May The Force Be With You

Good morning, church!

How many of you have ever seen Star Wars? (Pause for a show of hands.) Even if you haven't, I bet you've heard one of its most famous lines: "May the Force be with you."

It's a blessing, a word of encouragement. It's a way to say, "You're not alone.

You have something greater than yourself at work in you." Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

As followers of Christ, we don't walk in a fictional "Force." We walk with the very Spirit of the Living God. Today, I want to discuss the real power available to every believer.

Not an impersonal energy, not a myth, But a real, present, personal Spirit — the Holy Spirit.

And just like they said in Star Wars, I pray that today, you will leave here hearing a new blessing:

"May the Spirit be with you."

Let's talk about what the Holy Spirit is and isn't. In Star Wars, the "Force" is an energy field that surrounds and penetrates everything. It's mystical, it's powerful, but it's impersonal.

The Holy Spirit is entirely different:

• The Holy Spirit is personal — He speaks, teaches, comforts, and guides.

• The Holy Spirit is powerful — He created the universe (Genesis 1:2).

• The Holy Spirit is God — the third Person of the Trinity.

He's not a distant concept. He's a close companion. He's not just "energy" — He is in a relationship.

And He was promised to us.

Jesus said in John 14:16–17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth."

God didn't say, "Good luck! Hope you figure it out!" No — He gave us His Spirit to live in us and work through us.

One of the running themes in Star Wars is that the heroes don't have strength on their own. They constantly have to rely on something greater. And isn't that true for us too?

Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 is not that we would never face hardships. In the middle of life's battles, we would be strengthened with power through His Spirit.

• When you feel tired... the Spirit strengthens you.

• When you are afraid... the Spirit emboldens you.

• When you don't know what to say... the Spirit speaks for you.

• When you feel alone... the Spirit comforts you.

Romans 8:26 reminds us: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."

You don't have to muscle through life on your own. You have a Helper—a Guide.

A Source of power beyond yourself. May the Spirit be with you.

So, what does it mean to live by the Spirit, not just in theory but in everyday life? It means walking in Daily Surrender.

Galatians 5:25 says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." It's a daily relationship. It's waking up each morning and praying: "Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts, my words, my actions today."

It means living with Courage, Not fear. The early Christians were outnumbered, out-resourced, and often persecuted. Yet they were bold — why?

Because the Spirit filled them with courage that didn't make human sense. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."

Fear paralyzes. The Spirit empowers.

It means bearing fruit. When the

Spirit lives in you, you start to change — not by striving, but by abiding. Galatians 5:22–23: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." It's not that we suddenly "try harder" to be patient or loving. The Spirit grows those things naturally in our hearts, like fruit on a tree.

It means a Spirit-Filled Church Changes the World. In Star Wars, the heroes couldn't defeat the Empire alone. It took a community working together, each filled with believing in something greater than themselves. The church is no different. We are not meant to operate on our own strength. We are meant to be a Spirit-filled community.

Imagine what would happen if:

• Every prayer was Spirit-led

• Every conversation was Spirit-guided

• Every decision was Spirit-empowered

• Every act of service was Spirit-fueled

We wouldn't just survive. We would thrive. We wouldn't just "get by." We would change the world.

Acts 1:8 says: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses..." The early church didn't have buildings, budgets, or programs. But they had the Holy Spirit — and through His power, they turned the world upside down.

Let's go back to the heart of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16–17:

"I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."