receiving and trusting His presence more fully?
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More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Guests
August 11, 2024 | "From Doubts to Doorways: Jesus, Cosmology and Creation” | David Wilkinson
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the enlightening sermon, “Jesus, Cosmology, and Creation,” delivered by Dr. David Wilkinson at New Hope, we explore the profound connections between science and faith, anchored firmly in our mission to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ. Dr. Wilkinson, with his unique background in both astrophysics and theology, guides us through the intersection of scientific discovery and spiritual faith, demonstrating that the vastness of the universe magnifies, rather than contradicts, the creative power and purpose of Christ.
He articulates that Christ is not only supreme in revealing God’s nature but also in the orchestration of all creation and its ongoing sustenance, aligning with our value of being Rooted in God’s Word. This sermon encourages us to see Jesus as the ultimate answer to the big questions of purpose, existence, and moral guidance, affirming our belief that true understanding comes from embracing both faith and rational inquiry.
Dr. Wilkinson challenges us to consider how Jesus’ supremacy in all things calls us to reflect on our personal commitment to living out our faith in a complex world. This reflection is vital as we strive to Reach the World for Jesus Christ, promoting a message of reconciliation and love that transcends scientific and cultural boundaries.
Call to Action: Engage with this message further by joining our discussion groups that explore science and faith, helping to fortify our commitment to living and sharing a faith that embraces all aspects of truth. Discover more about how you can contribute to this dialogue and uphold our values by visiting our message archive.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
Q&A Session
After the service, David Wilkinson spent time answering questions. Unfortunately, due to a technical problem, the Q&A video is incomplete, but you can watch most of it below.
In this powerful message, Dr. David Wilkinson explores how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and calls us to mission. Discover what it means to encounter the Spirit personally—and why it’s both beautiful and uncomfortable.